Abstract: A power train between the engine and the wheels of a motor vehicle has a start-up component which receives torque from the engine and transmits torque to an infinitely variable transmission through a reversible torque transmitting apparatus. The transmitting apparatus comprises at least one planetary transmission, a first clutch which can be engaged to transmit torque from the start-up component and the planet wheel carrier of the planetary transmission to an input/output element, and a second clutch which can be engaged, when the first clutch is disengaged, to connect the internal wheel of the planetary transmission to a housing for the planetary transmission. The first clutch is mounted, at least in part, on the planet wheel carrier and the second clutch is mounted, at least in part, on the internal wheel of the planetary transmission.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises a lockup clutch having an annular piston which is reciprocable in the direction of the axis of rotation of the housing of the torque converter and carries a friction lining having a friction surface which bears against a friction surface at the inner side of the housing when the lockup clutch is engaged. At least one of the friction surfaces is provided with channels defining passages for the flow of a fluid coolant from a first internal compartment of the housing toward a second compartment located radially inwardly of the friction surfaces. The piston and/or the housing is resiliently deformable so that it can influence the rate of fluid flow through the passages. The width of the passages decreases gradually radially inwardly from the first compartment toward the second compartment, and the passages slope radially outwardly in the direction of rotation of the housing.

Abstract: A lock-up clutch for a flow converter having pump and turbine blades which are hydraulically coupled, in which a ring piston is located between the converter cover and the turbine blades. The ring-piston and converter cover have mating conically shaped friction surfaces, thereby leaving a wedge-shaped space between the converter cover the turbine blades and the friction surface of the ring piston. An annular damper unit located in the wedge-shaped space has a plurality of damper elements which are coupled to the turbine vanes by fingers extending from the turbine vanes.