Abstract: A torque converter assembly having a cover including a tubular body, and a pump including a shell. The shell of the pump is received in the tubular body of the cover, and the shell of the pump is joined to the cover with a circumferential weld. The tubular body of the cover can include a circumferentially extending groove, and the circumferential weld can be at least partially aligned in an axial direction with the groove.

Abstract: A flow separation hub including a first hub component, a second hub component affixed to the first hub component, a first passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a first fluid to flow through the flow separation hub, a second passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a second fluid to flow through the hub, wherein the hub prohibits fluid communication between the first and second fluids when the first and second fluids flow through the hub.

Abstract: A torque converter, including a front cover with an exterior surface at least partially facing in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation for the torque converter, and a portion at a furthest radial distance from the axis of rotation. The torque converter also includes: at least one angled mounting plate fixedly connected to the exterior surface of the front cover and including a portion disposed at an acute angle with respect to the axis of rotation; and at least one threaded fastener with: a first end fixedly connected to the portion of the at least one angled mounting plate; and a second end, opposite the first end, disposed further in the direction than the first end, disposed radially outward from the first end, and at a radial distance from the axis of ration less than the furthest radial distance for the front cover.

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 fully contained, drop-in clutch assembly, which includes a clutch cover which has slots, a moveable pressure plate with radially outwardly directed tabs that engages the slots of the clutch allowing axial movement, a fixed pressure plate which is fastened to the clutch cover by fastening elements, a clutch disc disposed between the movable pressure plate and the fixed pressure plate, and a diaphragm spring. By fastening the fixed pressure plate to the clutch cover, the clutch assembly is fully contained, allowing easy assembly to transmission housing and a flexplate.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing fixed and temporal noise in an infrared imaging system. The system may use correction tables with correction factors, each correction factor indexed to a plurality of system parameters.

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: A support ring for a torque converter including first and second laminations, wherein each of the first and second laminations includes first and second opposite surfaces, wherein the first surfaces of the first and second laminations are matingly engaged and affixed together, and the second surfaces of the first and second laminations form a pair of external, opposite surfaces of the support ring, wherein the first surfaces of the first and second laminations each further comprise at least one hole, at least one protrusion, and wherein the at least one protrusion of the first lamination is engaged in the at least one hole of the second lamination, and wherein the at least one protrusion of the second lamination is engaged in the at least one hole of the first lamination.

Abstract: A torque converter, including a front cover with an exterior surface at least partially facing in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation for the torque converter, and a portion at a furthest radial distance from the axis of rotation. The torque converter also includes: at least one angled mounting plate fixedly connected to the exterior surface of the front cover and including a portion disposed at an acute angle with respect to the axis of rotation; and at least one threaded fastener with: a first end fixedly connected to the portion of the at least one angled mounting plate; and a second end, opposite the first end, disposed further in the direction than the first end, disposed radially outward from the first end, and at a radial distance from the axis of ration less than the furthest radial distance for the front cover.

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 stator, including a blade assembly with an inner circumferential surface and a plurality of pre-formed grooves in the inner circumferential surface and an outer race with an outer circumferential surface and a plurality of protrusions at least partially engaged with the plurality of pre-formed grooves. The plurality of protrusions is frictionally engaged with the plurality of pre-formed grooves. In one embodiment, the inner circumferential surface includes an area circumferentially disposed between first and second protrusions from the plurality of protrusions and a portion of the area is displaced radially inward by the engagement of the pluralities of grooves and protrusions.

Abstract: A fully contained, drop-in clutch assembly, which includes a clutch cover which has slots, a moveable pressure plate with radially outwardly directed tabs that engages the slots of the clutch allowing axial movement, a fixed pressure plate which is fastened to the clutch cover by fastening elements, a clutch disc disposed between the movable pressure plate and the fixed pressure plate, and a diaphragm spring. By fastening the fixed pressure plate to the clutch cover, the clutch assembly is fully contained, allowing easy assembly to transmission housing and a flexplate.

Abstract: A vibration damper including a first spline having a plurality of first teeth, a second spline having a plurality of second teeth, a third spline having a plurality of third teeth and at least one spring interconnected between the first and second splines, wherein the plurality of third teeth are intermediate the plurality of first teeth and the plurality of second teeth, and the at least one spring biases the plurality of first teeth and the plurality of second teeth against the plurality of third teeth.

Abstract: A torque converter including: a pump shell; a cover; and a backing plate for a torque converter clutch fixed by contact with the cover and the pump shell. In some aspects, the backing plate is fixed by axial pressure exerted by the cover and the pump against the backing plate. A torque converter including: a plurality of components axially disposed between a pump shell and a cover; and a pump hub fixedly secured to the pump shell. The position of the pump hub with respect to the pump shell is selected to establish respective axial distances between components in the plurality of components. A torque converter including: turbine shell; and a backing plate for a torque converter clutch, the backing plate rotationally connected to the turbine shell and forming a portion of a boundary between first and second pressure chambers.

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: 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 hydraulic torque transferring assembly comprising a shell, at least one blade installed in the shell, the blade having an inlet for receiving a flow of fluid, wherein the blade includes a notch, wherein the notch is operatively arranged to reduce a pressure that the flow of fluid exerts on the inlet, and wherein the assembly is for a turbine or an impeller in a torque converter.

Abstract: A flow separation hub including a first hub component, a second hub component affixed to the first hub component, a first passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a first fluid to flow through the flow separation hub, a second passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a second fluid to flow through the hub, wherein the hub prohibits fluid communication between the first and second fluids when the first and second fluids flow through the hub.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for a torque converter including: a plurality of annular friction elements; a pressure plate; and a restraining plate engageable with a portion of the plurality of annular friction elements and arranged to limit axial movement of a portion of the annular friction elements to a maximum distance from the pressure plate. In some aspects, the restraining plate is rotationally connected to the pressure plate. In some aspects, the pressure plate includes an axial protrusion arranged to limit the axial movement of the plurality of annular friction elements away from the pressure plate. In some aspects, the clutch assembly includes a plate radially overlapping the restraining plate to limit the axial movement of the plurality of annular friction elements away from the pressure plate.

Abstract: A thrust washer for a torque converter, including a front surface and at least one first channel. The at least one channel is at least partially enclosed by the front surface and is in fluid communication with an inner circumference and an outer circumference for the thrust washer. The front surface is arranged to engage a cover for the torque converter. In some aspects, the at least one channel is fully enclosed by the front surface. The thrust washer also includes a back surface, oppositely disposed from the front surface. The at least one channel is at least partially enclosed by the back surface. In some aspects, the thrust washer includes a front piece and a back piece matingly engaged and configured to form the at least one channel. The front and back pieces are fixedly secured or removably secured.