Abstract: A damper structure is constructed of a core plate, a retainer plate fixed on the core plate, a spring assembly carried on the retainer plate and having at least one spring, and a driven plate arranged coaxially with the spring assembly and having a flange engageable with the spring. The retainer plate is composed of an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper plate is provided with a lug portion formed by slitting a part of the upper plate and bending the slit part. The driven plate is provided with a stopper engageable with the lug portion. The damper structure is suitable for use in a lockup clutch for a torque converter.

Abstract: A device for damping torsional vibrations has two elements that are rotatable relative to each other. One of the elements is connected to a motor, and the other element is connected to a gear box. A torsional vibration damper with energy accumulators is interposed between the elements to counteract a relative rotation between them. At least one of the elements is configured as a disc-like sheet metal part in which circumferentially extending mountings or pockets are formed to receive the energy accumulators. Press-formed support areas in the sheet metal part delimit the pockets in the circumferential direction and serve to introduce biasing forces into the energy accumulators. Impressed in the sheet metal part are circumferential grooves extending over at least part of the length of each pocket between the press-formed support areas.

Abstract: A hub for a motor vehicle clutch includes a driver and a ring element arranged on the driver and constructed as a sheet metal part with a profile that receives torque to be conducted into a driven shaft by friction facings via the driver. The driver is also made from a sheet metal part. A radial outer area of the driver has a shape corresponding to the ring element. The hub has a low weight and is produced economically.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a damper assembly in which, even if excessive load is received from an engine and if spring constants of springs arranged in series are changed, the springs are not damaged. The present invention further aims to make the damper assembly more compact. The damper assembly comprises a retainer plate and a driven plate and is designated so that springs are held in series through an intermediate member, and a relative angle between the retainer plate and the intermediate member is regulated by engaging a first projection provided on the intermediate member with a containing portion provided in the retainer plate and a relative angle between the retainer plate and the driven plate is regulated by engaging a second projection provided on the retainer plate with an abutment portion provided on the driven plate.

Abstract: In vibration attenuating apparatus and method for use on damper springs of a clutch disc, the clutch disc includes clutch plates, a clutch hub splinedly connected to a clutch shaft, frictional facings mounted on front and rear surfaces of the clutch plates, and damper springs mounted on the clutch plates. The apparatus further includes variable damping means inserted into each damper spring. The variable damping means controls a damping coefficient of the damper springs in accordance with an intensity of an electric current provided by an electronic control unit in order to prevent the transmission of abnormal vibration of an engine to a transmission unit.

Abstract: A dual mass vibration damping flywheel includes a primary mass flywheel and a secondary mass flywheel connected to the primary mass flywheel. A drive plate having a characteristic shape is positioned between the primary mass flywheel and the secondary mass flywheel, the drive plate being rotated in response to rotation of the primary mass flywheel. A spring assembly is provided having a roller member at one end thereof, the roller member being in contact with the characteristic shape of the drive plate and compressing the spring assembly upon rotation of the drive plate. The drive plate is formed as an axe shape such that the roller of the spring assembly rolls in contact with the characteristic shape of the drive plate upon rotation of the drive plate and the primary mass flywheel. The effect of the spring assembly and roller against the characteristic shape of the drive plate is to dampen the vibration of the dual mass flywheel.

Abstract: A hydraulic torque converter, particularly for use in a motor vehicle between the prime mover and the transmission of the power train, employs a combination of a bypass clutch with one or more torsional vibration dampers which brings about savings in space and/or in the number of parts. In addition, the torque converter can stand long periods of use and is less prone to wear, adverse influences of abruptly developing stresses and/or other undesirable influences than conventional torque converters. Furthermore, the improved torque converter employs or can employ a bypass clutch and/or one or more torsional vibration dampers simpler and less expensive than but superior to those in conventional torque converters.

Abstract: A multiple-clutch assembly includes a housing and a first clutch having a first drive member rotatably supported within the housing on a drive hub and a first driven member rotatably supported within the housing on a first driven shaft. A first clutch pack is interposed between the first drive and driven members and operable to selectively connect and disconnect the first drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque between the first drive and driven members. A second clutch is supported within the housing coaxial with respect to the first clutch and includes a second drive member rotatably supported within the housing on the drive hub and a second driven member rotatably supported within the housing on a second driven shaft. The first and second driven shafts are disposed concentrically relative to one another.

Abstract: In a starting clutch comprising a wet type multi-plate clutch having a clutch case, a housing attached to an output shaft of an engine and adapted to cover the wet type multi-plate clutch, and a damper disposed between the wet type multi-plate clutch and the housing, the damper is constituted by a spring, a retainer plate for holding the spring, and a pawl portion elastically engaging with the spring, and the retainer plate is attached to the housing and the pawl portion is attached to the clutch case.

Abstract: The clutch includes a crown ring (22) integral with an annular rim of axial orientation, which a guide washer (17) has externally, this guide washer being coupled elastically of [sic] a web (14) integral in rotation with the output element (1) of a hydrokinetic coupling apparatus. The crown ring (22) meshes with a drive disc intended to be integrated in rotation, in such a way that it can be de-clutched, with the input element (2) of the said apparatus.

Abstract: In a torque converter provided with a lockup device, performance of a torsion spring is improved, preferably by increasing its size, while suppressing an increase of an axial dimension of the torque converter. The torque converter includes a toric fluid actuating portion having an impeller, a turbine, and a stator. A ratio (D2/D1) of an inside diameter D2 to an outside diameter D1 of the fluid actuating portion is equal to or greater than 0.61.

Abstract: A hub for a motor vehicle clutch includes a driver and a ring element arranged on the driver and constructed as a sheet metal part with a profile that receives torque to be conducted into a driven shaft by friction facings via the driver. The driver is also made from a sheet metal part. A radial outer area of the driver has a shape corresponding to the ring element. The hub has a low weight and is produced economically.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper assembly having stable torsional vibration damping characteristics is provided. The damper assembly comprises an input element, an output element, a damper hub operatively connected to the output element and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radial hub arms, a drive plate operatively connected to the input element and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced windows, a plurality of compression springs extending between circumferentially opposed edges of the windows and the hub arms, and a ring member rotatable relative to the input and output elements and surrounding the compression springs for restricting radially outward bending of the compression springs. Since the ring member is not urged against its surrounding constituent parts of the damper assembly when it is subjected to a centrifugal force of itself and a centrifugal force of the compression springs, the damper assembly can provide stable torsional vibration damping characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a starting clutch in which an input side element and an output side element are joined together by applying an axial load thereby to transmit a power, which clutch comprises urging means for always providing the axial load, and releasing means for releasing the input side element and the output side element from the axial load.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter having a torsional vibration damper arrangement which is arranged in a torque-transmission path between a lockup clutch of the torque converter and a turbine impeller of the torque converter. The torsional vibration damper arrangement has a primary side, which is coupled to the lockup clutch or forms a part thereof, and a secondary side, which is coupled to the turbine impeller and/or forms a part thereof. The primary side and the secondary side are able to rotate with respect to one another about a converter axis of rotation, counter to the action of a damper spring arrangement. The turbine impeller has a bearing area for the primary side, which allows radial movement of the primary side with respect to the turbine impeller.

Abstract: In a damper apparatus for a lock-up clutch having a spring disposed in a lock-up piston, a retainer plate and a guide member covering the spring are integrally pre-assembled to provide a unit, and the unit is disposed in the piston by a necessary torque capacity. Also, the unit holds a plurality of springs disposed in series.

Abstract: A clutch disk including a hub area and a plurality of friction lining elements carried on the hub area, which are arranged in sequence around the circumference relative to the clutch disk rotational axis, and provide at least part of the friction surface area, where the friction lining elements are designed to make frictional contact with the associated opposing friction surface of a flywheel, a pressure plate, or the like. At least one friction lining element is carried on the hub area with freedom to shift position essentially in the circumferential direction relative to the rotational axis.

Abstract: A clutch disk includes a hub area and a plurality of friction lining elements arranged in sequence in the circumferential direction relative to a clutch disk rotational axis, each providing at least part of an associated friction surface area. The friction lining elements are intended to make frictional contact with the associated opposing friction surface of a flywheel, a pressure plate, or the like. At least one of the friction lining elements is supported on the hub area in such a way that it can move in the radial direction.

Abstract: A lock-up clutch of a torque converter or the like includes an annular clutch outer mounted in a side cover, a clutch inner connected to a turbine impeller, a driving friction plate axially movably connected to the clutch outer, first and second follower friction plates connected to the clutch inner for movement toward and away from each other with the driving friction plate interposed therebetween, an inner chamber defined between the first and second follower friction plates, and an outer chamber faced by outer sides of the first and second follower friction plates. When the inside of the outer chamber is put at a pressure higher than that in the inner chamber, the follower friction plates can be brought into pressure contact with the driving friction plate, and an urging force on the follower friction plates is not applied to the side cover.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, especially for transmission of torque in a hydrodynamic torque converter, includes a primary side, a secondary side, and a plurality of damper spring arrangements arranged between the primary side and the secondary side such that the primary side is rotatable relative to the secondary side against an urgency of the damper spring arrangement. Each damper spring arrangement has at least one spring and is supported in each circumferential end area at a supporting area of the secondary side and at a first and a second supporting area of the primary side which are arranged on both axial sides of the associated supporting area of the secondary side. The primary side has a substantially annular carrier part and at least one of the first and second supporting areas of the primary side are constructed as separate parts that are connected for rotation with the primary side.

Abstract: A damper disk assembly is provided for use in a clutch device. The damper disk assembly has a pair of plates 5 and 6 (rotary member) elastically coupled to the hub flange 8 (rotary member) by a damper mechanism 4. The damper mechanism 4 is designed to reduce disadvantages due to nonparallel compression of an elastic member in the damper disk assembly. The damper mechanism 4 includes a plurality of coil spring assemblies 13. The coil spring assemblies 13 have a large coil spring 30, a small coil spring 31 and a pair of spring seats 34. The paired spring seats 34 are arranged on the circumferentially opposite ends of the small coil spring 31. The spring seats 34 support the circumferentially opposite ends of the small coil spring 31, and are engaged with the inner side of the small coil spring 31. The spring seats 34 are supported for rotation with respect to two kinds of rotary members around a shaft parallel to a rotation axis of the rotary members.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided with a lockup device that functions as a clutch and as an elastic coupling mechanism. In one embodiment, the lockup device is configured to eliminate an outer cylindrical portion from its piston. Preferably, a spring holder has an outer portion arranged radially outside the torsion springs, while a drive plate has a cylindrical portion restricting radial movement of the spring holder. In other embodiments, the elastic coupling mechanism is configured with a sufficient number of sets of elastic members that act together in the rotational direction as if they were arranged end to end. The elastic coupling mechanism has one set of springs disposed radially inward of another set of springs. A spring holder connects first and second sets of springs such that the first and second sets of springs act together in the rotational direction as if they were arranged end to end.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch device, especially a hydrodynamic torque converter, includes a pump impeller installed in a housing, a turbine impeller having a turbine shell connected nonrotatably to a turbine hub, and possibly a stator. The turbine hub consists of several individually manufactured parts such as a sheet-metal parts, and the turbine shell is designed and mounted on the turbine hub so that it assumes some of the functions of the turbine hub, such as the sealing and guide functions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic torque converter including a turbine wheel arranged inside of a housing, a torque converter lockup clutch, an axially mounted piston, a torsional vibration damper and a hub. The turbine wheel and the piston are rotationally fixed to the input component of the damper. The input component is connected to the hub by means of a connection provided with a circumferential backlash. The output component of the damper is connected to the hub without circumferential backlash.

Abstract: A damper structure is constructed of a core plate, a retainer plate fixed on the core plate, a spring assembly carried on the retainer plate and having at least one spring, and a driven plate arranged coaxially with the spring assembly and having a flange engageable with the spring. The retainer plate is composed of an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper plate is provided with a lug portion formed by slitting a part of the upper plate and bending the slit part. The driven plate is provided with a stopper engageable with the lug portion. The damper structure is suitable for use in a lockup clutch for a torque converter.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in dampers which can be utilized in the power trains of motor vehicles to absorb torsional vibrations of the rotary output shaft of the engine and/or torsional vibrations of the rotary input element of a change-speed transmission normally receiving torque by way of a torque converter. One of the dampers is installed externally of the housing of the torque converter and, if used, another damper can be installed in the power flow between the piston of a lockup clutch in the housing of the torque converter and a turbine of the torque converter. The external damper can include an energy storing component and a friction generating component which latter is or can be sealed from the energy storing component.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, particularly for a drivetrain in a motor vehicle, having a substantially disk-shaped flywheel mass element having a friction surface for cooperating with friction facings of a friction clutch and a damper element arrangement communicating with the flywheel mass element, wherein the flywheel mass element is produced from a sheet metal material.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling device includes a housing arrangement and a turbine wheel rotatably arranged in the housing arrangement for rotation about an axis of rotation. The turbine wheel has a turbine wheel shell carries a plurality of turbine wheel blades in its radially outer region and is connected to a turbine wheel hub in its radially inner region. The tubine wheel shell has a connecting portion connecting the radially outer region to the radially inner region. The turbine wheel shell further includes a reinforcing arrangement in its connecting portion.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic coupling apparatus (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (12) provided with a wall (24), with globally transverse orientation, a turbine wheel (30), and a locking engagement (16), including a piston (50) linked in rotation with the housing (12) and a set (56) of parallel friction discs (120, 124, 122), which comprises two front (120) and rear (122) discs linked in rotation with the turbine wheel (30) and an intermediate disc (124) which is linked in rotation with the two elements constituted by the piston (50) and the transverse wall (24) of the housing (12). The piston (50) and the transverse wall (24) of the housing (12) are linked in rotation by straps (104) substantially elongated tangential to a circumference of the assembly and whereof the opposite ends are attached to these two elements, and the intermediate friction disc (124) is driven in rotation by means (114, 138) attaching the ends of the straps (104).

Abstract: A lockup clutch for a torque converter has an axially displaceable piston for transmitting a torque from the drive side to the driven side of the torque converter. The piston is connected with a turbine wheel via a torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper has an input part connected with the piston so that the input part is fixed with respect to rotation relative to the piston and an output part connected with the turbine wheel so that the output part is fixed with respect to rotation relative to the turbine wheel. The torsional vibration damper also has a plurality of torsional damper springs arranged between the input part and the output part and distributed along a circumference of the torque converter so that the input part is rotatable relative to the output part along a determined angular area.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling device comprises a casing arrangement and a turbine rotor which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (A) in the casing arrangement. The turbine rotor has a turbine rotor shell which supports a plurality of turbine rotor blades, and a turbine rotor hub which is coupled or can be coupled to a drive element for joint rotation. A lock-up clutch arrangement is provided for the optional production of a torque transmission connection between the turbine rotor and the casing arrangement, and a torsional vibration damper arrangement couples the turbine rotor for torque transmission to a coupling element of the lock-up clutch arrangement. A positive drive arrangement is provided on the torsional vibration damper arrangement, which positive drive arrangement is in drive engagement for torque transmission with a mating positive drive arrangement on the turbine rotor. The mating positive drive arrangement is formed integrally on the turbine rotor shell.

Abstract: A torque converter 1 is provided with a configuration that improves the ability to assemble a hydraulic torque transmitting device. The torque converter 1 serves to transmit torque from engine crankshaft 2 to a transmission. Torque converter 1 is equipped with a torque converter main body 5 that has a fluid chamber therein and a damper mechanism 6 that serves to elastically couple torque converter main body 5 directly to the crankshaft 2 such that the coupling is elastic in the rotational direction. The assembly operation of the crankshaft 2 and the clutch cover assembly 8 is accomplished only by axially moving the crankshaft 2 and the clutch cover assembly 8 toward each other without requiring any fastening elements, such as bolts, rivets or the like.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, in particular for clutches, includes a primary structural unit and a secondary structural unit which are rotatable relative to one another and connected to each other by a spring arrangement (7) including at least one thrust piston (71). At least the secondary structural unit (2) interacts with the thrust piston (71) of the spring arrangement via a contact surface with a radially directed surface component, wherein the contact surface (4) is formed on a separate third structural unit (3) situated between the secondary structural unit (2) and the spring arrangement (7), thereby ensuring a structurally simple heat insulation for a torsional vibration damper.

Abstract: The invention concerns a piston (20) mounted axially movable along a guide bearing (59) pertaining to a hub (5) rim (52); a ring (21) being inserted between the hub (5) and a transverse wall, the hub (5) has a sleeve (50) penetrating inside the ring (21).

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for assembly of a hydrokinetic torque converter which comprises a hydraulic pump, a turbine, a stator, a driven hub, and a housing that is driven by the output element of an engine of a motor vehicle, and which functions to transmit torque to the hydraulic pump is disclosed. In such a torque converter the housing is coaxial with the pump and the turbine, and further defines an interior chamber, which encloses the turbine as well as a bypass or lockup clutch cooperating with a torsion damper having an input member and an output member.

Abstract: A lock-up mechanism 7 of a torque converter 1 has a piston 44 with a lock-up damper 45. The lock-up damper 45 includes a drive member and a hub flange 53 with the elastic members or torsion springs 54 operatively coupled therebetween to dampen vibrations in the torque converter 1. The drive member and the hub flange 53 both have a plurality of window holes 56d, 57d and 58 that are arranged circumferentially for receiving the corresponding torsion springs 54. The drive member includes a clutch plate 56 and a retaining plate 57. The clutch plate 56 of the drive member has a plurality of holes or cutouts 56e arranged radially outward of the window holes 56d. These holes or cutouts 56e are arranged to reduce the weight of the clutch plate 56, while maintaining the stresses around the window holes 56d of the clutch plate 56 within an allowable stress range. The retaining plate 57 of the drive member also has a plurality of holes or cutouts 57e that are arranged radially outward of the window holes 57d.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting apparatus, particularly for motor vehicles, with a fluid coupling or a hydrodynamic torque converter and a damping system has an improved design providing the advantages of stress-free mounting of the damper, technical and cost improvements in the manufacture of the apparatus, modular assembly, capability to transmit large torque and attenuate rotational perturbations over a wide RPM range so as to minimize wear to prolong the useful life of the entire unit.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for a hydrodynamic clutch device particularly for coupling a turbine wheel hub with a turbine wheel shell and/or for coupling a lockup clutch arrangement with a turbine wheel, includes a primary side and a secondary side which is rotatable about an axis of rotation with respect to the primary side against the action of a damper element arrangement. A radial bearing arrangement is arranged for radially supporting the primary side and secondary side with respect to one another. For this purpose, the radial bearing arrangement is arranged radially outside of the damper element arrangement.

Abstract: A clutch driven disc assembly includes a hub and an annular spring plate fixed to the hub. A friction disc assembly is mounted concentric with an axis of rotation of the hub and is rotatably relative to the spring plate. A plurality of drive springs are operably disposed between the spring plate and the friction disc assembly. The friction disc assembly further includes a reinforcing plate and a substantially annular disc fixed to the reinforcing plate. A friction material button is fixed to the annular disc. Friction material button has a metallic friction material cookie with at least three apertures. A backer plate is fixed to the friction material. At least three spot welds are within three corresponding apertures in the cookie. At least one of the welds are offset from a line joining two others of the welds. The welds join the substantially annular disc and the backer plate, in turn fixing the friction material button to the substantially annular disc.

Abstract: The invention concerns a torque damper arranged between two rotating elements, an input element (51) and an output element (61),comprising resilient members (60) with circumferential action, two guide washers (52, 53) associated with (51) one of the elements and axially arranged on either side of a disc (54) associated with the other (61) element, the resilient members (60) operating between the two guide washers (52, 53) and the disc (54) by being placed in windows (64, 65, 66) located one opposite the others arranged in the guide washers (52,53) and in the disc (54), said windows (64, 65, 66) having two side edges (75, 76), on which are adapted to be urged to rest the ends of the resilient members (60) which form between them an angle (60) opening outward, the axis (70) of the resilient members (60) being a non-rectilinear curve with its concavity directed towards the common rotation axis of the input (51) and output (61) elements, such that the bearing surfaces of the ends of said resilient members (80) fo

Abstract: A torque transmitting apparatus which can be used in the power train between the prime mover and the transmission of a motor vehicle has a first flywheel connectable to the prime mover, a second flywheel coaxial with and receiving torque from the first flywheel by way of a damper, and a friction clutch which can be engaged to transmit torque between the second flywheel and the input element of the transmission. The energy storing elements of the damper and the bearing between the two flywheels are installed radially inwardly of the friction surfaces of the second flywheel and the axially movable pressure plate of the friction clutch. This renders it possible to reduce at least the radial dimensions of the apparatus without reducing the diameters of the friction surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping vibrations between the torque producing device and the transmission of torque has a member having a pair of generally parallel plates with a spacer bar disposed between the plates, and an output member disposed between the plates. The input and output members are angularly movable with each other about a common axis and relative to each other from neutral positions. A torsional damping member is disposed between the input and output members, the torsional damping members being in contact with the spacer bar and enclosed within an annular chamber formed between the input and output members.

Abstract: A lock-up clutch mechanism (7) includes a piston member (44), a drive member (52), a driven member (53), and a torsion spring (54). The piston member (44) is arranged between the front cover (14) and the turbine (19), such that the piston member (44) moves freely in an axial direction for engaging with and disengaging from the front cover (14). The drive member (52) includes a pair of plate elements (56) and (57), to which torque is inputted from the piston member (44). The plate elements (56) and (57) are axially arranged side by side and are fixedly couple to each other and define a spring receiving section. The driven member (53) extends between the plate elements (56) and (57) and has a window hole (58) corresponding to the spring receiving section. The torsion spring (54) is retained within the window hole (58) and is supported by the spring receiving section. The torsion spring (54) elastically couples the plate elements (56) and (57) and the driven member (53) in a rotational direction.

Abstract: In a damper device in a lock-up clutch for a torque converter device, a projection is integrally formed at either the driving or driven plates and an arc-shaped expanded part is integrally formed at the other of the driving and driven plates. The arc-shaped expanded part is provided with a concave portion which has a circumferential end. The integral projection is fitted in the concave portion in such a manner that the maximum relative rotation between the driving and driven plates is attained when the integral projection is engaged with the circumferential end of the concave portion.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes two structural units rotatable relative to one another and linked to each other by a spring arrangement which includes at least one thrust piston. At certain angles of rotation between both structural units, the flow of force between the thrust piston of the spring arrangement and at least the secondary structural unit is realized via an outer surface area that engages the thrust piston, wherein the outer surface area is formed on a separate third structural unit which is resiliently mounted relative to the secondary structural unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrodynamic torque converter (1) comprising a turbine wheel (3) arranged inside of a housing (2), a torque converter lockup clutch (10), an axially mounted piston (6), a torsional vibration damper (20) and a hub (5). The turbine wheel (3) and the piston (6) are rotationally fixed to the input component (21) of said damper (20). The input component (21) is connected to the hub (5) by means of a connection (52) provided with circumferential backlash. The output component (22) of the damper (20) is connected to the hub (5) without circumferential backlash.

Abstract: The centering unit for the primary and secondary flywheels of a torsional vibration damping apparatus for use in the power train of a motor vehicle employs a radial bearing with a sleeve which is or can be a press fit on or in one of the flywheels, and the still accessible internal or external surface of the sleeve is calibrated simultaneously with or following the press fit. The calibrated surface of the sleeve is thereupon inserted into a socket or receives an extension of the other flywheel. The centering unit further utilizes an axial bearing wherein the function of the sleeve in the radial bearing is performed by an annular collar which can extend radially inwardly or radially outwardly of the sleeve. One of the bearings can be installed radially inwardly of the fasteners which secure the primary flywheel to the output shaft of the engine, and the other bearing can be installed radially outwardly of such fasteners.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper at a bridge clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter is constructed with a drive-side transmission element which can be brought into a working connection with the converter housing and is connected with a driven-side transmission element by a coupling mechanism provided with an energy accumulator acting in the circumferential direction. The driven-side transmission element is fixed with respect to rotation relative to a driven-side structural component part of the torque converter. The transmission elements, together with the coupling device, form a gear unit with gear unit elements via which the secondary diagonal of the mass matrix is occupied for forming a decoupling frequency.

Abstract: A torque converter according to the present invention includes a converter housing, a turbine wheel arranged in the converter housing so as to be rotatable relative thereto around a converter rotational axis (A), and a bridge coupling for the substantially rotation-proof selective connection of the turbine wheel to the converter housing. The bridge coupling has a coupling mechanism connected in substantially rotation-proof fashion to the turbine wheel and includes a friction surface which may be selectively brought to rest on a counter friction surface on the converter housing or selectively connected in rotation-proof fashion thereto. The friction surface is provided on a friction surface carrier connected in rotation-proof fashion to a coupling component that is rotatable with the turbine wheel. The coupling component is pivotable relative to the friction surface carrier around a circumferential line or a circumferential line region naming around the converter rotational axis (A).

Abstract: A lockup piston is provided with a damper. This lockup piston is useful in a torque converter having a lockup clutch. The lockup piston is composed of a disk-shaped core plate, which has an outer peripheral flange and a friction member fixedly secured on a side of the core plate, and of a retainer plate fixedly secured on an opposite side of the core plate and carrying a spring thereon. The disk-shaped core plate is provided thereon with convexities along opposite radial edges of the retainer plate, respectively.