A clutch assembly and a torque converter assembly having a clutch assembly, for an automotive transmission, are provided. The clutch assembly includes a clutch plate and a piston or pressure plate configured to selectively engage the clutch plate, the piston being movable between an applied position and a released position. An annular seal is disposed adjacent to the piston, wherein movement of the piston and hydraulic pressure causes the annular seal to move between a sealed position and an open position.

A torque converter for transmitting torque to an input shaft of a transmission includes a front cover, an impeller, a turbine disposed in opposition to the impeller, and a lock-up device. The lock-up device is for mechanically transmitting torque from the front cover to the turbine. The lock-up device includes a pressure receiving portion, a piston and an input part. The pressure receiving portion has an annular shape and is provided to protrude from an outer peripheral end of the turbine further radially outward. The piston is disposed between the front cover and the turbine so as to be axially movable, and includes a friction portion in an outer peripheral part thereof. The friction portion is capable of being engaged by friction with the pressure receiving portion of the turbine when pressed onto the pressure receiving portion. The input part transmits the torque from the front cover to the piston.

A torque transmission device between an input side and an output side including a torque converter having a pump, a turbine, a lockup clutch for transmitting a torque between the input side and the output side, and a torsional vibration damper arranged in a casing. The lockup clutch has a clutch input coupled to the casing, a clutch output rotatable relative to the input, and an actuating element for actuating the lockup clutch. The torsional vibration damper has at least one first damper stage comprising a first damper input part and a first damper output part, which can be rotated to a limited extent relative to the first damper input part by the action of at least one first energy storage element, wherein an absorber mass is attached to one of the damper components.

A torque converter assembly includes a pump and a turbine fluidly connected together. A vehicle includes the assembly operable between an output shaft of an engine and an input member of a transmission. The assembly includes a damper and a clutch operable between the pump and the turbine. The damper is operable upstream from the clutch such that oscillation from the pump is reduced by the damper before oscillation reaches the clutch. The clutch includes first and second plates and a friction plate disposed between the first and second plates. The assembly includes a casing that contains the pump, the turbine, the damper and the clutch. A first part of the casing and the first plate define a first chamber. A first part of the turbine and the second plate define a second chamber. The clutch between the first and second plates defines a third chamber.

A torsional vibration damper comprises an axially movable locking piston including a piston plate, a torque input member including a cover plate, a support plate disposed axially opposite the cover plate and a supporting member mounted to both the cover and support plates, and a unitary radially elastic output member pivotable relative to and elastically coupled to the torque input member. The output member is disposed axially between the cover plate and the piston plate. The output member includes an output hub and a curved elastic blade configured to elastically and radially engage the supporting member and to elastically bend in the radial direction upon rotation of the cover plate with respect to the output member. The cover plate at least partially covers an axially first outer surface of the output member. The support plate partially covers an axially second outer surface of the output member.

A thrust washer is provided. The thrust washer includes an annular base including a radially extending thrust surface, a further radially extending surface on an opposite side of the annular base from the radially extending thrust surface, an outer circumferential surface extending axially from the radially extending thrust surface to the further radially extending surface and an inner circumferential surface extending axially from the radially extending thrust surface to the further radially extending surface. The thrust washer also includes radially extending connectors extending radially outward from the annular base. A motor vehicle drivetrain assembly, a torque converter and a method of connecting a thrust washer to a component are also provided.

A torque fluctuation inhibiting device includes a mass body, first and second centrifugal elements, and first and second cam mechanisms. The mass body is rotatable with a rotor and is also rotatable relatively to the rotor. Each of the first and second centrifugal elements receives a centrifugal force to be generated by rotation of the rotor and the mass body. When a relative displacement is produced between the rotor and the mass body in a rotational direction, the first cam mechanism converts the centrifugal force that acts on the first centrifugal element into a first circumferential force directed to reduce the relative displacement. When the relative displacement is produced between the rotor and the mass body in the rotational direction, the second cam mechanism converts the centrifugal force that acts on the second centrifugal element into a second circumferential force directed to reduce the relative displacement.

A torque fluctuation inhibiting device includes a mass body, a centrifugal element and a cam mechanism. The mass body is disposed to be rotatable with a rotor and be rotatable relatively to the rotor. The centrifugal element is disposed to receive a centrifugal force to be generated by rotation of the rotor and the mass body. When a relative displacement is produced between the rotor and the mass body in a rotational direction, the cam mechanism converts the centrifugal force that acts on the centrifugal element into a circumferential force directed to reduce the relative displacement. Additionally, when the torque fluctuations inputted to the rotor have a predetermined magnitude or greater, the cam mechanism makes the mass body freely rotate with respect to the rotor.

A torque fluctuation inhibiting device inhibits torque fluctuations in a rotor to which a torque is inputted. The torque fluctuation inhibiting device includes a mass body, a centrifugal element and a cam mechanism. The mass body is disposed to be rotatable with a rotor and be rotatable relatively to the rotor. The centrifugal element is disposed to receive a centrifugal force to be generated by rotation of the rotor and the mass body. The cam mechanism converts the centrifugal force acting on the centrifugal element into a circumferential force when a relative displacement is produced between the rotor and the mass body in a rotational direction. The circumferential force is directed to reduce the relative displacement.

A torque converter incorporating a case having a rotation axis; an impeller within the case, the impeller being mounted for co-rotation with the case; a turbine mounted within the case for rotation with respect to the case; radially inner and outer walls within the case, the walls defining an annulus having axial and oppositely-axial ends, the walls being mounted for co-rotation with the case or the walls being mounted for co-rotation with the turbine; a piston slidably received within the annulus; a plurality of race and roller combinations mounted at the annulus's oppositely axial end, the race and roller combinations being adapted for centrifugally driving and for axially pressing their rollers against the piston; and a friction surface within the case, the friction surface being positioned for, upon the axial pressings of the rollers against the piston, frictionally engaging and resisting rotation of the piston.