Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly, including: a shaft including a longitudinal axis, first and second longitudinal ends, a radially outermost surface, a first portion including at least one indentation, and second and third portions between the first portion and the first and second longitudinal ends, respectively; and a sprocket assembly disposed about the shaft and including a sprocket with a circumferentially disposed and radially outwardly extending teeth and at least one key engaged with the sprocket. The sprocket assembly is displaceable along the shaft to displace the at least one key into the at least one indentation. The sprocket is non-rotatably connected the shaft when the at least one key is disposed in the at least one indentation. At least respective portions of the radially outermost surface are at a uniform distance from the longitudinal axis in a radial direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and extending from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A rotary actuated clutch, comprising an axis of rotation, a housing, an input hub, an intermediate hub, and an output hub. For a first locked mode, the intermediate hub and the output hub are non-rotatably connected to the housing, and for a torque-transmitting mode the input hub is arranged to receive torque in a first circumferential direction, the input hub is arranged to rotate in the first circumferential direction to disengage the intermediate hub from the housing, and the intermediate hub is arranged to rotate the output hub in the first circumferential direction.

Abstract: A rotary actuated clutch, comprising an axis of rotation, a housing, an input hub, an intermediate hub, and an output hub. For a first locked mode, the intermediate hub and the output hub are non-rotatably connected to the housing, and for a torque-transmitting mode the input hub is arranged to receive torque in a first circumferential direction, the input hub is arranged to rotate in the first circumferential direction to disengage the intermediate hub from the housing, and the intermediate hub is arranged to rotate the output hub in the first circumferential direction.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: an impeller and a turbine with: a shell; and at least one blade including: a blade body with a first edge connected to the shell; and a portion extending from the blade body. The torque converter includes a stator including: a stator body, and at least one stator blade axially disposed between the impeller and the turbine and connected to the stator body. A circumferential space is formed between the turbine shell and the stator body. At least a portion of the circumferential space is radially aligned with the portion of the at least one blade.

Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly, including: a shaft including a longitudinal axis, first and second longitudinal ends, a radially outermost surface, a first portion including at least one indentation, and second and third portions between the first portion and the first and second longitudinal ends, respectively; and a sprocket assembly disposed about the shaft and including a sprocket with a circumferentially disposed and radially outwardly extending teeth and at least one key engaged with the sprocket. The sprocket assembly is displaceable along the shaft to displace the at least one key into the at least one indentation. The sprocket is non-rotatably connected the shaft when the at least one key is disposed in the at least one indentation. At least respective portions of the radially outermost surface are at a uniform distance from the longitudinal axis in a radial direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and extending from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A switchable clutch, including: a first outer race; a second outer race; an inner race; at least one wedge block at least partially radially located between the inner race and the first and second outer races; and a single actuator rod displaceable to position the at least one wedge block. In a first position for the actuation rod and the at least one wedge block, the first outer race and the inner race are non-rotatably connected. In a second position for the actuation rod and the at least one wedge block, the second outer race and the inner race are non-rotatably connected. In a third position for the actuation rod and the at least one wedge block, the inner race is rotatable with respect to the first and second outer races.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for a transmission, including: first and second clutches; and an actuation assembly including an actuator for engaging the first and second clutches. The first clutch is arranged to be connected to a planet carrier for a planetary gear set for the transmission so that the planet carrier and a first portion of the first clutch rotate in unison. The first clutch is arranged to be connected to an output shaft for the transmission so that a second portion of the first clutch and the output shaft rotate in unison. The second clutch is arranged to be connected to a ring gear for the planetary gear set so that the ring gear and a portion of the second clutch rotate in unison.

Abstract: A switchable clutch, including: a first outer race; a second outer race; an inner race; at least one wedge block at least partially radially located between the inner race and the first and second outer races; and a single actuator rod displaceable to position the at least one wedge block. In a first position for the actuation rod and the at least one wedge block, the first outer race and the inner race are non-rotatably connected. In a second position for the actuation rod and the at least one wedge block, the second outer race and the inner race are non-rotatably connected. In a third position for the actuation rod and the at least one wedge block, the inner race is rotatable with respect to the first and second outer races.

Abstract: A planetary clutch assembly, including: a first input shaft; an output shaft; a planetary gear set connected to the first input shaft and including a ring gear and a planet carrier; first and second clutches; and an actuator. The planet carrier is connected to the first clutch so that the planet carrier and a portion of the first clutch rotate in unison. The ring gear is grounded to a case for the transmission. The first and second clutches are connected to the output shaft so that the output shaft and a portion of the first and second clutches rotate in unison.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: an impeller and a turbine with: a shell; and at least one blade including: a blade body with a first edge connected to the shell; and a portion extending from the blade body. The torque converter includes a stator including: a stator body, and at least one stator blade axially disposed between the impeller and the turbine and connected to the stator body. A circumferential space is formed between the turbine shell and the stator body. At least a portion of the circumferential space is radially aligned with the portion of the at least one blade.

Abstract: A torque converter including a cover with at least one slot located about a periphery and a pump with at least one protrusion located about a periphery of the pump. The protrusion extends axially through the slot and is bent radially about the slot to join the cover and the pump. In some aspects, the converter includes a sealing element disposed between the cover and the pump and the sealing element is selected from the group consisting of an o-ring and a gasket. A method of transferring torque including: inserting at least one peripherally disposed protrusion for one of a pump and cover of a torque converter through at least one peripherally disposed opening in the other of the pump and cover, radially bending the protrusion to clamp the cover and pump, and transmitting torque from the cover to the pump through the protrusion.

Abstract: The present invention is a ratcheting one-way clutch for an automotive component such as, for example, a stator for a torque converter. A plurality of ramp plates is provided that are positioned on either side of the catch plate. Each ramp plate includes a series of locking fingers directed at an angle toward the catch plate in a plane that enables the fingers to engage with one of the at least one windows on the catch plate. Such an engagement prevents the catch plate from rotating in the engagement direction, while the angled orientation of the locking fingers allows the catch plate to rotate freely in the opposite (freewheeling) direction. Biasing elements are proved to axially bias the ramp plates toward the centrally positioned catch plate.

Abstract: A multi-function torque converter including: an apply pressure chamber for a torque converter clutch; a first pressure chamber including a torus; and a resilient flow control element in fluid communication with the apply chamber and the first pressure chamber and arranged to control fluid flow to the apply pressure chamber. The resilient flow element is displaceable to block fluid flow to the apply pressure chamber in torque converter mode for the torque converter and to enable fluid flow to the apply chamber in lock-up mode. The torque converter includes a second pressure chamber and the clutch includes a piston plate at least partially bounding the apply pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for a transmission, including: first and second clutches; and an actuation assembly including an actuator for engaging the first and second clutches. The first clutch is arranged to be connected to a planet carrier for a planetary gear set for the transmission so that the planet carrier and a first portion of the first clutch rotate in unison. The first clutch is arranged to be connected to an output shaft for the transmission so that a second portion of the first clutch and the output shaft rotate in unison. The second clutch is arranged to be connected to a ring gear for the planetary gear set so that the ring gear and a portion of the second clutch rotate in unison.

Abstract: A planetary clutch assembly, including: a first input shaft; an output shaft; a planetary gear set connected to the first input shaft and including a ring gear and a planet carrier; first and second clutches; and an actuator. The planet carrier is connected to the first clutch so that the planet carrier and a portion of the first clutch rotate in unison. The ring gear is grounded to a case for the transmission. The first and second clutches are connected to the output shaft so that the output shaft and a portion of the first and second clutches rotate in unison.

Abstract: A torque converter including an impeller clutch connected to an impeller; a torque converter clutch connected to an output hub for the torque converter; and a same plate included in the impeller clutch and in the torque converter clutch and at least indirectly connected to a cover for the torque converter. The impeller clutch includes a first portion exclusive of the same plate, the torque converter clutch includes a second portion exclusive of the same plate, and in some aspects, the same plate is axially disposed between the first and second portions. In some aspects, the torque converter includes a damper assembly rotationally connected to the same plate and the cover. In torque converter mode, an impeller clutch release chamber and the torus are hydraulically isolated.

Abstract: A torque converter including an impeller clutch with a first portion connected to a cover for the torque converter and a second portion connected to an impeller; and a lever element in contact with the clutch and displaceable to multiply a first force applied to the lever element for operation of the clutch. In some aspects, the converter includes an impeller piston plate engaged with the lever element and displaceable to apply the force to the lever element. In some aspects, the torque converter includes a torus and a charge chamber for the impeller clutch, a second force is associated with a hydraulic pressure to prevent cavitation in the torus, a third force is required to operate the impeller clutch to transmit a desired torque across the impeller clutch, and the multiplied force is at least equal to a sum of the second force and a third forces.

Abstract: The present invention is a ratcheting one-way clutch for an automotive component such as, for example, a stator for a torque converter. A plurality of ramp plates is provided that are positioned on either side of the catch plate. Each ramp plate includes a series of locking fingers directed at an angle toward the catch plate in a plane that enables the fingers to engage with one of the at least one windows on the catch plate. Such an engagement prevents the catch plate from rotating in the engagement direction, while the angled orientation of the locking fingers allows the catch plate to rotate freely in the opposite (freewheeling) direction. Biasing elements are proved to axially bias the ramp plates toward the centrally positioned catch plate.

Abstract: A multi-function torque converter including: an apply pressure chamber for a torque converter clutch; a first pressure chamber including a torus; and a resilient flow control element in fluid communication with the apply chamber and the first pressure chamber and arranged to control fluid flow to the apply pressure chamber. The resilient flow element is displaceable to block fluid flow to the apply pressure chamber in torque converter mode for the torque converter and to enable fluid flow to the apply chamber in lock-up mode. The torque converter includes a second pressure chamber and the clutch includes a piston plate at least partially bounding the apply pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber.

Abstract: A torque converter including an impeller clutch connected to an impeller; a torque converter clutch connected to an output hub for the torque converter; and a same plate included in the impeller clutch and in the torque converter clutch and at least indirectly connected to a cover for the torque converter. The impeller clutch includes a first portion exclusive of the same plate, the torque converter clutch includes a second portion exclusive of the same plate, and in some aspects, the same plate is axially disposed between the first and second portions. In some aspects, the torque converter includes a damper assembly rotationally connected to the same plate and the cover. In torque converter mode, an impeller clutch release chamber and the torus are hydraulically isolated.