Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter includes an impeller cover and bypass clutch located within the impeller housing. The impeller cover has welded to it a clutch plate, which carries friction material adjacent the clutch piston. The piston has legs that extend axially into engagement with helical springs carried in a damper assembly arranged in series with the damper between the impeller cover and the input shaft of the transmission. The springs are located in a retainer that accommodates two, three or four springs, as required by the torque requirements of the clutch and damper. The spring constant of the damper can be linear or piecewise linear over the full displacement range of the damper springs.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 9, 1997
Date of Patent:
October 12, 1999
Assignee:
Ford Global Techologies, Inc.
Inventors:
John William Fallu, Fraser John MacDonald, Stephen Harold Henning