Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a one-way clutch in an automotive drive component. In some aspect, the component is a stator and the clutch includes first, second, and third radially disposed elements. The first and second elements lockingly engage. The third element is between the first and second plates and hydraulically or mechanically dampens energy associated with the locking engagement. In some aspects, the third element forms structures to partially enclose torque converter fluid and one of the first or second elements rotates to causes displacement of the fluid. In some aspects, the clutch includes a fourth radially disposed element at least partially blocking openings in the first or second elements. In some aspects, the third element includes at least one elastically deformable extension and rotation of one of the first or second elements causes the first and second elements to compress the at least one elastically deformable extension.

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.

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 torque converter with a lockup clutch includes a fluid passage into which flows operation oil supplied from a converter chamber, which is surrounded by the pump impeller and the turbine runner, to a lockup chamber in which engagement and disengagement of the lockup clutch are performed, the fluid passage being connected to an oil drain passage for the operation oil without passing through an engaging portion of the lockup clutch, and a valve formed at a point on the fluid passage and capable of controlling a flow amount of operation oil.

Abstract: A lock-up device 5 includes a piston 51 axially movably and rotatably supported by the turbine 10, a damper mechanism 7 that elastically connects the piston 51 with the turbine 10 in the rotational direction, a first friction plate 56 located between the front cover 2 and the piston 51 and axially movably and non-rotatably supported by the piston 51, and a second friction plate 57 located between the piston 51 and the first friction plate 56. The second friction plate 57 is axially movably and non-rotatably supported by the front cover 2.

Abstract: In a fluid transmission device, a male fitting surface of a periphery of a diameter-expanded portion of a pump shell is fitted to a female fitting surface of an inner circumference of a peripheral wall portion of a cylindrical transmission cover, and a fillet weld being is formed between an end surface of the peripheral wall portion and a peripheral surface of the diameter-expanded portion along an entire circumference, thereby connecting together the pump shell and the transmission cover. An annular recess is formed in an inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion to adjoin the female fitting surface on the side opposite from the fillet weld. A portion of the transmission cover corresponding to the recess constitutes an annular thin-walled portion which has a thickness smaller than the portions of the transmission cover along the opposite sides of the annular thin wall portion.

Abstract: A torque converter for a vehicle includes a front cover integrally formed with a boss to which a crank shaft of an engine side is connected, an impeller connected to the front cover to rotate together with the front cover, a turbine disposed facing the impeller, a stator disposed between the impeller and the turbine to convert flow of oil directed from the turbine, a lockup clutch mechanism for directly connecting the engine to the turbine. A blade of the impeller and/or the turbine is provided with inner and outer projections coupled to shell and core of the impeller and/or the turbine. Each of the inner and outer and inner projections includes a base located on a slit formed on the shell/core and an extending section extending from the base, the extending section being bent after penetrating the slit.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for a lockup clutch of a hydrodynamic clutch arrangement is provided with a drive-side transmission element and a driven-side transmission element which can deflect around a rotational angle relative to each other against the action of energy accumulators. The transmission elements have recesses for receiving an energy accumulator, respectively, which can be supported by its respective end coils at respective circumferential ends of the recess. The circumferential ends of every recess are oriented, respectively, substantially along a first connection line to a first center of curvature. However, the circumferential end coils of every energy accumulator are oriented substantially along a second connection line to a second center of curvature in the absence of a relative rotational deflection of the transmission elements. The second connection line is oriented at an initial set angle relative to the first connection line.

Abstract: In a damper device of a lock-up clutch-equipped torque converter which has at least two rotating members that have a common rotation axis and are rotatable relatively to each other via an elastic member, an axial-direction support portion that supports the at least two rotating members in the direction of the rotation axis with respect to each other, and a radial-direction support portion that supports the rotating members in a radial direction with respect to each other are disposed on circumferences that are substantially equidistant from the rotation axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a hydrodynamic torque converter and a corresponding converter-bypass clutch of a transmission, having a solenoid valve communicating with a variable pressure control valve. The respective valve stem assembly thereof having surfaces which react to an application of hydraulic pressure. Each valve being controlled by a pilot pressure countering a spring arrangement. A spent fluid flow side of the torque converter communicates with a spent fluid flow aperture of the solenoid valve. The valve stem assembly related, to the solenoid valve is blocked by a supply aperture of the solenoid valve and is in operational connection with an auxiliary pressure control valve. A supply aperture of the variable pressure controller valve is connected with an operational pressure aperture of the pressure control valve, which, can be connected with a piston space of the converter-bypass clutch, which pressurized hydraulic fluid can be applied.

Abstract: An apparatus operating a hydrodynamic torque converter and a corresponding converter-bypass clutch of a transmission. The apparatus having a line system, a solenoid valve and a therewith coacting variable pressure controlling valve. A valve stem assembly respectively of the solenoid valve and the pressure control valve are controllable by subjection to a pilot pressure counter to a spring arrangement. A spent flow of the torque converter is, by way of a piston chamber of the converter-bypass clutch, which chamber is subjected to hydraulic fluid pressure of the spent flow of the torque converter, by means of an operational pressure aperture valve and a relief control aperture valve of the pressure control valve, connectable to a spent flow control aperture valve of the solenoid valve. By way of the piston chamber, this spent flow communicates with the hydraulic system through the spent flow control aperture valve of the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A device for operating a starter mechanism actively connected with a hydraulic supply circuit of a transmission unit. The starter mechanism has a piston chamber subject to hydraulic pressure for activating a frictional shift element and a hydraulic chamber subject to hydraulic pressure for the cooling and lubricating an area of the starter mechanism. A hydraulic pressure between a lubrication pressure control port of a second pressure relief valve and the hydraulic chamber and equivalent to a lubrication pressure, is exerted on a second back pressure outlet port of a first relief valve, which acts on a valve slide of the first relief valve in the opposite direction relative to the working pressure exerted on a first back pressure outlet port of the first relief valve so that the pressure feed-back of the hydraulic pressure to the first relief valve occurs additively to the pilot signal characteristic of the first relief valve.

Abstract: A torque converter, which can prevent an oil pressure required for shifting a lock-up clutch from being made high, is provided. A converter chamber is formed between an outside circular-plate portion of a front cover and an impeller shell. A lock-up clutch constituted by a drive plate and a driven plate is accommodated in a clutch chamber. A lock-up piston is attached to the front cover so as to be movable axially, and partitions the converter chamber and the clutch chamber. In engaging the lock-up clutch, the pressure in the clutch chamber is made lower than that in the converter chamber; and in releasing engagement of the lock-up clutch, operating oil having approximately the same pressure is supplied into the converter chamber and the clutch chamber.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus is disclosed which can improve the locking response speed of a lockup clutch when an engine is driven by the output side, without largely changing the structure of the lockup clutch or the like. In the lockup clutch of this transmission apparatus, fixing portions (21a) for a support member (24) of a damper spring (23) are fixed to a plurality of portions on a predetermined circumference of a piston (21) which are inside a friction member (22). Projections (21b) extending in the radial direction are formed, at those positions of the lockup piston (21) which are inside the friction member (22) and sandwiched by the fixing portions (21a) for the support member (24) of the damper spring (23), to project toward a front cover.

Abstract: An impeller 3 configures a fluid chamber and includes impeller blades 17 and an annular impeller hub 18. A turbine 4 is disposed to face the impeller 3 and includes turbine blades 22 and an annular turbine hub 23 disposed at an inner peripheral side of the turbine blades 22. A ball bearing 8 is disposed between an inner peripheral surface of the impeller hub 18 and an outer peripheral surface of the turbine hub 23. A first stop ring 34 that engages with a first groove 19 and an engagement groove 31a fixes the ball bearing 8 with respect to the impeller hub 18 due to the ball bearing 8 and the impeller hub 18 being brought into close proximity to each other in the axial direction. A second stop ring 35 engaged with a second groove 24a fixes the ball bearing 8 and the turbine hub 23.

Abstract: In a lockup device, a drive plate has a frictional coupling portion adjacent to a friction surface, and can provide torque to a turbine. The piston is a disk-like member arranged between a front cover and the turbine, has a pressing portion arranged on a side of the frictional coupling portion remote from a friction surface, and is axially movable according to a change in hydraulic pressure. The piston coupling mechanism unrotatably and axially movably couples the piston to the front cover. A seal mechanism seals a portion radially inside the piston at its axially opposite sides. The damper mechanism is arranged in a space axially between the front cover and the turbine, and is located radially between a drive plate and a seal mechanism. The piston coupling mechanism is arranged radially inside the seal mechanism.

Abstract: A bridging clutch for a hydrodynamic clutch device includes a housing comprising a cover having a friction surface; a piston which can move axially with respect to the housing, the piston having a friction surface which faces the friction surface of the cover; a first pretensioning element mount fixed to the cover and having a first support section; a second pretensioning element mount fixed to the piston and having a second support section; and a pretensioning element supported axially between the first and second support sections for actuating the piston in a predetermined axial direction. A slide device located between the pretensioning element and the second support section permits sliding movement of the pretensioning element with respect to the second pretensioning element mount.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for a motor vehicle, including a hub designed to link in rotation an output shaft and a turbine wheel a clutch for locking the coupling between the input shaft and output shaft. A locking piston is axially mobile between a wall integral with the turbine wheel and a wall for locking a crankcase designed rotatable link the input shaft and an impeller wheel. A female member of sealing mechanism, linked to the piston axially about a male member of the sealing mechanism, linked to the hub. A damping mechanism is clamped between the piston and the wall and an output member linked to the hub. The male member and the damping output member are each mounted on the hub or born by a member mounted on the hub.

Abstract: A damper mechanism or a damper disk assembly realizing a low rigidity using a pair of elastic members is provided to achieve a further low rigidity in a region with small torques. The damper mechanism has a drive member 52, a driven member 53, a pair of first torsion springs 58A and 58B, and a second torsion spring 59. The springs 58A and 58B are functionally provided in series with each other in a rotational direction. The spring 59 is functionally provided in parallel with the springs 58A and 58B in such a way that the spring 59 is compressed in the rotational direction after the springs 58A and 58B are compressed to a certain angle when the drive member 52 and the driven member 53 rotate relative to each other.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque transmitting device is disclosed that overcomes problems created by the presence of a thrust washer therein. In a torque converter 1 according to the present invention, a piston 41 is disposed between a front cover 2 and a turbine 4 to form a front chamber F on a front cover side and a rear chamber R on a turbine side, and can move toward and away from the front cover 2 by means of a hydraulic pressure differential created between the front and rear chambers F and R. The piston 41 has a disk shaped body 41a, and a frictional coupling portion (friction facing 61) disposed on a outer peripheral portion of the body 41a that serves to frictionally engage with the front cover 2. The turbine hub 23 and the front cover 2 have opposing portions (63, 23b) that oppose each other across an axial space. The piston 41 has a support portion 48 that axially supports the turbine 4 when the piston 41 moves to a position near the front cover.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for a piston-equipped bridging clutch of a hydrodynamic clutch device includes a drive-side transmitting element for at least one damping unit, which is in working connection by way of a transmitting element on the power takeoff-side with a power takeoff component assigned to it, where at least one angle of rotation limiter is assigned to the damping unit. At least one projection is provided on one of the transmitting elements, this projection extending toward the other transmitting element and engaging in an assigned recess in the other transmitting element with predetermined play in the axial direction to form an angle of rotation limiter, where the recess is provided with an appropriate circumferential dimension for the projection to ensure the possibility of a predetermined relative deflection between the two transmitting elements.

Abstract: A torque converter which can prevent an engagement pressure of a lockup clutch from becoming very high. A converter chamber is formed between an outer disc portion of a front cover and an impeller shell. A partition wall separating a clutch chamber and a converter chamber is provided in the outer disc portion. A clutch chamber has a drive plate serving as an input side of an engine output, a driven plate serving as an output side, and a lockup piston forming an engagement oil chamber along with an inner disc portion of the front cover. Since the partition wall is provided, the lockup clutch can be engaged without being affected by the hydraulic pressure within the converter chamber.

Abstract: A damper mechanism for a lockup device 7 is a device for mechanically transmitting a torque in a torque converter 1. A coil spring 58 is arranged in first and second windows 61 and 62 overlapping with each other, and is compressed in accordance with the relative rotation of drive and driven members 52 and 53. A maximum torsion angle ? m is defined when the coil springs 58 are compressed to a maximum extent by relative rotation between the drive and driven members 52 and 53. Each of the first and second windows 61 and 62 has an outer periphery longer than an inner periphery. Each ends 61a and 62a on the circumferential ends of the first and second windows 61 and 62 form an angle ? with respect to a center line extending through a center O of the damper mechanism and a circumferential center C1 or C2 of the first or second window 61 or 62, and this angle ? is in a range between 0.05 and 0.60 times as large as the maximum torsion angle ? m.

Abstract: A bridging clutch for a clutch apparatus which has a hydrodynamic circuit in a clutch housing. The bridging clutch may have a piston which is arranged on a hub and which is connected to a piston mount, which is mounted on the clutch housing, such that it can be moved axially via axial force stores. The piston mount has cutouts between radial extensions in the circumferential direction for projections which are provided on the piston and which pass through the piston mount. Axial force stores engage behind the piston mount on its side facing away from the piston and are attached to the piston at one connecting end and have lever ends which act on contact surfaces of the piston mount with predetermined prestressing in the direction of the piston.

Abstract: Apparatus for transmitting torque between the output shaft of the engine and the input shaft of the transmission in a motor vehicle has a fluid coupling with a housing secured to the output shaft and containing an impeller, a runner and, if necessary, a guide wheel. The runner is connected to a hub on the input shaft by a carrier for a torsionally elastic damper having coil springs which receive torque from the housing. The damper is in series with a clutch which can be operated to bypass the fluid coupling.

Abstract: An improved torque converter that results in greater fuel efficiency and more horsepower with a lower failure rate. The improved torque converter has a greater lock-up surface area than an original equipment torque converter to reduce slippage. The lock-up surface area can be provided from a wider friction lining material, a floating clutch, and/or a floating clutch plate. An improved stator contributes to fuel efficiency. In one aspect, the torque converter has a novel thrust washer that has parabolic shaped grooves to facilitate lubrication and reduce failure of the bearing thrust washer. In one aspect the torque converter uses brazed blades to reduce vibration and strengthen the blades to make them more resistant to distortion and failure.

Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic pressure control apparatus for a vehicular hydraulic power transmission device with a lock-up clutch, in which an increase in the temperature of hydraulic oil in an engagement side oil chamber is suppressed, durability of frictional material is improved, and the lock-up clutch is appropriately controlled. A switching control valve (a lock-up relay valve 250 and a lock-up control valve 252) switches between connection and disconnection between each of two oil passages that communicate with an engagement side oil chamber 31, and each of a high pressure oil passage and a low pressure oil passage, according to the operating state of the lock-up clutch 11. For example, when the lock-up clutch is completely engaged, the hydraulic oil is supplied to both the two oil passages from the high pressure oil passage, hydraulic pressure PON in the engagement side oil chamber 31 is increased, and a sufficient transmission torque capacity of the lock-up clutch 11 is obtained.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper on the bridging clutch of a hydrodynamic clutch arrangement has a first connecting device, which can be brought into working connection with the clutch housing and with a drive-side transmission element. The drive-side transmission element is connected via first energy-storage devices to an intermediate transmission element. The torsional vibration damper also has a second connecting device for establishing a working connection via second energy-storage devices between the intermediate transmission element and a takeoff-side transmission element, which is connected to a takeoff-side component of the hydrodynamic clutch arrangement. The intermediate transmission element accepts a mass element, located operatively between the two connecting devices.

Abstract: A fluid transmitting system includes a lock-up clutch whose clutch piston is disposed between a side cover connected to a pump impeller and a turbine runner. A Belleville spring for biasing the clutch piston to a clutch turning-on direction is mounted to a piston hub of the clutch piston slidably carried on a turbine hub so that the deformation attitude thereof is changed freely. A limiting means is provided between the clutch piston and the turbine runner for limiting the amount of retraction of the clutch piston to a constant value thereby preventing excessive deformation of the Belleville spring, when the clutch piston is retracted in a clutch turning-off direction. Thus, the Belleville spring for biasing the clutch piston of the lock-up clutch in the clutch turning-on direction can exhibit an intrinsic spring characteristic, and moreover the durability of the Belleville spring can be enhanced.

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: A fluid coupling transmits power from a drive side to a driven side by utilizing kinetic energy of fluid such as oil. The fluid coupling comprises a pump impeller (4) provided on a drive shaft (1), a turbine impeller (5) provided on a driven shaft (9), a housing (20) fixed to the pump impeller (4) and surrounding the turbine impeller, and a multiple disc clutch provided between a drive shaft side and a driven shaft side. The multiple disc clutch is operated to couple the drive shaft (1) and the driven shaft (9) mechanically so that the drive shaft and the driven shaft are rotated at the same rotational speed. Thus, the fluid coupling can improve a power transmitting efficiency because of no slip between the rotational speed of the drive shaft and the rotational speed of the driven shaft.

Abstract: A bridging clutch for a hydrodynamic torque converter which is designed with at least one friction area on a first converter component, which area can be shifted into working connection with at least one opposing friction area provided on a second converter component by means of an engaging movement or which can be separated from this second component by a disengaging movement in the direction opposite to the engaging movement. At least one of the two converter components acts as a friction lining carrier, which carries a friction lining in the friction area or in the opposing friction area, at least one opening being provided in the friction lining to allow the passage of transport medium, the inflow area of the opening being on the same radial side of the friction lining as its outflow area.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a lock-up clutch of a vehicle having a hydraulic torque transfer device equipped with the lock-up clutch between a power source and an automatic transmission is provided for controlling a hydraulic pressure of hydraulic oil supplied to the lock-up clutch when the clutch is in a slip region. The control apparatus determines whether an oil temperature of the hydraulic oil is lower than a predetermined temperature, calculates a change in input torque of the lock-up clutch, and determines whether the change in the input torque is larger than a predetermined value. When it is determined that the oil temperature of the hydraulic oil is lower than the predetermined temperature and that the change in the input torque is larger than the predetermined value, the control apparatus changes the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic oil supplied to the lock-up clutch to a predetermined pressure for a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter with a built-in bypass clutch is provided with an arrangement which regulates the cooling of the clutch at a rate dependent upon the slip between the coaxial driving and driven parts of the clutch, and hence upon the quantity of generated friction heat. The cooling unit for the driving and/or driven part of the clutch can employ, for example, one or more pumps; a supply of a substance which changes its aggregate state from liquid to gaseous or from solid to flowable in response to heating, and vice versa in response to cooling; one or more porous washers in the path for the flow of hydraulic fluid between the customary plenum chambers provided in the housing of the torque converter to move a piston of the driven part of the clutch into and from frictional engagement with the housing; and/or a system of recesses, grooves, channels and/or other passages serving to convey fluid between the chambers at a rate which is higher or highest when the clutch operates with maximum slip.

Abstract: A vehicle of the type described wherein the torque converter has an input shaft adapted to be driven by the engine and connected to an impeller and an output shaft adapted to drive the ground engaging device and connected to a turbine, torque being transmitted between the impeller and the turbine hydro-kinetically by fluid and a reactor member in the fluid path and there being a lock up clutch which, when in an operative condition, connects the torque converter for direct drive without torque conversion between the input shaft and the output shaft and which, when in an inoperative condition, permits drive through the torque converter with torque conversion.

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 which has a pump wheel, a turbine wheel, and a stator, which form a hydrodynamic circuit, and also a torsional vibration damper with a primary and a secondary damper element. The primary and the secondary damper element are connected to each other in a rotationally elastic manner by at least one set of springs. The turbine wheel has a turbine wheel shell and is supported rotatably with respect to a turbine wheel hub in a first bearing, which provides axial and radial support. The secondary damper element is mounted nonrotatably on the turbine wheel hub. The turbine wheel acts by way of an intermediate element on the primary damper element. The stator is mounted on a stator hub, which is supported by an axially operative second bearing on a turbine wheel base, which is connected to the turbine wheel shell. The first bearing is located radially outside the second bearing.

Abstract: A hydraulic torque converter, particularly for use in a motor vehicle between the prime mover and the transmission of the power train, employs a combination of a bypass clutch with one or more torsional vibration dampers which brings about savings in space and/or in the number of parts. In addition, the torque converter can stand long periods of use and is less prone to wear, adverse influences of abruptly developing stresses and/or other undesirable influences than conventional torque converters. Furthermore, the improved torque converter employs or can employ a bypass clutch and/or one or more torsional vibration dampers simpler and less expensive than but superior to those in conventional torque converters.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic coupling apparatus for a motor vehicle including a crankcase (12), designed to link in rotation, about an axis X, an input shaft to an impeller wheel; a turbine wheel (18) designed to be linked in rotation to an output shaft (16) via hub (14) and a flange (24) transversely oriented extending radially outwards relative to the hub; a lockup clutch (28) coupling the input and output (16) shafts comprising a piston (30) for releasably connecting the turbine wheel (18) to a substantially transverse wall (20) of the crankcase (12) against which the piston (30) is urged to lock the coupling; and at least a friction stop (68) interposed axially between the turbine wheel (18) and the piston (30). A friction stop (68) is arranged radially beyond the outer periphery (100) of the flange (24).

Abstract: Hydrokinetic coupling apparatus with an axis of rotation X—X, in particular for motor vehicles, in which the connection without clearance between the turbine wheel, the turbine hub and the input element of the damping device is accomplished by axial rivets. Bearings (80) are axially interposed between turbine hub (14) and a hub of a reaction wheel (13).

Abstract: A lockup device 7 is provided with a clutch mechanism, an elastic coupling mechanism, a piston 75, and a piston coupling mechanism 76. The piston coupling mechanism 76 has a piston pilot 78 and a return plate 79 and serves to couple the piston 75 and a front cover 11. The piston pilot 78 is fixed to the front cover 11 and supports the piston 75. The axially deformable return plate 79 is disposed between the front cover 11 and the piston 75. The elastic coupling mechanism is provided with a plurality of torsion springs 73, a spring holder 71, a driven plate 72, and a drive plate 74. A plurality of slit holes 71d each having a width that is larger than the width W1 of the first claw parts 72b are formed in the annular part 71a at positions corresponding to those of the first claw parts 72b.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic coupling appliance, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (30) provided with a transverse wall (3), designed to be coupled in rotation to an input shaft, a turbine wheel (12) housed inside the housing (30) and integral with a hub (14), designed to be coupled in rotation to an output shaft, a first bearing (1) integral with the transverse wall (3) of the housing (30), a locking clutch interposed between said turbine wheel (3) and the transverse wall (13). A piston (4) carries a second bearing (2) extending opposite the first bearing (1) to be linked self-disengaging to the transverse wall, and wherein friction elements (60) operate between a transverse bearing (15) of the hub (14) and the piston (4), the piston (4) being shaped to bear the friction elements (60), and the hub (14) having an axially oriented annular portion (16) facing towards the transverse wall (3) and enclosed by the piston (4) mounted axially mobile relative to the annular portion.

Abstract: A bridging clutch is installed in a fluid medium-filled housing of a hydrodynamic coupling device located between a drive shaft and a transmission input shaft, the coupling device also containing a pump wheel and a turbine wheel. The bridging clutch is provided with a piston, which, when moved into a first axial position, brings at least one friction element into working connection with at least one friction surface, and when moved into a second axial position, at least partially releases this working connection, and with a torsional vibration damper, which is designed with at least one drive element and with at least one takeoff element, at least one of which has openings for circumferential springs and actuating areas for these springs. At least one of the takeoff elements acts a carrier element for the turbine wheel, which is held otherwise without radial support in the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a starter unit (1) comprising an input (E) which may be coupled to a drive input, an output (A) which may he coupled to a drive output, a starter element (2) in the form of a hydrodynamic coupling (3), a switchable clutch (7), comprising at least two clutch elements, which may be brought into frictional engagement, either directly or indirectly, by means of further transfer agents, being a first clutch element (10) and a second clutch element (11) each rotationally fixed to the input (E) and the output (A) respectively. The hydrodynamic coupling (3) and the switchable clutch (7) are arranged in a parallel fashion in two power branches (8,9) and may be activated individually or in common.

Abstract: A piston coupling mechanism in a lockup device having a piston that presses the friction coupling part of a clutch mechanism against the front cover of a fluid-type torque transmission device is provided reduce the amount of work required for assembly. The piston coupling mechanism 76 of the lockup device 7 functions to couple the piston 75 to the front cover 11 such that it rotate integrally with the front cover 11 while being movable in the axial direction. The piston coupling mechanism 76 has a piston lug plate 83, a cover lug plate 84, and a return plate 85. The piston lug plate 83 and the cover lug plate 84 mate in such a manner that they can move in the axial direction but cannot rotate relative to each other. The return plate 85 can apply an axial force against the piston 75 directed toward the transmission and can also limit the axial movement of the piston 75 toward the transmission.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided with an impeller and a cover, fixed to one another and configured for attachment to a drive member. A turbine is rotationally mounted between the impeller and the cover and is configured for attachment to a driven member. A lockup clutch is provided to lock the impeller and cover to the turbine when a fluid pressure applied to the lockup clutch increases above a torque converter lockup pressure. The lockup clutch may include a clutch-pack having rings that are splined to the piston or to the cover via tabs. The flanks of the tabs and their corresponding lugs may be substantially radial, or the flanks of the tabs or lugs may be parallel to one another. The cover may be formed from a base plate and a cylindrical wall piece. A plurality of lugs may be formed around the periphery of the base plate, and ones of the tabs may be splined thereto.

Abstract: A lockup device 7 having a dual friction surface to make it possible to arrange a friction coupling part on the outside with respect to the radial direction is provided. The lockup device 7 has a clutch plate 71, a drive plate 72, a driven plate 73, a plurality of torsion springs 74, a spring holder 80, a piston 75, and a piston coupling mechanism 76. The piston 75 radially extends to the position of a friction coupling part 71c of the clutch plate 71. The mounting radius of the torsion springs 74 is shorter than a radius extending to the radial position of the outer circumferential edge of the piston 75 or the friction coupling part 71c. The protrusions 72d of the drive plate 72 mate with the recessions 71e of the clutch plate 71 at a radial position that is farther from the rotational axis than mounting radius of the torsion springs 74.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a torque input member, a first torque transmitting member hydrodynamically transmitted with a torque from the torque input member and capable of outputting the torque to a torque output member, a clutch member engageable with the torque input member, a second torque transmitting member engageable with the clutch member, and an elastic member supported into engagement by the first torque transmitting member, capable of absorbing shock in the torque, and capable of transmitting the torque to the first torque transmitting member.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch device, in particular a torque converter or fluid clutch, includes a housing, a turbine wheel in the housing, and a torque-converter lock-up clutch, which is used to selectively produce a torque-transfer connection between the turbine wheel and the housing. The torque-converter lock-up clutch includes at least one substantially annular friction element, which is connected to the turbine wheel in order to rotate with the latter about a rational axis, the element having a friction surface region and a contact element. The contact element is connected to the housing in order to rotate with the latter about the rotational axis and impinges upon the friction surface region of the friction elements to produce the torque-transfer connection between the turbine wheel and the housing. The contact element is connected to the housing assembly in a rotationally rigid manner in a zone lying radially outside the friction surface region.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter with a built-in bypass clutch is provided with an arrangement which regulates the cooling of the clutch at a rate dependent upon the slip between the coaxial driving and driven parts of the clutch, and hence upon the quantity of generated friction heat. The cooling unit for the driving and/or driven part of the clutch can employ, for example, one or more pumps; a supply of a substance which changes its aggregate state from liquid to gaseous or from solid to flowable in response to heating, and vice versa in response to cooling; one or more porous washers in the path for the flow of hydraulic fluid between the customary plenum chambers provided in the housing of the torque converter to move a piston of the driven part of the clutch into and from frictional engagement with the housing; and/or a system of recesses, grooves, channels and/or other passages serving to convey fluid between the chambers at a rate which is higher or highest when the clutch operates with maximum slip.