Abstract: A torque converter including: a membrane forming a portion of a release chamber for the clutch; a friction plate for a torque converter clutch, the plate rotationally connected to a turbine hub and disposed within the release chamber; and a damper element rotationally connected to the turbine hub and to the torque converter clutch. In lock-up mode for the converter, the plate is arranged to transmit torque to the turbine hub. The torque converter includes cooling fluid and a torus and the clutch further comprises friction material and in some aspects, during the lock-up mode, the release chamber is sealed except for a flow of the cooling fluid from the release chamber through the friction material to the torus. The plate includes oppositely disposed first and second radial surfaces and during a torque converter mode for the torque converter, respective pressures on the first and second surfaces are substantially equal.

Abstract: A piston plate anti-rotate mechanism in a closed piston, three passage torque converter including a cover having an inner radial surface, a drive plate comprising an annular plate, a piston plate having an axial inner crown, a front annular edge, an axial skirt, and a back annular edge, wherein the cover, drive plate, and piston plate are operatively arranged to rotate about a transverse axis of rotation, and wherein the piston plate is attached to the cover or the drive plate such that the piston plate is axially moveable and rotationally immovable relative to the cover. In some embodiment, the present invention further includes a leaf spring attaching the piston plate to the cover or the drive plate, such that the piston plate is axially moveable and rotationally immovable relative to the cover.

Abstract: A torque converter including: a pump shell; a cover; and a backing plate for a torque converter clutch fixed by contact with the cover and the pump shell. In some aspects, the backing plate is fixed by axial pressure exerted by the cover and the pump against the backing plate. A torque converter including: a plurality of components axially disposed between a pump shell and a cover; and a pump hub fixedly secured to the pump shell. The position of the pump hub with respect to the pump shell is selected to establish respective axial distances between components in the plurality of components. A torque converter including: turbine shell; and a backing plate for a torque converter clutch, the backing plate rotationally connected to the turbine shell and forming a portion of a boundary between first and second pressure chambers.

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: A pendulum for a damper, including: a first plate with a first side; a first plurality of through-slots in the first plate including respective first openings at the first side; a second plate with a second side; a second plurality of through-slots in the second plate including respective second openings at the second side; and a plurality of rollers for placement in the first and second plurality of through-slots. Respective portions of the first side reduce a dimension for the first plurality of through-slots at the first openings. Respective portions of the second side reduce a dimension for the second plurality of through-slots at the second openings. The respective portions of the first side are for restraining the rollers in a first direction and the respective portions of the second side are for restraining the rollers in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A piston plate anti-rotate mechanism in a closed piston, three passage torque converter including a cover having an inner radial surface, a drive plate comprising an annular plate, a piston plate having an axial inner crown, a front annular edge, an axial skirt, and a back annular edge, wherein the cover, drive plate, and piston plate are operatively arranged to rotate about a transverse axis of rotation, and wherein the piston plate is attached to the cover or the drive plate such that the piston plate is axially moveable and rotationally immovable relative to the cover. In some embodiment, the present invention further includes a leaf spring attaching the piston plate to the cover or the drive plate, such that the piston plate is axially moveable and rotationally immovable relative to the cover.

Abstract: A torque converter including: a membrane forming a portion of a release chamber for the clutch; a friction plate for a torque converter clutch, the plate rotationally connected to a turbine hub and disposed within the release chamber; and a damper element rotationally connected to the turbine hub and to the torque converter clutch. In lock-up mode for the converter, the plate is arranged to transmit torque to the turbine hub. The torque converter includes cooling fluid and a torus and the clutch further comprises friction material and in some aspects, during the lock-up mode, the release chamber is sealed except for a flow of the cooling fluid from the release chamber through the friction material to the torus. The plate includes oppositely disposed first and second radial surfaces and during a torque converter mode for the torque converter, respective pressures on the first and second surfaces are substantially equal.

Abstract: A torque converter including: a pump shell; a cover; and a backing plate for a torque converter clutch fixed by contact with the cover and the pump shell. In some aspects, the backing plate is fixed by axial pressure exerted by the cover and the pump against the backing plate. A torque converter including: a plurality of components axially disposed between a pump shell and a cover; and a pump hub fixedly secured to the pump shell. The position of the pump hub with respect to the pump shell is selected to establish respective axial distances between components in the plurality of components. A torque converter including: turbine shell; and a backing plate for a torque converter clutch, the backing plate rotationally connected to the turbine shell and forming a portion of a boundary between first and second pressure chambers.

Abstract: A torque converter including: a carrier for a torque converter clutch, the carrier rotationally connected to a turbine shell; an apply chamber for the clutch; and a first pressure chamber in fluid communication with a second pressure chamber and a torus. Pressure in the apply chamber is controlled independent of pressure in the first and second pressure chambers. A torque converter including: a turbine hub rotationally connected to a turbine shell and a cover plate for a damper assembly; and a clutch arranged to rotationally connect the turbine hub to a cover. A torque converter including: a first cover plate for a damper assembly, the first cover plate rotationally connected to a turbine hub and a torque converter clutch; and a second cover plate for a damper assembly, the second cover rotationally connected to the turbine hub and the torque converter clutch.

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.