Abstract: A torque converter including an input housing having an axial surface and a pump shell having an axial surface. The input housing and the pump shell being welded together and the pump shell or the input housing having a groove facing the other of the pump shell or output housing. The torque converter also including a ring located in the groove and contacting the other of the pump shell or input housing.

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 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 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 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 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.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for forming a retractable tower or column. The present invention includes pointed hooks wherein the hooks are attached to each section of a section chain, one in a horizontal direction and one in an off-set manner. The section chains are placed on a take up mechanism in an operable position and then raised utilizing a motor. As the section chains are raised, they are guided by a guide tower, rollers, shims, and gear racks into a position whereby hooks from adjacent sections of the section chains form coupled engagements. The coupled engagement of the hooks of the sections of each adjacent section chains thereby form the column.

Abstract: The present invention broadly includes a hub assembly for a torque converter having a hub arranged to rotationally connect to a transmission input shaft and includes first and second radial surfaces, a first plate rotationally connected to a turbine, rotationally connected to the hub, and fixed in a first axial direction by the first surface and a second plate rotationally connected to the first plate and fixed in a second axial direction, opposite the first direction, by the second surface. The hub assembly may include a hub having at least one radially disposed protrusion, the protrusion includes the second radial surface, and the first plate is rotationally connected to the protrusion. The hub may further include a body with a first diameter and the protrusion with a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The first and second radial surfaces may be arranged to axially fix a turbine with respect to the hub, or the first and second radial surfaces may be coplanar.

Abstract: In a turbine assembly, arranged for disposition in a torque converter, having a turbine blade, a turbine shell, and a spring retainer, an attachment means for securing the turbine blade to the turbine shell and the spring retainer, including at least one first blade tab extending outwardly from the turbine blade arranged to engage at least one first slot within the turbine shell and at least one second slot within the spring retainer. The at least one first blade tab is arranged to fix the at least one blade with respect to the spring retainer. In general, the retainer shell comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface, the exterior surface is arranged to contact the turbine shell, and in some aspects, the at least one first blade tab is arranged to be bent to contact the interior surface.

Abstract: A torque converter in which the output height of the output openings of the stator is higher than the input height of the input openings, producing a stator with a diffuser effect.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a stator and clutch assembly for a torque converter including first and second halves for a stator, each formed from first and second single pieces. Blades for the stator are disposed within respective annuli for the first and second halves. The assembly also includes a one-way clutch. The first and second halves have inner circumferential portions configured to form a portion of the clutch. The assembly includes an axially displaceable plate connected to a hub. The plate and a circumferential portion are operatively arranged to form a portion of the clutch. In some aspects, the plate and the circumferential portion are arranged to lockingly engage and the assembly includes a displacement element arranged to urge the plate toward the circumferential portion. In some aspects, the plate and hub are formed from a single piece or the plate is axially displaceable with respect to the hub.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises 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.

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: The present invention broadly comprises a blade for a torque converter stator including a body, a first end, and a second end; a stator blade assembly; and a stator for a torque converter including a plurality of blades, a housing, and a core ring. The first end is arranged to engage the housing and the second end is arranged to engage the core ring. In some aspects, the blade is stamped or the body is arcuate. The assembly includes a plurality of separate blades. In some aspects, each blade is stamped or bodies for adjacent blades at least partially overlap with respect to a radial plane through an axis for the stator. In some aspects, an axial opening between blades widens radially outward or inward.

Abstract: A trust accounting system and securities broker platform are closely integrated such that a third-party investment manager is notified of an amount of principal cash that is available for investment. Investments made are reported to the trust accounting system. Information flow between the third-party investment manager and the trust accounting system occurs daily. Consequently, the operator of the trust accounting system, e.g., a bank, can perform its fiduciary oversight duty while maximizing return on investment of principal cash, and beneficiaries can obtain up-to-date information about the state of trust investments and income.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for forming a retractable tower or column. The present invention includes pointed hooks wherein the hooks are attached to each section of a section chain, one in a horizontal direction and one in an off-set manner. The section chains are placed on a take up mechanism in an operable position and then raised utilizing a motor. As the section chains are raised, they are guided by a guide tower, rollers, shims, and gear racks into a position whereby hooks from adjacent sections of the section chains form coupled engagements. The coupled engagement of the hooks of the sections of each adjacent section chains thereby form the column.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damping disk with a base body which has a circumferential edge on the outside which is partially turned back in order to form receiver spaces for spring elements, in particular for bow spring elements. In order to create a torsional vibration damping disk which has a long service life at high rotational rates, a reinforcement strap, the free end of which is fastened to the base body, extends out from the circumferential edge in the area of at least one receiver space.

Abstract: Apparatus for transmitting torque between the output shaft of the engine and the input shaft of the transmission in a motor vehicle has a fluid coupling with a housing secured to the output shaft and containing an impeller, a runner and, if necessary, a guide wheel. The runner is connected to a hub on the input shaft by a carrier for a torsionally elastic damper having coil springs which receive torque from the housing. The damper is in series with a clutch which can be operated to bypass the fluid coupling.