Abstract: A torque transmission apparatus, including: a first vibration damper with a first input part arranged to receive torque from an engine, a first output part and at least one first spring engaged with the first input and output parts; and a torque converter including a cover non-rotatably connected to the first output part, an impeller with at least one first blade and an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover, a turbine with at least one second blade and a turbine shell, an output hub and a planetary gear set including a first component non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell or a second component non-rotatably connected to the output hub.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: an axis of rotation; a cover arranged to receive torque in a first circumferential direction for a drive mode; an impeller non-rotatably connected to the cover; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller; a torque converter clutch including a piston; and a vibration damper including a cover plate connected to the torque converter clutch, an output flange and at least one spring engaged with the cover plate and the output flange. For a coast mode: the cover plate is arranged to rotate in a second circumferential direction opposite the first circumferential direction; the cover plate is arranged to displace the output flange in an axial direction; and the output flange is arranged to displace the piston in the axial direction.

Abstract: A hybrid drive module, including: a torque converter with an output shaft, a cover for connection to a flex plate for an internal combustion engine, an impeller non-rotatably connected to the cover, a turbine, and a torsional damper including an input part non-rotatably connected to the turbine, an output part non-rotatably connected to the output shaft, and at least one circumferentially aligned coil spring engaged with the input part and output parts; an output hub arranged to non-rotatably connect to a transmission input shaft; and a disconnect clutch assembly including a first clutch component non-rotatably connected to the output hub and arranged to non-rotatably connect to an electric motor and a second clutch component non-rotatably connected to the output shaft. A torque path from the cover to the output hub passes through in sequence: the turbine, the damper, the output shaft, the second clutch component, and the first clutch component.

Abstract: A tuned damper for a torque converter includes a piston plate with a pivot ring, an inertia ring at least partially rotatable in a circumferential direction relative to the piston plate, and a resilient element fixed to the inertia ring and frictionally engaged with the piston plate pivot ring. In some example embodiments, the pivot ring includes a pair of radially extending tabs, the resilient element includes a radially-extending leaf spring fixed to a slide roll, and an outer circumference of the slide roll is clamped by the pivot ring tabs. In an example embodiment, the pivot ring tabs each include respective distal bent segments extending toward one another to limit radial displacement of the slide roll. In an example embodiment, an inertia of the inertia ring and a torsional spring rate of the resilient element are selected so that a natural frequency of the inertia ring is less than a shudder frequency.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: an axis of rotation; a cover arranged to receive torque in a first circumferential direction for a drive mode; an impeller non-rotatably connected to the cover; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller; a torque converter clutch including a piston; and a vibration damper including a cover plate connected to the torque converter clutch, an output flange and at least one spring engaged with the cover plate and the output flange. For a coast mode: the cover plate is arranged to rotate in a second circumferential direction opposite the first circumferential direction; the cover plate is arranged to displace the output flange in an axial direction; and the output flange is arranged to displace the piston in the axial direction.

Abstract: A hybrid drive module, including: a torque converter with an output shaft, a cover for connection to a flex plate for an internal combustion engine, an impeller non-rotatably connected to the cover, a turbine, and a torsional damper including an input part non-rotatably connected to the turbine, an output part non-rotatably connected to the output shaft, and at least one circumferentially aligned coil spring engaged with the input part and output parts; an output hub arranged to non-rotatably connect to a transmission input shaft; and a disconnect clutch assembly including a first clutch component non-rotatably connected to the output hub and arranged to non-rotatably connect to an electric motor and a second clutch component non-rotatably connected to the output shaft. A torque path from the cover to the output hub passes through in sequence: the turbine, the damper, the output shaft, the second clutch component, and the first clutch component.

Abstract: A torque transmission apparatus, including: a first vibration damper with a first input part arranged to receive torque from an engine, a first output part and at least one first spring engaged with the first input and output parts; and a torque converter including a cover non-rotatably connected to the first output part, an impeller with at least one first blade and an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover, a turbine with at least one second blade and a turbine shell, an output hub and a planetary gear set including a first component non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell or a second component non-rotatably connected to the output hub.

Abstract: A tuned damper for a torque converter includes a piston plate with a pivot ring, an inertia ring at least partially rotatable in a circumferential direction relative to the piston plate, and a resilient element fixed to the inertia ring and frictionally engaged with the piston plate pivot ring. In some example embodiments, the pivot ring includes a pair of radially extending tabs, the resilient element includes a radially-extending leaf spring fixed to a slide roll, and an outer circumference of the slide roll is clamped by the pivot ring tabs. In an example embodiment, the pivot ring tabs each include respective distal bent segments extending toward one another to limit radial displacement of the slide roll. In an example embodiment, an inertia of the inertia ring and a torsional spring rate of the resilient element are selected so that a natural frequency of the inertia ring is less than a shudder frequency.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: turbine and pump shells; a turbine hub; a drive hub including a first orifice; and a lock-up clutch. The clutch includes: a clutch plate directly engaged with the turbine hub, fixed with respect to rotation to the turbine hub, and sealed with respect to the turbine hub; an apply plate the rotation of which is fixed to the rotation of the pump shell; and a piston plate. The converter includes a first fluid chamber at least partially formed by the piston, clutch and apply plates; and a second fluid chamber partially formed by the clutch and apply plates and the turbine and pump shells. When the lock-up clutch is closed, the first chamber is sealed except for the first orifice and one of a second orifice through the apply plate or a first fluid flow path through the lock-up clutch to the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a double path torsion isolator for use in conjunction with a torque converter. Each of the two vibration paths includes a flange with a spring connection to each of the torque converter cover and an output connection attached to the transmission shaft. The torque converter turbine is connected to one of the flanges to provide a different frequency to the associated vibration path. When the lockup clutch is engaged, the engine vibration is divided along the two vibration paths toward the common output connection. The vibration frequency of the paths are adjusted so that the frequencies of the two paths are 180° out of phase at the output connection providing a vibration cancellation effect to the output connection.

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 having a first damper stage, a second damper stage, a floating flange torsionally connecting the first and second damper stages, an inertia element, and a tuned torsion damper. The torsion damper connects the inertia element and the flange. In a preferred embodiment, the inertia element is a turbine. In one embodiment, the first damper stage is a radially outer damper stage and the second damper stage is a radially inner damper stage. In another embodiment, the torsion damper generates a friction torque when rotated.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a method for controlling engine speed, engine torque, and torque converter output including the steps of applying engine torque to a torque converter and modulating the transferring of the torque to a pump for the torque converter. In some aspects, the torque converter further comprises a pump clutch and the method applies torque to the pump clutch and controllably slips the pump clutch. In some aspects, the method supplies engine torque from an engine with a turbocharger and controllably slips the pump clutch to increase speed and torque for the engine during a launch event for the vehicle or determines a parameter regarding operation of the vehicle and controllably slips the pump clutch responsive to the parameter. The present invention also comprises a method for controlling torque converter output by connecting a clutch between an engine and a torque converter and controllably slipping the clutch.

Abstract: The present invention is a double path torsion isolator for use in conjunction with a torque converter. Each of the two vibration paths includes a flange with a spring connection to each of the torque converter cover and an output connection attached to the transmission shaft. The torque converter turbine is connected to one of the flanges to provide a different frequency to the associated vibration path. When the lockup clutch is engaged, the engine vibration is divided along the two vibration paths toward the common output connection. The vibration frequency of the paths are adjusted so that the frequencies of the two paths are 180° out of phase at the output connection providing a vibration cancellation effect to the output connection.

Abstract: A torque converter having a first damper stage, a second damper stage, a floating flange torsionally connecting the first and second damper stages, an inertia element, and a tuned torsion damper. The torsion damper connects the inertia element and the flange. In a preferred embodiment, the inertia element is a turbine. In one embodiment, the first damper stage is a radially outer damper stage and the second damper stage is a radially inner damper stage. In another embodiment, the torsion damper generates a friction torque when rotated.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for transferring power flow from a multidisplacement engine to a transmission. The device includes an enclosed housing having a first shell on the engine side, a second shell on the transmission side, with the housing at least partially filled with oil and connected to an external oil pump. The device also includes a planetary gear set comprising an outer ring gear, a set of intermediate planet gears contained within a planet carrier, and a sun gear attached to a stator, a first clutch pack connecting the housing and the ring gear when engaged, a piston means designed to engage the first clutch pack, and a second clutch pack which connects the ring gear with the sun gear when engaged. A preloaded diaphragm spring connects the second clutch pack with the ring gear. First and second damper spring assemblies are also disclosed.

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 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 torque converter comprising a torque converter clutch arranged to transmit torque from a housing of the torque converter to a turbine, a piston plate fixed to a drive hub, a clutch plate fixed to a turbine hub, the turbine hub operatively arranged to rotate at transmission input shaft speed, a pressure chamber bounded by a cover and a clutch piston plate, and a flow chamber, the flow chamber bounded by the piston plate and the clutch plate. A method of converting torque in a motor vehicle comprising the steps of driving a torque converter housing via an engine, transferring fluid to a turbine within the torque converter, rotating a transmission input shaft via the turbine fluid transfer, transferring engine torque via a mechanical lock-up mechanism, controlling lock-up mechanism fluid flow via a flow chamber, and releasing flow chamber fluid via an orifice.