Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter for coupling driving and driven shafts. The torque converter comprises an impeller wheel rotatable around a rotational axis, a turbine wheel rotatable coaxially aligned with the impeller wheel, a stator situated axially between the impeller wheel and the turbine wheel, and a one-way turbine clutch permitting rotational movement of the turbine wheel in one circumferential direction only. The one-way turbine clutch includes an outer ring non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell, an inner ring disposed radially within the outer ring and a plurality of engagement components positioned radially between the outer and the inner rings. The turbine wheel includes a turbine shell and at least one coupling member extending axially outwardly from the turbine shell in the direction toward the one-way turbine clutch. The at least one coupling member of the turbine wheel is non-rotatably coupled to the outer ring of the one-way turbine clutch.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter including a secondary piston for purposes of enhancing operation of the lock-up feature, and the method of operating such a converter. The secondary piston moves axially behind the turbine-piston to urge respective lock-up clutch friction surfaces into phased engagement. In an initial phase of engagement, friction surfaces between the secondary piston and turbine-piston engage to begin the reduction of relative rotary motion between the converter impeller and turbine-piston. This initial phase of slowing relative movement between the impeller and turbine-piston reduces pressure within the torus and the associated fluid forces separating the friction surfaces of the lock-up clutch. The secondary piston also slows and eliminates fluid flow from within the torus past the lock-up clutch and further reduces engagement resistance of the lock-up clutch owing to the lessening fluid pressure and flow.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device for a motor vehicle, comprises a torque input element (11) intended to be coupled to a crankshaft (1), an impeller wheel (3) non-moveably coupled to the torque input element (11) and configured to hydrokinetically drive a turbine wheel (4), a torque output element (8) intended to be coupled to a transmission input shaft (2), a clutch (10) configured to rotationally couple the torque input element (11) and the torque output element (8) in an engaged position through a damping device (18, 22) and to rotationally uncouple the torque input element (11) and the torque output element (8) in a disengaged position. The damping device (18, 22) is configured to act against the rotation of the torque input element (11) relative to the torque output element (8), in the engaged position of the clutch (10).

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device includes an impeller, a casing having a first engagement surface, a turbine-piston hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, and a biasing device. The turbine-piston is hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller and includes a turbine-piston shell having a second engagement surface facing the first engagement surface. The turbine-piston is axially displaceable relative to the impeller between a hydrodynamic transmission mode and a lockup mode. The biasing device is configured to exert an axial load against the turbine-piston to urge the turbine-piston axially away from the lockup mode and towards the hydrodynamic transmission mode. The axial load exerted by the biasing device decreases as the turbine-piston moves axially towards the lockup mode and increases as the turbine-piston moves axially away from the lockup mode.

Abstract: A torque-coupling device for coupling driving and driven shafts. The torque-coupling device comprises a casing having a locking surface, a torque converter, a locking piston having an engagement surface axially movable to and from the locking surface of the casing and a torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper comprises a torque input member and a unitary radially elastic output member elastically coupled to the torque input member. The torque input member includes a radially oriented first retainer plate and at least one supporting member mounted thereto. The output member includes an output hub and an elastic leaf configured to elastically engage the supporting member upon rotation of the first retainer plate with respect to the output member. The output hub is configured for directly and non-rotatably engaging a driven shaft. The locking piston is non-rotatably connected to the torque input member of the torsional vibration damper.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of a hydrokinetic torque-coupling device. The torsional vibration damper comprises a torque input member including first and second side plates axially spaced from and non-rotatably attached to one another, and a supporting member mounted therebetween, a unitary elastic member disposed between the first and second side plates and pivotable relative to and elastically coupled to the torque input member, and a resilient member disposed between the elastic member and the first side plate. The elastic member includes a core member rotatable relative the torque input member, and an elastic leaf integral with the core member and configured to elastically engage the supporting member. The elastic leaf has a proximal end non-moveably connected to the core member, a free distal end and a curved raceway portion disposed between the proximal and free distal ends of the at least one elastic leaf for bearing the supporting member.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises a casing, an impeller wheel, a turbine wheel coaxially aligned with the impeller wheel, a stator situated between the impeller and turbine wheels, a one-way turbine clutch permitting rotational movement of the turbine wheel in one circumferential direction only, and a torsional vibration damper. The one-way turbine clutch includes an outer ring non-rotatably coupled to the turbine wheel, an inner ring and engagement components positioned between the outer and the inner rings. The torsional vibration damper comprises an input member, circumferentially acting elastic members, and an output member elastically coupled to the input member through the elastic members. The output member of the torsional vibration damper is non-rotatably coupled to the outer ring of the one-way turbine clutch. The turbine wheel is non-rotatably coupled to one of the outer ring of the one-way turbine clutch and the output member of the torsional vibration damper.

Abstract: A torque transmitting device comprising a torque input element intended to be coupled to a crankshaft of an engine, a torque output element intended to be coupled to a transmission input shaft, damping means mounted between the torque input element and the torque output element, with the torque output element being able to pivot relative to the torque input element about an axis, against a resisting torque exerted by the damping means, with the damping means comprising at least one elastic leaf able to be elastically and radially held to rest on a support member, with the elastic leaf being adapted to bend upon rotation of the torque input element relative to the torque output element, with the device further comprising clutch means mounted between the torque input element and the torque output element, wherein the supporting member is carried by the torque input element.

Abstract: A stator assembly of a hydrokinetic torque converter includes a stator rotatable about an axis and having a radially outer stator belt, an annular stator hub disposed radially within the radially outer stator belt, at least one fixed post extending radially outwardly between the stator hub and the stator belt and fixed thereto so as to non-moveably secure the stator belt to the stator hub, and a plurality of pivotable stator blades extending radially outwardly between the stator hub and the stator belt and configured to pivot relative to both the stator hub and the stator belt in the direction orthogonal to the rotational axis.

Abstract: A vibration damper of a hydrokinetic torque-coupling device. The vibration damper comprises a torque input member including first and second side plates axially spaced from and non-rotatably attached to one another, and a supporting member mounted therebetween, and an unitary elastic member disposed between the first and second side plates and pivotable relative to and elastically coupled to the torque input member. The elastic member includes a core member and at least one elastic blade integral with the core member for elastically engaging the supporting member. The at least one elastic blade has a free distal end and a curved raceway portion disposed between the proximal and free distal ends of the elastic blade for bearing the supporting member. At least one of the first and second side plates has at least one viewing window configured to expose a portion of the elastic member therethrough.

Abstract: A method of making a turbine assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter includes providing a first turbine component including a polymeric first turbine shell element and first turbine blades connected to the first turbine shell element, providing a second turbine component including a second turbine shell element and second turbine blades connected to the second turbine shell element, and connecting the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element to collectively provide a turbine shell of the turbine assembly and fixedly secure the first and second turbine components to one another in a coaxial relationship about the rotational axis. The connecting involves welding and/or adhesive bonding the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element. A turbine assembly, a hydrokinetic torque converter, and a method of making a hydrokinetic torque converter are also provided.

Abstract: A stator of a hydrokinetic torque converter comprises a stator hub having an axis, a stator belt coaxial to the axis and a plurality of stator blades extending radially outwardly between the stator hub and the stator belt. Each of the stator blades has radially inner and outer mounting pins. The stator hub has hub slots, and the stator belt has belt slots. The radially inner mounting pin of one of the stator blades is disposed in one of the hub slots of the stator hub and the radially outer mounting pin of one of the stator blades is disposed in one of the belt slots of the stator belt.

Abstract: A torque converter comprising a torque input element (19), an impeller wheel (3) rotationally coupled to the torque input element (19) and able to hydrokinetically drive a turbine wheel (4), a torque output element (8), clutch means (10, 38) movable between an engaged position in which the torque input element (19) and the torque output element (8) are rotationally coupled through damping means (12, 43, 44, 45), and a disengaged position in which the torque input element (19) and the torque output element (8) are rotationally coupled through the impeller wheel (3) and the turbine wheel (4), with a first bearing (31) being axially mounted between the impeller wheel (3) and the reactor (5), with a second bearing (31?) being axially mounted between the reactor (5) and the turbine wheel (4).

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper assembly for a hydrokinetic torque coupling device, comprises a torsional vibration damper, and a dynamic absorber operatively connected to the torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper comprises a driven member rotatable about a rotational axis, a first retainer plate rotatable relative to the driven member coaxially with the rotational axis, and a plurality of damper elastic members interposed between the first retainer plate and the driven member. The damper elastic members elastically couples the first retainer plate to the driven member. The dynamic absorber includes an inertial member. The inertial member is mounted to the torsional vibration damper rotatably relative to the driven member. The inertial member is rotationally guided and centered relative to the rotational axis by the driven member of the torsional vibration damper.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter includes an impeller, an axially displaceable turbine piston, and impeller and turbine-piston lockup clutch core plates. The impeller lockup clutch core plate is situated between the impeller shell and the turbine-piston shell, is connected to an impeller core ring, and has a first surface. The turbine-piston lockup clutch core plate is situated between the impeller shell and the turbine-piston shell, is connected to a turbine-piston core ring, and is axially displaceable with the turbine-piston to move a second surface of the turbine-piston lockup clutch core plate axially towards and away from the first surface for positioning the torque converter respectively into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston is mechanically interlocked to the impeller.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper assembly for a hydrokinetic torque coupling device, comprises a torsional vibration damper and a dynamic absorber operatively connected to the torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper comprises a driven member rotatable about a rotational axis, a first retainer plate rotatable relative to the driven member coaxially with the rotational axis, and a plurality of damper elastic members interposed between the first retainer plate and the driven member. The damper elastic members elastically couple the first retainer plate to the driven member. The dynamic absorber includes an inertial member. The dynamic absorber is mounted to the torsional vibration damper and is rotationally guided and centered relative to the rotational axis by one of the first retainer plate and the driven member of the torsional vibration damper.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrokinetic torque coupling device for a motor vehicle, comprising a torque input element (11) intended to be coupled to a crankshaft (1), an impeller wheel (3) rotationally coupled to the torque input element (11) and able to hydrokinetically drive a turbine wheel (4), a torque output element (8) intended to be coupled to a transmission input shaft (2), clutch means (10) movable between an engaged position wherein the torque input element (11) and the torque output element (8) are rotationally coupled through damping means (23, 27), and a disengaged position wherein the torque input element (11) and the torque output element (8) are rotationally coupled through the impeller wheel (3), the turbine wheel and the damping means (23, 27).

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device for coupling together a driving shaft and a driven shaft features a casing including a casing shell and an impeller casing shell, an impeller including the impeller shell, a turbine-piston including a turbine-piston shell, and an elastic element slidably engaging the turbine-piston and being connected to the casing. The elastic element is configured to bias the turbine-piston toward the impeller. The casing is rotatable about a rotational axis so that the impeller shell is disposed axially opposite to and fixedly connected to the casing shell. The turbine-piston is coaxially aligned with and hydro-dynamically drivable by the impeller.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device features a casing (12) including an impeller shell (18), a casing shell (20), and an intermediate casing component (22) connecting the impeller and casing shells. The intermediate casing component (22) includes a casing wall portion and a piston engagement portion (26) extending inward from and being non-rotatable relative to the casing wall portion. The device further features an impeller (30) including the impeller shell (20). The turbine-piston (32) is coaxially aligned with and hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller (30), and includes a turbine-piston shell (35) having a turbine-piston flange (38) with an engagement surface that is movable axially toward and away from an engagement surface of the piston engagement portion to position the hydrokinetic torque coupling device respectively into and out of a lockup mode.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter for coupling driving and driven shafts. The torque converter comprises an impeller wheel rotatable around a rotational axis, a turbine wheel rotatable coaxially aligned with the impeller wheel, a stator situated axially between the impeller wheel and the turbine wheel, and a one-way turbine clutch permitting rotational movement of the turbine wheel in one circumferential direction only. The one-way turbine clutch includes an outer ring non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell, an inner ring disposed radially within the outer ring and a plurality of engagement components positioned radially between the outer and the inner rings. The turbine wheel includes a turbine shell and at least one coupling member extending axially outwardly from the turbine shell in the direction toward the one-way turbine clutch. The at least one coupling member of the turbine wheel is non-rotatably coupled to the outer ring of the one-way turbine clutch.