A torque converter is disclosed. The torque converter includes a cover, an impeller, a turbine, a stator, and a first one-way clutch. A torque outputted from a prime mover is inputted to the cover. The impeller is unitarily rotated with the cover. The turbine is opposed to the impeller. The stator is disposed between the impeller and the turbine. The first one-way clutch is configured to make the cover rotatable relative to the turbine in a forward rotational direction. The first one-way clutch is further configured to rotate the cover unitarily with the turbine in a reverse rotational direction.

A driving apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The driving apparatus is a device used for transmitting drive force to an output shaft. The driving apparatus includes a housing, an electric motor, a torque converter and a rotation transmitting structure. The electric motor includes a first stator fixed to the housing and a rotor configured to be rotate relative to the first stator. The torque converter transmits rotation of the rotor to the output shaft when the rotor rotates in a first rotational direction. The rotation transmitting structure transmits rotation of the rotor to the output shaft when the rotor rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

A torque converter for a vehicle includes an impeller, a turbine, a stator positioned between the impeller and the turbine, a one-way clutch coupled to the stator and configured to couple to a fixed member, and a controllable clutch assembly. The controllable clutch assembly is configured to selectively engage the stator and the turbine such that the stator is able to rotate with the turbine to facilitate preventing the stator from reacting against the one-way clutch and applying a load to the fixed member and thereby facilitating reducing an output of the torque converter and reducing engine vibration during idle, and disengage the stator from the turbine to enable relative rotation between the stator and turbine.

A hydrodynamic side plate for a stator in a torque converter includes a first radial surface, a second radial surface opposite the first radial surface, a first axial restriction surface on the first radial surface opposite an inner race of a stator assembly, a second axial restriction surface on the first radial surface opposite locking components of the stator assembly, and a plurality of hydrodynamic pads in the second radial surface separated by a plurality of corresponding radial grooves. The first axial restriction surface is configured to restrict axial movement of the inner race of the stator assembly. The second axial restriction surface is configured to restrict axial movement of the locking components of the stator assembly. The second radial surface comprises at least two anti-rotation tabs configured to prevent relative motion with the stator assembly.

A side plate utilized in a torque converter, comprising a first annular surface, a second annular surface opposite the first annular surface, an outer race defining an outer peripheral of the first and second annular surface, an inner race defining an inner peripheral of the first and second annular surface, and a neck extending axially away from the second annular surface and located along the inner race.

A one-way clutch includes a rotating body, an outer ring arranged on an outer periphery of the rotating body, a roller, a biasing member, and a recess portion. The outer ring includes an indent portion. A wedge-shaped space is formed between the indent portion and an outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. The roller is disposed in the wedge-shaped space. The biasing member biases the roller to one side of the wedge-shaped space. The outer ring has a protrusion at a position corresponding to a radially outer side of the indent portion. The recess portion is formed continuously with the side surface in a circumferential direction of the protrusion on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring.

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 for a vehicle includes an impeller, a turbine, a stator positioned between the impeller and the turbine, a one-way clutch coupled to the stator and configured to couple to a fixed member, and a controllable clutch assembly. The controllable clutch assembly is configured to selectively engage the stator and the turbine such that the stator is able to rotate with the turbine to facilitate preventing the stator from reacting against the one-way clutch and applying a load to the fixed member and thereby facilitating reducing an output of the torque converter and reducing engine vibration during idle, and disengage the stator from the turbine to enable relative rotation between the stator and turbine.

A hydrodynamic thrust bearing for a torque converter comprising: an axis of rotation; a first radial thrust surface; a second radial surface, opposite the first radial thrust surface, including at least two axially protruding anti-rotation pins for preventing relative motion with one of either a stator assembly or an impeller once assembled; an inner circumferential surface defining an opening concentric with the axis of rotation; an outer circumferential surface; and, an axial retention means for attaching to the one of either a stator assembly or an impeller and including at least two resilient tabs, each tab comprising: a deflectable portion; a lockable portion; and, an axial portion having a first width and connecting the deflectable portion and the lockable portion. A torque converter having a hydrodynamic thrust bearing as described is also provided.

A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell connected to the cover and at least one impeller blade; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell and at least one turbine blade; and a stator assembly. The stator assembly includes: a stator including at least one stator blade axially disposed between the turbine and the impeller; a one-way clutch including an outer race non-rotatably connected to the stator and an inner race arranged to non-rotatably connect to a stator shaft; and a combination washer and seal including a first portion axially disposed between the turbine shell and the stator and a second portion extending radially inwardly from the first portion and arranged to at least partially seal against the stator shaft.