A drive unit for driving a drive wheel is disclosed. The drive unit includes a motor, a torque converter and a power output part. The torque converter is a component to which a power is inputted from the motor. The power output part outputs the power, inputted thereto from the torque converter, to the drive wheel. The power output part includes a first gear train and a second gear train. The first gear train outputs the power, inputted to the power output part from the torque converter, in a first rotational direction. The second gear train outputs the power, inputted to the power output part from the torque converter, in a second rotational direction reverse to the first rotational direction.

A drive unit includes a prime mover, a torque converter, and a torque converter casing. The torque converter is configured to amplify a torque generated by the prime mover. The torque converter is disposed to be rotatable. The torque converter casing is disposed to be non-rotatable. The torque converter casing accommodates the torque converter. The torque converter casing includes a first air intake port and a first air discharge port. The first air intake port is configured to draw air into the torque converter casing therethrough. The first air discharge port is configured to discharge the air inside the torque converter casing therethrough. The drive unit allows the torque converter to be cooled.

A drive unit includes a prime mover, a torque converter, and a torque converter casing. The torque converter is configured to amplify a torque generated by the prime mover. The torque converter is disposed to be rotatable. The torque converter casing is disposed to be non-rotatable. The torque converter casing accommodates the torque converter. The torque converter casing includes a first air intake port and a first air discharge port. The first air intake port is configured to draw air into the torque converter casing therethrough. The first air discharge port is configured to discharge the air inside the torque converter casing therethrough. The drive unit allows the torque converter to be cooled.

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 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.

An oil supply system of an automatic transmission or an automated manual transmission in a power train has an oil pan and a pressure line for supplying elements of the transmission with pressurized oil. A pumping device pumps oil from the oil pan into the pressure line at a supply pressure P.sub.0. A hydrodynamic converter, being a starting element, forms a subsection of the pressure line. A hydrodynamic retarder is disposed in a retarder oil circuit. At least a first switching valve, a second switching valve and a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger is selectively switchable, by way of the switching valves, as a subsection into the pressure line or the retarder oil circuit. A temperature sensor is provided following the pumping device in the direction of flow in order to detect the oil temperature in the pressure line.

An oil supply system of an automatic transmission or an automated manual transmission in a power train has an oil pan and a pressure line for supplying elements of the transmission with pressurized oil. A pumping device pumps oil from the oil pan into the pressure line at a supply pressure P.sub.0. A hydrodynamic converter, being a starting element, forms a subsection of the pressure line. A hydrodynamic retarder is disposed in a retarder oil circuit. At least a first switching valve, a second switching valve and a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger is selectively switchable, by way of the switching valves, as a subsection into the pressure line or the retarder oil circuit. A temperature sensor is provided following the pumping device in the direction of flow in order to detect the oil temperature in the pressure line.

A torque converter assembly configured to be connected between an engine and a transmission in a vehicle. The torque converter assembly comprises a cover plate having a cover plate pilot portion, a pump, a turbine, a stator, and a clutch assembly operably connected between the cover plate and the turbine. The clutch assembly comprises a piston plate having a single clutch face and a piston pilot portion. The cover plate pilot portion and the piston pilot portion are both configured to be piloted by the engine. A pilot plate located between the cover plate and clutch assembly can help control the amount and/or velocity of fluid that hydrodynamically connects various portions of the torque converter assembly.

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.