Abstract: A starting apparatus including an input member coupled to a motor; a damper mechanism having an input element, an elastic body and an output element; a lock-up clutch mechanism for performing lockup where the input member is coupled to an input shaft of a transmission via the damper mechanism and for canceling lockup, and a dynamic damper including an elastic body and a mass body engaged with the elastic body. The mass body of the dynamic damper is an elastic body support member that is supported rotatably around an axis of the starting apparatus and that supports the elastic body of the damper mechanism. With this arrangement, the dynamic damper is easily adjustable while reducing the overall size of the starting apparatus.

Abstract: A torque converter for a motor vehicle drive train is provided. The torque converter includes a damper including a first cover plate and a drive flange; and a stator assembly. The first cover plate is sealingly rotatable with respect to the stator assembly at a sealed interface and the first cover plate and the drive flange form a fluid flow gap therebetween. Fluid flows through the fluid flow gap during operation of the torque converter. The sealed interface prevents the fluid from flowing therethrough. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.

Abstract: An assembly kit and of method for modifying a standard torque converter assembly is provided. The assembly kit and method of modification results in a modified torque converter assembly that can withstand high horse power engine/transmission requirements with minimal additional/replacement parts and manufacturing steps.

Abstract: A clutch plate for a torque converter is provided. The clutch plate includes a core plate and a friction material layer fixed to the core plate. The friction material layer includes an inner radial portion of a first thickness and an outer radial portion of a second thickness less than the first thickness. The friction material layer includes radially extending channels defined therein extending from an inner circumference of the inner radial portion to the outer radial portion. A method for forming a clutch plate is also provided.

Abstract: A launch device such as a torque converter for an automotive automatic transmission is provided. The torque converter has a lockup clutch which incorporates a multiple rate damper. The damper has a cam ring associated with one of the lockup clutch piston or turbine that is engaged by a spring loaded rotary member of the other of the lockup clutch or piston to provide multiple rate damping between the lockup clutch piston and turbine of the torque converter.

Abstract: A power transmission system having a pendulum damper is provided. A rolling member of the pendulum damper is arrange in a rotary member, and a vibration damping performance of the pendulum damper is enhanced by increasing an inertia moment of the rolling member to be larger than that of the rotary member. The power transmission system is comprised of a hydraulic route for transmitting power between an input member and an output member through a fluid coupling, a mechanical route for transmitting power between the input member and the output member by engaging a lockup clutch, a pendulum damper that damps torsional vibrations of the output member by an oscillating motion caused by the torsional vibrations, and an elastic damper that damps the torsional vibrations by a relative rotation between a drive member and a driven member connected through an elastic member.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly having a hub for connection with an input shaft of a gearbox, a lock-up clutch module for selective connection with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, a turbine module of a torque converter rigidly connected to the lock-up clutch module and rotatable with respect to the hub, and a spiral spring isolator to resiliently connect the hub with the lock-up clutch module and the turbine module.

Abstract: The lock-up device includes an input rotary member, an output rotary member, a first torsion spring, a second torsion spring and a third torsion spring. The output rotary member is rotatable relatively to the input rotary member. Torque is transmitted to the first torsion spring from the input rotary member. The second torsion spring is disposed on a further inner peripheral side than the first torsion spring in a radial direction, and is configured to act in series with the first torsion spring. The third torsion spring is disposed on a further outer peripheral side than the second torsion spring in the radial direction, and is configured to act in series with the second torsion spring and transmit the torque to the output rotary member.

Abstract: In an hydraulic pressure supply apparatus for a transmission having an input shaft connected to a drive shaft of a prime mover mounted on a vehicle through a torque converter with a lockup clutch, it is configured to have a hydraulic pump drawing up and discharging operating oil; a regulator valve regulating discharged pressure to a line pressure; first and second switching valves supplying hydraulic pressure to the first and second clutches; a first hydraulic control valve supplying the regulated line pressure to the lockup clutch; a third switching valve connected to an output port of the first hydraulic control valve; and first and second electromagnetic valves connected to operating ports of the first, second and third switching valves and adapted to switch among the first, second and third switching valves upon being energized and deenergized.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; an impeller shell; a turbine shell; a turbine clutch formed by the turbine and impeller shells; and a stator formed of a single piece of material and including a protrusion extending in an axial direction and having a radial surface. In a drive mode : the cover transmits torque to the impeller shell; the turbine clutch is open; the radial surface forms an entirety of a portion of the stator closest, in the axial direction from the stator toward the turbine shell, to the turbine shell; and the radial surface is free of contact with the turbine shell. In a coast mode for the torque converter, at least a portion of the radial surface is in contact with the turbine shell or is separated from the turbine shell by a layer of fluid in contact with the radial surface and the turbine shell.

Abstract: The invention provides a power train mechanism capable of decreasing a rotational resistance. The power train mechanism includes: a clutch drum; a forced feed oil passage and a central oil passage for supplying oil to the clutch drum; an oil reservoir provided below the clutch drum; an outer circumferential surface surrounding member for surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the clutch drum, while facing the outer circumferential surface with a clearance therebetween to such a degree as to avoid contact with the outer circumferential surface during rotation of the outer circumferential surface of the clutch drum; and a trans-axle rear cover provided continuously to the outer circumferential surface surrounding member, for surrounding axial one end surface of the clutch drum, in which a side of the outer circumferential surface surrounding member axially opposite to the trans-axle rear cover is an open end.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a torque converter is provided. The drive assembly includes a turbine shell including a rounded portion and an outer radial extension on an outer circumference of rounded portion; and a tab plate bonded to the outer radial extension of the turbine shell by adhesive. A method of forming a drive assembly for a torque converter is also provided.

Abstract: A control device of a power transmission device includes a damper absorbing torsional vibration between a fluid transmission device with a lockup clutch and an engine, the power transmission device is disposed with a connecting/disconnecting device capable of connecting and interrupting power transmission on the downstream side of the fluid transmission device, the control device has a lockup engagement control means engaging the lockup clutch while the power transmission is interrupted by the connecting/disconnecting device in a predetermined engine rotation speed range lower than an idle rotation speed when the engine is started, the lockup engagement control means includes: a resonance due to frequency entrainment determination means determining whether a resonance due to frequency entrainment occurs that blocks an increase in an engine rotation speed NE depending on whether a predefined resonance determination time is exceeded by a required start time of the engine or an elapsed time until the engine rota

Abstract: A vibration damping device which can improve a vibration damping performance of a damper having a chamber holding a rolling member. The vibration damping device is applied to a power transmission unit having an input side rotary member that transmits a power to an elastic member and an output rotary member that is rotated by the power transmitted from the elastic member. In order to damp vibrations of the output rotary member, the vibration damping device is comprised of a holding chamber rotated integrally with the input side rotary member and a rolling member held in the holding chamber in a manner to rotate in a same direction as the output side rotary member while being allowed to rotate relatively therewith.

Abstract: A torque converter includes an impeller, a turbine and a stator. The torque converter may also include an impeller clutch configured to releasably couple the impeller to a power source, the impeller clutch having a disc stack with a plurality of splined friction discs and a plurality of separator plates. The friction discs may be rotationally engaged with the impeller. Each of the separator plates has an ear extending radially outward from an outer diameter and an opening formed in the ear, the openings in the ears of the stator plates being circumferentially aligned to define a channel. A pin is received in the channel and in a recess defined by the rotating housing.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes a front cover for connecting to an engine crankshaft; a clutch plate; a clutch backing plate limiting axial movement of the clutch plate away from the front cover; and a connector rigidly connected to the front cover and including a rivet portion for fixing the clutch backing plate to the front cover. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a drive assembly or transmission is provided. The drive assembly includes a front cover; a piston plate slidable axially toward and away from the front cover; a connection plate axially between the front cover and the piston plate elastically connecting the front cover and piston plate to each other; and at least one seal along at least one radial end of the piston plate, the connection plate and the piston plate retaining the at least one seal axially therebetween. A method of forming a drive assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A device for controlling an automatic transmission including a lock-up clutch control means, and a zero slip control means for bringing a lock-up clutch into a zero slip state immediately before slippage occurs in accordance with a zero slip request outputted during a non-gear shift, wherein in a case where a target slip amount is equal to or smaller than a slip amount threshold value upon transition to the zero slip state, the zero slip control means fixes the target slip amount to a slip amount threshold value and retains the fixed target slip amount for a predetermined period of time, and after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, gradually decreases the target slip amount from the slip amount threshold value to a zero slip amount with a predetermined gradient with time.

Abstract: A lock-up device supplies hydraulic pressure to a lock-up clutch when lock-up capacity becomes insufficient with increasing accelerator operation amount during slip control. The lock-up device (1) sets a hydraulic unit pressure command value corresponding to drive source torque so rotational speed difference becomes target slip speed when a variation in accelerator operation amount is in a predefined range, and deriving an estimated drive source output torque corresponding to the accelerator operation amount to set the pressure command value corresponding to the estimated drive source torque so the rotational speed difference becomes target slip speed when accelerator operation amount variation exceeds the range's upper limit, and (2) controls the hydraulic unit to supply hydraulic pressure corresponding to hydraulic pressure command value to the lock-up clutch.

Abstract: A lock-up device includes a clutch part and a damper mechanism. The damper mechanism includes an input plate, an output plate, a plurality of torsion springs, an intermediate member and a restriction member. The intermediate member is configured to cause at least two of the torsion springs to act in series. The restriction member is fixed to a clutch output member of the clutch part, while being disposed such that a part of the intermediate member is interposed between the input plate and the restriction member in an axial direction. The intermediate member is restricted from moving in a radial direction by the clutch output member, while being restricted from moving in the axial direction by the input plate and the restriction member.

Abstract: A lock-up device includes a clutch part, an input plate, an output plate, torsion springs and an input plate support member. The clutch part is disposed between a front cover and a turbine, and is configured to allow or block transmission of a torque. The input plate is coupled to a clutch output member of the clutch part. The output plate is fixed to a turbine shell. The torsion springs are disposed between the input plate and the output plate, and absorb and attenuate a torsional vibration. The input plate support member is fixed to a front cover side of a turbine shell and positions the input plate in a radial direction and an axial direction.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a torque converter is provided. The drive assembly includes a spring retainer. The spring retainer includes at least one rounded portion contoured to wrap around an outer circumferential surface of at least one spring and an axial extension joined to the rounded portion. The axial extension extends axially away from rounded portion and includes a connecting portion for engaging a clutch plate. A torque converter and a method of forming a drive assembly for a torque converter are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission unit for coupling a running wheel of a hydrodynamic component to a drive element having:—a running wheel shaft directly connected to the running wheel;—a first coupling device, provided with a synchroelement, to connect an intermediate shaft, indirectly connected to the running wheel, to the drive element; The invention is characterised in that:—a second coupling device, provided with a synchroelement, is provided for at least indirect connection of the running wheel shaft to the drive element; and—the running wheel shaft and the intermediate shaft are in single-sided drive connection via a free wheel.

Abstract: A torque damper apparatus including a multiple disc clutch lock-up clutch, damper springs arranged for damping variation of the torque transmitted via a hub gear, an urging member connected to the hub gear a fastener, and a torque transmitting member for holding the damper springs and outputting the torque transmitted from the urging member via the damper springs. The torque transmitting member can be formed with windows receiving the fastener. The hub gear and the urging member can be fastened together by the fastener within the windows.

Abstract: The invention presented is a multi-use drive plate for a torque converter that includes an annular shaped inner portion defining a openings for connection to a front cover of a torque converter and an outer portion with a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners for connection to a motive force, such as an engine. A plurality of test tabs disposed axially from the annular shaped inner portion and extending radially outward each define a receiver opening with ramp surfaces on the annular shaped inner portion that extend between each one of the plurality of test tabs. Each of the ends of the ramping surfaces terminate at the receiver opening displaced from a middle portion of the ramp surface.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a cover, a piston plate, a first damper, a pendulum plate, and a drive plate. The cover forms at least a portion of a housing for the torque converter. The piston plate includes a friction surface for clutching engagement with the cover. The first damper includes a first elastic member and a first flange drivingly engaged with the first elastic member. The pendulum plate is axially disposed between the piston plate and the first flange and includes first slots arranged for supporting a pendulum mass. The drive plate includes a first portion fixed to the piston plate and an axial tab extending through the pendulum plate to engage the first flange.

Abstract: A lock-up device basically includes a piston, a first plate, a second plate, a plurality of outer peripheral side torsion springs and a plurality of inner peripheral side torsion springs. The piston is configured to press a friction member that is fixed to a lateral surface of the piston onto a front cover or release pressing of the friction member. Further, the piston has a plurality of engaging portions formed by partially bending the piston towards the turbine. The second plate is coupled to the turbine. The outer peripheral side torsion springs are disposed between the piston and the first plate. The outer peripheral side torsion springs are configured to transmit torque from the piston to the first plate while the circumferential ends thereof are engaged with the engaging portions of the piston.

Abstract: A torque converter comprising: a cover for receiving torque from a prime mover; an impeller fixed to the cover to form a housing for the torque converter; a turbine disposed in the housing for receiving torque from the impeller; a clutch backing plate fixed to the housing and arranged to receive a force, in an axial direction, from the turbine during operation of the torque converter; a thrust plate for thrust engagement with the clutch backing plate, and, a cover plate for driving engagement with a damper spring, wherein the thrust plate comprises the cover plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of subunits which each comprise a crankshaft part, at least one piston being accommodated on a crank of each crankshaft part by means of a connecting rod, wherein at least one first subunit is permanently operated while the internal combustion engine is operating, and at least one additional subunit can be switched off. To switch off a subunit and to disconnect the crankshaft parts from each other, the crankshaft parts of at least one first subunit and an adjacent second subunit that can be switched off are connected to each other in a rotationally locked manner and can move relative to each other with respect to the rotational axes thereof in such a way that a rotational motion applied to the crankshaft part of the second subunit by the crankshaft part of the first subunit is substantially suspended.

Abstract: A rotor hub includes a sheet metal cylinder including spline teeth including angularly spaced crests and valleys, a tube surrounding the cylinder, secured to the crests and supporting a rotor thereon, a hub secured to the cylinder and supported for rotation, a torque converter, and a flex plate secured to the hub and the torque converter.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a prime mover input and an impeller configured to rotate in response to the prime mover input. The torque converter further includes a turbine arranged with the impeller and configured to rotate in response to rotation of the impeller, a stator arranged with the impeller and the turbine, and a stator clutch configured to allow rotation of the stator in a first mode and configured to limit rotation of the stator in a second mode. The torque converter further including a stator clutch actuator configured to activate and deactivate the stator clutch to place the stator clutch in the second mode during particular operations and to place the stator clutch in the first mode. A vehicle and a process of converting torque for operation of a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling arrangement, particularly hydrodynamic torque converter, comprises a housing arrangement filled with fluid, an impeller rotatable with the housing arrangement around an axis of rotation (A), a turbine arranged in the housing arrangement, and a torsional vibration damper arrangement with an input area which can be coupled to the housing arrangement by a lockup clutch. The driven hub comprises an inner circumferential toothing for coupling to an outer circumferential toothing of a driven member, such that it is fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The turbine has a turbine hub with an inner circumferential toothing for coupling in a fixed manner with respect to relative rotation to an outer circumferential toothing at the driven hub and/or the outer circumferential toothing of the driven member.

Abstract: In a torque converter for performing torque transmission by circulating a working fluid between a pump impeller and a turbine runner, the working fluid is a magnetic viscous fluid; and in a torque converter housing, outside a circulation path of the working fluid, a yoke member connected to the pump impeller and provided with a coil and a magnetic member connected to the turbine runner are concentrically arranged with a predetermined space therebetween; and a magnetic circuit is established between the yoke member and the magnetic member upon energization of the coil.

Abstract: A starting element for transmitting torque from a drive-side rotational input (14) of the starting element to a driven hub (8) includes a hydrodynamic torque converter (4) which has a turbine coupled to the driven hub (8) so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it and which comprises a turbine shell (56) with turbine blades (22) arranged therein. A maximum extension of the turbine shell (56) opposite an axial direction (12) terminates at a first axial position (53), and an impeller (20) located opposite the turbine in the axial direction (12). A stator (24) is arranged between the turbine and the impeller (22) and is coupled via a stator flange (58) to a freewheel (52) adjoining the driven hub (8) in an axial direction (12). A center of the freewheel (52) is located at a second axial position (54). A difference between the first axial position (53) and the second axial position (54) is greater than a predetermined minimum value.

Abstract: The lock-up device includes: a clutch part disposed between a front cover and a turbine; and a damper mechanism for transmitting torque from the clutch part to the turbine and for absorbing and attenuating a torsional vibration. The damper mechanism includes: an input plate into which torque is inputted from the clutch part; an output plate connected to the turbine; a plurality of torsion springs; an intermediate member; and a restriction member. The intermediate member is rotatable relatively to the input plate and the output plate, and causes two torsion springs to act in series. The restriction member is mounted to the input plate, and restricts the intermediate member from moving in both of an axial direction and a radial direction.

Abstract: A transmission includes a plurality of clutches that are selectively engageable alone or in combination with each other to establish a plurality of forward drive modes, wherein one of the clutches is configured as a neutral idle (NI) clutch that is selectively actuated to shift the transmission into an NI state, and a controller. The controller is adapted to shift the transmission from a forward drive mode into the NI state during a coast-down maneuver prior to the transmission reaching a zero output speed. A method of shifting the transmission into the NI state includes determining the presence of a predetermined one of the forward drive modes using the controller, and using the controller to actuate a designated one of the clutches as an NI clutch to enter the NI state during the forward drive mode, during a coast-down maneuver, and prior to the transmission reaching a zero output speed.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter comprising a torque converter lockup clutch and a converter housing connected at the drive side, and a pump wheel non-rotatably connected thereto, as well as a turbine wheel non-rotatably connected at the output side to an output hub, and a torsional vibration damper actively arranged between the clutch output of the torque converter lockup clutch and the output hub, and comprising a centrifugal pendulum device arranged within the converter housing and having a pendulum flange with slightly swiveling pendulum masses thereupon, wherein the pendulum flange is arranged axially between the torsional vibration damper and the turbine wheel and is non-rotatably connected to the turbine wheel and the output hub by means of a keyed connection.

Abstract: It is provided a vehicle power transmission device having a hydraulic power transmission device and a power transmission mechanism in a power transmission path between an engine and drive wheels, the hydraulic power transmission device including an input-side rotating member disposed with a plurality of pump blades and an output-side rotating member disposed with a plurality of turbine blades receiving a fluid flow from the pump blades, the power transmission mechanism transmitting power input to an input shaft from the hydraulic power transmission device to a subsequent stage, the output-side rotating member being coupled by relatively non-rotatable fitting to the input shaft on the power transmission mechanism side relative to the pump blades and the turbine blades in an axial center direction of the hydraulic power transmission device, the hydraulic power transmission device being a torque converter having a stator coupled via a one way clutch to a tubular stator shaft concentric with the input shaft and h

Abstract: Providing a vehicle power transmission device including a hydraulic power transmission device and enabling a shorter entire axial length. A vehicle power transmission device 12 includes a torque converter 18 having a rear cover 38 disposed with a plurality of pump blades 40 and a turbine 42 disposed with a plurality of turbine blades 44 receiving a fluid flow from the pump blades 40, and an automatic transmission 20 transmitting power input to an input shaft 48 from the torque converter 18 to the subsequent stage, in a power transmission path between an engine 14 and drive wheels 16. An engine intermittent clutch K0 and a lockup clutch 120 are disposed closer to the engine 14 relative to the turbine blades 44 in the rear cover 38 acting as an outer shell cover and the lockup clutch 120 is made up of a single plate clutch.

Abstract: This invention is a lock-up clutch control device for an automatic transmission, comprising lock-up clutch control means for controlling a slip amount of the lock-up clutch to a target slip amount. When a variation rate in a required load of an engine reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold, the target slip amount is increased at a predetermined increase rate, whereupon the target slip amount, having been increased by target slip amount increasing means, is reduced at a predetermined reduction rate. At this time, the predetermined reduction rate is set to decrease as an operating condition when the variation rate of the required load reaches or exceeds the predetermined threshold approaches an operating condition in which an increase rate of a rotation speed on the automatic transmission side of a torque converter relative to an increase in the required load is low.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; a pump shell fixed to the cover; and a vibration damper with a plurality of springs, and a cover plate partially surrounding the springs. The torque converter includes a torque convert clutch with: a piston plate; and a drive plate with a first portion and a plurality of second portions including distal ends circumferentially aligned with the springs and circumferentially disposed between pairs of adjacent springs, and a plurality of centering protrusions extending radially outward beyond the distal ends or inward of the distal ends. The second portions are arranged to engage the springs to transmit the torque. When the torque converter is not rotating, the centering protrusions are free of contact with the cover plate. When the torque converter rotates at a rate greater than a threshold speed, the centering protrusions contact the cover plate to limit radial displacement of the drive plate.

Abstract: A torque converter includes an impeller with a plurality of impeller blades and a shell with a radial wall disposed radially outside of the blades. The converter also includes a cover fixed to the impeller shell to form a housing, and a turbine. The turbine includes a plurality of turbine blades and a shell with a radial wall disposed radially outside of the turbine blades. The turbine radial wall is arranged to frictionally engage the impeller shell radial wall. In some example embodiments, the turbine shell includes indented slots and the turbine blades include tabs disposed in the slots. In an example embodiment, the turbine blades are fixed to the turbine shell by brazing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling a torque transmitting apparatus having multiple selectively engageable couplers is provided. The multiple couplers may be selectively engaged and disengaged to provide a mechanical, friction or fluid coupling between portions of the torque transmitting apparatus and other components of a vehicle powertrain during various operational stages. The control apparatus includes a fluid pressure control device and a fluid flow control device.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic coupling device includes a lock-up clutch having at least one friction disc mounted such that it can slide axially with respect to a first rotary shaft, at least one first backing disc rotating as one with a secondary rotary shaft and a support ring to support the backing disc. The support ring has at least one axial groove circumferentially delineated by an upstream face and by a downstream face. A radial guide tooth of each backing disc is housed such that it can slide axially in the groove. Elastic preload elements are provided which are able to exert a preload torque to clamp the guide tooth of each braking disc circumferentially against one of either the upstream or downstream faces of the guide groove.

Abstract: Starter arrangement for high power rotating equipment strings with multiple compressors driven by a single turbine or motor includes multiple variable fluid drive torque converters (CSTCs) to start the compressors in a pressurized start. The string can use a single CSTC for each compressor or a single CSTC for more than one compressor with at least two CSTCs for a given string. The starting procedure is sequential. After the turbine or motor is started and brought up to speed, successive CSTCs are operated from zero to lock-up speed sequentially to start each compressor or group of compressors in turn. In order to cool the working fluid of the CSTCs, a single heat exchanger is provided and the working fluid of each CSTC in turn is circulated through the heat exchanger as they are sequentially started.

Abstract: It is intended to inhibit variation in output-side rotation in a wide rotational speed range even when a lock-up rotational speed is set to be low. The present lock-up device includes: a piston configured to be pressed onto a front cover; an output-side unit disposed to be unitarily rotatable with a turbine; and a first torsion spring elastically coupling the piston and the output-side unit. The output-side unit includes: an output member fixed to the turbine; an inertia member disposed to be rotatable relatively to the output member; a second torsion spring elastically coupling the inertia member and the output member; and a hysteresis torque generating mechanism. The hysteresis torque generating mechanism is configured to generate variable hysteresis torque while being disposed between the inertia member and the output member.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter with an impeller connected on the drive side arranged in housing and a turbine driven by the latter, connected with the driven side of the torque converter, with a turbine damper actively disposed between the turbine and driven side. To improve the vibration damping on the driven side of the torque converter, the turbine damper with a first damper part is formed out of an input part connected with the turbine and an intermediate flange, limited and rotatable opposite and against the action of at least a first energy accumulator and a second damper part with the intermediate flange and an output part limited and rotatable oppositely and against the action of at least a second energy accumulator. An adaptive-speed vibration absorber is arranged on the intermediate flange.

Abstract: Disclosed is a torque converter (1) which comprises: a casing (10) coupled to an output shaft of an engine; a torus (T) defined by a pump (20), a turbine (30) and a stator (40) each disposed within the casing (10); a lockup clutch (60) adapted to directly couple the turbine (30) and the casing (10); and a lockup damper (70) adapted to absorb shock during engagement of the lockup clutch (60). The turbine (30) has an outer peripheral portion (31a) bulging toward the engine to define a part of the torus (T), an inner peripheral portion (31c) located on the side of the engine with respect to a one-way clutch (50) supporting the stator (40), and an intermediate portion (31b) formed to be concaved toward a side opposite to the engine, in a radial position between the outer peripheral portion (31a) and the inner peripheral portion (31c). A part (75) of the lockup damper (70) is disposed on the side of the engine with respect to the intermediate portion (31b) and in a position axially overlapping with the torus (T).

Abstract: Provided is a torque converter (1) which comprises: a casing (10) coupled to an output shaft of an engine; a torus (T) defined by a pump (20), a turbine (30) and a stator (40) each disposed within the casing (10); a multi-plate lockup clutch (60) adapted to directly couple the turbine (30) and the casing (10); and a lockup damper (70) adapted to absorb shock during engagement of the lockup clutch (60). The lockup clutch (60) and the lockup damper (70) are arranged within a space between the torus (T) and a surface of the casing (10) on the side of the engine, in an axially overlapping relation. The lockup clutch (60) is disposed on a radially inner side with respect to a widest region (T1) of the torus (T), and the lockup damper (70) is disposed on a radially outer side with respect to the widest region (T1). This makes it possible to engage the lockup clutch (60) with excellent response while suppressing shock, and shorten an overall length of an automatic transmission.

Abstract: In a torque converter for performing torque transmission by circulating a working fluid between a pump impeller and a turbine runner, the working fluid is a magnetic viscous fluid; and in a torque converter housing, outside a circulation path of the working fluid, a yoke member connected to the pump impeller and provided with a coil and a magnetic member connected to the turbine runner are concentrically arranged with a predetermined space therebetween; and a magnetic circuit is established between the yoke member and the magnetic member upon energization of the coil.