Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110000758 | REDUCED DRAG CLUTCH PLATE - A clutch plate including a first friction ring with an inner circumference and an outer circumference, and a resilient drag reducing element with a formed portion. The formed portion is at least partially radially disposed between the inner circumference and the outer circumference, extends axially beyond the first friction ring, and is compressible to be substantially circumferentially or radially aligned with the first friction ring. In some example embodiments of the invention, the resilient element is arranged to maintain a minimum clearance between the first friction ring and a mating surface. | 01-06-2011 |
20110287844 | SINGLE ROW SERIES DAMPER WITH INPUT FLANGE - A damper for a torque converter includes an input flange with a first spring guiding portion and arranged for connection to a cover for the torque converter, an output flange with a second spring guiding portion and arranged for connection to an input shaft for a transmission, and an intermediate flange. The intermediate flange includes at least two plates. The first and second spring guiding portions are disposed axially between the plates. In some example embodiments, the first and second spring guiding portions are radially aligned and circumferentially offset. | 11-24-2011 |
20120043173 | THREE-PASS TORQUE CONVERTERS - A torque converter includes a cover for receiving torque from a prime mover, an impeller fixed to the cover to form a housing for the torque converter, a turbine disposed in the housing for receiving torque from the impeller, and a clutch backing plate fixed to the housing and arranged to receive a force, in an axial direction, from the turbine during operation of the torque converter. In some example embodiments, the turbine includes a thrust plate for thrust engagement with the clutch backing plate. In an example embodiment, the turbine includes a turbine shell and the thrust plate is attached to the turbine shell. | 02-23-2012 |
20120102936 | TORSION SPRING DAMPER - A damper assembly for a torque converter including first and second elastic elements, an input element drivingly engaged with the first elastic element, an intermediate element drivingly engaged with the first elastic element and the second elastic element, and an output element for connecting to an input shaft for a transmission and drivingly engaged with the second elastic element. The assembly also includes a spring element including a circumferentially wound portion and first and second radially extending portions. The first radially extending portion is drivingly engaged with the intermediate element and the second radially extending portion is drivingly engaged with a turbine for the torque converter. | 05-03-2012 |
20120160627 | THREE-STAGE HYSTERESIS FOR SERIES DAMPER - A torque converter damper, including: an output hub; a first side plate arranged for rotational connection to a lock-up clutch and a turbine of the torque converter. Includes first and second intermediate flange plates; a flange connected to the output hub; springs engaged with the first side plate and the intermediate flange plates; springs engaged with the intermediate flange plates and with the flange; and a resilient element creating frictional contact between first and second components of the torque converter damper. Relative rotation of the first and second components at the frictional contact attenuates vibration at the output hub. The first and second components are rotatable with respect to each other. Rotation of the first component is fixed to rotation of the hub. Rotation of the second component is arranged to be fixed to rotation of the turbine. The hub is arranged to be rotatable with respect to the turbine. | 06-28-2012 |
20120205214 | RING RIVET - An assembly for transferring torque including a first component having first wall portions, a second component having second wall portions, wherein the first wall portions extend radially from the first component toward the second component, the second wall portions extend radially from the second component toward the first component, the first wall portions are axially aligned with the second wall portions, and a clearance is formed between the first and second wall portions, and a ring rivet having a connecting portion inserted into the clearance and deformed for creating at least one head for axially locking the first component and the second component together, and wherein deforming the connecting portion fills the clearance for rotationally locking the first component and second component together for enabling a transfer of torque between the first component and the second component. | 08-16-2012 |
20120241271 | TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH AND DAMPER - A clutch and damper assembly for a torque converter includes a clutch piston with a piston friction surface for engaging the clutch and an outer sealing diameter, and a damper. The piston friction surface is disposed radially inward of the damper and the outer sealing diameter is disposed radially outward of the damper. In an example embodiment, the clutch piston includes an inner sealing diameter disposed radially inward of the piston friction surface. In some example embodiments, the damper includes a resilient element and a drive plate. The drive plate is drivingly engaged with the resilient element and frictionally engageable with the clutch piston. | 09-27-2012 |
20130094901 | RADIALLY ALIGNED PLATES JOINED BY COMPRESSIVE FIT - A plate assembly, including: a first plate having a circumference and a plurality of indentations extending radially inward or outward from the circumference; and a second plate, at least partially aligned with the first plate in a radial direction, having a plurality of protrusions at least partly disposed within the plurality of indentations and compressively engaged with the first plate such that the second plate is fixed with respect to the first plate in axial, radial, and circumferential directions. | 04-18-2013 |
20130230385 | TURBINE PISTON - A torque converter includes an impeller with a plurality of impeller blades and a shell with a radial wall disposed radially outside of the blades. The converter also includes a cover fixed to the impeller shell to form a housing, and a turbine. The turbine includes a plurality of turbine blades and a shell with a radial wall disposed radially outside of the turbine blades. The turbine radial wall is arranged to frictionally engage the impeller shell radial wall. In some example embodiments, the turbine shell includes indented slots and the turbine blades include tabs disposed in the slots. In an example embodiment, the turbine blades are fixed to the turbine shell by brazing. | 09-05-2013 |
20130256084 | SLIP CLUTCH - A slip clutch, including: a flywheel; and a vibration damper including: first and second cover plates; a flange; and at least one spring engaged with the cover plates and flange. The clutch includes a slip assembly, with a first plurality of circumferentially aligned surfaces: fixedly connected to the flywheel or formed with the flywheel; and at an acute angle with respective to a circumferential line, and a second plurality of circumferentially aligned surfaces: formed by a portion of the first cover plate radially outward of the spring; at an acute angle with respective to a circumferential line; and in contact with the first plurality of surfaces, or engaged with the first plurality of surfaces via an intermediate element in contact with the first and second pluralities of surfaces. The slip assembly includes a resilient element applying a force to the first cover plate in an axial direction toward the flywheel. | 10-03-2013 |
20130319221 | RADIALLY DEFLECTABLE PISTON BUSHINGS - A piston assembly, including: a piston for a clutch in a torque converter including: first and second radial surfaces; and a radially inner-most end connecting the first and second radial surfaces. The piston assembly includes a radially displaceable bushing assembly: arranged to engage an input shaft for a transmission and form a first seal against the input shaft; including a first radial wall disposed parallel to the first radial surface and forming a second seal against the first radial surface; and including a second wall facing the second radial surface. The bushing assembly is radially displaceable with respect to the piston while maintaining the first seal between the first radial wall and the first radial surface and the second seal between the bushing assembly and the input shaft. | 12-05-2013 |
20140097055 | TURBINE PISTON THRUST PATH - A torque converter includes a torus with an impeller and a turbine having respective shells, a cover shell, and a first damper plate. The impeller shell has a radial wall disposed radially outside of the torus and the turbine shell has a radial wall arranged for frictionally engaging the impeller shell radial wall. The cover shell has a radial wall and the first damper plate has a radial wall for transmitting a turbine shell thrust force to the cover shell radial wall. In an example embodiment, the torque converter includes a friction material ring fixedly attached to the turbine shell radial wall or the impeller shell radial wall. In some example embodiments, the torque converter includes a friction material ring fixedly attached to the cover shell radial wall or the first damper plate radial wall. | 04-10-2014 |
20140178192 | STATOR HOUSING AND METHOD THEREOF - A method for fabricating a stator including positioning a cutting device, with a diameter equal to a desired pocket diameter, with respect to pockets in a side of a housing. Each pocket has an end wall with an indentation. The method axially displaces the device to remove material from side and end walls for the pockets to form desired diameters and lengths for the pockets, while leaving a portion of the respective indentation in place. The housing includes a plurality of blades. Each pocket is arranged to receive an engagement assembly for a one-way clutch. Each pocket includes a first opening facing in a second axial direction and a second opening in communication with the first opening and at least partially facing in a circumferential direction. The first side faces the second axial direction and the side walls are in communication with the first and second openings. | 06-26-2014 |
20140190283 | FRICTION CONTROLLED DAMPER FOR A TORQUE TRANSMISSION DEVICE - A flange forming an input for the device and including a damper stop tab extending radially outward; a plate including first and second curved slots; and a curved friction assembly including a first end disposed in the first curved slot, a second end disposed in the second curved slot, at least one curved engagement plate including an engagement tab extending radially inward, at least one curved friction plate rotationally fixed to the plate, and a resilient element urging the at least one curved engagement plate and the at least one curved friction plate into contact. The device includes at least one elastic element engaged with the flange. | 07-10-2014 |
20140190301 | POWER TAKE OFF GEAR WITH A HYDRAULIC IMPACT DAMPER - A power take off (PTO) gear including: an input flange including an outwardly extending protrusion; a ring gear; and a piston including an inwardly extending protrusion and a circumferential end. The PTO gear includes first and second cover plates fixedly secured to the ring gear; at least one elastic element engaged with the flange and the first and second cover plates; and a chamber bounded by the circumferential end of the piston and material forming the ring gear and sealed in first and second axial directions by the first and second cover plates, respectively. For first torque applied to the flange, the flange is arranged to rotate with respect to the ring gear such that: the inwardly and outwardly extending protrusions contacts; the flange displaces the circumferentially curved piston; and the circumferential end of the curved piston displaces fluid disposed in the chamber to dampen motion of the flange. | 07-10-2014 |
20140197002 | SYMMETRICAL STRUT FOR ROCKER ONE-WAY CLUTCH - A one-way clutch, including: an outer race including a pocket and a strut. The strut includes a body and a retention segment. The body is at least partially locatable in the pocket. The retention segment includes a neck portion and a spring retention portion. The neck portion is directly connected to the body and extends from the body in a first direction. The spring retention portion extends from the neck portion in the first direction and includes first and second segments extending in second and third opposite directions, orthogonal to the first direction, from the neck portion. | 07-17-2014 |
20140202819 | THREE-PASS TORQUE CONVERTERS - A torque converter comprising: a cover for receiving torque from a prime mover; an impeller fixed to the cover to form a housing for the torque converter; a turbine disposed in the housing for receiving torque from the impeller; a clutch backing plate fixed to the housing and arranged to receive a force, in an axial direction, from the turbine during operation of the torque converter; a thrust plate for thrust engagement with the clutch backing plate, and, a cover plate for driving engagement with a damper spring, wherein the thrust plate comprises the cover plate. | 07-24-2014 |
20140251744 | ONE-WAY TURBINE WEDGE CLUTCH - A torque converter, including: a cover; a pump shell non-rotatably connected to the cover; a turbine shell; and a one-way clutch including: an outer race non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell and including a groove; an output hub including a first outer surface with first ramps; and at least one wedge plate including a second inner surface with second ramps engaged with the first ramps and a second outer surface disposed within the groove. For rotation of the outer race with respect to the output hub in a first direction, the outer race is rotatable with respect to the at least one wedge plate and the output hub. For rotation of the outer race with respect to the hub in a second direction, opposite the first direction, the at least one wedge plate is arranged to non-rotatably connect the outer race and the hub. | 09-11-2014 |
20140326566 | ONE-WAY CLUTCH WITH CONICAL STRUT - A one-way clutch, including: a housing including a top side and a plurality of indentations in the housing, each indentation including: a respective opening in a portion of the top side; a respective bottom wall opposite the respective opening in an axial direction parallel to an axis of rotation for the one-way clutch; and a respective side wall. The respective side wall: | 11-06-2014 |
20150027110 | TORQUE CONVERTER INCLUDING AN ELASTIC ELEMENT PRELOADING AN AXIALLY MOVABLE TURBINE - A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes an impeller; a turbine axially movable toward and away from the impeller; and a damper coupled to the turbine, the damper including an elastic element forcing the turbine against the impeller in a no pressure condition. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided. The method includes forming a damper to include an elastic element; providing the damper inside a front cover so the damper contacts the front cover; and providing axially movable turbine between the damper and an impeller such that the elastic element forces the turbine to engage an impeller in a no pressure condition. | 01-29-2015 |
20150027111 | TURBINE SHELL DEFINING A SPRING RECEIVING POCKET - A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes a plurality of arc springs and a turbine shell defining a pocket receiving the plurality of arc springs. The turbine shell may further include a rounded portion supporting turbine blades, an outer radial portion extending radially from the rounded portion and an axial extension extending axially from the outer radial portion. The rounded portion, the outer radial portion and the axial extension may define the pocket. A method for forming a drive assembly for a torque converter is also provided. | 01-29-2015 |
20150037158 | TORQUE CONVERTER WITH STAMPED STATOR - A stamped stator for a torque converter includes a first blade plate, a second blade plate, an outer race, at least one wedge plate, and an inner race. The first blade plate includes a first blade portion, a first radial wall connected to the first blade portion, a first plurality of radially inwardly extending tabs, and a second radially inwardly extending surface. The second blade plate includes a second blade portion axially aligned with the first blade portion, and a second radial wall axially aligned with the first radial wall. The outer race is disposed axially between the first and second blade plates and includes a third radial wall radially and axially aligned with the first radial wall, a fourth radial wall radially and axially aligned with the second radial wall, and an inwardly facing circumferential notch. | 02-05-2015 |
20150045124 | DAMPER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A SPRING DAMPER TRANSFERRING TORQUE TO A SLIP CLUTCH - A damper assembly for an engine is provided. The damper assembly includes a first spring damper connectable to a torque input component and a slip clutch connected to the first spring damper. The first spring damper transfers torque input to the first spring damper to the slip clutch. A hybrid motor vehicle drive train and a method of forming a damper assembly are also provided. | 02-12-2015 |
20150068857 | BEARING-LESS TORQUE CONVERTER - A torque converter, including: a cover; an impeller shell; a turbine shell; a turbine clutch formed by the turbine and impeller shells; and a stator formed of a single piece of material and including a protrusion extending in an axial direction and having a radial surface. In a drive mode : the cover transmits torque to the impeller shell; the turbine clutch is open; the radial surface forms an entirety of a portion of the stator closest, in the axial direction from the stator toward the turbine shell, to the turbine shell; and the radial surface is free of contact with the turbine shell. In a coast mode for the torque converter, at least a portion of the radial surface is in contact with the turbine shell or is separated from the turbine shell by a layer of fluid in contact with the radial surface and the turbine shell. | 03-12-2015 |
20150072822 | POWER SPLIT TORQUE CONVERTER - A torque transmission apparatus, including: a first vibration damper with a first input part arranged to receive torque from an engine, a first output part and at least one first spring engaged with the first input and output parts; and a torque converter including a cover non-rotatably connected to the first output part, an impeller with at least one first blade and an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover, a turbine with at least one second blade and a turbine shell, an output hub and a planetary gear set including a first component non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell or a second component non-rotatably connected to the output hub. | 03-12-2015 |