Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a torque converter including a turbine and a one-way clutch rotationally connected to said turbine and an output hub for said converter. The one-way clutch rotationally disconnects the hub and the turbine when the hub receives torque from an input transmission shaft. In some aspects, the one-way clutch is a ratchet clutch. The converter can include a torque converter clutch to lock a cover and the turbine. In some aspects, the converter includes a torque converter clutch to connect a cover, the one-way clutch, and the hub and the torque converter clutch transmits torque from the hub to the cover to start a drive unit connected to the cover. The converter can include a damper element rotationally connected to the torque converter clutch and the turbine, one-way clutch, or hub. The one-way clutch is rated to operate under multiplied drive unit torque.

Abstract: A power transmission system for a hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator and a torque converter. The motor/generator and the torque converter are disposed in series between a crankshaft of an engine and a main shaft of a transmission. A side plate of the torque converter and a rotor disc of the motor/generator are connected via a drive plate having heat shielding properties and heat releasing properties.

Abstract: To be able to determine the torque of a turbine rotor (7) with precision even when a clutch (3) is operated with slippage, a rotation speed sensor (13) determines the speed of a pump impeller wheel (2) and a rotation speed sensor determines the speed of the turbine rotor (7), and the speed signals are transmitted to an electronic control unit which, with reference to stored torque converter data, determines the torque of the turbine rotor.

Abstract: To achieve precise control of a clutch arranged inside a converter housing (1) and which connects the converter housing (1) to a pump impeller wheel (3), the converter's internal pressure, which acts on a piston (9) of the actuation device of a clutch (2), is determined by a pressure sensor (12) and the actuation pressure, which acts on the piston (9) in the opposite direction, is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A transmission control method improves shift feel during kickdown shifts. The release clutch is fully released at the initiation of the kickdown shift. The release clutch is then reapplied when the volume of the release clutch reaches a threshold capacity. The volume of the release clutch is slowly ramped down, thereby increasing turbine speed. When the turbine speed reaches a threshold, the apply clutch is actuated. The apply clutch is actuated by controlling the volume of the apply clutch according to a target volume.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic converter (1) for the drive train of a motor vehicle is proposed, which comprises a pump (2), a turbine (3) which is connected to a transmission input shaft (4), a stator (5), a primary clutch (PK) which connects a drive (6) detachably to the pump (pump impeller) (2) and a converter bridging clutch (WK), which connects the drive (6) detachably to the transmission input shaft (4), in which the primary clutch (PK) and the converter bridging clutch (WK) can be actuated by a common piston (8) via a common oil supply (9).

Abstract: Hydraulic control system for a vehicle transmission connected to an output shaft from a hydraulic torque converter (1) with a hydraulically operated disc clutch for locking the torque converter and which has two hydraulically operated disc clutches for shifting. The control system has a low pressure circuit (30) with a low-pressure pump feeding fluid through the torque converter, and a high pressure circuit (34) with a high-pressure pump (35), which feeds fluid via valves (38) to the disc clutches. The high-pressure pump has variable displacement, which is regulated by the operating pressure of the disc clutch of the torque converter, so that the high-pressure pump is set to a lower displacement when this last-mentioned clutch is engaged than when it is disengaged.

Abstract: To control one clutch (2) in a hydrodynamic torque converter, the pressure acting upon one first piston area (4) is supplied to a control unit which, depending on the pressure, adjusts the pressure acting upon a second piston area (5). It is possible to exactly adjust the piston force acting upon a clutch (2) even in the presence of changing pressure ratios within the hydrodynamic torque converter.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic converter (1) for the drive train of a motor vehicle is proposed, which comprises a pump (2), a turbine (3) which is connected to a transmission input shaft (4), a stator (5), a primary clutch (PK) which connects a drive (6) detachably to the pump (pump impeller) (2) and a converter bridging clutch (WK), which connects the drive (6) detachably to the transmission input shaft (4), in which the primary clutch (PK) and the converter bridging clutch (WK) can be actuated by a common piston (8) via a common oil supply (9).

Abstract: A hydrodynamic converter for the power train of a motor vehicle is proposed which comprises one pump (2), one turbine (3) connected with the transmission input shaft (4) and one stator (guide wheel) (5) and in which the pump (2) is detachably connectable via a primary clutch (PK) with the input of the engine, the primary clutch (PK) being situated in the transmission (G).

Abstract: A torque converter of a power transmitting apparatus includes a pump impeller connected to a crank shaft of an engine via a front cover, a turbine runner opposing thereto and an input clutch switching a relationship between the turbine runner and an input shaft to an engaged or disengaged state of an automatic transmission. A lockup clutch switched to an engaged or disengaged state with respect to the front cover includes a torsion damper provided between an upstream side plate fixed to the lockup clutch and a downstream side plate, in which a clutch drum is provided with an inertial mass at a downstream side of the torsion damper. Thereby, low-frequency sounds or vibrations in the power transmitting apparatus can be reduced.

Abstract: Hydraulic control system for a vehicle transmission connected to an output shaft from a hydraulic torque converter (1) with a hydraulically operated disc clutch for locking the torque converter and which has two hydraulically operated disc clutches for shifting. The control system has a low pressure circuit (30) with a low-pressure pump feeding fluid through the torque converter, and a high pressure circuit (34) with a high-pressure pump (35), which feeds fluid via valves (38) to the disc clutches. The high-pressure pump has variable displacement, which is regulated by the operating pressure of the disc clutch of the torque converter, so that the high-pressure pump is set to a lower displacement when this last-mentioned clutch is engaged than when it is disengaged.

Abstract: A lockup clutch for a torque converter includes a pump extension, a receiving plate connected to the pump extension defining a hydraulic pressure chamber communicating with a portion between a pump impeller and a turbine impeller, a pressing plate opposed to the receiving plate for movement toward and away from the receiving plate, an annular friction clutch plate interposed between the receiving plate and the pressing plate and connected to the turbine impeller, a return spring for biasing the pressing plate in a retracting direction, and an escape bore permitting the inside and outside of the receiving plate to communicate with each other on the side of an inner periphery of the friction clutch plate. When the rotational speed of the pump impeller is increased to a value equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the pressing plate clamps the friction clutch plate in cooperation with the receiving plate under the action of a centrifugal hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic pressure chamber.

Abstract: A transmitting system for a small-sized vehicle having an engine and a multi-stage transmission comprising a crankshaft of the engine, an input shaft of the multi-stage transmission, a shifting clutch and a primary reducing device. The input shaft is disposed in parallel to the crankshaft and the crankshaft and input shaft are connected to each other through a fluid transmitting means. The fluid transmitting means including a pump impeller leading to the engine, and a turbine impeller leading to the multi-stage transmission. The fluid transmitting means and the shifting clutch are mounted on the crankshaft of the engine and connected in series to each other. One of the fluid transmitting means and the shifting clutch is connected to the crankshaft, and the other is connected to the input shaft of the multi-stage transmission through the primary reducing device.

Abstract: A torque converter of a power transmitting apparatus includes a pump impeller connected to a crank shaft of an engine via a front cover, a turbine runner opposing thereto and an input clutch switching a relationship between the turbine runner and an input shaft to an engaged or disengaged state of an automatic transmission. A lockup clutch switched to an engaged or disengaged state with respect to the front cover includes a torsion damper provided between an upstream side plate fixed to the lockup clutch and a downstream side plate, in which a clutch drum is provided with an inertial mass at a downstream side of the torsion damper. Thereby, low-frequency sounds or vibrations in the power transmitting apparatus can be reduced.

Abstract: In a transmitting system for a small-sized vehicle in which a crankshaft of an engine and an input shaft of a multi-stage transmission are connected to each other through a fluid transmitting device, a shifting clutch is interposed between the crankshaft of the engine and the multi-stage transmission in a series relation to the fluid transmitting device. A lock-up clutch is interposed between a pump impeller and a turbine impeller of the fluid transmitting device. Thus, when the multi-stage transmission is to be shifted, the shifting operation can be conducted lightly, in spite of a creep phenomenon of the fluid transmitting device, by bringing the shifting clutch into an OFF state. Moreover, during cruising of the vehicle, the slipping of the fluid transmitting device can be inhibited by the OFF state of the lock-up clutch to enhance the transmitting efficiency.

Abstract: In a transmitting system for a small-sized vehicle in which a crankshaft of an engine and an input shaft of a multi-stage transmission are connected to each other through a fluid transmitting device, a shifting clutch is interposed between the crankshaft of the engine and the multi-stage transmission in a series relation to the fluid transmitting device. A lock-up clutch is interposed between a pump impeller and a turbine impeller of the fluid transmitting device. Thus, when the multi-stage transmission is to be shifted, the shifting operation can be conducted lightly, in spite of a creep phenomenon of the fluid transmitting device, by bringing the shifting clutch into an OFF state. Moreover, during cruising of the vehicle, the slipping of the fluid transmitting device can be inhibited by the OFF state of the lock-up clutch to enhance the transmitting efficiency.

Abstract: In a transmitting system for a small-sized vehicle in which a crankshaft of an engine and an input shaft of a multi-stage transmission are connected to each other through a fluid transmitting device, the fluid transmitting device and a shifting clutch being mounted on the crankshaft and connected in series to each other. One of the fluid transmitting device and the shifting clutch is connected to the crankshaft, and the other is connected to the input shaft of the multi-stage transmission through a primary reducing device. Thus, when the multi-stage transmission is to be shifted, the shifting operation of the multi-stage transmission can be carried out lightly, irrespective of a creep phenomenon of the fluid transmitting device, by bringing the shifting clutch into its OFF state. Moreover, the burden of torque by the fluid transmitting device and the shifting clutch mounted on the crankshaft which is rotated at a higher speed than that of the input shaft of the transmission is relatively small.

Abstract: An adaptive electronic transmission control for an automatic transmission having multiple-ratio gearing establishing plural torque flow paths between a torque input member and a driven member, the relative motion of the elements of the gearing being controlled by a friction torque establishing member and an overrunning coupling connection between two gear elements of the gearing. A ratio shift is achieved by establishing a driving connection between a selected gearing element and a torque delivery shaft. The shift is achieved by controlling the capacity of the friction element using a fluid pressure actuator. Shift quality is optimized by establishing a bias pressure on a friction element accumulator and by using a feedback control system to control the rate of change of transmission ratio during the shift.