Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a torque transfer apparatus for a torque converter including at least one connection element attached to an inner circumferential surface for a cover of the converter; a lock-up clutch, and at least one resilient element connected to the connection element and the piston plate. The clutch includes a piston plate with extruded rivets and the resilient element is connected to the piston plate with the extruded rivets. In some aspects, the clutch includes a friction material having inner and outer radii and the extruded rivets are disposed at a radial distance greater than the inner radius; the extruded rivets are disposed between the inner and outer radii; a radial segment for the connection element extends radially from the inner surface and has an edge at a greater radial distance than the inner radius; or the resilient element is between the inner and outer radii.

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 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: The present invention broadly comprises a combination torque transmission system for a vehicle including a planetary gear set in a rotating housing and a gear set device in a stationary housing. The gear set has an input arranged for connection to a torsional output for an engine. The gear set device has an input connected to an output of the planetary gear set. In some aspects, the at least one gear set device is a planetary transmission such as a Ravigneaux gearset, a Simpson gearset, a plurality of simple gearsets, or a Lepelletier six speed arrangement. The gear set device includes a plurality of gear ratios and the planetary gear set is configured to augment the plurality of gear ratios by adding at least one first gear ratio to the plurality of gear ratios. In some aspects, the planetary gear set is configured to double the number of gear ratios.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a torque transfer apparatus for a torque converter including at least one connection element attached to an inner circumferential surface for a cover of the converter; a lock-up clutch, and at least one resilient element connected to the connection element and the piston plate. The clutch includes a piston plate with extruded rivets and the resilient element is connected to the piston plate with the extruded rivets. In some aspects, the clutch includes a friction material having inner and outer radii and the extruded rivets are disposed at a radial distance greater than the inner radius; the extruded rivets are disposed between the inner and outer radii; a radial segment for the connection element extends radially from the inner surface and has an edge at a greater radial distance than the inner radius; or the resilient element is between the inner and outer radii.