Abstract: A rocker one-way clutch including an outer race including a pocket and a strut including a main body rotatable within the pocket and a locking member including a first neck portion extending from the main body and a cutout operatively arranged within the first neck portion to prevent displacement of a spring member. A rocker one-way clutch including an inner race, an outer race arranged radially outward of the inner race concentrically, the outer race including a pocket, a strut including a main body rotatable within the pocket and a locking member, the locking member including a first neck portion extending from the main body, a cutout operatively arranged within the first neck portion to prevent displacement of a spring member and a protrusion operatively arranged within the first neck portion opposite of the cutout to ensure proper assembly of the strut within the inner and outer races.

Abstract: A torque converter impeller or turbine is provided. The torque converter impeller or turbine includes a plurality of blades and a shell including a rounded portion defining an annular bowl for receiving the blades on an interior surface of the shell. The interior surface of the shell is provided with at least one shell protrusion for each of the blades protruding away from the rounded portion. Each of the at least one shell protrusion contacts a radially extending circumferentially facing surface of the respective blade.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing for a torque converter comprising: an axis of rotation; a first radial thrust surface; a second radial surface, opposite the first radial thrust surface, including at least two axially protruding anti-rotation pins for preventing relative motion with one of either a stator assembly or an impeller once assembled; an inner circumferential surface defining an opening concentric with the axis of rotation; an outer circumferential surface; and, an axial retention means for attaching to the one of either a stator assembly or an impeller and including at least two resilient tabs, each tab comprising: a deflectable portion; a lockable portion; and, an axial portion having a first width and connecting the deflectable portion and the lockable portion. A torque converter having a hydrodynamic thrust bearing as described is also provided.

Abstract: A torque converter impeller or turbine is provided. The torque converter impeller or turbine includes a plurality of blades and a shell including a rounded portion defining an annular bowl for receiving the blades on an interior surface of the shell. The interior surface of the shell is provided with at least one shell protrusion for each of the blades protruding away from the rounded portion. Each of the at least one shell protrusion contacts a radially extending circumferentially facing surface of the respective blade.

Abstract: A rocker one-way clutch including an outer race including a pocket and a strut including a main body rotatable within the pocket and a locking member including a first neck portion extending from the main body and a cutout operatively arranged within the first neck portion to prevent displacement of a spring member. A rocker one-way clutch including an inner race, an outer race arranged radially outward of the inner race concentrically, the outer race including a pocket, a strut including a main body rotatable within the pocket and a locking member, the locking member including a first neck portion extending from the main body, a cutout operatively arranged within the first neck portion to prevent displacement of a spring member and a protrusion operatively arranged within the first neck portion opposite of the cutout to ensure proper assembly of the strut within said inner and outer races.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover including: a first portion having a first surface facing at least partially in a first axial direction and a second portion extending past the first surface in the first axial direction; an impeller including: an impeller shell with a third portion: disposed radially outward of the second portion; overlapping the second portion in a radial direction such that a first line passes through the second and third portions and having a second surface: facing in a second axial direction and adjacent to and aligned with the first surface in the first axial direction such that a second line passes through the first and second surfaces; at least one blade connected to the impeller shell; and a weld fixedly securing the cover to the impeller and in contact with the first and third portions.

Abstract: A rocker one-way clutch including an outer race including a pocket and a strut including a main body rotatable within the pocket and a locking member including a first neck portion extending from the main body and a cutout operatively arranged within the first neck portion to prevent displacement of a spring member. A rocker one-way clutch including an inner race, an outer race arranged radially outward of the inner race concentrically, the outer race including a pocket, a strut including a main body rotatable within the pocket and a locking member, the locking member including a first neck portion extending from the main body, a cutout operatively arranged within the first neck portion to prevent displacement of a spring member and a protrusion operatively arranged within the first neck portion opposite of the cutout to ensure proper assembly of the strut within the inner and outer races.

Abstract: A stator for a torque converter is provided. The stator includes a plurality of blades, a one-way clutch and a body supporting the blades. The body receives the one-way clutch therein and includes a pocket formed therein radially outside of the one-way clutch. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided. The method includes forming a pocket in a body of a stator. The stator includes a plurality of blades supported by the body. The body includes a recess radially inside of the pocket. The method also includes axially pressing an outer race of a one-way clutch into the recess. A torque converter is also provided.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing for a torque converter comprising: an axis of rotation; a first radial thrust surface; a second radial surface, opposite the first radial thrust surface, including at least two axially protruding anti-rotation pins for preventing relative motion with one of either a stator assembly or an impeller once assembled; an inner circumferential surface defining an opening concentric with the axis of rotation; an outer circumferential surface; and, an axial retention means for attaching to the one of either a stator assembly or an impeller and including at least two resilient tabs, each tab comprising: a deflectable portion; a lockable portion; and, an axial portion having a first width and connecting the deflectable portion and the lockable portion. A torque converter having a hydrodynamic thrust bearing as described is also provided.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes an impeller and a stator. The stator includes a thrust assembly connected to both the stator and the impeller. The thrust assembly includes an axial thrust surface for axially contacting an axial surface of a radially extending wall of the impeller. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided. The method includes connecting a thrust assembly to a stator and connecting an impeller to the thrust assembly.

Abstract: A strut for a rocker one-way clutch comprising: a body having: a center point; an outer circumferential edge having a first radius with respect to the center point; and, an inner circumferential edge having a second radius with respect to the center point; and, a retention segment having: a neck portion directly connected to the body and extending from the body in a first direction; and, a spring retention portion extending from the neck portion. Also discloses is a rocker one-way clutch comprising: an axis of rotation; an outer race including at least one pocket; an inner race; a strut as above, wherein the body is at least partially locatable in the pocket.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes an impeller including an impeller shell, a turbine including a turbine shell and a stator axially between the turbine and the impeller. A first fluid flow is generated between the impeller and the stator and a second fluid flow is generated between the turbine and the stator. The torque converter further includes a thrust bearing axially between the impeller and the stator or axially between the turbine and the stator. The thrust bearing includes a bearing surface arranged for maintaining a hydrodynamic film thereon in a region of the first fluid flow or the second fluid flow during operation of the torque converter. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.

Abstract: A torque converter comprising: an axis of rotation; a stator including a side plate having a first radial surface; one of an impeller shell or a turbine shell having a second tapered surface facing the stator side plate first radial surface; a hydrodynamic thrust bearing disposed between the stator side plate and the one of an impeller shell or a turbine shell, and comprising: a thrust surface facing one of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface with a fluid pathway therebetween; a supporting surface opposite the thrust surface and facing the other of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface; and an opening concentric with the axis of rotation; and, a gap between the supporting surface and the other of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface such that the bearing thrust surface is alignable to be parallel with the one of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface.

Abstract: A stator for a torque converter is provided. The stator includes a plurality of blades, a one-way clutch and a body supporting the blades. The body receives the one-way clutch therein and includes a pocket formed therein radially outside of the one-way clutch. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided. The method includes forming a pocket in a body of a stator. The stator includes a plurality of blades supported by the body. The body includes a recess radially inside of the pocket. The method also includes axially pressing an outer race of a one-way clutch into the recess. A torque converter is also provided.

Abstract: A core ring for a torque converter comprising: an annular body portion including an inner concave surface, an outer convex surface, an inner circumferential edge, and an outer circumferential edge; a plurality of blade tab slots for receiving a plurality of blades; and at least one positioning element including material protruding axially inward from the inner concave surface to form a tip of the positioning element for aligning a stator. A method for installing a torque converter onto a transmission is also provided.

Abstract: A thrust assembly for a torque converter is provided. The thrust assembly includes a drivable mating component and a thrust washer connected to the drivable mating components. The thrust washer includes a thrust surface on a first axial side thereof and at least two axial contact surfaces on a second axial side thereof opposite the first axial side. The at least two axial contact surfaces include a first axial contact surface at a first axial distance from the thrust surface and a second axial contact surface at a second axial distance from the thrust surface. The first and second axial contact surfaces are configured for alternatively contacting the axial contact surface of the drivable mating component so as to vary an effective height of the thrust surface with respect to the drivable mating component.

Abstract: A strut for a rocker one-way clutch comprising: a body having: a center point; an outer circumferential edge having a first radius with respect to the center point; and, an inner circumferential edge having a second radius with respect to the center point; and, a retention segment having: a neck portion directly connected to the body and extending from the body in a first direction; and, a spring retention portion extending from the neck portion. Also discloses is a rocker one-way clutch comprising: an axis of rotation; an outer race including at least one pocket; an inner race; a strut as above, wherein the body is at least partially locatable in the pocket.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover including: a first portion having a first surface facing at least partially in a first axial direction and a second portion extending past the first surface in the first axial direction; an impeller including: an impeller shell with a third portion: disposed radially outward of the second portion; overlapping the second portion in a radial direction such that a first line passes through the second and third portions and having a second surface: facing in a second axial direction and adjacent to and aligned with the first surface in the first axial direction such that a second line passes through the first and second surfaces; at least one blade connected to the impeller shell; and a weld fixedly securing the cover to the impeller and in contact with the first and third portions.

Abstract: A thrust assembly for a torque converter is provided. The thrust assembly includes a drivable mating component and a thrust washer connected to the drivable mating components. The thrust washer includes a thrust surface on a first axial side thereof and at least two axial contact surfaces on a second axial side thereof opposite the first axial side. The at least two axial contact surfaces are configured for axially contacting an axial contact surface of a first axial side of the drivable mating component. The at least two axial contact surfaces include a first axial contact surface at a first axial distance from the thrust surface and a second axial contact surface at a second axial distance from the thrust surface. The first and second axial contact surfaces are configured for alternatively contacting the axial contact surface of the drivable mating component so as to vary an effective height of the thrust surface with respect to the drivable mating component.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes an impeller and a stator. The stator includes a thrust assembly connected to both the stator and the impeller. The thrust assembly includes an axial thrust surface for axially contacting an axial surface of a radially extending wall of the impeller. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided. The method includes connecting a thrust assembly to a stator and connecting an impeller to the thrust assembly.