Abstract: A torque converter assembly configured to be connected between an engine and a transmission in a vehicle. The torque converter assembly comprises a cover plate, a pump, a turbine, a stator, and a clutch assembly operably connected between the cover plate and the turbine. The clutch assembly comprises a coverside plate, a turbine-side plate, and a piston located at least partially between the coverside plate and the turbine-side plate. A charge circuit is configured at least partially between the cover plate and the coverside plate, a compensation circuit is configured at least partially between the coverside plate and the piston, and an apply circuit is configured at least partially between the piston and the turbine-side plate.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly configured to be connected between an engine and a transmission in a vehicle. The torque converter assembly comprises a cover plate having a cover plate pilot portion, a pump, a turbine, a stator, and a clutch assembly operably connected between the cover plate and the turbine. The clutch assembly comprises a piston plate having a single clutch face and a piston pilot portion. The cover plate pilot portion and the piston pilot portion are both configured to be piloted by the engine. A pilot plate located between the cover plate and clutch assembly can help control the amount and/or velocity of fluid that hydrodynamically connects various portions of the torque converter assembly.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly configured to be connected between an engine and a transmission in a vehicle. The torque converter assembly comprises a cover plate, a pump, a turbine, a stator, and a clutch assembly operably connected between the cover plate and the turbine. The clutch assembly comprises a coverside plate, a turbine-side plate, and a piston located at least partially between the coverside plate and the turbine-side plate. A charge circuit is configured at least partially between the cover plate and the coverside plate, a compensation circuit is configured at least partially between the coverside plate and the piston, and an apply circuit is configured at least partially between the piston and the turbine-side plate.

Abstract: A clutch assembly and a torque converter assembly having a clutch assembly, for an automotive transmission, are provided. The clutch assembly includes a clutch plate and a piston or pressure plate configured to selectively engage the clutch plate, the piston being movable between an applied position and a released position. An annular seal is disposed adjacent to the piston, wherein movement of the piston and hydraulic pressure causes the annular seal to move between a sealed position and an open position.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly configured to be connected between an engine and a transmission in a vehicle. The torque converter assembly comprises a cover plate having a cover plate pilot portion, a pump, a turbine, a stator, and a clutch assembly operably connected between the cover plate and the turbine. The clutch assembly comprises a piston plate having a single clutch face and a piston pilot portion. The cover plate pilot portion and the piston pilot portion are both configured to be piloted by the engine. A pilot plate located between the cover plate and clutch assembly can help control the amount and/or velocity of fluid that hydrodynamically connects various portions of the torque converter assembly.

Abstract: A clutch assembly and a torque converter assembly having a clutch assembly, for an automotive transmission, are provided. The clutch assembly includes a clutch plate and a piston or pressure plate configured to selectively engage the clutch plate, the piston being movable between an applied position and a released position. An annular seal is disposed adjacent to the piston, wherein movement of the piston and hydraulic pressure causes the annular seal to move between a sealed position and an open position.

Abstract: An isolating torque coupler includes a drive element assembled between annular cage elements of a driven element. The cage elements each include a plurality of aligned voids. The drive element includes a hub portion and a plurality of lobes with each of the lobes including a first edge and a second edge. Openings in the drive element are aligned with the voids of the cage elements to accommodate isolator springs. Each isolator spring is a helical coil compression spring having squared ends. A first edge of each of the lobes of the drive element is parallel to a second end of the corresponding one of the voids of the driven element. A second edge of each of the lobes of the drive element is non-parallel to a first end of the corresponding one of the voids of the driven element.

Abstract: A transmission includes a torque converter including a pump and a turbine, and an input hub. A pump lock-up clutch selectively connects the pump and the input hub for directly communicating torque therebetween when the lock-up clutch is engaged. A first pump damper interconnects the pump lock-up clutch and the input hub for damping torsional vibration between the pump and the input hub when the pump-lock up clutch is engaged. A turbine damper interconnects the turbine and either the pump or the input hub. The turbine damper is operable to dampen torsional vibration between the turbine and ether the pump or the input hub when the pump lock-up clutch is engaged. A turbine lock-up clutch selectively connects the turbine and either the input hub or the pump for directly communicating torque between the turbine and the one of either the input hub or the pump.

Abstract: An isolating torque coupler includes a drive element assembled between annular cage elements of a driven element. The cage elements each include a plurality of aligned voids. The drive element includes a hub portion and a plurality of lobes with each of the lobes including a first edge and a second edge. Openings in the drive element are aligned with the voids of the cage elements to accommodate isolator springs. Each isolator spring is a helical coil compression spring having squared ends. A first edge of each of the lobes of the drive element is parallel to a second end of the corresponding one of the voids of the driven element. A second edge of each of the lobes of the drive element is non-parallel to a first end of the corresponding one of the voids of the driven element.

Abstract: A transmission includes a torque converter including a pump and a turbine, and an input hub. A pump lock-up clutch selectively connects the pump and the input hub for directly communicating torque therebetween when the lock-up clutch is engaged. A first pump damper interconnects the pump lock-up clutch and the input hub for damping torsional vibration between the pump and the input hub when the pump-lock up clutch is engaged. A turbine damper interconnects the turbine and either the pump or the input hub. The turbine damper is operable to dampen torsional vibration between the turbine and ether the pump or the input hub when the pump lock-up clutch is engaged. A turbine lock-up clutch selectively connects the turbine and either the input hub or the pump for directly communicating torque between the turbine and the one of either the input hub or the pump.

Abstract: A transmission comprising housing and an axially compliant hub having a central plate with an axial opening and an outer circumference. The central plate is attached to the attached to the circumference with at least one strap spring. A method of managing axial stack up in a transmission is also disclosed where the transmission has a plurality of planetary gear sets aligned in series and at least one torque transmitting device. The planetary gear has gear members. The method includes providing a an axially compliant hub having a central plate with an axial opening and an outer circumference, wherein the central plate is attached to the attached to the circumference with at least one strap spring and wherein the outer circumference is connected to the torque transmitting device and wherein the central plate is connected to a gear member of a planetary gear set.

Abstract: A transmission comprising housing and an axially compliant hub having a central plate with an axial opening and an outer circumference. The central plate is attached to the attached to the circumference with at least one strap spring. A method of managing axial stack up in a transmission is also disclosed where the transmission has a plurality of planetary gear sets aligned in series and at least one torque transmitting device. The planetary gear has gear members. The method includes providing a an axially compliant hub having a central plate with an axial opening and an outer circumference, wherein the central plate is attached to the attached to the circumference with at least one strap spring and wherein the outer circumference is connected to the torque transmitting device and wherein the central plate is connected to a gear member of a planetary gear set.

Abstract: A transmission includes a housing defining a sealed interior and an input hub rotatably coupled to the housing. A gear set is disposed within the housing and configured for receiving a torque from an engine. The transmission further includes an isolator assembly and a bypass clutch, each disposed within the sealed interior of the housing. The isolator assembly is configured for selectively damping drivetrain inertia and/or vibration. The bypass clutch selectively engages and disengages the isolator assembly.

Abstract: A starting device for a motor vehicle includes a pump connected to a prime mover and a turbine connected to a turbine shaft. The pump and turbine are hydrodynamically connected. A stator assembly is disposed between the pump and the turbine. The stator assembly houses a slidable throttle plate. In a first position, the throttle plate partially blocks a return fluid flow from the stator assembly, thereby effectively reducing the capacity of the starting device. In a second position, the throttle plate does not reduce the capacity of the starting device. The throttle plate position is a function of a balance of forces acting on the throttle plate by a biasing member and a flow of hydraulic fluid contacting the throttle plate.

Abstract: A fluid coupling is provided having a housing, an input member, a pump assembly, and a turbine assembly. The pump assembly includes a pump portion disposed opposite a turbine portion of the turbine assembly. The turbine assembly further includes a damper assembly having a plurality of springs disposed radially between the turbine portion and a transmission input shaft.

Abstract: A torque transmission assembly is disposed between a power source and a vehicle transmission and includes an annular housing, a pump member of a fluid coupling, a turbine member of the fluid coupling, a lockup clutch, a first shaft, a first selectable clutch, a second shaft, and a second selectable clutch. The turbine member opposes the pump member and the lockup clutch is selectively engaged between the pump member and the turbine member. The first selectable clutch is selectively engaged between the turbine member and the first shaft. The second selectable clutch is selectively engaged between the turbine member and the second shaft.

Abstract: A method of cooling a dual clutch transmission is provided. The transmission has first and second input clutches alternately engagable to transfer torque to an output member along first and second input shafts, respectively, at various speed ratios dependent upon engagement of synchronizers. The method includes determining a currently established speed ratio by determining which of the input clutches and synchronizers are currently engaged and which of the input clutches and synchronizers are currently open. One of the open synchronizers is then engaged during the currently established speed ratio to cause the open input clutch to rotate at a speed greater than the speed of rotation of the engaged input clutch, thereby creating a fan cooling effect.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter assembly includes an internal planetary gear assembly that splits torque between a torque converter and a direct path to the transmission input as well as a damper and a torque converter clutch. The torque converter assembly includes an input shaft that is driven by the engine output shaft and is coupled to both the planetary gear carrier of the planetary gear assembly and the transmission hydraulic pump. The sun gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to the torque converter output shaft through a spring damper. The ring gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to one side of the torque converter clutch and the pump of the torque converter. The other side of the torque converter clutch is coupled to both the turbine of the torque converter and the spring damper. The stator of the torque converter is grounded. An alternate embodiment replaces the torque converter with a fluid coupling.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter assembly includes an internal planetary gear assembly that splits torque between a torque converter and a direct path to the transmission input as well as a damper and a torque converter clutch. The torque converter assembly includes an input shaft that is driven by the engine output shaft and is coupled to both the planetary gear carrier of the planetary gear assembly and the transmission hydraulic pump. The sun gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to the torque converter output shaft through a spring damper. The ring gear of the planetary gear assembly is coupled to one side of the torque converter clutch and the pump of the torque converter. The other side of the torque converter clutch is coupled to both the turbine of the torque converter and the spring damper. The stator of the torque converter is grounded. An alternate embodiment replaces the torque converter with a fluid coupling.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle engine and a transmission. A first electric motor is driveably connected to the transmission. A second electric motor is driveably connected to the vehicle engine. At least one selectively engagable clutch is located between the engine and the transmission to provide slip. The at least one clutch is engaged after the engine reaches a predetermined speed differential with the transmission.