Torque converter blade with self-locking blade tab

Abstract

The present invention broadly comprises a blade for a torque converter including an outer edge arranged to conform to an inner surface of a shell in the torque converter and a first tab extending from the outer edge. A portion of the first tab is rotated about an axis extending from the outer edge and arranged to compressively engage a first slot arranged proximate a first circumference of the shell. In some aspects, the first tab includes an integral extended portion and the extended portion is at least partially tangential to the outer edge and arranged to compressively engage the first slot. The first tab is arranged to prevent axial movement of the blade with respect to the inner surface. The present invention also broadly comprises a torque converter including a shell having a first circumference and a first slot arranged proximate the first circumference, a blade having an outer edge conforming to an inner surface of the shell and a first tab extending from the outer edge and compressively engaged in the first slot.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/797,473, filed May 4, 2006, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to torque converters, more particularly, to a torque converter blade, and, more specifically, to a self-locking torque converter blade.

BACKGROUND

Hydraulic torque converters, devices used to change the ratio of torque to speed between the input and output shafts of the converter, revolutionized the automotive and marine propulsion industries by providing hydraulic means to transfer energy from an engine to a drive mechanism, e.g., drive shaft or automatic transmission, while smoothing out engine power pulses. A torque converter, arranged between the engine and the transmission, includes three primary components: an impeller, sometimes referred to as a pump, directly connected to the converter's cover and thereby the engine's crankshaft; a turbine, similar in structure to the impeller, however the turbine is connected to the input shaft of the transmission; and, a stator, located between the impeller and turbine, which redirects the flow of hydraulic fluid exiting from the turbine thereby providing additional rotational force to the pump.

Although assembling impeller blades within a torque converter housing, at first glance, may appear trivial, manufacturing constraints and impeller requirements make the task quite difficult. Currently, blades are positioned within slots in an impeller shell. The shell is formed; e.g., by stamping, and subsequently the slots are coined into the shell. Alternatively, the slots may be coined into a flat shell blank, and subsequently the shell is formed to the proper impeller shell shape. In both instances, the housing shell has to be bubbled to draw material to the center of the shell to avoid thinning of material during the forming process. This makes it more practical to coin slots after the shell is formed. Additionally, slots coined after forming the shell can be held to tighter tolerances than slots coined prior to forming the shell. In either instance, slots are typically coined perpendicular to the surface of the shell, using for example, a Koppy machine. The perpendicularly formed slot and shape of the blade tend to retain, or lock, the blade within the slot and thereby the shell, thus preventing the blade from dislodging from the shell until it can be cleaned and brazed or welded in place.

Koppy machines are expensive to use and maintain, and therefore it is desirable to have other coining options available, for example, coining vertical slots. In this instance, blades may be merely dropped vertically into the slots during assembly. While this type of slot may be less expensive to coin, and may make assembling the blades within the shell quicker, unfortunately, the vertical slot surfaces are all on the same plane and have no surfaces to lock the blade within the slot. Thus, blades are easily disrupted by merely bumping the blade and/or shell. Additionally, the width of the slots may only be as small as the shell material thickness, as coining of vertical slots essentially shears the edge of the material. Thus, the coining tool or punch must be sufficiently thick or premature tool failure will result.

Positioning the blades within the slots is only the first step in assembling the impeller. Further steps include positioning a core ring so that specific blade tabs fall within slotted openings within the ring, placing the assembly through a rolling process so that the blades, via their tabs, are locked to the core ring, washing the assembly to remove oil and rust inhibitors used during stamping operations, placing the washed assemblies in cages, handling the cages and brazing the washed assemblies. Production builds of impellers may generate as much as fifty percent (50%) scrap due to blades falling out during the washing or rolling processes. Additionally, no feedback is provided to an assembler regarding whether or not a blade is installed properly, as there is no resistance between the blade and slots. Thus, it would be advantageous to have a blade that includes means for retaining itself within a slot, throughout the processing of the assembly, which provides feedback regarding the correctness of assembly.

As can be derived from the variety of devices and methods directed at assembling a torque converter impeller, many means have been contemplated to accomplish the desired end, i.e., retention of a blade within a slot, without the need for expensive specialized equipment, and thus resulting in lower assembly cost and complexity. Heretofore, tradeoffs between coining methods and processing steps and expense for such methods and steps were required. Thus, there has been a long felt need for a torque converter impeller, having a self, retaining blade during assembly, while introducing minimal changes to the overall process of assembly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly comprises a blade for a torque converter including an outer edge arranged to conform to an inner surface of a shell in the torque converter and a first tab extending from the outer edge. A portion of the first tab is rotated about an axis extending from the outer edge of the torque converter and arranged to compressively engage a first slot arranged proximate a first circumference of the shell. In some aspects, the first tab includes an integral extended portion and the extended portion is at least partially tangential to the outer edge and arranged to compressively engage the first slot. The first tab is arranged to prevent axial movement of the blade with respect to the inner surface.

In some aspects, the first tab is arranged to compressively engage the first slot in at least one substantially circumferential direction with respect to the torque converter. In some aspects, the first slot includes two parallel surfaces or a chamfer. In some aspects, the blade includes a second tab extending from the outer edge and the inner surface includes a second circumference, different than the first circumference, and a second slot arranged proximate the second circumference and the second tab is operatively arranged to engage the second slot.

In some aspects, the torque converter includes an impeller with an impeller shell, and the shell is the impeller shell or the torque converter includes a pump with a pump shell, and the shell is the pump shell.

The present invention also broadly comprises a blade for a torque converter, the torque converter includes a shell having an inner surface, the blade includes a body having a first surface and an outer edge and a first tab extending from the outer edge and having a second surface. The first and second surfaces are misaligned and arranged to compressively engage a first slot arranged proximate a first circumference of the shell. In some aspects, the first tab includes an integral extended portion and the extended portion is at least partially tangential to the outer edge and arranged to compressively engage the first slot. The first tab is arranged to prevent axial movement of the blade with respect to the inner surface.

In some aspects, the first slot includes two parallel surfaces or a chamfer. In some aspects, the blade includes a second tab extending from the outer edge and the inner surface includes a second circumference, different than the first circumference, and a second slot arranged proximate the second circumference and the second tab is operatively arranged to engage the second slot.

In some aspects, the torque converter includes an impeller with an impeller shell, and the shell is the impeller shell or the torque converter includes a pump with a pump shell, and the shell is the pump shell.

The present invention further broadly comprises a blade for a torque converter including an outer edge arranged to conform to an inner surface of a shell in the torque converter of the impeller and a first tab extending from the outer edge. The first tab includes an integral extended portion substantially tangential to the outer edge and arranged to compressively engage a first slot arranged proximate a first circumference of the shell. The first tab is arranged to prevent axial movement of the blade with respect to the inner surface.

In some aspects, the first slot includes two parallel surfaces or a chamfer. In some aspects, the blade includes a second tab extending from the outer edge and the inner surface includes a second circumference, different than the first circumference, and a second slot arranged proximate the second circumference and the second tab is operatively arranged to engage the second slot.

In some aspects, the first slot includes a first wall substantially axial with respect to the torque converter and the first tab is arranged to compressively engage the first wall. In some aspects, the first slot includes first and second opposing walls substantially axial with respect to the torque converter and the first tab is arranged to compressively engage the first and second walls.

The present invention broadly comprises a torque converter including a shell having a first circumference and a first slot arranged proximate the first circumference; a blade having an outer edge conforming to an inner surface of the shell; and a first tab extending from the outer edge and compressively engaged in the first slot. In some aspects, a portion of the first tab is rotated substantially about an axis extending from the outer edge. In some aspects, the first tab includes an integral extended portion substantially tangential to the outer edge and compressively engaged in the first slot. The first tab is arranged to prevent axial movement of the blade with respect to the inner surface.

In some aspects, the first slot includes two parallel surfaces or a chamfer. In some aspects, the blade includes a second tab extending from the outer edge and the inner surface includes a second circumference, different than the first circumference, and a second slot arranged proximate the second circumference and the second tab is operatively arranged to engage the second slot.

The present invention also broadly comprises a torque converter including a shell having an inner surface having first and second circumferences, the first circumference being different from the second circumference; a first slot arranged proximate the first circumference; a second slot arranged proximate the second circumference; a blade having an outer edge conforming to the inner surface; and first and second tabs extending from the outer edge, inserted in the first and second slots, respectively, and compressively engaging the first and second slots, respectively.

In some aspects, the torque converter comprises an impeller with an impeller shell, and the shell is the impeller shell or the torque converter comprises a pump with a pump shell, and the shell is the pump shell.

The present invention further broadly comprises a method for assembling a blade in a torque converter shell, the shell having an inner surface with first and second circumferences, the first circumferences being different than the second circumference, a first slot arranged proximate the first circumference and a second slot arranged proximate the second circumference and the blade comprising an outer edge arranged to conform to the inner surface and first and second tabs extending from the outer edge, comprising the steps of: rotating a portion of the first tab about an axis of the first tab extending from the outer edge and through the first tab; inserting the first tab in the first slot; applying compressive force to the first slot by the first tab; and pushing the second tab toward the second slot.

In some aspects, applying compressive force includes twisting the first tab by contact with the shell proximate the first slot. In some aspects, the first slot includes a chamfer and applying compressive force includes twisting the first tab by contact with the chamfer. In some aspects, applying compressive force includes compressing the first tab by contact with the shell proximate the first slot. In some aspects, the torque converter includes an impeller with an impeller shell, and the shell is the impeller shell or the torque converter includes a pump with a pump shell, and the shell is the pump shell.

A general object of the invention is to provide a blade for a torque converter impeller which includes a self-locking means for retaining the blade within the impeller housing shell.

A further object of the invention is to provide a blade for a torque converter impeller which simplifies and speeds the process of assembling the impeller.

Another object of the invention is to minimize the material used for each blade, thereby reducing its overall cost.

Yet another object of the invention is to minimize the cost of producing the housing shell for a torque converter impeller.

Still yet another object of the invention is to provide positive feedback regarding the correctness of blade assembly and position.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the detailed description of the invention in view of the drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a torque converter impeller having a housing shell and a plurality of impeller blades installed therein;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the torque converter impeller housing shell of FIG. 1 having the blades removed and a plurality of slots arranged about a first circumferential surface of the shell;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the housing shell and slot shown in the encircled region 3 of FIG. 2 showing a present invention impeller blade disposed therein;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the housing shell and slot shown in the encircled region 4 of FIG. 2 showing a present invention impeller blade disposed therein;

FIG. 5 is a cut-away perspective view of an impeller housing shell having a present invention impeller blade being installed therein;

FIG. 6a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a present invention torque converter impeller blade prior to bending a tab;

FIG. 6b is a cut-away perspective view of the encircled region of FIG. 6a;

FIG. 7a is a perspective view of the embodiment of the torque converter impeller blade shown in FIG. 6a subsequent to bending the tab;

FIG. 7b is a cut-away perspective view of the encircled region of FIG. 7a;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a present invention torque converter impeller blade;

FIG. 9 is a back elevational view of the torque converter impeller blade shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a torque converter impeller housing shell including a present invention torque converter impeller blade having integral extended portions substantially tangential to the outer edge;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the encircled region 11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of a torque converter impeller housing shell including a present invention torque converter impeller blade having integral extended portions substantially tangential to the outer surface;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the encircled region 13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a cylindrical coordinate system demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application; and,

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of an object in the cylindrical coordinate system of FIG. 14A demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the preferred embodiment.

Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.

Adverting now to the figures, FIG. 14A is a perspective view of cylindrical coordinate system 200 demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application. The present invention is at least partially described within the context of a cylindrical coordinate system. System 200 has a longitudinal axis 201, used as the reference for the directional and spatial terms that follow. The adjectives “axial,” “radial,” and “circumferential” are with respect to an orientation parallel to axis 201, radius 202 (which is orthogonal to axis 201), and circumference 203, respectively. The adjectives “axial,” “radial” and “circumferential” also are regarding orientation parallel to respective planes. To clarify the disposition of the various planes, objects 204, 205, and 206 are used. Surface 207 of object 204 forms an axial plane. That is, axis 201 forms a line along the surface. Surface 208 of object 205 forms a radial plane. That is, radius 202 forms a line along the surface. Surface 209 of object 206 forms a circumferential plane. That is, circumference 203 forms a line along the surface. As a further example, axial movement or disposition is parallel to axis 201, radial movement or disposition is parallel to radius 202, and circumferential movement or disposition is parallel to circumference 203. Rotation is with respect to axis 201.

The adverbs “axially,” “radially,” and “circumferentially” are with respect to an orientation parallel to axis 201, radius 202, or circumference 203, respectively. The adverbs “axially,” “radially,” and “circumferentially” also are regarding orientation parallel to respective planes.

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of object 210 in cylindrical coordinate system 200 of FIG. 14A demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application. Cylindrical object 210 is representative of a cylindrical object in a cylindrical coordinate system and is not intended to limit the present invention is any manner. Object 210 includes axial surface 211, radial surface 212, and circumferential surface 213. Surface 211 is part of an axial plane, surface 212 is part of a radial plane, and surface 213 is part of a circumferential plane.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of torque converter impeller 20 including housing shell 22 having a plurality of slots 24 with impeller blades 26 installed therein. A more detailed description of the structure of blades 26, slots 24 and the interaction therebetween is discussed infra. As one of ordinary skill in the art recognizes, a torque converter impeller is structurally similar to a torque converter turbine. Thus, although the embodiments discussed infra are directed at an impeller, similar structures may also be used to construct a turbine, and such embodiments are within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Each blade 26 includes tab 28. The plurality of tabs 28 are disposed within respective slots 30 of core ring 32. Subsequently, the assembly is placed through a rolling process, bending the plurality of tabs 28, as shown in FIG. 1, thereby retaining the plurality of blades 26 within core ring 32. Then impeller 20 is washed to remove any dirt, oil, debris, etc. which may have collected in or on impeller 20 during processing. Following the cleaning and drying operations, blades 26 are brazed to inner surface 34 of housing shell 22 along edges 36 of blades 26, i.e., the mating edge between blades 26 and housing shell 22. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that methods other than brazing may be used to fixedly secure blades 26 to housing shell 22, for example, laser welding, and such methods are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. After completing the brazing operation, a complete torque converter may then be constructed, however that portion of assembly is not particularly germane to the present invention and therefore is not discussed. In a preferred embodiment, blades 26 are brazed to housing shell 22, however, for low torque applications, blades 26 may merely be compressively engaged within slots 24 as described infra.

The following discussion is best understood in view of FIGS. 2 through 9. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of torque converter impeller 20 having a plurality of slots 24 arranged about a first circumferential surface of impeller housing shell 22, while FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged cross-sectional views of the encircled regions 3 and 4, respectively, of FIG. 2 showing a slot having a bent tab of impeller blade 26 disposed therein. FIG. 5 depicts a cut-away perspective view of impeller housing shell 22 with impeller blade 26 being installed therein. FIG. 6a is a perspective view of an embodiment of impeller blade 26 prior to bending tab 38, while FIG. 6b shows a cut-away perspective view of the encircled region of FIG. 6a. FIG. 7a is a perspective view of impeller blade 26 shown in FIG. 6a subsequent to bending tab 38, i.e., forming rotated tab 40, while FIG. 7b shows a cut-away perspective view of the encircled region of FIG. 7a. Lastly, FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of impeller blade 26 including extended tab 42, while FIG. 9 is a back elevational view of the embodiment of impeller blade 26 shown in FIG. 8.

Slots 24 are disposed about a circumference defined by diameter 44, slots 46 are disposed about a circumference defined by diameter 48, while slots 50 are disposed about a circumference defined by diameter 52. The positions of slots 24, 46 and 50 are critical, as the efficiency of impeller 20 is dependant on the regular placement of blades 26 about inner surface 34 of housing shell 22. As described supra, the prior art teaches forming slots by means of coining slots perpendicular to the metal surface thereby leaving a portion of material at the entrance of the slot which can retain an inserted impeller blade. Contrarily, slots 24, 46 and 50 are formed by coining operations performed parallel to axis of rotation 54 of housing shell 22. Other means of forming slots within housing shell 22 are also possible, e.g., laser or mechanical cutting, and one of ordinary skill in the arts will recognize that such means are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, blade 26 is installed in housing shell 22 by compressively engaging tab 40 within first slot 24 and then inserting tab 56 within slot 46 and tab 58 within slot 50, thereby retaining blade 26 within shell 22. By compressively engaging we mean that a tab and one or more walls of a slot are touching and normal forces are present between the tab and walls. That is, the tabs are forced into the slots so that the tabs at least partially distort and push against the walls. The normal force in a compressive engagement is stronger than the force associated with a slip or friction fit, also referred to as retaining, in which little or no distortion of the tab occurs. The compressive engagement of tab 40 in the slot prevents the axial movement of the blade away from inner surface 34.

In FIG. 3, the tab engaged in slot 24 is rotated tab 40, which is similar to tab 38, and is formed by rotating tab 38 about axis 59, which extends from outside edge 36. In some aspects, axis 59 is substantially aligned with an axis extending from outside edge 36. For example, FIG. 6b shows tab 38 before the rotation and FIG. 7b shows tab 40 (tab 38 after being rotated about axis 59). In some aspects, slot 24 includes axial walls 60 and 62. As rotated tab 40 is inserted within slot 24, corners 64 and 66 compressively engages walls 60 and 62, thereby retaining blade 26 within shell 22. Corners 64 and 66 exert pressure on the walls in a substantially circumferential direction with respect to a torque converter in which the blade is to be installed, thereby retaining blade 26 within shell 22.

FIG. 4 shows tab 42 and chamfered slot 68. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, extended tab 42 is connected to blade 26 via joint 70 and includes flange 72, leaving a gap between flange 72 and edge 36. Additionally, in some aspects, flange 72 is rotated about an axis (not shown) extending from edge 36 through joint 70, similar to the formation of rotated tab 40. In some aspects, this axis is similar in orientation to axis 59. Chamfered slot 68 includes walls 74 and 76 and chamfer wall 78. Chamfer wall 78 provides means to guide extended tab 42 as it is inserted within slot 68. As tab 42 is inserted, corner 80 contacts chamfer wall 78 which further rotates extended tab 42 about the axis of joint 70. Once tab 42 is fully inserted, corners 80 and 82, of tab 42, compressively engage walls 74 and 76, respectively, thereby retaining blade 26 within shell 22.

Present invention rotated tabs also can be viewed in terms of respective planes. For example, referring to FIGS. 6a through 7b, blade 26 includes body 86 with surface 88. In general, tabs extend from body 86. Tab 40 includes surface 90. As shown in FIG. 7b, surfaces 88 and 90 are misaligned. As described supra, blades 26 are retained within housing shell 22 via compressive engagement between a tab integral to blade 26 and the inner walls of a slot, e.g., slot 24 having walls 60 and 62. Thus, the tab inserted within slot 24 should be rotated sufficiently so that one or more corners compressively engage the inner walls. In other words, the width from corner to corner of the rotated tab should be wider than the width of the slot. However, other methods (not shown) of forming a tab and/or a slot are also possible. For example, tab 42 may include material extending in two directions from joint 70, thereby forming a ‘T’, tab 38 may be bent instead of rotated, or slot 68 may include an additional chamfered wall as a part of wall 76. Such variations typically require that the modified tabs are able to generate compressive engagements such that the axial movement of a blade with the modified tabs is prevented once the modified tabs and any remaining tabs are inserted in respective slots in a toque converter shell. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of torque converter impeller housing shell 122 having slots 124 and torque converter impeller blade 126 having integral extended portions substantially tangential to edge 136.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the encircled region 11 of FIG. 10 showing housing shell 122 and slot 146. The following should be viewed in light of FIGS. 10 and 11. In some aspects, blade 126 includes tab 128 arranged to engage a core ring (not shown). In some aspects, blade 126 includes extended tab 152 arranged to engage slot 146. Similar to the embodiments described supra, tab 138 is first inserted within slot 124, and subsequently extended tab 152 and then tab 154 are pushed toward and inserted within slots 146 and 150, respectively. As extended tab 152 is inserted within slot 146, shoulder 156 compressively engages wall 158, while corner 160 compressively engages wall 162, thereby retaining blade 126 within housing shell 122. That is, length 164 of tab 152 is greater than width 166 of slot 146, such that tab 152 cannot fit in the slot without distorting to produce the compressive engagement.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a second configuration of torque converter impeller housing shell 170 having slots 124 and torque converter impeller blade 126 having integral extended portions substantially tangential to edge 136.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the encircled region 13 of FIG. 12 showing housing shell 170 and slot 172. The following should be viewed in light of FIGS. 12 and 13. Similar to the embodiments described supra, tab 138 is first inserted within slot 124 and then tabs 152 and 174 are pushed toward and inserted within slots 146 and 172, respectively. As extended tab 174 is inserted within slot 172, corner 176 is deflected by chamfer 178 and then compressively engages wall 180. That is, the spacing between tabs 138, 152, and 174 and the spacing of slots 124, 146, and 172 is such that end 182 extends beyond wall 180 when tabs 152 are engaged in slots 146, causing a compressive fit between end 182 and wall 180. That is, tab 174 must be compressed to fit in slot 172.

The following should be viewed in light of FIGS. 10 through 13. Blade 126 may be compressively engaged, and thereby retained, within housing shells 122 or 170 using tab 152, tab 174, or both tabs 152 and 174.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A blade for a torque converter comprising:

an outer edge arranged to conform to an inner surface of a shell in said torque converter; and,

a first tab extending from said outer edge, wherein a portion of said first tab is rotated about an axis extending from said outer edge and arranged to compressively engage a first slot arranged proximate a first circumference of said shell.

2. The blade of claim 1 wherein said first tab further comprises an integral extended portion, said extended portion at least partially tangential to said outer edge and arranged to compressively engage said first slot.

3. The blade of claim 1 wherein said first tab is arranged to prevent axial movement of said blade with respect to said inner surface.

4. The blade of claim 1 wherein said first tab is arranged to compressively engage said first slot in at least one substantially circumferential direction with respect to said torque converter.

5. The blade of claim 1 wherein said first slot comprises two parallel surfaces.

6. The blade of claim 5 wherein said first slot further comprises a chamfer.

7. The blade of claim 1 further comprising a second tab extending from said outer edge and wherein said inner surface further comprises a second circumference, different than said first circumference, and a second slot arranged proximate said second circumference and wherein said second tab is operatively arranged to engage said second slot.

8. The blade of claim 1 wherein said torque converter comprises an impeller with an impeller shell, and said shell is said impeller shell.

9. The blade of claim 1 wherein said torque converter comprises a pump with a pump shell, and said shell is said pump shell.

10. A blade for a torque converter, said torque converter comprises a shell having an inner surface, said blade comprising:

a body having a first surface and an outer edge; and,

a first tab extending from said outer edge and having a second surface, wherein said first and second surfaces are misaligned and arranged to compressively engage a first slot arranged proximate a first circumference of said shell.

11. The blade of claim 10 wherein said first tab further comprises an integral extended portion, said extended portion at least partially tangential to said outer edge and arranged to compressively engage said first slot.

12. The blade of claim 10 wherein said first tab is arranged to prevent axial movement of said blade with respect to said inner surface.

13. The blade of claim 10 wherein said first slot comprises two parallel surfaces.

14. The blade of claim 13 wherein said first slot further comprises a chamfer.

15. The blade of claim 12 further comprising a second tab extending from said outer edge and wherein said inner surface further comprises a second circumference, different than said first circumference, and a second slot arranged proximate said second circumference and wherein said second tab is operatively arranged to engage said second slot.

16. The blade of claim 10 wherein said torque converter comprises an impeller with an impeller shell, and said shell is said impeller shell.

17. The blade of claim 10 wherein said torque converter comprises a pump with a pump shell, and said shell is said pump shell.

18. A blade for a torque converter comprising:

an outer edge arranged to conform to an inner surface of a shell in said torque converter of said impeller; and,

a first tab extending from said outer edge, wherein said first tab further comprises an integral extended portion, said extended portion substantially tangential to said outer edge and arranged to compressively engage a first slot arranged proximate a first circumference of said shell.

19. The blade of claim 18 wherein said first tab is arranged to prevent axial movement of said blade with respect to said inner surface.

20. The blade of claim 19 wherein said first slot comprises two parallel surfaces.

21. The blade of claim 20 wherein said first slot further comprises a chamfer.

22. The blade of claim 19 further comprising a second tab extending from said outer edge and wherein said inner surface further comprises a second circumference, different than said first circumference, and a second slot arranged proximate said second circumference and wherein said second tab is operatively arranged to engage said second slot.

23. The blade of claim 18 wherein said first slot comprises a first wall substantially axial with respect to said torque converter and said first tab is arranged to compressively engage said first wall.

24. The blade of claim 18 wherein said first slot comprises first and second opposing walls substantially axial with respect to said torque converter and said first tab is arranged to compressively engage said first and second walls.

25. A torque converter comprising:

a shell comprising a first circumference and a first slot arranged proximate said first circumference;

a blade having an outer edge conforming to an inner surface of said shell; and,

a first tab extending from said outer edge and compressively engaged in said first slot.

26. The blade of claim 25 wherein a portion of said first tab is rotated substantially about an axis extending from said outer edge.

27. The blade of claim 25 wherein said first tab further comprises an integral extended portion, said extended portion is substantially tangential to said outer edge and compressively engaged in said first slot.

28. The blade of claim 25 wherein said first tab is arranged to prevent axial movement of said blade with respect to said inner surface.

29. The blade of claim 25 wherein said first slot comprises two parallel surfaces.

30. The blade of claim 29 wherein said first slot further comprises a chamfer.

31. The blade of claim 25 further comprising a second tab extending from said outer edge and wherein said inner surface further comprises a second circumference, different than said first circumference, and a second slot arranged proximate said second circumference and wherein said second tab is operatively arranged to engage said second slot.

32. A torque converter comprising:

a shell comprising an inner surface having first and second circumferences, said first circumference being different from said second circumference;

a first slot arranged proximate said first circumference;

a second slot arranged proximate said second circumference;

a blade having an outer edge conforming to said inner surface; and,

first and second tabs extending from said outer edge, inserted in said first and second slots, respectively, and compressively engaging said first and second slots, respectively.

33. The blade of claim 32 wherein said torque converter further comprises an impeller with an impeller shell, and said shell is said impeller shell.

34. The blade of claim 32 wherein said torque converter further comprises a pump with a pump shell, and said shell is said pump shell.

35. A method for assembling a blade in a torque converter shell, said shell having an inner surface with first and second circumferences, said first circumferences being different than said second circumference, a first slot arranged proximate said first circumference and a second slot arranged proximate said second circumference and said blade comprising an outer edge arranged to conform to said inner surface and first and second tabs extending from said outer edge, comprising the steps of:

a) rotating a portion of said first tab about an axis extending from said outer edge and through said first tab;

b) inserting said first tab in said first slot;

c) applying compressive force to said first slot by said first tab; and,

d) pushing said second tab toward said second slot.

36. The method for assembling a blade in a torque converter shell of claim 35 wherein applying compressive force further comprises twisting said first tab by contact with said shell proximate said first slot.

37. The method for assembling a blade in a torque converter shell of claim 35 wherein said first slot comprises a chamfer and applying compressive force further comprises twisting said first tab by contact with said chamfer.

38. The method for assembling a blade in a torque converter impeller shell of claim 35 wherein applying compressive force further comprises compressing said first tab by contact with said shell proximate said first slot.

39. The blade of claim 35 wherein said torque converter further comprises an impeller with an impeller shell, and said shell is said impeller shell.

40. The blade of claim 35 wherein said torque converter further comprises a pump with a pump shell, and said shell is said pump shell.