A starting element (100) for use, for example, in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, includes a piston (310) which divides a first volume (560) that can be filled with a fluid from a second volume (570) that can be filled with a fluid, wherein the piston (310) comprises at least one fluid passage (640) which allows the fluid at least occasionally to pass through the piston (310) from the first volume (560) into the second volume (570) and/or from the second volume (570) into the first volume (560). The at least one fluid passage (640) comprises a passage component part (650) and a receiving opening (660) in the piston (310). The passage component part (650) is inserted into the receiving opening so that at least one passage opening (670) is formed which allows the fluid to pass through at least occasionally.

A damper device including an input to which power from an internal combustion engine is transmitted and an output, the damper device including: a first torque transmission path including a first elastic body that transmits torque between the input and the output; and a second torque transmission path disposed in parallel with the first torque transmission path and including an intermediate element, a second elastic body that transmits the torque between the input and the intermediate element, and a third elastic body that transmits the torque between the intermediate element and the output, wherein the second and third elastic bodies are placed outside the first elastic body in a radial direction of the damper device so as to be arranged side by side in a circumferential direction of the damper device.

A hydrokinetic torque converter including a secondary piston for purposes of enhancing operation of the lock-up feature, and the method of operating such a converter. The secondary piston moves axially behind the turbine-piston to urge respective lock-up clutch friction surfaces into phased engagement. In an initial phase of engagement, friction surfaces between the secondary piston and turbine-piston engage to begin the reduction of relative rotary motion between the converter impeller and turbine-piston. This initial phase of slowing relative movement between the impeller and turbine-piston reduces pressure within the torus and the associated fluid forces separating the friction surfaces of the lock-up clutch. The secondary piston also slows and eliminates fluid flow from within the torus past the lock-up clutch and further reduces engagement resistance of the lock-up clutch owing to the lessening fluid pressure and flow. A more consistent lock-up clutch engagement, with higher torque capacity, is provided in both driven and coasting lock-up operation.

A torsional vibration reduction device that is provided inside of a fluid power transmitting device that has a driving side member that generates a fluid flow, and a driven side member that is driven by the fluid flow, includes a rolling element configured to move in a reciprocating manner according to a variation in torque; a retaining member that has a rolling chamber configured to house the rolling element in a manner that enables the rolling element to move in a reciprocating manner; and a housing configured to shield the rolling element and the rolling chamber from fluid inside of the fluid power transmitting device. The retaining member is enclosed and fixed inside the housing, and the housing is fixed to the driven side member.

A damper assembly for a torque converter is provided. The damper assembly includes a spring retainer including an interior space configured for holding springs and a spring support plate fixed to the spring retainer to define an inlet gap between a first section of an outer circumference of the spring support plate and the spring retainer for insertion of one of the springs. The outer circumference of the spring support plate further includes a second section circumferentially offset from the first section. The second section is arranged and configured with respect to spring retainer for axially holding the plurality of springs in the interior space during operation of the damper assembly. A torque converter and a method of forming a damper assembly for a torque converter are also provided.

An oil-flooded single-plate or multi-plate lockup clutch is provided in a torque transfer device. The torque transfer device may, for example, be a converter, a dual clutch, a starting clutch, a manual shifter, or power shifting clutch, having a piston to engage the clutch and a damper. In accordance with the present disclosure, the piston together with a housing of the torque transfer device forms a closed pressure chamber when the clutch is engaged and at least one oil flow opening is provided in the piston in an area outside of the pressure chamber. The torque transfer device preferably has a damper and the piston of the clutch forms a part of the damper and may be designed as a retainer for springs of the damper.

The invention relates to a torque transmitting device comprising a torque input element (17a, 17b) and a torque output element (8) able to pivot about a shaft (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 supported by 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 output element (8).

A torque converter having an input means and an output means, comprising a cover non-rotatably connected to the input means, an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover, the impeller also having at least one blade fixedly secured to the impeller shell, a stator having at least one blade fixedly secured thereto, and, a turbine having a turbine shell non-rotatably connected to the output means, the turbine shell comprising a first profile having at least one blade fixedly secured thereto, and a second profile arranged concentrically within the first profile, the second profile comprising at least one integrated stiffening element.

A torque converter comprising a torque input element (19), an impeller wheel (3) rotationally coupled to the torque input element (19) and able to hydrokinetically drive a turbine wheel (4), a torque output element (8), clutch means (10, 38) movable between an engaged position in which the torque input element (19) and the torque output element (8) are rotationally coupled through damping means (12, 43, 44, 45), and a disengaged position in which the torque input element (19) and the torque output element (8) are rotationally coupled through the impeller wheel (3) and the turbine wheel (4), with a first bearing (31) being axially mounted between the impeller wheel (3) and the reactor (5), with a second bearing (31) being axially mounted between the reactor (5) and the turbine wheel (4).

A drive assembly of a torque converter is provided. The drive assembly includes a piston having at least one tab, and a damper assembly. The piston is fixed to the damper assembly by the at least one tab. A method of forming a drive assembly for a torque convert is also provided. The method of forming a drive assembly for a torque converter includes fixing a piston and a damper assembly together by a plurality of piston tabs forming a riveted connection. A torque converter is also provided.