A torque converter is provided with a stator having adjustable fluid flow holes for changing the K-factor of the torque converter, as needed. The stator includes a base plate with fluid flow openings and an adjustable plate with fluid flow openings. The plates matingly engage, such that the fluid openings are adjacent one another. The degree of overlap of the openings can be varied from fully aligned to substantially misaligned by rotating the adjustable plate relative to the base plate, and thereby controlling the fluid flow through the openings. In alternative embodiments the stator holes can be automatically opened and closed in response to changes in fluid pressure in the torque converter, via reed values or spring biased balls.

A torque converter is provided with a stator having adjustable fluid flow holes for changing the K-factor of the torque converter, as needed. The stator includes a base plate with fluid flow openings and an adjustable plate with fluid flow openings. The plates matingly engage, such that the fluid openings are adjacent one another. The degree of overlap of the openings can be varied from fully aligned to substantially misaligned by rotating the adjustable plate relative to the base plate, and thereby controlling the fluid flow through the openings. In alternative embodiments the stator holes can be automatically opened and closed in response to changes in fluid pressure in the torque converter, via reed values or spring biased balls.

A transmission includes: a torque converter; a transmission input shaft; a seal member sandwiched between the hollow shaft and the transmission input shaft; and a bush, the transmission input shaft including a large diameter portion abutted on the seal member, and a small diameter portion which is positioned on the tip end side of the large diameter portion, and which has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the large diameter portion, the seal member having a diameter larger than a diameter of the bush, and the small diameter portion having an axial length set to be longer than a length from an insertion inlet of the transmission input shaft of the bush to the seal member.

A transmission includes: a torque converter; a transmission input shaft; a seal member sandwiched between the hollow shaft and the transmission input shaft; and a bush, the transmission input shaft including a large diameter portion abutted on the seal member, and a small diameter portion which is positioned on the tip end side of the large diameter portion, and which has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the large diameter portion, the seal member having a diameter larger than a diameter of the bush, and the small diameter portion having an axial length set to be longer than a length from an insertion inlet of the transmission input shaft of the bush to the seal member.

A sealed and lubricated rotatable track engaging element includes a roller and a roller shaft extending through the roller to support the roller for rotation about a major axis. A first thrust surface is fixed relative to the roller, and a second thrust surface is fixed relative to the roller shaft. A seal cavity extends between the roller and the roller shaft and is formed in part by each of the first thrust surface and the second thrust surface, and a thrust washer stack is within the seal cavity and trapped between the first thrust surface and the second thrust surface. The thrust washer stack includes an inner thrust washer contacting the roller to rotate at a first fractional speed of a speed of rotation of the roller, and an outer thrust washer contacting the inner thrust washer and the collar to rotate at a second fractional speed that is less than the first fractional speed.

A driving apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The driving apparatus is used for transmitting drive force to a first output shaft. The driving apparatus includes a housing, a motor, a torque converter and an oil reservoir unit. The housing includes a first oil chamber and a second oil chamber. The motor is disposed in the first oil chamber. The torque converter forms the second oil chamber and transmits drive force of the motor to the first output shaft. The oil reservoir unit is disposed radially inward of the torque converter. The torque converter guides hydraulic oil from the oil reservoir unit to the second oil chamber by centrifugal force.

A driving apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The driving apparatus is used for transmitting drive force to a first output shaft. The driving apparatus includes a housing, a motor, a torque converter and an oil reservoir unit. The housing includes a first oil chamber and a second oil chamber. The motor is disposed in the first oil chamber. The torque converter forms the second oil chamber and transmits drive force of the motor to the first output shaft. The oil reservoir unit is disposed radially inward of the torque converter. The torque converter guides hydraulic oil from the oil reservoir unit to the second oil chamber by centrifugal force.

A powertrain system includes a flex plate, a transmission input shaft, a torque coupling, a one-way clutch, and a damper assembly. The flex plate is configured to be connected to a crankshaft of an engine. The torque coupling connects the transmission input shaft to the flex plate while allowing slip between the transmission input shaft and the flex plate. The one-way clutch is configured to couple the flex plate to the torque coupling. The damper assembly couples the flex plate to the one-way clutch and is configured to inhibit vibration transmission from the flex plate to the one-way clutch.

A powertrain system includes a flex plate, a transmission input shaft, a torque coupling, a one-way clutch, and a damper assembly. The flex plate is configured to be connected to a crankshaft of an engine. The torque coupling connects the transmission input shaft to the flex plate while allowing slip between the transmission input shaft and the flex plate. The one-way clutch is configured to couple the flex plate to the torque coupling. The damper assembly couples the flex plate to the one-way clutch and is configured to inhibit vibration transmission from the flex plate to the one-way clutch.

A torque converter includes a front cover configured to receive an input torque, and an impeller having an outer shell coupled to the front cover. A clutch is selectively engageable by a piston. A cover compensator is located axially between the front cover and the piston. The cover compensator is configured to reduce deflection of the front cover in the event of high pressures when changing gears in the transmission. The cover compensator has a radially-innermost sealing surface configured to engage and seal with a transmission input shaft. The cover compensator may also has an aperture to fluidly couple fluid chambers located on either axial side of the cover compensator. This can allow fluid to be forced through the clutch to continuously lubricate the clutch.