Abstract: A torque converter includes an impeller shell and a backing plate defining at least a portion of a first hydraulic chamber, a cover and a piston plate defining at least a portion of a second hydraulic chamber, and a third hydraulic chamber. The third chamber is sealed from the first and second hydraulic chambers such that a hydraulic flow between the third chamber and the other chambers is at least restricted. In an example embodiment, the first chamber is for being pressurized to prevent cavitation in the turbine, stator, or impeller, the second or third chamber is for being pressurized to engage the lockup clutch, and the other of the second or third chamber is for being de-pressurized to reduce a back pressure on the lockup clutch piston plate.

Abstract: A compressor starting torque converter method and apparatus for high power rotating equipment strings includes a compressor starting torque converter (CSTC) (16) and gearing to make the input and output speed conform to the speed and power requirements of the at least one compressor (4) at the end of the string. The string also includes a prime mover (10), either a motor or gas turbine with a starter motor. The CSTC is driven by a prime mover that has been geared down (via 18) to an appropriate speed for efficient power transfer, followed by a gear increasing unit (20) to allow the output of the CSTC to be increased to conform to the necessary requirements of a high speed compressor. The gearing can be two separate units with their own housings, or incorporated in a single housing with the CSTC. The CSTC may be a CSTC used in pressurized starts high compressor load strings for LNG refrigeration service.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic component, comprising at least two bladed shells forming a torus shaped operating cavity in combination, each comprising a blade array supported by a dish, wherein at least one of the bladed shells comprises no support of the blades through the dish in the radially inner end portion of the particular blades. The invention is characterized in that flow control means are provided in the radially inner end portion of the torus shaped operating cavity in the portion where the dish is missing. The invention furthermore relates to a force transmission device with a hydrodynamic component.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine coupled to a transmission, a fluid coupling including an impeller and a turbine wherein the impeller is mechanically coupled to a rotatable member of the electric machine and the turbine is mechanically coupled to a rotatable member of the internal combustion engine. The fluid coupling is effective to fluidically couple torque from the electric machine to the internal combustion engine when the impeller and turbine are not mechanically locked.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for controlling an integrated drive train. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling a gas turbine drive train includes measuring speed associated with the drive train, controlling fuel flow to a gas turbine based at least in part on a speed command and the measured speed, controlling one or more guide vanes associated with a torque converter based at least in part on the speed command and an expected power output of the torque converter, and selectively coordinating respective torque contributions from the torque converter and the gas turbine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic machine, in particular a retarder, having an external working medium circuit, comprising: a bladed primary wheel and a bladed secondary wheel which together form a toroidal working chamber which can be filled with working medium from the external working medium circuit, which is fed back into the external working medium circuit; an annular channel disposed outside the working chamber, which is connected in a working-medium conducting manner to the working chamber via outlet holes in the primary wheel or secondary wheel, and is in flow-conducting communication with the external working medium circuit in order to collect working medium leaving the working chamber through the outlet holes and supply this to the external working medium circuit.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a damper assembly including a cover plate including a first plurality of openings, a flange, and at least one spring in contact with the flange and the cover plate; a turbine including at least one first blade and a shell including a portion disposed radially inward of the at least one blade, and a second plurality of openings in the portion; a turbine plate with a third plurality of openings; and a plurality of fasteners passing through the first, second, and third pluralities of openings. The plurality of fasteners: fixedly secure the cover plate, the portion of the turbine shell, and the turbine plate to one another; or fixed securing the portion of the turbine shell to the turbine plate and restricting rotation of the cover plate with respect to the portion of the turbine shell to the turbine plate.

Abstract: A torque converter, including a front cover with an exterior surface at least partially facing in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation for the torque converter, and a portion at a furthest radial distance from the axis of rotation. The torque converter also includes: at least one angled mounting plate fixedly connected to the exterior surface of the front cover and including a portion disposed at an acute angle with respect to the axis of rotation; and at least one threaded fastener with: a first end fixedly connected to the portion of the at least one angled mounting plate; and a second end, opposite the first end, disposed further in the direction than the first end, disposed radially outward from the first end, and at a radial distance from the axis of ration less than the furthest radial distance for the front cover.

Abstract: A rotating mechanism driving apparatus is disclosed that includes a frictional transmission configured to output torque via a viscous fluid, the torque being input from the motor; an input shaft rotational amount detecting part configured to detect a rotational amount of an input shaft of the frictional transmission; an output shaft rotational amount detecting part configured to detect a rotational amount of an output shaft of the frictional transmission; an input torque detecting part configured to detect input torque of the frictional transmission; a slip amount calculating part configured to calculate a slip amount between the input shaft and the output shaft; and abnormal state determining part configured to determine abnormal state of a rotating mechanism connected to the output shaft of the frictional transmission based on the input torque and to determine an abnormal state of the frictional transmission based on the slip amount.

Abstract: An impeller hub including a tube portion extending along an axis, the tube portion having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein a longitudinal bore forms the inner diameter, a flange extending radially out from the tube portion, wherein the longitudinal bore through the tube portion and the flange are formed by a cold forming process.

Abstract: A drive connection for fixing a torque converter to an engine crankshaft includes a crankshaft, a torque converter, and a threaded fastener. The crankshaft includes an end face, a rotational axis, and a threaded hole aligned with the axis. The torque converter includes a rotational axis and a cover having an aperture aligned with the axis. The threaded fastener extends through the aperture and is engaged with the threaded hole to secure the cover to the end face. In an example embodiment, the drive connection includes a sealing element disposed between the fastener and the cover. The sealing element may be a washer or an o-ring.

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: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for transferring power from a vehicle drive train to a hydraulic pump. One aspect of the present invention provides system including a torque converter; a torque converter hub connected to at least the torque converter; and a synchronous drive system coupled to at least the torque converter.

Abstract: A hub seal assembly includes a hub having a groove with a first radial wall, a first floating seal including a second radial wall, and a resilient element. The first floating seal is axially displaced by the resilient element so that the second radial wall contacts the first radial wall. In an example embodiment, the first floating seal includes polytetrafluoroethylene. In some example embodiments, the resilient element is an o-ring. In an example embodiment, the first floating seal includes a circumferential groove or a notch and the o-ring is at least partially disposed in the groove or the notch.

Abstract: A blade assembly for a torque converter including a plurality of blades installed between a shell and a core ring, where the blades are in an arrangement having asymmetrical spacing between the blades for reducing the noise generated by operation of the torque converter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to torque converters. In particular, the instant invention provides improved torque converters having an increase in capacity and an increase in efficiency.

Abstract: A torque converter including a cover having a central longitudinal axis and an outer surface and a pilot stamped from metal. The pilot includes a disc at least partially radially aligned with the axis for the cover. The pilot and the cover central axis are fixedly secured to each other. In a first embodiment, the disc is flat. In a second embodiment, the disc is annular. In a third embodiment, the pilot includes a machined outer circumferential surface. In a fourth embodiment, the pilot includes first and second portions radially off-set with respect to one another. In a fifth embodiment, the pilot includes a portion axially extending from the portion of the disc at least partially radially aligned with the axis for the cover. In a preferred embodiment, the cover and pilot are fixedly secured by welding.

Abstract: A shaft system for an automatic transmission includes a stator support shaft having an internal axial bore for receiving an input shaft, a forward engagement portion for engaging a stator of a torque converter of the automatic transmission and an integral stator support flange extending radially outward for engaging a stator support of the automatic transmission and transferring to the stator support substantially all of a torque load imposed on the stator support shaft by the stator. The stator support flange includes at least one oil flow bore positioned therein to supply oil between different components of the transmission.

Abstract: A blade with first and second blade tabs extending outwardly from an edge of the blade; and a shell with a first indent and a first slot. The first blade tab is arranged to engage the first indent and the second blade tab is arranged to engage the first slot. In one embodiment, the first indent is arranged radially inward on the shell relative to the first slot. In one embodiment, the first blade tab is affixed to the first indent. In one embodiment, the second blade tab is bent over an outside surface of the turbine shell. In one embodiment, the shell includes a second indent and the blade includes a third blade tab extending outwardly from the edge and at least partially disposed in the second indent. A method of manufacturing a pump or turbine shell for a torque converter.

Abstract: A stator shell for a hydrodynamic torque converter (1), wherein said stator shell (2) comprises a plurality of blades (32, 34), wherein said stator shell (2) comprises plural components (20, 22), produced separately from one another and respectively comprising one or plural blades (32, 34) of said stator shell (2), wherein said components (20, 22) are fixated to one another and disposed relative to one another, so that blades (32, 34) of several of said components (20, 22) are disposed respectively offset relative to one another in a circumferential direction forming gaps provided in said circumferential direction extending about a central axis of the stator shell (2), wherein each of said blades (32, 34) is configured from an integral component between its respective leading edge and its respective trailing edge, so that each of the blades (32, 34) is respectively configured integrally from one of the components (20 or 22).

Abstract: A pump assembly for a torque converter including a shell arranged to receive a plurality of blades for the pump, a hub arranged to interface with a transmission, and a resilient member located axially between an annular portion of the shell and annular portion of the hub. In a preferred embodiment, the resilient member is an O-ring.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a cone connection assembly for a torque converter, including: a first surface operatively arranged for connection to a crankshaft and a second surface on a cover of the torque converter. The first and second surfaces are arranged to be engaged and the first surface is arranged to transfer torque to the second surface via the engagement of the first and second surfaces. In some aspects, the crankshaft comprises a longitudinal axis, the first surface is disposed about the longitudinal axis, the cover comprises an outside surface, and the outside surface comprises the second surface. In some aspects, the first and second surfaces are arranged to be frictionally engaged or the first and second surfaces have complementary surface features and the first and second surface features are arranged to interlockingly engage.

Abstract: A hydraulic torque converter for a vehicle, that comprises an impeller (I), a turbine (T) and a reactor (R) with a coaxial axis (A), and respectively fitted with impeller (1), turbine (2) and reactor (3) vanes, each defined by an inner side edge (11;21;31), an outer side edge (12;22;32), a trailing edge (13;23;33) and a leading edge (14;24;34), wherein the trailing edge (13) of the impeller is separated by an axial distance d1 from the leading edge of the turbine, and the trailing edge of the turbine is separated by an axial distance d2 from the leading edge of the reactor, the d2/d1 ration being equal to or lower than 1.4.

Abstract: A turbine drill motor capable of operation at ultra-high rotary speeds (i.e., in excess of 1000 rpm, which is very high for turbine drill motors), with a high-pressure jet-assist functionality for drilling and well service applications. The ultra-high rotary speed enables fast penetration with diamond bits, while the high-pressure jet-assist ensures adequate cooling and cuttings removal. In an exemplary embodiment, such a turbine drill motor includes a bypass channel to divert a portion of the driving fluid supply when the bit is off-bottom, to limit the no-load runaway speed of the turbine. Serial and parallel flow paths can be accommodated, and different drill bits for cutting and well-bore servicing are disclosed.

Abstract: A torque converter cover including a protrusion extending from an outer surface of the torque converter cover and symmetrical about an axis of rotation for the cover and a pilot boss including a body having a recessed portion matingly engaged with the protrusion. In some embodiments, the protrusion is generally cylindrical, while in other embodiments, the recessed portion is generally cylindrical. A method of fixedly securing a pilot boss to a torque converter cover, the torque converter cover including a protrusion from an outer surface of the cover and symmetrical about an axis of rotation for the cover and a pilot boss including a body having a recessed portion, the method including the step of matingly engaging said recessed portion to the protrusion.

Abstract: A fluid type power transmission system includes a fluid type power transmission device and a control part. The fluid type power transmission device includes an inlet part and an outlet part for a working fluid. The fluid type power transmission device is configured to transmit power in response to circulation of the working fluid in the interior thereof. The control part is configured to control a pressure of the working fluid in the inlet part by regulating a pressure of the working fluid in the outlet part of the fluid type power transmission device.

Abstract: In a fluid coupling wherein a turbine shell is welded to a turbine hub, it is necessary to take care of the strength of the welded portion because the turbine shell is displaced toward the pump blade as the torque thereof is transmitted. A fluid coupling (10) according to the present invention is provided with an input-side rotary constituent (A) including a pump blade (18), to which is attached an input member, and an output-side rotary constituent (B) including a turbine shell (22), to which is attached a turbine blade (21) opposed to the pump blade (18), and a turbine hub, to which is coupled an output member (1), the turbine hub (15) being welded to an inner peripheral portion of the turbine shell (22), wherein the turbine shell (22) and the turbine hub (15) have contact surfaces (23, 24), respectively, extending along a rotational axis (10a) of the fluid coupling (10), and a joint portion (14) is formed by the welding on the contact surfaces (23, 24) closer to the pump blade (18).

Abstract: A transmission has a lubricant pump which is arranged in the interior of a transmission housing and which includes a rotor rotationally fixedly connected to a transmission shaft in a pump housing, with the pump housing being rotationally fixedly connected to the transmission housing and being sealed with respect to a cylindrical sealing surface of the transmission housing, and with the lubricant pump pumping into a pressure chamber which surrounds the transmission shaft and which is sealed with respect to the transmission shaft. To achieve a good seal and centration of the pump housing, the pump housing is sealed by means of a resilient ring with respect to the cylindrical sealing surface of the transmission housing, with the ring being received by an outer peripheral groove of the pump housing with radial clearance so that the pump housing can adjust itself in the radial direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic coupling having a primary blade wheel and a secondary blade wheel. The primary wheel and the secondary wheel together form a working chamber that can be filled with a working medium and are mounted in such a way that they can rotate in relation to each other. A bearing is inserted, at least indirectly, between the primary impeller and the secondary impeller, said bearing absorbing the radial forces and/or axial forces acting between the blade wheels. The inventive hydrodynamic coupling is characterized in that the bearing is constructed as a sliding bearing, a film of bearing fluid subjected to hydrostatic pressure being formed between the bearing components moving in relation to each other during the operation of the hydrodynamic coupling, and the pressure of the bearing fluid is dependent on the pressure of the working medium built up in the working chamber.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter including a housing connectable to a drive element for rotation in common around an axis of rotation, the housing being fillable with a fluid; a pump wheel in the housing; a turbine wheel in the housing and connected to a takeoff element; and a supporting/sealing hub area on an axial side of the housing and facing away from the drive element, the supporting/sealing hub area comprising a first hub element permanently connected to the housing; and a second hub element connected to the first hub element for rotation in common around the axis of rotation, the second hub element being axially movable relative to the first hub element, the second hub element comprising an outside circumference, a sealing surface on the outside circumference, a first axial end facing away from the drive element, and a rotational driver formation at the first axial end.

Abstract: A fluid coupling including a pump impeller rotatable about a rotation axis and having several pump blades, and a turbine runner disposed downstream of the pump impeller and including several turbine blades arranged about the rotation axis. When the pump impeller rotates, a fluid circulates between the pump impeller and the turbine runner such that the turbine runner rotates about the rotation axis. Each of the turbine blades includes an intermediate part, an outer part and an inner part, and in at least one of the turbine blades, the outer part is formed so as to be positioned on the downstream side of the intermediate part in the rotation direction.

Abstract: A thrust roller bearing includes a plurality of rollers, a retainer, an annular first track ring having a track surface, an outer periphery flange part, and a first claw part, and an annular second track ring having a track surface, an inner periphery flange part, and a second claw part. Bearing internal gaps to allow the eccentric rotation of the first track ring and the second track ring are provided between the outer periphery flange part and an outer edge part of the retainer, and between the inner periphery flange part and an inner edge part of the retainer. In addition, at least one of the first and second claw parts is a projection part formed by a bending process. Furthermore, an edge part of the retainer opposed to the projection part has a first slope part formed at a corner part on the side opposed to the track surface, and a second slope part having a radial length relatively shorter than that of the first slope part, and formed at a corner part on the opposite side in a thickness direction.

Abstract: More efficient, economic vehicular torque converters comprising novel integrated one-piece turbine/impeller blade-core assemblies with innovative fluid coupling means for greater torque capacities.

Abstract: A torque converter in which the inner turbine output diameter or the inner pump input diameter is smaller than the inner stator passage diameter.

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: In an automatic transmission, a lip portion of an oil seal can be prevented from riding up reliably when an impeller hub is inserted into the oil seal so as to be attached thereto, even when the lip portion is provided with a tightening margin. The impeller hub is attached to the oil seal from the lip portion side of the oil seal , with an end portion thereof in which a notch is formed. The impeller hub has a first chamfer portion formed in a bottom portion outer peripheral edge portion of the notch as an inclined surface that decreases radially in an axial direction of the impeller hub toward the end portion of the impeller hub, and an axial distance of the first chamfer portion from the bottom portion outer peripheral edge portion increases from both end sides of a circumferential direction of the notch toward a circumferential direction central portion of the notch.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling has an impeller and a turbine wheel that together form a toroidal working chamber. Viewed as an axial section through the hydrodynamic coupling the working chamber has a circular or essentially circular cross-section with a convexity in the axial direction on the circumference in the radially outer area of said turbine wheel and/or in the radially inner area of said impeller.

Abstract: A torque converter with torus shape that is sheared such that imagined axial sections through the torus shape, starting from the inner stator passage diameter, are shifted increasingly axially in one direction as the effective radius increases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic component, comprising at least two bladed shells forming a torus shaped operating cavity in combination, each comprising a blade array supported by a dish, wherein at least one of the bladed shells comprises no support of the blades through the dish in the radially inner end portion of the particular blades. The invention is characterized in that flow control means are provided in the radially inner end portion of the torus shaped operating cavity in the portion where the dish is missing. The invention furthermore relates to a force transmission device with a hydrodynamic component.

Abstract: A drain structure where oil sucked from the oil pan by the oil pump is supplied to the torque converter and circulates therein, and the oil is drained into the transmission case through a drain oil passage; and the drain oil passage passes through a gap between the torque converter and the oil pump, is guided to an upper part facing a fitting surface between the oil pump and the transmission case, and is further guided from the upper part to a part under the oil pump and opens above an oil level in the transmission case, and drain oil from the drain oil passage is discharged toward the oil pan.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch having a pump and turbine and a case wherein a collection bath is provided underneath the case for the collection of work medium being discharged from the case vent openings and in which the case is immersed. There is in the collection bath at least one drainage opening with a drainage flange which is positioned above the floor of the collection bath with a predetermined clearance distance from the bottom. The case is immersed so far in the collection bath that it reaches into an area underneath the drainage flange.

Abstract: A torque converter 1 transmits torque from the engine to an output shaft. The torque converter 1 includes a front cover 2, impeller 3, and turbine 4. The turbine 4 includes a turbine shell 11 located opposite the impeller 3 and provided with a plurality of blades, and a turbine hub 13 located at a radially inner end of the turbine shell 11 to couple the turbine shell 11 with the output shaft. The torque converter 1 further includes an annular slide member 80 located between the front cover 2 and the turbine hub 13 in the axial direction to receive the axial load, and a support member 70 fixed to one of the front cover 2 and the turbine hub 13 to support the slide member 80 by urging the slide member 80 against one of the front cover 2 and the turbine hub 13 in the axial direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic torque converter comprising a driving pump wheel, a driven turbine wheel, and a guide wheel, which has guide wheel blades. In order to create a hydrodynamic torque converter, which requires less installation space than conventional torque converters and is producible cost-effectively, the guide wheel blades are attached to the guide wheel such that they can move between a throughflow position and a guide position.

Abstract: More efficient, economic vehicular torque converters comprising novel integrated one-piece turbine/impeller blade-core assemblies with innovative fluid coupling means for greater torque capacities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seal apparatus for a transmission pump. The seal apparatus includes a ring seal configured to seal a gap defined between a transmission pump body and a hub in order to reduce hydraulic fluid leakage. An O-ring is placed around the ring seal such that the O-ring engages the transmission pump body in an axial direction. A retainer ring is disposed around the hub, and a torque converter seal is disposed radially between the transmission pump body and the hub. The torque converter seal applies an axial force which is transferred through the retainer ring in order to compresses the O-ring against the transmission pump body to seal in parallel with the ring seal such that the rate of hydraulic fluid leaking from the transmission pump is reduced. A corresponding method for sealing a transmission pump is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an electric power source in a transmission includes a transmission housing, and an electric machine including a rotor and a stator secured to the housing. A first member is secured to the rotor, extends radially toward an axis of rotation, and is formed with a first pilot surface. A second member, secured to the rotor and the housing, extends from the housing toward the axis and is formed with a second pilot surface that is aligned axially with the first pilot surface. An anti-friction bearing, located at an axial rearward side or axially frontward side of a torque converter, is engaged with the first pilot surface and the second pilot surface. A second balanced bearing is located either in the driving engine or the driven transmission.

Abstract: A stator shell for a hydrodynamic torque converter (1), wherein said stator shell (2) comprises a plurality of blades (32, 34), wherein said stator shell (2) comprises plural components (20, 22), produced separately from one another and respectively comprising one or plural blades (32, 34) of said stator shell (2), wherein said components (20, 22) are fixated to one another and disposed relative to one another, so that blades (32, 34) of several of said components (20, 22) are disposed respectively offset relative to one another in a circumferential direction forming gaps provided in said circumferential direction extending about a central axis of the stator shell (2), wherein each of said blades (32, 34) is configured from an integral component between its respective leading edge and its respective trailing edge, so that each of the blades (32, 34) is respectively configured integrally from one of the components (20 or 22).

Abstract: A compressor starting torque converter method and apparatus for high power rotating equipment strings includes a compressor starting torque converter (CSTC) (16) and gearing to make the input and output speed conform to the speed and power requirements of the at least one compressor (4) at the end of the string. The string also includes a prime mover (10), either a motor or gas turbine with a starter motor. The CSTC is driven by a prime mover that has been geared down (via 18) to an appropriate speed for efficient power transfer, followed by a gear increasing unit (20) to allow the output of the CSTC to be increased to conform to the necessary requirements of a high speed compressor. The gearing can be two separate units with their own housings, or incorporated in a single housing with the CSTC. The CSTC may be a CSTC used in pressurized starts high compressor load strings for LNG refrigeration service.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic torque converter with a housing which comprises a wall which is on the driving side, where a connecting plate is fastened to the housing wall and comprises several mounting locations for connecting the hydrodynamic torque converter to a drive unit, the mounting locations being distributed over the circumference of the connecting plate and in the mounted state of the hydrodynamic torque converter being fastened at corresponding mounting locations of the drive unit. In order to provide a hydrodynamic torque converter which can be produced economically and has a long service lifetime, for each two mounting locations the connecting plate comprises, between them in the circumferential direction, a fastening area with which the connecting plate is fastened to the housing wall which is on the driving side.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a plurality of blades and a core ring supporting the plurality of blades. The core ring includes at least two segments, each segment having two circumferential ends. A core ring and method are also provided.