A washer having such a thickness t that a value (L3(L1+L2+t)) obtained by subtracting the sum of a first distance L1 in an axial direction between a leading end face of a friction member and a face of a lockup piston, a second distance L2 in the axial direction between a shell-side abutting face of a pump shell and a face of an outside extended portion of an output hub, and the thickness t in the axial direction of the washer, from a third distance L3 in the axial direction between an opposed face of a front cover and a cover-side abutting face of a tubular portion, is in a predetermined range larger than zero, is selected and placed between the lockup piston and the outside extended portion of the output hub.

A torque converter (10) including a lock-up clutch, the lock-up clutch (20) having an axially displaceable and/or axially elastic actuating element (26) for actuating the lock-up clutch, the actuating element being designed as a component different from the turbine and being mounted on the turbine.

A drive assembly for a torque converter is provided. The drive assembly includes a turbine; a damper assembly fixed to a first side of the turbine by connectors; and a hydrodynamic bearing fixed to a second side of the turbine opposite the first side. The hydrodynamic bearing includes at least one recess formed therein receiving ends of the connectors. A method of forming a drive assembly is also provided. The method includes fixing a damper assembly cover plate to a first side of a turbine via connectors; and fixing a hydrodynamic bearing to a second side of the turbine opposite the first side. The hydrodynamic bearing including at least one recess formed therein receiving an ends the connectors. A torque converter is also provided.

A hydrokinetic torque-coupling device comprises an impeller wheel, a turbine wheel drivable by the impeller wheel, a torsional vibration damper, and a turbine hub non-rotatably connected to the turbine wheel. The turbine wheel includes a turbine shell and at least one coupling pin formed integrally with the turbine shell and extending radially outwardly from the turbine shell. The torsional vibration damper comprises a first damper, a driven member rotatable relative to the first damper retainer, and damper elastic members interposed between the first damper retainer and the driven member. The turbine hub is non-rotatably coupled to the driven member of the torsional vibration damper. The first damper retainer has at least one angularly extending bayonet slot configured to receive the at least one coupling pin therein such that the at least one coupling pin being angularly moveable in the at least one bayonet slot relative to the first damper retainer.

The present invention relates to a torque converter that may reduce production cost by a simple structure compared to the conventional art, reduce the overall size of the torque converter by minimizing an installation space of an anti-resonance damper, and improve damping performance.

A vehicle control apparatus is to be applied to a vehicle including a torque converter and an engine. The vehicle control apparatus includes a turbine hub, a lock-up piston, a damper mechanism, and a control system. The damper mechanism permits relative rotation between a hub of the turbine hub and a cylindrical part of the lock-up piston. The control system controls the engine. The control system calculates, with the lock-up piston engaged with a crankshaft of the engine, a PV value that is a product of a sliding surface pressure and a sliding speed between the hub and the cylindrical part. When the PV value is greater than a threshold, the control system changes an engine torque more gradually than when the PV value is equal to or less than the threshold. The engine torque is an output torque of the crankshaft.

A disk assembly of a torque converter bypass clutch includes a disk defining a circular spring cavity and a plurality of arc springs circumferentially arranged in the cavity with gaps defined between adjacent ones of the arc springs. Each of the springs includes an end cap fitted on an end of the spring. Spring connectors are each disposed in one of the gaps and include an end received within a corresponding one of the end caps.

Disclosed is a hydrokinetic torque converter (TC) with a TC housing. An impeller is disposed within the TC housing and connects to an engine output shaft. A turbine is disposed within the TC housing and connects to a transmission input shaft via a TC output shaft. A torque converter clutch (TCC), which is disposed within the TC housing and coupled to the TC output shaft, selectively locks the impeller to the TC output shaft. A damper, which is disposed within the TC housing and coupled to the TCC, dampens vibrations transmitted by the TCC. A disconnect device, which is disposed within the TC housing and coupled to the damper assembly and TC output shaft, connects the turbine to the TC output shaft or damper when positive torque is being transferred, and disconnects the turbine and TC output shaft or damper when negative torque is being transferred.

A torque transmitting device comprising a torque input element (17a, 17b) and a torque output element (8) able to pivot about an axis (X) with respect to one another, at least one elastic leaf (22), rotationally coupled to the torque output element (8) or to the torque input element (17a, 17b) respectively, the elastic leaf (22) being able to be elastically and radially held torest on a supporting member (18) carried by the torque input element (17a, 17b) or the torque output element (8) respectively, the elastic leaf (22) being able to bend upon rotation of the torque input element (17a, 17b) with respect to the torque input element (8).

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.