Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a torque converter, a weldment, an engine disconnect clutch, and a torque converter lockup clutch. The engine has a crankshaft. The electric machine has a rotor. The torque converter has an impeller and a turbine. The weldment is configured to rotate about an axis and to transfer power from the crankshaft and the rotor to the impeller. The weldment has a first hub, a second hub, a torque converter cover, an impeller housing, and a third hub. The engine disconnect clutch is configured to rotatably connect and disconnect the crankshaft to and from the weldment. The torque converter lockup clutch is configured to rotatably connect and disconnect the turbine to and from the weldment.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an electric vehicle including an internal combustion engine and an electric machine disposed in a transmission housing that is attached to the engine. An engine vibration damper is disposed between the engine and the electric machine. A torque converter connects the engine to the turbine shaft and is disposed in the housing radially inboard of the windings of the electric machine. A turbine shaft connected to the electric machine is configured to transfer torque from the engine and the electric machine through the turbine shaft to a planetary gear set connected to the turbine shaft. A disconnect clutch is operatively connected between the engine and the electric machine and is disposed in the housing radially inboard the windings of the electric machine and is connected to the turbine shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a torque converter, a weldment, an engine disconnect clutch, and a torque converter lockup clutch. The engine has a crankshaft. The electric machine has a rotor. The torque converter has an impeller and a turbine. The weldment is configured to rotate about an axis and to transfer power from the crankshaft and the rotor to the impeller. The weldment has a first hub, a second hub, a torque converter cover, an impeller housing, and a third hub. The engine disconnect clutch is configured to rotatably connect and disconnect the crankshaft to and from the weldment. The torque converter lockup clutch is configured to rotatably connect and disconnect the turbine to and from the weldment.

Abstract: A blade family for torque converters with a first blade having a first shape and flow guiding surface and a second blade having a second shape and flow guiding surface. The first surface is different from the second surface and the first shape is the same as a portion of the second shape, or the second shape is the same as a portion of the second shape. In an example embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first or second blades includes holes or slots. In an example embodiment of the invention, the first blade includes more material than the second blade. The first and second blades may have respective mounting tabs, with the second blade having fewer mounting tabs than the first blade. Other example aspects of the present invention broadly comprise a torque converter with a plurality of first and/or second blades from the blade family.

Abstract: A blade for a torque converter including a body having an outer edge, at least two shell tabs integral to the outer edge and extending therefrom and at least one flexible sealing flange adjacent to at least one of the at least two shell tabs, the at least one flexible sealing flange is integral to the outer edge and extending therefrom, wherein the outer edge is arranged to conform to an inner surface of a shell in a torque converter, the shell having at least two slots arranged therethrough, the at least one flexible sealing flange is arranged to conform to the inner surface of the shell to provide a fluid seal, the at least two shell tabs are disposed through the at least two slots and at least one of the at least two shell tabs is arranged to engage an outer surface of the shell.

Abstract: A blade assembly for a torque converter including a plurality of blades installed between a shell and a core ring, where the blades are in an arrangement having asymmetrical spacing between the blades for reducing the noise generated by operation of the torque converter.

Abstract: A blade family for torque converters with a first blade having a first shape and flow guiding surface and a second blade having a second shape and flow guiding surface. The first surface is different from the second surface and the first shape is the same as a portion of the second shape, or the second shape is the same as a portion of the second shape. In an example embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first or second blades includes holes or slots. In an example embodiment of the invention, the first blade includes more material than the second blade. The first and second blades may have respective mounting tabs, with the second blade having fewer mounting tabs than the first blade. Other example aspects of the present invention broadly comprise a torque converter with a plurality of first and/or second blades from the blade family.

Abstract: A thrust washer for a torque converter, including a front surface and at least one first channel. The at least one channel is at least partially enclosed by the front surface and is in fluid communication with an inner circumference and an outer circumference for the thrust washer. The front surface is arranged to engage a cover for the torque converter. In some aspects, the at least one channel is fully enclosed by the front surface. The thrust washer also includes a back surface, oppositely disposed from the front surface. The at least one channel is at least partially enclosed by the back surface. In some aspects, the thrust washer includes a front piece and a back piece matingly engaged and configured to form the at least one channel. The front and back pieces are fixedly secured or removably secured.

Abstract: More efficient, economic vehicular torque converters comprising novel integrated one-piece turbine/impeller blade-core assemblies with innovative fluid coupling means for greater torque capacities.

Abstract: A torque converter in which the inner turbine output diameter or the inner pump input diameter is smaller than the inner stator passage diameter.

Abstract: A torque converter in which a plurality of output openings of the pump form a cone-shape so that a plurality of input openings of the turbine are substantially parallel to the plurality of output openings of the pump.

Abstract: A torque converter in which the output height of the output openings of the stator is higher than the input height of the input openings, producing a stator with a diffuser effect.

Abstract: A torque converter with torus shape that is sheared such that imagined axial sections through the torus shape, starting from the inner stator passage diameter, are shifted increasingly axially in one direction as the effective radius increases.

Abstract: A blade for a torque converter including a body having an outer edge, at least two shell tabs integral to the outer edge and extending therefrom and at least one flexible sealing flange adjacent to at least one of the at least two shell tabs, the at least one flexible sealing flange is integral to the outer edge and extending therefrom, wherein the outer edge is arranged to conform to an inner surface of a shell in a torque converter, the shell having at least two slots arranged therethrough, the at least one flexible sealing flange is arranged to conform to the inner surface of the shell to provide a fluid seal, the at least two shell tabs are disposed through the at least two slots and at least one of the at least two shell tabs is arranged to engage an outer surface of the shell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a more efficient and cost effective method of bonding pump blades and a pump hub to an impeller of a torque converter by the steps of initially assembling the pump blades and the pump hub adjacent and in close proximity to the impeller and bonding the pump hub and the pump blades to the impeller simultaneously while also eliminating the potential for surface defects through multiple heating steps. The invention includes the more efficient methods of manufacturing, but also the brazed/welded assemblies and torque converters comprising the assemblies.

Abstract: More efficient, economic vehicular torque converters comprising novel integrated one-piece turbine/impeller blade-core assemblies with innovative fluid coupling means for greater torque capacities.

Abstract: A torque converter in which a plurality of output openings of the pump form a cone-shape so that a plurality of input openings of the turbine are substantially parallel to the plurality of output openings of the pump.

Abstract: A torque converter in which the inner turbine output diameter or the inner pump input diameter is smaller than the inner stator passage diameter.

Abstract: A torque converter in which the output height of the output openings of the stator is higher than the input height of the input openings, producing a stator with a diffuser effect.

Abstract: A torque converter with torus shape that is sheared such that imagined axial sections through the torus shape, starting from the inner stator passage diameter, are shifted increasingly axially in one direction as the effective radius increases.