Abstract: A hybrid drive train assembly for a motor vehicle drive train includes an electric motor; a differential configured for connecting a first front axle and a second front axle of the motor vehicle drive train to each other; a motor output gearing connecting an output of the electric motor to the differential; and a transmission output gearing configured for connecting an output of a transmission to the differential.

Abstract: A hybrid module includes a housing, an electric motor, a hydraulic coupling, a first clutch, a second clutch, and a flow plate assembly. The electric motor includes a stator fixed to the housing and a rotor rotatable relative to the housing. The hydraulic coupling is at least partially radially inside of the electric motor. The first clutch is for drivingly connecting the rotor to the engine. The second clutch is arranged in parallel with the hydraulic coupling for drivingly connecting the rotor to an input shaft of the planetary transmission. The flow plate assembly is fixed to the housing and includes a first flow plate and a second flow plate. The first flow plate has a radial groove forming a first portion of a radial flow channel. The second flow plate is fixed to the first flow plate and forms a second portion of the radial flow channel.

Abstract: A torque converter for a hybrid module may include a hydraulic coupling arrangement, a front cover, an impeller shell, and an electric rotor. The hydraulic coupling arrangement may include an impeller and a turbine. The front cover may have a first rim extending in a first axial direction. The front cover may at least partially encase the hydraulic coupling arrangement. The impeller shell may be fixed to the front cover and may at least partially encase the hydraulic coupling arrangement. The impeller shell may have a second rim extending in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, a circumferential ring at a distal end of the second rim, and at least one impeller blade. The electric rotor may be fixed to the impeller shell second rim and axially retained by the circumferential ring.

Abstract: A clutch plate includes an annular body having inner and outer diameters and first and second parallel surfaces extending therebetween; and an integral resilient portion connected to the annular body by a first circumferentially extending tab and including third and fourth parallel surfaces extending at respective acute angles to the first and second parallel surfaces; and, wherein the resilient portion fourth surface includes an edge including the outer diameter; and an axial distance of the edge is greater than a thickness of the annular body when measured from the first surface.

Abstract: A clutch plate assembly includes a central axis, a clutch plate with a first friction surface and a radially outer depressed portion, and a friction material ring. The friction material ring is bonded to the first friction surface and extends radially outside of the first friction surface such that an outer portion of the friction material ring is axially aligned with the clutch plate radially outer depressed portion. In an example embodiment, the first friction surface is disposed at an acute angle to a plane orthogonal to the central axis. In some example embodiments, the first friction surface is conical. In an example embodiment, the radially outer depressed portion is conical and axially offset from the first friction surface. In an example embodiment, the radially outer depressed portion is manufactured by machining, stamping, or coining.

Abstract: A torque converter including an axis of rotation and a flange rotatable about the axis of rotation is disclosed. The torque converter includes a turbine shell independently rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to the flange. A first plate, disposed between the flange and the turbine shell, may be fixed to the turbine shell. A second plate, disposed between the flange and the turbine shell, may be radially outward relative to the first plate. The torque converter further includes a cover having an inner surface and a third plate disposed between the flange and the cover. The first plate may include at least one ramp protruding in an axial direction toward the flange, wherein the ramp is rotatably engageable with the flange for urging the flange axially in a direction toward the cover, and for transmitting an axial force for urging a clutch to engage.

Abstract: A clutch assembly comprising: an axis of rotation; first and second spherical centers positioned along the axis of rotation; a first member having a first spherical surface including: a radius defining a first curvature; the first spherical center; and a first frictional surface; a second member having a second spherical surface including: said radius defining a second curvature about same or equal to the first curvature; the second spherical center; and a second frictional surface. A torque converter comprising a spherical clutch assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid drive train assembly for a motor vehicle drive train includes an electric motor; a differential configured for connecting a first front axle and a second front axle of the motor vehicle drive train to each other; a motor output gearing connecting an output of the electric motor to the differential; and a transmission output gearing configured for connecting an output of a transmission to the differential.

Abstract: A motor assembly for a hybrid vehicle includes an electric motor, a shaft, a multiplate clutch, and a housing. The electric motor has a rotatable rotor with a carrier. The shaft is arranged for drivingly engaging a combustion engine. The multiplate clutch is drivingly engaged with the carrier for releasably engaging the electric motor to the shaft. The housing includes a center support with a hydraulic channel extending from radially outside of the electric motor to radially inside of the electric motor. In an example embodiment, the motor assembly has a torque converter fixed to the carrier. In some example embodiments, the motor assembly has a concentric slave cylinder for engaging the clutch. The concentric slave cylinder is hydraulically connected to the center support hydraulic channel. In an example embodiment, the motor assembly has a pressing plate in contact with the slave cylinder and the multiplate clutch.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission for a front-wheel drive vehicle includes a multi-speed transmission, a differential, an electric motor, and a planetary gear set. The multi-speed transmission includes an input shaft with a first axis. The differential includes a housing with a second axis, radially offset from the first axis. The electric motor is concentric with the second axis. The planetary gear set connects the multi-speed transmission, the differential, and the electric motor. In some example embodiments, the planetary gear set includes a sun gear drivingly engaged with the multi-speed transmission, a planet carrier drivingly engaged with the differential, and a ring gear drivingly engaged with the electric motor.

Abstract: A torque converter including an axis of rotation and a flange rotatable about the axis of rotation is disclosed. The torque converter includes a turbine shell independently rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to the flange. A first plate, disposed between the flange and the turbine shell, may be fixed to the turbine shell. A second plate, disposed between the flange and the turbine shell, may be radially outward relative to the first plate. The torque converter further includes a cover having an inner surface and a third plate disposed between the flange and the cover. The first plate may include at least one ramp protruding in an axial direction toward the flange, wherein the ramp is rotatably engageable with the flange for urging the flange axially in a direction toward the cover, and for transmitting an axial force for urging a clutch to engage.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes an impeller; a turbine axially movable toward and away from the impeller; and a damper coupled to the turbine, the damper including an elastic element forcing the turbine against the impeller in an equal pressure condition. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided. The method includes forming a damper to include an elastic element; providing the damper inside a front cover so the damper contacts the front cover; and providing axially movable turbine between the damper and an impeller such that the elastic element forces the turbine to engage an impeller in an equal pressure condition.

Abstract: A torque converter comprising: first and second cover plates arranged to receive torque; a flange; a turbine shell independently rotatable relative to the flange; at least one resilient element, at least partially disposed axially between the first and second cover plates, for transmitting a torque force between the flange and the first and second cover plates; a first axial gap, disposed between the flange and the first cover plate, having a first width; a second axial gap, disposed between the flange and the second cover plate, having a second width; one of the first cover plate or the second cover plate having at least one ramp protruding in an axial direction toward the flange, the ramp rotatably engageable with the flange for urging the flange axially in a direction toward the cover, and for transmitting an axial force for urging a clutch to engage.

Abstract: A clutch plate includes an annular body having inner and outer diameters and first and second parallel surfaces extending therebetween; and an integral resilient portion connected to the annular body by a first circumferentially extending tab and including third and fourth parallel surfaces extending at respective acute angles to the first and second parallel surfaces; and, wherein the resilient portion fourth surface includes an edge including the outer diameter; and an axial distance of the edge is greater than a thickness of the annular body when measured from the first surface.

Abstract: A clutch plate assembly includes a central axis, a clutch plate with a first friction surface and a radially outer depressed portion, and a friction material ring. The friction material ring is bonded to the first friction surface and extends radially outside of the first friction surface such that an outer portion of the friction material ring is axially aligned with the clutch plate radially outer depressed portion. In an example embodiment, the first friction surface is disposed at an acute angle to a plane orthogonal to the central axis. In some example embodiments, the first friction surface is conical. In an example embodiment, the radially outer depressed portion is conical and axially offset from the first friction surface. In an example embodiment, the radially outer depressed portion is manufactured by machining, stamping, or coining.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes an impeller including an impeller shell, a turbine including a turbine shell and a stator axially between the turbine and the impeller. A first fluid flow is generated between the impeller and the stator and a second fluid flow is generated between the turbine and the stator. The torque converter further includes a thrust bearing axially between the impeller and the stator or axially between the turbine and the stator. The thrust bearing includes a bearing surface arranged for maintaining a hydrodynamic film thereon in a region of the first fluid flow or the second fluid flow during operation of the torque converter. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.

Abstract: A torque converter comprising: an axis of rotation; a stator including a side plate having a first radial surface; one of an impeller shell or a turbine shell having a second tapered surface facing the stator side plate first radial surface; a hydrodynamic thrust bearing disposed between the stator side plate and the one of an impeller shell or a turbine shell, and comprising: a thrust surface facing one of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface with a fluid pathway therebetween; a supporting surface opposite the thrust surface and facing the other of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface; and an opening concentric with the axis of rotation; and, a gap between the supporting surface and the other of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface such that the bearing thrust surface is alignable to be parallel with the one of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a housing, a turbine shell, and a spring. The housing includes an impeller shell and a cover. The turbine shell includes a clutch portion. The spring is disposed axially between the cover and the turbine shell, and is arranged for urging the turbine clutch portion into driving engagement with the impeller shell. In an example embodiment, the spring is a diaphragm spring. In an example embodiment, the turbine shell is arranged for sealing to and driving engagement with a transmission input shaft. In some example embodiments, the torque converter includes a bearing disposed axially between the cover and the turbine shell, and arranged for rotationally disconnecting the spring from the cover. In an example embodiment, the bearing is a ball bearing or a needle roller bearing.

Abstract: A piston plate assembly for a torque converter comprising: an aperture including a chamfer portion; and, a bushing installed in the aperture and including a radius portion proximate the chamfer portion, wherein the bushing is arranged to seal the piston directly to a transmission input shaft and the radius portion is arranged to ease assembly of the bushing onto the input shaft.

Abstract: A thrust washer is provided. The thrust washer includes a wet friction material and a phenolic resin layer coating an outer surface of the wet friction material. A torque converter comprising the thrust washer is also provided. A method of forming a thrust washer is further provided. The method includes providing a layer of phenolic resin on an outer surface of a wet friction material.