Abstract: A torque converter turbine core ring is provided. The turbine core ring includes a plurality of arc sections having an inner circumference and an outer circumference and a plurality of weakened sections connecting the arc sections to each other. The weakened sections each having a lesser strength than each of the arc sections. A torque converter turbine, a torque converter and a method of forming a torque converter turbine are also provided.

Abstract: A torque converter comprising a stator including a base and an impeller including: an impeller shell; and, a hydrostatic thrust bearing. The hydrostatic thrust bearing comprising: a first bearing surface facing the stator; a recess geometry arranged for maintaining at least one hydrostatic pressure region for preventing the first bearing surface from contacting the stator; and, a fluid pathway between the stator and the impeller.

Abstract: A torque converter including an axis of rotation; a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller, the turbine having a turbine shell; a core ring; and, at least one blade connected to the impeller shell or the turbine shell, each blade including: a respective first edge; a respective tab: extending from the respective first edge and through the core ring; and, fixing each blade to the core ring; and, a respective first extension: extending from the respective first edge in a first circumferential direction; and, in contact with the core ring. A method of fabricating an impeller or a turbine for a torque converter using a fixture and the at least one blade described above.

Abstract: A torque converter including an axis of rotation; a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller, the turbine having a turbine shell; a core ring; and, at least one blade connected to the impeller shell or the turbine shell, each blade including: a respective first edge; a respective tab: extending from the respective first edge and through the core ring; and, fixing each blade to the core ring; and, a respective first extension: extending from the respective first edge in a first circumferential direction; and, in contact with the core ring. A method of fabricating an impeller or a turbine for a torque converter using a fixture and the at least one blade described above.

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 torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes an impeller including an impeller shell and an impeller hub. The impeller hub extends axially parallel to a center axis of the torque converter. The torque converter also includes a stator adjacent to the impeller and an L-shaped bushing including an axially extending section and a radially extending section. The axially extending section is adjacent the impeller hub and configured for radially centering the impeller hub on the stator shaft. The radially extending section is axially between a radially extending wall of the stator and a radially extending wall of the impeller shell such that the radially extending section provides axial thrust support for the radially extending wall of the stator. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.

Abstract: A torque converter turbine core ring is provided. The turbine core ring includes a plurality of arc sections having an inner circumference and an outer circumference and a plurality of weakened sections connecting the arc sections to each other. The weakened sections each having a lesser strength than each of the arc sections. A torque converter turbine, a torque converter and a method of forming a torque converter turbine are also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid drive module with a torque converter and a rotor carrier. The torque converter includes a cover made of a piece of material, an impeller and a turbine. The rotor carrier is made of a piece of aluminum different from the piece of material, is arranged to non-rotatably connect to a rotor for an electric motor, and includes a connection element. The connection element: is formed from the piece of aluminum and includes at least one rivet non-rotatably connecting the cover and the rotor carrier; or is made of a piece of non-aluminum material, partially embedded in the piece of aluminum, and non-rotatably connected to the cover.

Abstract: A lug for a torque converter includes a first radial segment, a second radial segment, and an axially extending connector segment. The first radial segment has a first aperture and respective first and second circumferential ends. The second radial segment has a second aperture aligned with the first aperture, a third circumferential end fixed to the first circumferential end, and a fourth circumferential end fixed to the second circumferential end. The axially extending connector segment joins the first and second radial segments. In an example embodiment, a pre-formed blank for the lug includes a line of symmetry passing through the connector segment.

Abstract: A torque converter comprising a stator including a base and an impeller including: an impeller shell; and, a hydrostatic thrust bearing. The hydrostatic thrust bearing comprising: a first bearing surface facing the stator; a recess geometry arranged for maintaining at least one hydrostatic pressure region for preventing the first bearing surface from contacting the stator; and, a fluid pathway between the stator and the impeller.

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 lug for a torque converter includes a first radial segment, a second radial segment, and an axially extending connector segment. The first radial segment has a first aperture and respective first and second circumferential ends. The second radial segment has a second aperture aligned with the first aperture, a third circumferential end fixed to the first circumferential end, and a fourth circumferential end fixed to the second circumferential end. The axially extending connector segment joins the first and second radial segments. In an example embodiment, a pre-formed blank for the lug includes a line of symmetry passing through the connector segment.

Abstract: A torque converter including a cover, the cover having an axis and having an axially extending flange about the axis, the flange defining an aperture, a pilot fitted within the aperture, and a turbine hub connected to the flange.

Abstract: A wet clutch having friction surfaces, where at least one friction surface consists of a porous friction lining with essentially flat surface placed on a supporting part. In order to achieve better cooling of the friction lining and supporting part and of the opposing friction surface by means of cooling oil pressed through the porous friction lining under pressure, the friction lining is provided with at least one cut-out.

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: 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 torsional vibration damping disk with a base body which has a circumferential edge on the outside which is partially turned back in order to form receiver spaces for spring elements, in particular for bow spring elements. In order to create a torsional vibration damping disk which has a long service life at high rotational rates, a reinforcement strap, the free end of which is fastened to the base body, extends out from the circumferential edge in the area of at least one receiver space.

Abstract: A torque converter including a cover, the cover having an axis and having an axially extending flange about the axis, the flange defining an aperture, a pilot fitted within the aperture, and a turbine hub connected to the flange.

Abstract: A wet clutch having friction surfaces, where at least one friction surface consists of a porous friction lining with essentially flat surface placed on a supporting part. In order to achieve better cooling of the friction lining and supporting part and of the opposing friction surface by means of cooling oil pressed through the porous friction lining under pressure, the friction lining is provided with at least one cut-out.

Abstract: A clutch assembly in a torque converter including a piston plate operatively arranged to apply axial pressure to a clutch in the clutch assembly. An annular member can be rotationally connected to a cover of the torque converter and rotationally connected to an outer circumference of the clutch. A first seal can be disposed between the piston plate and an inner circumference of the drive plate to form a seal between the piston plate and the inner circumference. In some aspects, the annular member is a drive plate arranged to transmit torque from said cover to said clutch and the annular member is fixedly secured to said cover by a weld. In other aspects, the first clutch plate is axially displaceable with respect to the annular member and the piston plate is axially displaceable with respect to the annular member.