A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes a front cover. The front cover includes a radially extending section and an axially extending section extending axially from an outer radial end of the radially extending section. The torque converter also includes a rear cover. The rear cover includes a rear radially extending section and a rear axially extending section extending axially from an outer radial end of the rear radially extending section. The torque converter also includes a plurality of baffles connected to the front cover. Each of the baffles includes a first tab connected to the axially extending section of the front cover. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.

A torque converter comprising: an axis of rotation; a stator including a side plate having a first radial surface; one of an impeller shell or a turbine shell having a second tapered surface facing the stator side plate first radial surface; a hydrodynamic thrust bearing disposed between the stator side plate and the one of an impeller shell or a turbine shell, and comprising: a thrust surface facing one of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface with a fluid pathway therebetween; a supporting surface opposite the thrust surface and facing the other of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface; and an opening concentric with the axis of rotation; and, a gap between the supporting surface and the other of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface such that the bearing thrust surface is alignable to be parallel with the one of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface.

A torque converter comprising: an axis of rotation; a stator including a side plate having a first radial surface; one of an impeller shell or a turbine shell having a second tapered surface facing the stator side plate first radial surface; a hydrodynamic thrust bearing disposed between the stator side plate and the one of an impeller shell or a turbine shell, and comprising: a thrust surface facing one of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface with a fluid pathway therebetween; a supporting surface opposite the thrust surface and facing the other of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface; and an opening concentric with the axis of rotation; and, a gap between the supporting surface and the other of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface such that the bearing thrust surface is alignable to be parallel with the one of the first radial surface or the second tapered surface.

A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes an axially movable turbine piston and a damper assembly fixed to the turbine piston. The damper assembly includes a first cover plate, a second cover plate, a plurality of fasteners fixing the first cover plate and the second cover plate together such that the second cover plate is spaced from the first cover plate, a first drive flange axially between the first and second cover plates, a second drive flange axially between the first and second cover plates and an elastic element axially between the first and second cover plates. The first cover plate, the second cover plate, the second flange, the fasteners and the elastic element are axially movable with the piston turbine independently of the drive flange. The elastic element is configured to create a controlled rotational hysteresis between the second drive flange and the first and second cover plates during the axial movement of the first cover plate, the second cover plate, the second flange, the fasteners and the elastic element. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.

A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes an axially movable turbine piston and a damper assembly fixed to the turbine piston. The damper assembly includes a first cover plate, a second cover plate, a plurality of fasteners fixing the first cover plate and the second cover plate together such that the second cover plate is spaced from the first cover plate, a first drive flange axially between the first and second cover plates, a second drive flange axially between the first and second cover plates and an elastic element axially between the first and second cover plates. The first cover plate, the second cover plate, the second flange, the fasteners and the elastic element are axially movable with the piston turbine independently of the drive flange. The elastic element is configured to create a controlled rotational hysteresis between the second drive flange and the first and second cover plates during the axial movement of the first cover plate, the second cover plate, the second flange, the fasteners and the elastic element. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.

A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes a damper assembly and a turbine assembly connected to the damper assembly. The turbine assembly includes an axially movable turbine piston, a spacer plate fixed to the turbine piston and a bias spring. The spacer plate retains the bias spring on the turbine piston with a preload force. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided. The method includes providing a bias spring contacting a front cover side surface of a turbine piston; and fixing a spacer plate to the turbine piston such that the spacer plate holds the bias spring against the front cover side surface of the turbine piston.

A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes a damper assembly and a turbine assembly connected to the damper assembly. The turbine assembly includes an axially movable turbine piston, a spacer plate fixed to the turbine piston and a bias spring. The spacer plate retains the bias spring on the turbine piston with a preload force. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided. The method includes providing a bias spring contacting a front cover side surface of a turbine piston; and fixing a spacer plate to the turbine piston such that the spacer plate holds the bias spring against the front cover side surface of the turbine piston.

In a fluid transmission device in which a core is fixed to inner ends of a plurality of blades so as to form, together with a bowl-shaped shell and the blades, an impeller, the core including a plurality of latching holes with which a projecting piece projectingly provided at the inner end of the blade is latched and including a balance weight chip welded to the core, the balance weight chip includes a projecting piece-avoiding hole through which a portion, projecting from the latching hole, of the projecting piece extends, the balance weight chip being welded to the core with a whole of the balance weight chip in intimate contact with the core.

In a fluid transmission device in which a core is fixed to inner ends of a plurality of blades so as to form, together with a bowl-shaped shell and the blades, an impeller, the core including a plurality of latching holes with which a projecting piece projectingly provided at the inner end of the blade is latched and including a balance weight chip welded to the core, the balance weight chip includes a projecting piece-avoiding hole through which a portion, projecting from the latching hole, of the projecting piece extends, the balance weight chip being welded to the core with a whole of the balance weight chip in intimate contact with the core.

A drive assembly for a torque converter is provided. The drive assembly includes a turbine including a turbine shell and a plurality of turbine blades; and a spring retainer riveted to the turbine shell by at least one rivet. A torque converter for a motor vehicle drive train is also provided that includes the drive assembly and an impeller, with the turbine shell being axially slidable against the impeller to operate as a piston of a lock-up clutch of the torque converter. Further, a method of forming a drive assembly for a torque converter is provided that includes riveting a spring retainer to a turbine shell.