Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; a pump shell fixed to the cover; and a vibration damper with a plurality of springs, and a cover plate partially surrounding the springs. The torque converter includes a torque convert clutch with: a piston plate; and a drive plate with a first portion and a plurality of second portions including distal ends circumferentially aligned with the springs and circumferentially disposed between pairs of adjacent springs, and a plurality of centering protrusions extending radially outward beyond the distal ends or inward of the distal ends. The second portions are arranged to engage the springs to transmit the torque. When the torque converter is not rotating, the centering protrusions are free of contact with the cover plate. When the torque converter rotates at a rate greater than a threshold speed, the centering protrusions contact the cover plate to limit radial displacement of the drive plate.

Abstract: A blade assembly for a torque converter including a shell with an inner surface and a plurality of blades attached to the shell by brazing. Each blade has a first surface for guiding a fluid in the torque converter and a second surface substantially parallel to the inner surface. The blades may include sheet steel and may be made by stamping. In an example embodiment of the invention, each blade includes at least one tab, the shell comprises a plurality of slots or indents, and the at least one tab is disposed in a respective slot or indent. The shell may be an outer shell or a core ring for a pump or turbine for the torque converter.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; a pump shell fixed to the cover; and a vibration damper with a plurality of springs, and a cover plate partially surrounding the springs. The torque converter includes a torque convert clutch with: a piston plate; and a drive plate with a first portion and a plurality of second portions including distal ends circumferentially aligned with the springs and circumferentially disposed between pairs of adjacent springs, and a plurality of centering protrusions extending radially outward beyond the distal ends or inward of the distal ends. The second portions are arranged to engage the springs to transmit the torque. When the torque converter is not rotating, the centering protrusions are free of contact with the cover plate. When the torque converter rotates at a rate greater than a threshold speed, the centering protrusions contact the cover plate to limit radial displacement of the drive plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stamped centering plate (10) for a torque converter with a first annular surface (12) having at least one arcuate slot (16), a second annular surface (14) opposite the first annular surface, and at least one arcuate segment (20) axially protruding downward from the second annular surface. The slot has an inner radius and an outer radius, the segment has an inner radius and an outer radius, and at least one of the slot radii is equal to at least one of the segment radii. In an example embodiment of the invention, the segment comprises material displaced to form the slot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stamped centering plate (10) for a torque converter with a first annular surface (12) having at least one arcuate slot (16), a second annular surface (14) opposite the first annular surface, and at least one arcuate segment (20) axially protruding downward from the second annular surface. The slot has an inner radius and an outer radius, the segment has an inner radius and an outer radius, and at least one of the slot radii is equal to at least one of the segment radii. In an example embodiment of the invention, the segment comprises material displaced to form the slot.

Abstract: A blade assembly for a torque converter including a shell with an inner surface and a plurality of blades attached to the shell by brazing. Each blade has a first surface for guiding a fluid in the torque converter and a second surface substantially parallel to the inner surface. The blades may include sheet steel and may be made by stamping. In an example embodiment of the invention, each blade includes at least one tab, the shell comprises a plurality of slots or indents, and the at least one tab is disposed in a respective slot or indent. The shell may be an outer shell or a core ring for a pump or turbine for the torque converter.

Abstract: An idle station transport mechanism for a press, including a first plurality of magnetizable transport rails; a second plurality of magnetizable transport rails axially displaceable with respect to the first plurality of transport rails; and a plurality of transfer bars magnetizable to engage the material. The first and second pluralities of rails form a transport path along which material to be manipulated by the press is arranged to be transported and the transfer bars are displaceable to move the material axially along the transport path. In some aspects, the second plurality of transport rails is automatically displaceable while in the press, the plurality of transfer bars is arranged to magnetically engage a bottom side of the material, or the first and second pluralities of transport rails and the plurality of transfer bars are electro-magnetic. Also, a method of transporting material to a press.

Abstract: An idle station transport mechanism for a press, including a first plurality of magnetizable transport rails; a second plurality of magnetizable transport rails axially displaceable with respect to the first plurality of transport rails; and a plurality of transfer bars magnetizable to engage the material. The first and second pluralities of rails form a transport path along which material to be manipulated by the press is arranged to be transported and the transfer bars are displaceable to move the material axially along the transport path. In some aspects, the second plurality of transport rails is automatically displaceable while in the press, the plurality of transfer bars is arranged to magnetically engage a bottom side of the material, or the first and second pluralities of transport rails and the plurality of transfer bars are electro-magnetic. Also, a method of transporting material to a press.