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 clutch for a torque converter, including: a piston axially displaceable to open and close the clutch; and a seal plate engaged with the piston and including: a main portion radially located between inner and outer circumferences of the seal plate and having a first thickness in an axial direction; and a seal retaining portion extending radially inward or outward from the main portion and including: first and second walls extending axially beyond the main portion; a weld fixedly connecting the first wall to the main portion; and a slot at least partially formed by the first and second walls and opening radially inward or radially outward. The slot is arranged to accept a seal element. The seal element is arranged to seal the seal plate to a cover for a torque converter or to a component fixedly secured to a cover for a torque converter.

Abstract: An assembly for a torque converter including a first component, a second component non-rotatably secured to the first component by a connection member, wherein a seal is arranged between the first and second components, and the connect member extends through the seal, and wherein the seal is made from a cellulose-based material, wherein the first and second components at least partially define a first chamber and a second chamber, and wherein the seal separates the first chamber from the second chamber in a substantially fluid-tight seal manner.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; a first through bore for receiving a transmission input shaft; a clutch including a piston plate; a plurality of fasteners connected to the cover; and a plate connected to the cover. The plate includes a radially aligned wall including a plurality of openings in which the plurality of fasteners is disposed; a second through bore at least partially aligned, in an axial direction, with the first through bore; and a plurality fins extending from the radially aligned wall in the axial direction. Each fin includes a first end aligned with the first and second through bores in the axial direction. Each fin includes a second end disposed radially within the plurality of openings. A space, aligned with an axis of rotation for the torque converter and the second through bore, is formed between the respective first ends.

Abstract: A clutch for a torque converter, including: a piston axially displaceable to open and close the clutch; and a seal plate engaged with the piston and including: a main portion radially located between inner and outer circumferences of the seal plate and having a first thickness in an axial direction; and a seal retaining portion extending radially inward or outward from the main portion and including: first and second walls extending axially beyond the main portion; a weld fixedly connecting the first wall to the main portion; and a slot at least partially formed by the first and second walls and opening radially inward or radially outward. The slot is arranged to accept a seal element. The seal element is arranged to seal the seal plate to a cover for a torque converter or to a component fixedly secured to a cover for a torque converter.

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: An assembly for a torque converter including a first component, a second component non-rotatably secured to the first component by a connection member, wherein a seal is arranged between the first and second components, and the connect member extends through the seal, and wherein the seal is made from a cellulose-based material, wherein the first and second components at least partially define a first chamber and a second chamber, and wherein the seal separates the first chamber from the second chamber in a substantially fluid-tight seal manner.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; a first through bore for receiving a transmission input shaft; a clutch including a piston plate; a plurality of fasteners connected to the cover; and a plate connected to the cover. The plate includes a radially aligned wall including a plurality of openings in which the plurality of fasteners is disposed; a second through bore at least partially aligned, in an axial direction, with the first through bore; and a plurality fins extending from the radially aligned wall in the axial direction. Each fin includes a first end aligned with the first and second through bores in the axial direction. Each fin includes a second end disposed radially within the plurality of openings. A space, aligned with an axis of rotation for the torque converter and the second through bore, is formed between the respective first ends.

Abstract: A piston plate stop for a torque converter including: a flexible connection element with a first end and a second end, the first end arranged to connect to a piston plate for the torque converter, the second end arranged to rotationally connect to a cover for the torque converter and a stop disposed on the flexible connection element. The stop is arranged to restrict axial movement of the piston plate. In some aspects, the flexible connection element is arranged to rotationally connect the cover and the piston plate. A torque converter including a piston plate; a cover; and at least one flexible connection element rotationally connecting the piston plate and the cover. The flexible connection element has a tab that is positioned to limit axial displacement of the piston plate away from the cover.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a torque limiter including a sealed vessel with a damper assembly and a clutch arranged to receive torque from a drive unit and to transmit the torque to the damper assembly. The clutch is loaded independent of an engagement of the limiter with the drive unit. A reaction force between a resilient element in the clutch and the vessel preloads the clutch. The clutch is arranged to slip at a specified torque value. The resilient element is arranged to preload the clutch such that the clutch remains fully engaged up to the specified torque value. In some aspects, the limiter includes a drive unit connection plate and the clutch is disposed between the connection plate and the vessel. In some aspects, the vessel includes a housing connected to the connection plate and the clutch is disposed between the housing and the damper assembly.

Abstract: A piston plate stop for a torque converter including: a flexible connection element with a first end and a second end, the first end arranged to connect to a piston plate for the torque converter, the second end arranged to rotationally connect to a cover for the torque converter and a stop disposed on the flexible connection element. The stop is arranged to restrict axial movement of the piston plate. In some aspects, the flexible connection element is arranged to rotationally connect the cover and the piston plate. A torque converter including a piston plate; a cover; and at least one flexible connection element rotationally connecting the piston plate and the cover. The flexible connection element has a tab that is positioned to limit axial displacement of the piston plate away from the cover.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a torque limiter including a sealed vessel with a damper assembly and a clutch arranged to receive torque from a drive unit and to transmit the torque to the damper assembly. The clutch is loaded independent of an engagement of the limiter with the drive unit. A reaction force between a resilient element in the clutch and the vessel preloads the clutch. The clutch is arranged to slip at a specified torque value. The resilient element is arranged to preload the clutch such that the clutch remains fully engaged up to the specified torque value. In some aspects, the limiter includes a drive unit connection plate and the clutch is disposed between the connection plate and the vessel. In some aspects, the vessel includes a housing connected to the connection plate and the clutch is disposed between the housing and the damper assembly.