Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle clutch is provided. The drive assembly includes a subassembly includes at least one clutch facing and at least one support segment supporting the at least one clutch facing, the at least one support segment including an outer radial portion fixed to the at least one clutch facing and an inner radial portion extending radially inward from the outer radial portion; an extender connected to the inner radial portion of the at least one support segment; and a cover plate, the extender connecting the subassembly to the cover plate. A method of forming a drive assembly and a method of forming a plurality of drive assemblies are also provided.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, including: an axis of rotation; a spring retainer plate including a plurality of openings passing through and wholly surrounded by material forming the spring retainer plate and a plurality of rivet tabs, each rivet tab including a respective portion aligned with a respective opening from the plurality of openings so that a line in an axial direction, parallel to the axis of rotation, passes through the respective portion and the respective opening; an intermediate plate; a plurality of rivets passing through the plurality of rivet tabs and connecting the intermediate plate to the spring retainer plate; and a plurality of springs engaged with the spring retainer plate.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle clutch is provided. The drive assembly includes a subassembly includes at least one clutch facing and at least one support segment supporting the at least one clutch facing, the at least one support segment including an outer radial portion fixed to the at least one clutch facing and an inner radial portion extending radially inward from the outer radial portion; an extender connected to the inner radial portion of the at least one support segment; and a cover plate, the extender connecting the subassembly to the cover plate. A method of forming a drive assembly and a method of forming a plurality of drive assemblies are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a clutch plate attached to the inner surface of the impeller and/or turbine of a torque converter. The clutch plate supports friction material that enables the engagement of the turbine and impeller in the form of a turbine clutch. The clutch plate acts to relieve strain on the impeller shell when engagement occurs. In addition, the clutch plate provides an enlarged vertical surface to hold additional friction material.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, including: an axis of rotation; a drive plate; an output flange; and a spring retainer plate including a first side facing in a first axial direction, a second side facing in a second axial direction, and a plurality of spring stops formed of a same material forming the spring retainer plate. Each spring stop: extends from the first side at least partially in the first axial direction; and includes first and second circumferentially separated end surfaces separated, in the first axial direction, from the first side by first and second gaps, and a plurality of springs. Each spring includes a first circumferential end engaged with a respective first end surface and a second circumferential end engaged with a respective second end surface. The spring retainer plate partially surrounds the plurality of springs and retains the plurality of springs in a radially outward direction.

Abstract: A turbine for a torque converter is provided. The turbine includes a turbine blade including a first turbine blade tab and a turbine shell including an inner surface for supporting the turbine blades and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The turbine shell includes a first slot passing through the turbine shell from the inner surface to the outer surface and a first recess extending from the outer surface toward the inner surface adjacent to the first slot. The first turbine blade tab connects the turbine blade to the turbine shell by passing through the first slot and being bent into the first recess. A method of forming a turbine for a torque converter is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a torque converter shell is provided to induce favorable residual stress in a direction of a loading condition to improve durability during cycle pressurization. The method includes inducing favorable residual stress on a front cover, an impeller shell, or both the front cover and the impeller shell to improve the durability of these components. The induced residual stresses reduce the stress experienced by these components during operation. The front cover and impeller shell are welded together to form the torque converter shell.

Abstract: A double clutch, including: a backing plate; a first clutch including at least one first clutch plate, a first pressure plate, a first plurality of levers engaged with the first pressure plate, a first shim engaged with the first plurality of levers, and a first actuator engaged with the first shim and arranged to axially displace the first shim to close the first clutch; and a second clutch including: at least one second clutch plate, a second pressure plate, a second plurality of levers engaged with the second pressure plate aligned with the first plurality of levers such that a first line in the circumferential direction passes through the first and second pluralities of levers, a second shim engaged with the second plurality of levers, and a second actuator engaged with the second shim and arranged to axially displace the second shim to close the second clutch.

Abstract: A pivot ring for a clutch includes a central axis; a plurality of circumferentially curved portions; a plurality of engagement portions, each engagement portion circumferentially disposed between respective first and second circumferentially curved portions from the plurality of circumferentially curved portions and including: an alignment portion; a first and second stiffened attachment portions extending in lines from the alignment portion to the adjacent curved portions; and, first and second circumferential distal ends. Each engagement portion is arranged to receive a respective lever for the clutch; and, the first and second distal ends are arranged to fixedly connect to the clutch. Also presented is a clutch assembly including: an axis of rotation; a pressure plate having opposing first and second surfaces; a plurality of levers, and the pivot ring. Each lever is pivotably connected to a respective engagement portion, such that the plurality of levers is displaceable to close the clutch.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, including: an axis of rotation; a spring retainer plate including a plurality of openings passing through and wholly surrounded by material forming the spring retainer plate and a plurality of rivet tabs, each rivet tab including a respective portion aligned with a respective opening from the plurality of openings so that a line in an axial direction, parallel to the axis of rotation, passes through the respective portion and the respective opening; an intermediate plate; a plurality of rivets passing through the plurality of rivet tabs and connecting the intermediate plate to the spring retainer plate; and a plurality of springs engaged with the spring retainer plate.

Abstract: A turbine for a torque converter is provided. The turbine includes a turbine blade including a first turbine blade tab and a turbine shell including an inner surface for supporting the turbine blades and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The turbine shell includes a first slot passing through the turbine shell from the inner surface to the outer surface and a first recess extending from the outer surface toward the inner surface adjacent to the first slot. The first turbine blade tab connects the turbine blade to the turbine shell by passing through the first slot and being bent into the first recess. A method of forming a turbine for a torque converter is also provided.

Abstract: A pivot ring for a clutch includes a central axis; a plurality of circumferentially curved portions; a plurality of engagement portions, each engagement portion circumferentially disposed between respective first and second circumferentially curved portions from the plurality of circumferentially curved portions and including: an alignment portion; a first and second stiffened attachment portions extending in lines from the alignment portion to the adjacent curved portions; and, first and second circumferential distal ends. Each engagement portion is arranged to receive a respective lever for the clutch; and, the first and second distal ends are arranged to fixedly connect to the clutch. Also presented is a clutch assembly including: an axis of rotation; a pressure plate having opposing first and second surfaces; a plurality of levers, and the pivot ring. Each lever is pivotably connected to a respective engagement portion, such that the plurality of levers is displaceable to close the clutch.

Abstract: A double clutch, including: a backing plate; a first clutch including at least one first clutch plate, a first piston, a first plurality of levers engaged with the first piston, a first shim engaged with the first plurality of levers, and a first actuator engaged with the first shim and arranged to axially displace the first shim to close the first clutch; and a second clutch including: at least one second clutch plate, a second piston, a second plurality of levers engaged with the second piston aligned with the first plurality of levers such that a first line in the circumferential direction passes through the first and second pluralities of levers, a second shim engaged with the second plurality of levers, and a second actuator engaged with the second shim and arranged to axially displace the second shim to close the second clutch.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, including: an axis of rotation; a drive plate; an output flange; and a spring retainer plate including a first side facing in a first axial direction, a second side facing in a second axial direction, and a plurality of spring stops formed of a same material forming the spring retainer plate. Each spring stop: extends from the first side at least partially in the first axial direction; and includes first and second circumferentially separated end surfaces separated, in the first axial direction, from the first side by first and second gaps, and a plurality of springs. Each spring includes a first circumferential end engaged with a respective first end surface and a second circumferential end engaged with a respective second end surface. The spring retainer plate partially surrounds the plurality of springs and retains the plurality of springs in a radially outward direction.

Abstract: A method of connecting plates in a torque converter including: forming a head of a rivet with an end surface that is curved or forms multiple planes; forming a portion of an interior surface of the cover to protrude or indent with respect to a surrounding portion of the interior surface; disposing the body of the rivet in respective holes in respective portions of the plates; and displacing the plates such that the end surface of the rivet head contacts the portion of the interior surface, the respective portions of the first and second plates are at an acute angle with respect to the surrounding portion of the interior surface, and a longitudinal axis of the rivet is at an acute angle with respect to a line orthogonal to the surrounding portion of the interior surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a clutch plate attached to the inner surface of the impeller and/or turbine of a torque converter. The clutch plate supports friction material that enables the engagement of the turbine and impeller in the form of a turbine clutch. The clutch plate acts to relieve strain on the impeller shell when engagement occurs. In addition, the clutch plate provides an enlarged vertical surface to hold additional friction material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a torque converter shell is provided to induce favorable residual stress in a direction of a loading condition to improve durability during cycle pressurization. The method includes inducing favorable residual stress on a front cover, an impeller shell, or both the front cover and the impeller shell to improve the durability of these components. The induced residual stresses reduce the stress experienced by these components during operation. The front cover and impeller shell are welded together to form the torque converter shell.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a piston plate for a lock-up clutch, the piston plate including a circumferential surface forming an opening axially aligned with an axis of rotation for the torque converter; a ring-shaped element fixedly secured to the piston plate; and a seal in compressive engagement with the circumferential surface, axially aligned with the ring-shaped element, and including a surface facing radially inward for forming a seal with an input shaft inserted into the torque converter.

Abstract: A method of assembling a piston plate and cover for a torque converter comprising the steps of: installing a shimming leaf into the cover; installing a rivet comprising a rivet head and a rivet body into a piston plate hole; supporting the rivet head with the shimming leaf; and expanding the rivet body into the piston plate hole. The method includes a shimming leaf assembly, wherein the shimming leaf assembly comprises the shimming leaf and a pivot, wherein the shimming leaf is rotatable about the pivot.

Abstract: A torque converter impeller is provided. The torque converter impeller includes an impeller shell and an impeller hub. The impeller shell and impeller hub are autogenously welded together such that the weld has a concave shape. A method of forming a torque converter impeller is also provided.