Abstract: A method of making a turbine assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter includes providing a first turbine component including a polymeric first turbine shell element and first turbine blades connected to the first turbine shell element, providing a second turbine component including a second turbine shell element and second turbine blades connected to the second turbine shell element, and connecting the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element to collectively provide a turbine shell of the turbine assembly and fixedly secure the first and second turbine components to one another in a coaxial relationship about the rotational axis. The connecting involves welding and/or adhesive bonding the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element. A turbine assembly, a hydrokinetic torque converter, and a method of making a hydrokinetic torque converter are also provided.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly includes a torsional vibration damper and a clutch operatively coupled to the torsional vibration damper. The clutch includes a friction disc having a tab coupled to a distal portion of the friction disc and extending axially away from the distal portion. The clutch also includes a piston configured to urge the friction disc into engagement with a torque converter cover to transfer torque from the torque converter cover to the torsional vibration damper. The tab includes a first segment directly contacting a spring member or a spring seat of the torsional vibration damper and a second segment, between the first segment and the distal portion of the friction disc, configured to slide against a guide surface of the torsional vibration damper to provide radial guidance to the friction disc.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly includes a torsional vibration damper and a clutch operatively coupled to the torsional vibration damper. The clutch includes a friction disc having a tab coupled to a distal portion of the friction disc and extending axially away from the distal portion. The clutch also includes a piston configured to urge the friction disc into engagement with a torque converter cover to transfer torque from the torque converter cover to the torsional vibration damper. The tab includes a first segment directly contacting a spring member or a spring seat of the torsional vibration damper and a second segment, between the first segment and the distal portion of the friction disc, configured to slide against a guide surface of the plate torsional vibration damper to provide radial guidance to the friction disc.

Abstract: Sealed piston apparatus and related systems for use with vehicle torque converters are disclosed. A disclosed vehicle torque converter includes a housing and a clutch including a piston in the housing. The piston has a first side partially defining a first chamber and a second side, opposite the first side, partially defining a second chamber. The vehicle torque converter also includes a first seal operatively coupled to the piston and a second seal operatively coupled to the piston. The vehicle torque converter also includes an orifice positioned on the piston radially inward relative to a clutch pack of the clutch. The orifice is configured to provide a flow of a fluid between the first and second chambers during a lockup on operation of the vehicle torque converter to lubricate the clutch. The first seal is a one-way seal.

Abstract: A method of making a turbine assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter includes providing a first turbine component including a polymeric first turbine shell element and first turbine blades connected to the first turbine shell element, providing a second turbine component including a second turbine shell element and second turbine blades connected to the second turbine shell element, and connecting the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element to collectively provide a turbine shell of the turbine assembly and fixedly secure the first and second turbine components to one another in a coaxial relationship about the rotational axis. The connecting involves welding and/or adhesive bonding the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element. A turbine assembly, a hydrokinetic torque converter, and a method of making a hydrokinetic torque converter are also provided.

Abstract: Blade and spring damper apparatus for use with vehicle torque converters are disclosed. A disclosed vehicle torque converter includes a housing, a hub, a clutch including a piston in the housing, and a damper assembly operatively interposed between the clutch and the hub. The damper assembly includes a blade damper having a blade and a roller engaging the blade. Movement of the roller relative to the blade bends and unbends the blade. The damper assembly also includes a spring damper connected to the blade damper. The spring damper includes a first spring damper portion, a second spring damper portion, and a spring between the first and second spring damper portions. Movement of the first spring damper portion relative to the second spring damper portion compresses and decompresses the spring. The blade damper and the spring damper, together, are configured to dampen a torsional vibration received by the housing when the clutch is engaged.

Abstract: Sealed piston apparatus and related systems for use with vehicle torque converters are disclosed. A disclosed vehicle torque converter includes a housing and a clutch including a piston in the housing. The piston has a first side partially defining a first chamber and a second side, opposite the first side, partially defining a second chamber. The vehicle torque converter also includes a first seal operatively coupled to the piston and a second seal operatively coupled to the piston. The vehicle torque converter also includes an orifice positioned on the piston radially inward relative to a clutch pack of the clutch. The orifice is configured to provide a flow of a fluid between the first and second chambers during a lockup on operation of the vehicle torque converter to lubricate the clutch. The first seal is a one-way seal.

Abstract: Blade and spring damper apparatus for use with vehicle torque converters are disclosed. A disclosed vehicle torque converter includes a housing, a hub, a clutch including a piston in the housing, and a damper assembly operatively interposed between the clutch and the hub. The damper assembly includes a blade damper having a blade and a roller engaging the blade. Movement of the roller relative to the blade bends and unbends the blade. The damper assembly also includes a spring damper connected to the blade damper. The spring damper includes a first spring damper portion, a second spring damper portion, and a spring between the first and second spring damper portions. Movement of the first spring damper portion relative to the second spring damper portion compresses and decompresses the spring. The blade damper and the spring damper, together, are configured to dampen a torsional vibration received by the housing when the clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A method of making a turbine assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter includes providing a first turbine component including a polymeric first turbine shell element and first turbine blades connected to the first turbine shell element, providing a second turbine component including a second turbine shell element and second turbine blades connected to the second turbine shell element, and connecting the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element to collectively provide a turbine shell of the turbine assembly and fixedly secure the first and second turbine components to one another in a coaxial relationship about the rotational axis. The connecting involves welding and/or adhesive bonding the first turbine shell element to the second turbine shell element. A turbine assembly, a hydrokinetic torque converter, and a method of making a hydrokinetic torque converter are also provided.

Abstract: A turbine wheel for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The turbine wheel is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises a substantially annular turbine shell member coaxial with the rotational axis, and a plurality of turbine blade members axially extending from the turbine shell member. The turbine wheel is a single-piece component such that the turbine blade members are unitarily formed with the turbine shell member. The turbine wheel (22) is made by an additive manufacturing process from a polymeric material.

Abstract: A turbine wheel for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The turbine wheel is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises a substantially annular turbine shell member coaxial with the rotational axis, and a plurality of turbine blade members axially extending from the turbine shell member. The turbine wheel is a single-piece component such that the turbine blade members are unitarily formed with the turbine shell member. The turbine wheel (22) is made by an additive manufacturing process from a polymeric material.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper comprises an axially movable locking piston including a piston plate, a torque input member including a cover plate, a support plate disposed axially opposite the cover plate and a supporting member mounted to both the cover and support plates, and a unitary radially elastic output member pivotable relative to and elastically coupled to the torque input member. The output member is disposed axially between the cover plate and the piston plate. The output member includes an output hub and a curved elastic blade configured to elastically and radially engage the supporting member and to elastically bend in the radial direction upon rotation of the cover plate with respect to the output member. The cover plate at least partially covers an axially first outer surface of the output member. The support plate partially covers an axially second outer surface of the output member.

Abstract: A turbine wheel for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The turbine wheel is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises a substantially annular turbine shell member coaxial with the rotational axis, and a plurality of turbine blade members axially extending from the turbine shell member. The turbine wheel is a single-piece component such that the turbine blade members are unitarily formed with the turbine shell member. The turbine wheel (22) is made by an additive manufacturing process from a polymeric material.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque-coupling device comprises an impeller wheel, a turbine wheel drivable by the impeller wheel, a torsional vibration damper, and a turbine hub non-rotatably connected to the turbine wheel. The turbine wheel includes a turbine shell and at least one coupling pin formed integrally with the turbine shell and extending radially outwardly from the turbine shell. The torsional vibration damper comprises a first damper, a driven member rotatable relative to the first damper retainer, and damper elastic members interposed between the first damper retainer and the driven member. The turbine hub is non-rotatably coupled to the driven member of the torsional vibration damper. The first damper retainer has at least one angularly extending bayonet slot configured to receive the at least one coupling pin therein such that the at least one coupling pin being angularly moveable in the at least one bayonet slot relative to the first damper retainer.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque-coupling device comprises an impeller wheel, a turbine wheel drivable by the impeller wheel, a torsional vibration damper, and a turbine hub non-rotatably connected to the turbine wheel. The turbine wheel includes a turbine shell and at least one coupling pin formed integrally with the turbine shell and extending radially outwardly from the turbine shell. The torsional vibration damper comprises a first damper, a driven member rotatable relative to the first damper retainer, and damper elastic members interposed between the first damper retainer and the driven member. The turbine hub is non-rotatably coupled to the driven member of the torsional vibration damper. The first damper retainer has at least one angularly extending bayonet slot configured to receive the at least one coupling pin therein such that the at least one coupling pin being angularly moveable in the at least one bayonet slot relative to the first damper retainer.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises a casing having a locking surface, impeller and turbine wheels, a one-way turbine clutch, and a torsional vibration damper. The one-way turbine clutch includes an outer ring non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell, an inner and engagement components permitting rotational movement of the outer ring relative to the inner ring in one circumferential direction only. The turbine wheel is non-rotatably coupled to the outer ring of the one-way turbine clutch. The torsional vibration damper comprises an input member, a plurality of circumferentially acting elastic members and an output member elastically coupled to the input member trough the elastic members. The output member of the torsional vibration damper is non-rotatably attached to the turbine wheel.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises a stator assembly and a turbine assembly rotatable about a rotational axis. The stator assembly comprises a stator comprising an annular stator hub coaxial to the rotational axis, an annular turbine core ring coaxial to the rotational axis, and a plurality of stator blades integral with and interconnecting the stator hub and the turbine core ring. The turbine assembly comprises a first turbine component coaxial with the rotational axis, and a second turbine component non-moveably secured to the turbine component coaxially therewith. The first turbine component is formed separately from the second turbine component. The first turbine component has a plurality of first turbine blade members integrally formed therewith.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque coupling device includes a casing including a casing shell and an impeller shell, a piston engagement member non-rotatably coupled to the casing and having a first engagement surface, a turbine-piston including a turbine-piston shell partitioning an interior volume of the hydrokinetic torque coupling device into a torus chamber and a damper chamber and including a turbine-piston flange having a second engagement surface movable axially toward and away from the first engagement surface of the piston engagement member to position the hydrokinetic torque coupling device respectively into and out of a lockup mode, and a restricting washer disposed between the impeller shell and the turbine-piston shell for restricting a hydraulic fluid flow into and from the torus chamber for increasing a hydraulic fluid pressure in the torus chamber and pushing the turbine-piston shell toward the first engagement surface of the reaction plate.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter for coupling driving and driven shafts. The torque converter comprises an impeller wheel rotatable around a rotational axis, a turbine wheel rotatable coaxially aligned with the impeller wheel, a stator situated axially between the impeller wheel and the turbine wheel, and a one-way turbine clutch permitting rotational movement of the turbine wheel in one circumferential direction only. The one-way turbine clutch includes an outer ring non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell, an inner ring disposed radially within the outer ring and a plurality of engagement components positioned radially between the outer and the inner rings. The turbine wheel includes a turbine shell and at least one coupling member extending axially outwardly from the turbine shell in the direction toward the one-way turbine clutch. The at least one coupling member of the turbine wheel is non-rotatably coupled to the outer ring of the one-way turbine clutch.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper comprises an axially moveable locking piston including a piston plate, a torque input member including a cover plate, a support plate disposed axially opposite the cover plate and a supporting member mounted to both the cover and support plates, and a unitary radially elastic output member pivotable relative to and elastically coupled to the torque input member. The output member is disposed axially between the cover plate and the piston plate. The output member includes an output hub and a curved elastic blade configured to elastically and radially engage the supporting member and to elastically bend in the radial direction upon rotation of the cover plate with respect to the output member. The cover plate at least partially covers an axially first outer surface of the output member. The support plate partially covers an axially second outer surface of the output member.