Abstract: A torque converter comprising: a damper assembly including a spring retainer; and, a turbine assembly connected to the damper assembly, the turbine assembly including: a turbine shell including an axially movable turbine piston; a drive plate fixed to the turbine piston; and a diaphragm spring, the drive plate having openings for receiving the diaphragm spring; the diaphragm spring acting on the turbine piston with a preload force. In an example aspect, the diaphragm spring includes a plurality of radially inward tabs and the drive plate includes a plurality of openings for receiving the radially inward tabs.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque from an engine; a centering flange fixedly connected to the cover and including a radially outwardly facing surface; a turbine; and a vibration damper with a first input component and a flange arranged to contact and engage an input shaft for a transmission to transmit torque to the input shaft. The torque converter includes: a torque convert clutch including a piston plate fixedly connected to the first input component, the piston plate including: a radially innermost distal end arranged to at least indirectly engage the input shaft; and a radially inwardly facing surface at least indirectly engaged with the radially outwardly facing surface.

Abstract: A flow separation hub including a first hub component, a second hub component affixed to the first hub component, a first passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a first fluid to flow through the flow separation hub, a second passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a second fluid to flow through the hub, wherein the hub prohibits fluid communication between the first and second fluids when the first and second fluids flow through the hub.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly comprises: a cover for driving engagement with a prime mover; a piston plate including an annular surface for engaging a clutch; and, a sealing plate comprising a substantially radial wall arranged between the cover and the piston plate and disposed radially inward of the annular surface, wherein: in a lockup mode for the torque converter, the sealing plate blocks fluid flow between the cover and the piston plate; and, in a release mode for the torque converter, the sealing plate is deflectable to enable a fluid flow between the cover and the piston plate via a pathway between the cover and the sealing plate.

Abstract: An assembly for centering components with respect to an axis of rotation of a torque converter during installation of the torque converter on a transmission input shaft, the assembly including a cover for receiving a torsional input, a piston housed within the cover, a damper housed within the cover, the damper including a damper cover plate and a damper flange, wherein the piston, the damper cover plate, or the damper flange includes an extension, wherein the extension is operatively arranged for providing a centering function of the piston, the damper cover plate, or the damper flange by limiting a maximum radial distance a second axis of the piston, the damper cover plate, or the damper flange can become misaligned from the axis of rotation of the torque converter.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; a pump shell fixed to the cover; and a vibration damper with a plurality of springs, and a cover plate partially surrounding the springs. The torque converter includes a torque convert clutch with: a piston plate; and a drive plate with a first portion and a plurality of second portions including distal ends circumferentially aligned with the springs and circumferentially disposed between pairs of adjacent springs, and a plurality of centering protrusions extending radially outward beyond the distal ends or inward of the distal ends. The second portions are arranged to engage the springs to transmit the torque. When the torque converter is not rotating, the centering protrusions are free of contact with the cover plate. When the torque converter rotates at a rate greater than a threshold speed, the centering protrusions contact the cover plate to limit radial displacement of the drive plate.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly includes a cover for driving engagement with a prime mover, a piston plate including an annular surface for engaging a clutch, and a first seal disposed radially inward of the annular surface. In a lockup mode for the torque converter, the first seal blocks fluid flow through an orifice in the piston plate or between the cover and the piston plate and, in a release mode for the torque converter, the first seal is deflectable to enable a fluid flow through the orifice or between the cover and the piston plate and around the first seal. In an example embodiment, the torque converter assembly includes an apply chamber, the piston plate is displaceable in response to fluid pressure in the apply chamber, and the first seal is arranged to be deflected by the fluid pressure in the apply chamber.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly comprises: a cover for driving engagement with a prime mover; a piston plate including an annular surface for engaging a clutch; and, a sealing plate comprising a substantially radial wall arranged between the cover and the piston plate and disposed radially inward of the annular surface, wherein: in a lockup mode for the torque converter, the sealing plate blocks fluid flow between the cover and the piston plate; and, in a release mode for the torque converter, the sealing plate is deflectable to enable a fluid flow between the cover and the piston plate via a pathway between the cover and the sealing plate.

Abstract: A buckling prevention device including a first rotational element, a second rotational element, a leaf spring arranged for transferring torque between the first and second rotational elements while enabling relative axial movement between the first rotational element and the second rotational element, a connection member fixedly connecting the leaf spring to the second rotational element, wherein the connection member extends axially through a hole in the first rotational element, wherein a gap is formed between the connection member and an edge of the hole when the leaf spring is not experiencing an overly high compression force, and wherein the connection member is operatively arranged to close the gap and engage with the first member when the spring is experiencing an overly high compression force for preventing the leaf spring from buckling and at least partially transferring the torque directly between the first and second rotational elements.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a turbine; a cover; a lock-up clutch engageable with the cover; and a first damper assembly including: a first flange connected to the lock-up clutch so as to rotate in unison with the clutch; at least one side plate; a second flange for connection to an input shaft for a transmission; a first plurality of springs engaged with the first flange and with the at least one side plate; and a second plurality of springs, at least partially circumferentially aligned with the first plurality of springs, and engaged with the at least one side plate and the second flange. The torque converter includes a second damper assembly connected to the first damper assembly and including: a third side plate fixed to the turbine; and a third plurality of springs, radially outside of the first and second pluralities of springs, and engaged with the third side plate.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque from an engine; a centering flange fixedly connected to the cover and including a radially outwardly facing surface; a turbine; and a vibration damper with a first input component and a flange arranged to contact and engage an input shaft for a transmission to transmit torque to the input shaft. The torque converter includes: a torque convert clutch including a piston plate fixedly connected to the first input component, the piston plate including: a radially innermost distal end arranged to at least indirectly engage the input shaft; and a radially inwardly facing surface at least indirectly engaged with the radially outwardly facing surface.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; a pump shell fixed to the cover; and a vibration damper with a plurality of springs, and a cover plate partially surrounding the springs. The torque converter includes a torque convert clutch with: a piston plate; and a drive plate with a first portion and a plurality of second portions including distal ends circumferentially aligned with the springs and circumferentially disposed between pairs of adjacent springs, and a plurality of centering protrusions extending radially outward beyond the distal ends or inward of the distal ends. The second portions are arranged to engage the springs to transmit the torque. When the torque converter is not rotating, the centering protrusions are free of contact with the cover plate. When the torque converter rotates at a rate greater than a threshold speed, the centering protrusions contact the cover plate to limit radial displacement of the drive plate.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a turbine; a cover; a lock-up clutch engageable with the cover; and a first damper assembly including: a first flange connected to the lock-up clutch so as to rotate in unison with the clutch; at least one side plate; a second flange for connection to an input shaft for a transmission; a first plurality of springs engaged with the first flange and with the at least one side plate; and a second plurality of springs, at least partially circumferentially aligned with the first plurality of springs, and engaged with the at least one side plate and the second flange. The torque converter includes a second damper assembly connected to the first damper assembly and including: a third side plate fixed to the turbine; and a third plurality of springs, radially outside of the first and second pluralities of springs, and engaged with the third side plate.

Abstract: A buckling prevention device including a first rotational element, a second rotational element, a leaf spring arranged for transferring torque between the first and second rotational elements while enabling relative axial movement between the first rotational element and the second rotational element, a connection member fixedly connecting the leaf spring to the second rotational element, wherein the connection member extends axially through a hole in the first rotational element, wherein a gap is formed between the connection member and an edge of the hole when the leaf spring is not experiencing an overly high compression force, and wherein the connection member is operatively arranged to close the gap and engage with the first member when the spring is experiencing an overly high compression force for preventing the leaf spring from buckling and at least partially transferring the torque directly between the first and second rotational elements.

Abstract: An assembly for centering components with respect to an axis of rotation of a torque converter during installation of the torque converter on a transmission input shaft, the assembly including a cover for receiving a torsional input, a piston housed within the cover, a damper housed within the cover, the damper including a damper cover plate and a damper flange, wherein the piston, the damper cover plate, or the damper flange includes an extension, wherein the extension is operatively arranged for providing a centering function of the piston, the damper cover plate, or the damper flange by limiting a maximum radial distance a second axis of the piston, the damper cover plate, or the damper flange can become misaligned from the axis of rotation of the torque converter.

Abstract: A clutch including a first member having a first friction surface, wherein the first friction surface has an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a second member having a second friction surface, wherein at least one of the first or second members is moveable axially for engaging the first friction surface with the second friction surface for closing the clutch, wherein the first member is thinner in a first area approximately radially aligned with the first inner diameter, the first outer diameter, or both, than in a second area radially aligned with a portion of the first friction surface generally located radially between the first inner diameter and the first outer diameter.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly includes a cover for driving engagement with a prime mover, a piston plate including an annular surface for engaging a clutch, and a first seal disposed radially inward of the annular surface. In a lockup mode for the torque converter, the first seal blocks fluid flow through an orifice in the piston plate or between the cover and the piston plate and, in a release mode for the torque converter, the first seal is deflectable to enable a fluid flow through the orifice or between the cover and the piston plate and around the first seal. In an example embodiment, the torque converter assembly includes an apply chamber, the piston plate is displaceable in response to fluid pressure in the apply chamber, and the first seal is arranged to be deflected by the fluid pressure in the apply chamber.

Abstract: A flow separation hub including a first hub component, a second hub component affixed to the first hub component, a first passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a first fluid to flow through the flow separation hub, a second passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a second fluid to flow through the hub, wherein the hub prohibits fluid communication between the first and second fluids when the first and second fluids flow through the hub.