Abstract: A torque converter includes a cover for receiving torque from a prime mover, an impeller fixed to the cover to form a housing for the torque converter, a turbine disposed in the housing for receiving torque from the impeller, and a clutch backing plate fixed to the housing and arranged to receive a force, in an axial direction, from the turbine during operation of the torque converter. In some example embodiments, the turbine includes a thrust plate for thrust engagement with the clutch backing plate. In an example embodiment, the turbine includes a turbine shell and the thrust plate is attached to the turbine shell.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; a pump shell non-rotatably connected to the cover; a turbine shell; and a one-way clutch including: an outer race non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell and including a groove; an output hub including a first outer surface with first ramps; and at least one wedge plate including a second inner surface with second ramps engaged with the first ramps and a second outer surface disposed within the groove. For rotation of the outer race with respect to the output hub in a first direction, the outer race is rotatable with respect to the at least one wedge plate and the output hub. For rotation of the outer race with respect to the hub in a second direction, opposite the first direction, the at least one wedge plate is arranged to non-rotatably connect the outer race and the hub.

Abstract: A torque converter comprising: a cover for receiving torque from a prime mover; an impeller fixed to the cover to form a housing for the torque converter; a turbine disposed in the housing for receiving torque from the impeller; a clutch backing plate fixed to the housing and arranged to receive a force, in an axial direction, from the turbine during operation of the torque converter; a thrust plate for thrust engagement with the clutch backing plate, and, a cover plate for driving engagement with a damper spring, wherein the thrust plate comprises the cover plate.

Abstract: A one-way clutch, including: an outer race including a pocket and a strut. The strut includes a body and a retention segment. The body is at least partially locatable in the pocket. The retention segment includes a neck portion and a spring retention portion. The neck portion is directly connected to the body and extends from the body in a first direction. The spring retention portion extends from the neck portion in the first direction and includes first and second segments extending in second and third opposite directions, orthogonal to the first direction, from the neck portion.

Abstract: A power take off (PTO) gear including: an input flange including an outwardly extending protrusion; a ring gear; and a piston including an inwardly extending protrusion and a circumferential end. The PTO gear includes first and second cover plates fixedly secured to the ring gear; at least one elastic element engaged with the flange and the first and second cover plates; and a chamber bounded by the circumferential end of the piston and material forming the ring gear and sealed in first and second axial directions by the first and second cover plates, respectively. For first torque applied to the flange, the flange is arranged to rotate with respect to the ring gear such that: the inwardly and outwardly extending protrusions contacts; the flange displaces the circumferentially curved piston; and the circumferential end of the curved piston displaces fluid disposed in the chamber to dampen motion of the flange.

Abstract: A flange forming an input for the device and including a damper stop tab extending radially outward; a plate including first and second curved slots; and a curved friction assembly including a first end disposed in the first curved slot, a second end disposed in the second curved slot, at least one curved engagement plate including an engagement tab extending radially inward, at least one curved friction plate rotationally fixed to the plate, and a resilient element urging the at least one curved engagement plate and the at least one curved friction plate into contact. The device includes at least one elastic element engaged with the flange.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a stator including positioning a cutting device, with a diameter equal to a desired pocket diameter, with respect to pockets in a side of a housing. Each pocket has an end wall with an indentation. The method axially displaces the device to remove material from side and end walls for the pockets to form desired diameters and lengths for the pockets, while leaving a portion of the respective indentation in place. The housing includes a plurality of blades. Each pocket is arranged to receive an engagement assembly for a one-way clutch. Each pocket includes a first opening facing in a second axial direction and a second opening in communication with the first opening and at least partially facing in a circumferential direction. The first side faces the second axial direction and the side walls are in communication with the first and second openings.

Abstract: A torque converter damper, including: an output hub; a first side plate arranged for rotational connection to a lock-up clutch and a turbine of the torque converter. Includes first and second intermediate flange plates; a flange connected to the output hub; springs engaged with the first side plate and the intermediate flange plates; springs engaged with the intermediate flange plates and with the flange; and a resilient element creating frictional contact between first and second components of the torque converter damper. Relative rotation of the first and second components at the frictional contact attenuates vibration at the output hub. The first and second components are rotatable with respect to each other. Rotation of the first component is fixed to rotation of the hub. Rotation of the second component is arranged to be fixed to rotation of the turbine. The hub is arranged to be rotatable with respect to the turbine.

Abstract: A clutch and damper assembly for a torque converter includes a clutch piston with a piston friction surface for engaging the clutch and an outer sealing diameter, and a damper. The piston friction surface is disposed radially inward of the damper and the outer sealing diameter is disposed radially outward of the damper. In an example embodiment, the clutch piston includes an inner sealing diameter disposed radially inward of the piston friction surface. In some example embodiments, the damper includes a resilient element and a drive plate. The drive plate is drivingly engaged with the resilient element and frictionally engageable with the clutch piston.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a torus with an impeller and a turbine having respective shells, a cover shell, and a first damper plate. The impeller shell has a radial wall disposed radially outside of the torus and the turbine shell has a radial wall arranged for frictionally engaging the impeller shell radial wall. The cover shell has a radial wall and the first damper plate has a radial wall for transmitting a turbine shell thrust force to the cover shell radial wall. In an example embodiment, the torque converter includes a friction material ring fixedly attached to the turbine shell radial wall or the impeller shell radial wall. In some example embodiments, the torque converter includes a friction material ring fixedly attached to the cover shell radial wall or the first damper plate radial wall.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring torque including a first component having first wall portions, a second component having second wall portions, wherein the first wall portions extend radially from the first component toward the second component, the second wall portions extend radially from the second component toward the first component, the first wall portions are axially aligned with the second wall portions, and a clearance is formed between the first and second wall portions, and a ring rivet having a connecting portion inserted into the clearance and deformed for creating at least one head for axially locking the first component and the second component together, and wherein deforming the connecting portion fills the clearance for rotationally locking the first component and second component together for enabling a transfer of torque between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: A piston assembly, including: a piston for a clutch in a torque converter including: first and second radial surfaces; and a radially inner-most end connecting the first and second radial surfaces. The piston assembly includes a radially displaceable bushing assembly: arranged to engage an input shaft for a transmission and form a first seal against the input shaft; including a first radial wall disposed parallel to the first radial surface and forming a second seal against the first radial surface; and including a second wall facing the second radial surface. The bushing assembly is radially displaceable with respect to the piston while maintaining the first seal between the first radial wall and the first radial surface and the second seal between the bushing assembly and the input shaft.

Abstract: A slip clutch, including: a flywheel; and a vibration damper including: first and second cover plates; a flange; and at least one spring engaged with the cover plates and flange. The clutch includes a slip assembly, with a first plurality of circumferentially aligned surfaces: fixedly connected to the flywheel or formed with the flywheel; and at an acute angle with respective to a circumferential line, and a second plurality of circumferentially aligned surfaces: formed by a portion of the first cover plate radially outward of the spring; at an acute angle with respective to a circumferential line; and in contact with the first plurality of surfaces, or engaged with the first plurality of surfaces via an intermediate element in contact with the first and second pluralities of surfaces. The slip assembly includes a resilient element applying a force to the first cover plate in an axial direction toward the flywheel.

Abstract: A torque converter includes an impeller with a plurality of impeller blades and a shell with a radial wall disposed radially outside of the blades. The converter also includes a cover fixed to the impeller shell to form a housing, and a turbine. The turbine includes a plurality of turbine blades and a shell with a radial wall disposed radially outside of the turbine blades. The turbine radial wall is arranged to frictionally engage the impeller shell radial wall. In some example embodiments, the turbine shell includes indented slots and the turbine blades include tabs disposed in the slots. In an example embodiment, the turbine blades are fixed to the turbine shell by brazing.

Abstract: A damper for a torque converter includes an input flange with a first spring guiding portion and arranged for connection to a cover for the torque converter, an output flange with a second spring guiding portion and arranged for connection to an input shaft for a transmission, and an intermediate flange. The intermediate flange includes at least two plates. The first and second spring guiding portions are disposed axially between the plates. In some example embodiments, the first and second spring guiding portions are radially aligned and circumferentially offset.

Abstract: A clutch and damper assembly for a torque converter includes a clutch piston with a piston friction surface for engaging the clutch and an outer sealing diameter, and a damper. The piston friction surface is disposed radially inward of the damper and the outer sealing diameter is disposed radially outward of the damper. In an example embodiment, the clutch piston includes an inner sealing diameter disposed radially inward of the piston friction surface. In some example embodiments, the damper includes a resilient element and a drive plate. The drive plate is drivingly engaged with the resilient element and frictionally engageable with the clutch piston.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring torque including a first component having first wall portions, a second component having second wall portions, wherein the first wall portions extend radially from the first component toward the second component, the second wall portions extend radially from the second component toward the first component, the first wall portions are axially aligned with the second wall portions, and a clearance is formed between the first and second wall portions, and a ring rivet having a connecting portion inserted into the clearance and deformed for creating at least one head for axially locking the first component and the second component together, and wherein deforming the connecting portion fills the clearance for rotationally locking the first component and second component together for enabling a transfer of torque between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: A torque converter damper, including: an output hub; a first side plate arranged for rotational connection to a lock-up clutch and a turbine of the torque converter. Includes first and second intermediate flange plates; a flange connected to the output hub; springs engaged with the first side plate and the intermediate flange plates; springs engaged with the intermediate flange plates and with the flange; and a resilient element creating frictional contact between first and second components of the torque converter damper. Relative rotation of the first and second components at the frictional contact attenuates vibration at the output hub. The first and second components are rotatable with respect to each other. Rotation of the first component is fixed to rotation of the hub. Rotation of the second component is arranged to be fixed to rotation of the turbine. The hub is arranged to be rotatable with respect to the turbine.

Abstract: A damper assembly for a torque converter including first and second elastic elements, an input element drivingly engaged with the first elastic element, an intermediate element drivingly engaged with the first elastic element and the second elastic element, and an output element for connecting to an input shaft for a transmission and drivingly engaged with the second elastic element. The assembly also includes a spring element including a circumferentially wound portion and first and second radially extending portions. The first radially extending portion is drivingly engaged with the intermediate element and the second radially extending portion is drivingly engaged with a turbine for the torque converter.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a cover for receiving torque from a prime mover, an impeller fixed to the cover to form a housing for the torque converter, a turbine disposed in the housing for receiving torque from the impeller, and a clutch backing plate fixed to the housing and arranged to receive a force, in an axial direction, from the turbine during operation of the torque converter. In some example embodiments, the turbine includes a thrust plate for thrust engagement with the clutch backing plate. In an example embodiment, the turbine includes a turbine shell and the thrust plate is attached to the turbine shell.