Abstract: A torque converter includes a turbine, a lockup clutch including a piston, and a damper having at least one cover plate, the cover plate being attached directly to piston. A method for assembling the torque converter includes passing a section of the piston through a hole in the cover plate and attaching the piston to the cover plate at the hole.

Abstract: A reactor plate connected to a flywheel; a resilient element connected to a plate for a damper assembly; and first and second friction elements. The resilient element urges the first and second friction elements into engagement with the flywheel and the reactor plate, respectively, to rotationally lock the resilient element, the flywheel, and the plate for a torque on the flywheel less than a first value. In one embodiment, at least one of the first or second friction elements is fixedly secured to the reactor plate or the flywheel, respectively. In one embodiment, at least one of the first or second friction elements is fixedly secured to the resilient element.

Abstract: A spring retainer assembly, including: a flange plate; a plurality of springs in contact with a radially outer portion of the flange plate; a first cover plate; a second cover plate; a spring retainer; and at least one fastening device. The spring retainer and the first plate substantially surround respective outer circumferences of the plurality of springs; and the at least one fastening device is for fixedly connecting the spring retainer to a torque-transmitting device. In one embodiment, the spring retainer is axially fixed by the connection to the torque-transmitting device and includes a first portion, and contact of the first portion with the first plate positions the first plate in a desired axial position with respect to the plurality of springs. In one embodiment, the spring retainer includes a plurality of protrusions and a circumferential end for each spring is in contact with a respective protrusion.

Abstract: A transmission system including a damper having a hysteresis package and a flange, wherein the flange includes a first set of splines, an input shaft having a second set of splines arranged about an interior of the input shaft, wherein the first set of splines form an engagement with the second set of splines for transferring torque between the input shaft and the flange, wherein grease is included between the first and second sets of splines for lubricating the engagement of the input shaft and the flange, and a grease trap mounted to the flange located between the input shaft and the hysteresis package for restricting the grease from traveling radially down the flange and into the hysteresis package.

Abstract: A rivet, including: at least one side wall extending from a first side of a sheet of material, formed from the same material as the sheet of material, and including respective inside surfaces; and a space at least partly enclosed by the respective inside surfaces. The space is open at a second side of the sheet of material. In one embodiment, the at least one side wall is cylindrical in shape. In another embodiment, the rivet includes an end wall formed of the same piece of material as the at least one side wall and defining one end of the space, the space is cylindrical in shape, the space has a first portion aligned with the sheet of material and a second portion partially defined by the end wall, and a diameter for the first portion is less than the diameter for the second portion.

Abstract: A stampable thrust washer for a torque converter including an inner circumference, an outer circumference, and a plurality of cutouts disposed in the thrust washer, wherein the cutouts are in fluid communication with the inner and outer circumferences when said thrust washer is engaged between two rotationally engaged components.

Abstract: A torque converter including a lock up clutch, the lock up clutch including a piston and a clutch plate, a spring, and a connector plate, the connector plate connecting to the clutch plate at a connection and drivingly engaged with the spring at a spring engagement, the connection to the clutch plate being radially outside of the spring engagement.

Abstract: A damper for a torque converter, including: a first plate with at least one first opening; a second plate with at least one second opening; and at least one first spring disposed in the at least one first and second openings and including: a radially inward portion in contact with the at least one first opening; and first and second radially outward ends in contact with first and second sides of the at least one second opening and free of contact with the first plate. In one embodiment, the at least one first opening includes third and fourth sides and the radially inward portion includes first and second radially inward ends in contact the third and fourth sides. In another embodiment, the third and fourth sides are free of contact with the second plate.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a turbine, a lockup clutch including a piston, and a damper having at least one cover plate, the cover plate being attached directly to piston. A method for assembling the torque converter includes passing a section of the piston through a hole in the cover plate and attaching the piston to the cover plate at the hole.

Abstract: A torque converter comprising a torque converter clutch arranged to transmit torque from a housing of the torque converter to a turbine, a piston plate fixed to a drive hub, a clutch plate fixed to a turbine hub, the turbine hub operatively arranged to rotate at transmission input shaft speed, a pressure chamber bounded by a cover and a clutch piston plate, and a flow chamber, the flow chamber bounded by the piston plate and the clutch plate. A method of converting torque in a motor vehicle comprising the steps of driving a torque converter housing via an engine, transferring fluid to a turbine within the torque converter, rotating a transmission input shaft via the turbine fluid transfer, transferring engine torque via a mechanical lock-up mechanism, controlling lock-up mechanism fluid flow via a flow chamber, and releasing flow chamber fluid via an orifice.