Abstract: This application is directed to a speaker device having a rounded enclosure. The rounded enclosure includes two housing elements that are coupled to each other and have a substantially continuous transition. The rounded enclosure has a circular cross section defined by a first radius. A first housing element includes and extends past the circular cross section, and a second housing element has a second maximum radius that is smaller than the first radius. A speaker unit and a circuit board are arranged within the rounded enclosure. The circuit board is electrically coupled to the speaker unit. At least a portion of the first housing element includes perforations configured to enable transmission of sound generated by the speaker unit out of the speaker device. The second housing element has a power connector that is electrically coupled to the circuit board and is configured to receive power from an external power supply.

Abstract: This application is directed to a speaker device having a rounded enclosure. The rounded enclosure includes two housing elements that are coupled to each other and have a substantially continuous transition. The rounded enclosure has a circular cross section defined by a first radius. A first housing element includes and extends past the circular cross section, and a second housing element has a second maximum radius that is smaller than the first radius. A speaker unit and a circuit board are arranged within the rounded enclosure. The circuit board is electrically coupled to the speaker unit. At least a portion of the first housing element includes perforations configured to enable transmission of sound generated by the speaker unit out of the speaker device. The second housing element has a power connector that is electrically coupled to the circuit board and is configured to receive power from an external power supply.

Abstract: This application is directed to a compact voice-activated electronic device with speakers and electronic components and a dual waveguide/heatsink structure configured to direct sound from the speakers to the outside of the device and to dissipate to the outside of the device heat from the electronic components.

Abstract: This application is directed to a compact voice-activated electronic device with speakers and electronic components and a dual waveguide/heatsink structure configured to direct sound from the speakers to the outside of the device and to dissipate to the outside of the device heat from the electronic components.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a support beam that spans a distance along a first surface of a planar object. The apparatus also includes a mounting bracket that includes a channel shaped to receive at least a portion of the support beam to suspend the mounting bracket from the support beam. The mounting bracket also includes at least one mounting point configured to attach the mounting bracket to an electronic device. The apparatus further includes a trim bezel configured to attach to the electronic device. The trim bezel includes a trim bezel surface. The apparatus additionally includes a set screw coupled to the channel and the support beam. The set screw is configured to adjust a gap between the mounting bracket and the support beam to adjust the bezel surface with respect to a second surface of the planar object.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a washer for a thrust bearing, the washer including a first circumferential surface facing radially outward; a stator hub with a second circumferential surface facing radially inward and free of an interlocking engagement with the first circumferential surface; and a shell for a turbine, the shell including a third circumferential surface facing radially inward. The washer is radially inwardly retained by contact between the first circumferential surface and the second or third circumferential surface. In a preferred embodiment, the washer is radially centered by contact between the first circumferential surface and the second or third circumferential surface. In another preferred embodiment, the hub includes at least one radially inwardly extending protrusion and the washer is retainable in an axial direction by the at least one protrusion.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a support beam that spans a distance along a first surface of a planar object. The apparatus also includes a mounting bracket that includes a channel shaped to receive at least a portion of the support beam to suspend the mounting bracket from the support beam. The mounting bracket also includes at least one mounting point configured to attach the mounting bracket to an electronic device. The apparatus further includes a trim bezel configured to attach to the electronic device. The trim bezel includes a trim bezel surface. The apparatus additionally includes a set screw coupled to the channel and the support beam. The set screw is configured to adjust a gap between the mounting bracket and the support beam to adjust the bezel surface with respect to a second surface of the planar object.

Abstract: A torque converter structure having a plurality of high efficiency secure weld free connections between blades and the shells of the pump and turbine that reduces flow between the blades and the shells. At least one blade within the torque converter is securely mechanically attached to the shell of the pump or turbine in the absence of welding by providing a tab on the blade that is bent on a portion that passes through a slit in the shell to secure the blade to the shell and by inserting a major part (greater than 50%) of a portion of an edge of the blade, that runs coextensively with a surface of the shell into a depression in that shell until the edge of the blade diverges from the shell. The invention also includes the unique blade and shell and a method for using them to make a torque converter of the invention.

Abstract: A torque converter including a cover having a central longitudinal axis and an outer surface and a pilot stamped from metal. The pilot includes a disc at least partially radially aligned with the axis for the cover. The pilot and the cover central axis are fixedly secured to each other. In a first embodiment, the disc is flat. In a second embodiment, the disc is annular. In a third embodiment, the pilot includes a machined outer circumferential surface. In a fourth embodiment, the pilot includes first and second portions radially off-set with respect to one another. In a fifth embodiment, the pilot includes a portion axially extending from the portion of the disc at least partially radially aligned with the axis for the cover. In a preferred embodiment, the cover and pilot are fixedly secured by welding.

Abstract: The invention broadly comprises a torque converter including: a core ring; a turbine blade connected to the ring and having a perimeter with a segment facing an outer surface of the ring and disposed proximate the outer surface; and joining material fixedly connecting less than the entirety of the segment to the outer surface. The segment is fixedly connected to reduce resonance in the turbine. In some aspects, the ring includes an inner surface oppositely disposed from the outer surface and an open path between the surfaces. The present invention broadly comprises a notched turbine blade and a core ring with a discontinuity in an outer surface arranged to block capillary action for flowable joining material disposed in an interface between a turbine blade installed on the ring and the outer surface. The invention also broadly comprises a method for controlling resonance of a turbine in a torque converter.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a stamped side plate for a torque converter stator, including: an annular segment having an inner circumferential surface and a top surface and at least one protrusion extending radially inward beyond the inner circumferential surface. The at least one protrusion comprises a race retaining surface substantially parallel to the top surface. The inner circumferential surface and the race retaining surface are arranged to center and retain an inner race for the stator, respectively. The annular segment also includes at least one annular protrusion extending from the top surface and including a centering surface substantially orthogonal to the top surface. The centering surface is arranged to center a bearing for the stator. The at least one annular protrusion is proximate the inner circumferential surface or an outer edge for the annular segment.

Abstract: A drive lug for a torque converter cover, including: a central portion including first and second substantially opposite sides, first and second substantially opposite ends, a threaded opening for receiving a fastener, and a first width between the first and second sides; and first and second wing sections extending length-wise from the first and second ends, respectively. The first and second wing sections have second and third widths, respectively. Respective minimum extents of the second and third widths are less than a minimum extent of the first width. In one embodiment, respective maximum extents of the second and third widths are less than a maximum extent of the first width.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a washer for a thrust bearing, the washer including a first circumferential surface facing radially outward; a stator hub with a second circumferential surface facing radially inward and free of an interlocking engagement with the first circumferential surface; and a shell for a turbine, the shell including a third circumferential surface facing radially inward. The washer is radially inwardly retained by contact between the first circumferential surface and the second or third circumferential surface. In a preferred embodiment, the washer is radially centered by contact between the first circumferential surface and the second or third circumferential surface. In another preferred embodiment, the hub includes at least one radially inwardly extending protrusion and the washer is retainable in an axial direction by the at least one protrusion.

Abstract: A torque converter structure having a plurality of high efficiency secure weld free connections between blades and the shells of the pump and turbine that reduces flow between the blades and the shells. At least one blade within the torque converter is securely mechanically attached to the shell of the pump or turbine in the absence of welding by providing a tab on the blade that is bent on a portion that passes through a slit in the shell to secure the blade to the shell and by inserting a major part (greater than 50%) of a portion of an edge of the blade, that runs coextensively with a surface of the shell into a depression in that shell until the edge of the blade diverges from the shell. The invention also includes the unique blade and shell and a method for using them to make a torque converter of the invention.

Abstract: A torque converter including a cover having a central longitudinal axis and an outer surface and a pilot stamped from metal. The pilot includes a disc at least partially radially aligned with the axis for the cover. The pilot and the cover central axis are fixedly secured to each other. In a first embodiment, the disc is flat. In a second embodiment, the disc is annular. In a third embodiment, the pilot includes a machined outer circumferential surface. In a fourth embodiment, the pilot includes first and second portions radially off-set with respect to one another. In a fifth embodiment, the pilot includes a portion axially extending from the portion of the disc at least partially radially aligned with the axis for the cover. In a preferred embodiment, the cover and pilot are fixedly secured by welding.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a stamped side plate for a torque converter stator, including: an annular segment having an inner circumferential surface and a top surface and at least one protrusion extending radially inward beyond the inner circumferential surface. The at least one protrusion comprises a race retaining surface substantially parallel to the top surface. The inner circumferential surface and the race retaining surface are arranged to center and retain an inner race for the stator, respectively. The annular segment also includes at least one annular protrusion extending from the top surface and including a centering surface substantially orthogonal to the top surface. The centering surface is arranged to center a bearing for the stator. The at least one annular protrusion is proximate the inner circumferential surface or an outer edge for the annular segment.