Abstract: Damper apparatus for use with vehicle torque converters are disclosed. A disclosed damper assembly for a vehicle torque converter includes a first portion operatively coupled to a clutch of the vehicle torque converter and configured to receive an engine torque from the clutch based on a state of the clutch. The damper assembly also includes a second portion and a hub rotatably coupled to a turbine of the vehicle torque converter. The damper assembly also includes a gear train including a ring gear coupled to the first portion, a planet gear rotatably coupled to the second portion, and a sun gear coupled to the hub. The damper assembly also includes a primary damping element positioned in a cavity formed by the second portion. Rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion compresses and decompresses the primary damping element to dampen a torsional vibration associated with the engine torque.

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 hydrokinetic torque-coupling device for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising a casing rotatable about a rotational axis, a torque converter including an impeller wheel and a turbine wheel, a lockup clutch including a dual piston assembly, and a selective clutch disposed outside of the casing. The selective clutch includes an input member and an output member non-rotatably mounted to the casing. The dual piston assembly includes a main piston and a secondary piston adjacent to the main piston and axially moveable relative thereto. The main and secondary pistons are coaxial with the rotational axis. The main piston is selectively axially moveable relative to the casing and the secondary piston between a lockup position and a non-lockup position. The output member is selectively axially moveable relative to the input member between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The output member selectively is axially moveable by action of secondary piston.

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 hydrokinetic torque-coupling device for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising a casing rotatable about a rotational axis, a torque converter including an impeller wheel and a turbine wheel, a lockup clutch including a dual piston assembly, and a selective clutch disposed outside of the casing. The selective clutch includes an input member and an output member non-rotatably mounted to the casing. The dual piston assembly includes a main piston and at least one secondary piston mounted to the main piston and axially moveable relative thereto. The main piston is selectively axially moveable relative to the casing and the at least one secondary piston between a lockup position and a non-lockup position. The output member is selectively axially moveable relative to the input member between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The output member selectively is axially moveable by action of the at least one secondary piston.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque-coupling device for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising a casing rotatable about a rotational axis, a torque converter including an impeller wheel and a turbine wheel, a lockup clutch including a dual piston assembly, and a selective clutch disposed outside of the casing. The selective clutch includes an input member and an output member non-rotatably mounted to the casing. The dual piston assembly includes a main piston and a secondary piston adjacent to the main piston and axially moveable relative thereto. The main and secondary pistons are coaxial with the rotational axis. The main piston is selectively axially moveable relative to the casing and the secondary piston between a lockup position and a non-lockup position. The output member is selectively axially moveable relative to the input member between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The output member selectively is axially moveable by action of secondary piston.

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 hydrokinetic torque-coupling device for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising a casing rotatable about a rotational axis, a torque converter including an impeller wheel and a turbine wheel, a lockup clutch including a dual piston assembly, and a selectable one-way clutch disposed outside of the casing. The selectable one-way clutch includes an outer race, torque transmitting elements, an inner race drivingly and non-rotatably connectable to the outer race through the torque transmitting elements, and a plurality of actuator members configured to circumferentially displace one of the torque transmitting elements in each pair of the torque transmitting elements. The dual piston assembly includes a main piston and at least one secondary piston having actuator rods. One torque transmitting element of each pair of the torque transmitting elements is moveable by axial movement of the actuator rods of the at least one second lockup piston acting to the actuator members.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque-coupling device for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising a casing rotatable about a rotational axis, a torque converter including an impeller wheel and a turbine wheel, a lockup clutch including a dual piston assembly, and a selectable one-way clutch disposed outside of the casing. The selectable one-way clutch includes an outer race, torque transmitting elements, an inner race drivingly and non-rotatably connectable to the outer race through the torque transmitting elements, and a plurality of actuator members configured to circumferentially displace one of the torque transmitting elements in each pair of the torque transmitting elements. The dual piston assembly includes a main piston and at least one secondary piston having actuator rods. One torque transmitting element of each pair of the torque transmitting elements is moveable by axial movement of the actuator rods of the at least one second lockup piston acting to the actuator members.

Abstract: Damper apparatus for use with vehicle torque converters are disclosed. A disclosed damper assembly for a vehicle torque converter includes a first portion operatively coupled to a clutch of the vehicle torque converter and configured to receive an engine torque from the clutch based on a state of the clutch. The damper assembly also includes a second portion and a hub rotatably coupled to a turbine of the vehicle torque converter. The damper assembly also includes a gear train including a ring gear coupled to the first portion, a planet gear rotatably coupled to the second portion, and a sun gear coupled to the hub. The damper assembly also includes a primary damping element positioned in a cavity formed by the second portion. Rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion compresses and decompresses the primary damping element to dampen a torsional vibration associated with the engine torque.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque-coupling device for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising a casing rotatable about a rotational axis, a torque converter including an impeller wheel and a turbine wheel, a lockup clutch including a dual piston assembly, and a selective clutch disposed outside of the casing. The selective clutch includes an input member and an output member non-rotatably mounted to the casing. The dual piston assembly includes a main piston and at least one secondary piston mounted to the main piston and axially moveable relative thereto. The main piston is selectively axially moveable relative to the casing and the at least one secondary piston between a lockup position and a non-lockup position. The output member is selectively axially moveable relative to the input member between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The output member selectively is axially moveable by action of the at least one secondary piston.

Abstract: An impeller assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The impeller assembly is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises an annular impeller wheel coaxial with the rotational axis, and an annular impeller hub made of metallic material and non-rotatably coupled to the impeller wheel. The impeller wheel is made of polymeric material as a single-piece component including an annular impeller shell member and a plurality of turbine blade members axially inwardly extending from the impeller shell member.

Abstract: A turbine assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The turbine assembly is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises a first turbine component coaxial with the rotational axis, a second turbine component formed separately from and non-moveably secured to the first turbine component coaxially therewith, and a plurality of grommets. The first turbine component has a plurality of first turbine blade members integrally formed therewith. One of the first and second turbine components has a substantially annular mounting portion provided with a plurality of mounting holes. Each of the grommets is mounted in one of the mounting holes through the mounting portion.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling arrangement (1), comprising an impeller (6) linkable to a drive shaft, a turbine (7) linkable to a driven shaft via a hub (11) and able to hydrodynamically coupled with the impeller (6), a lockup clutch (20) able to short-circuited the hydrodynamically coupling between the impeller (6) and the turbine (7), a torsional vibration damper arrangement (13;14,15) located between the lockup clutch (20) and the hub (11), said torsional vibration damper arrangement comprising an input element (16;17,47,24), an output element (17; 25,33,32) and a plurality of elastic elements (22;26) disposed between the input element and the output element, the output element of the torsional vibration damper arrangement forms a part of the hub, wherein the coupling arrangement comprises an absorber device (29) being linked in rotation to the hub, said absorber device comprising a unique resonance frequency.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of a hydrokinetic torque-coupling device. The torsional vibration damper comprises an input member including a first side plate and a supporting member mounted to the first side plate, and a radially elastic member elastically coupled to the input member. The radially elastic member includes a central part and an elastic blade formed separately from the central part. The central part has a mounting portion. The elastic blade has a connection portion, a free distal end and a curved raceway portion disposed between the connection portion and the distal end. The connection portion of the elastic blade is non-rotatably connected to the mounting portion of the central part. The curved raceway portion of the elastic blade is configured to elastically engage the supporting member and to elastically bend in the radial direction upon rotation of the input member with respect to the radially elastic member.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter including a secondary piston for purposes of enhancing operation of the lock-up feature, and the method of operating such a converter. The secondary piston moves axially behind the turbine-piston to urge respective lock-up clutch friction surfaces into phased engagement. In an initial phase of engagement, friction surfaces between the secondary piston and turbine-piston engage to begin the reduction of relative rotary motion between the converter impeller and turbine-piston. This initial phase of slowing relative movement between the impeller and turbine-piston reduces pressure within the torus and the associated fluid forces separating the friction surfaces of the lock-up clutch. The secondary piston also slows and eliminates fluid flow from within the torus past the lock-up clutch and further reduces engagement resistance of the lock-up clutch owing to the lessening fluid pressure and flow.