A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell connected to the cover and at least one impeller blade; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell and at least one turbine blade; and a stator assembly. The stator assembly includes: a stator including at least one stator blade axially disposed between the turbine and the impeller; a one-way clutch including an outer race non-rotatably connected to the stator and an inner race arranged to non-rotatably connect to a stator shaft; and a combination washer and seal including a first portion axially disposed between the turbine shell and the stator and a second portion extending radially inwardly from the first portion and arranged to at least partially seal against the stator shaft.

A hydrodynamic torque converter (1) with a converter torus formed by a pump wheel (3) and a turbine wheel (4) and a guide wheel (5). The guide wheel (5) is supported rotatably by a first axial bearing (51) and a second axial bearing (52). A sealing device (11), with a sealing gap, is provided in the area of the first axial bearing (51), which impedes a through-flow of the working fluid of the torque converter (1) through the first axial bearing (51).

A hydrokinetic torque coupling device features a casing including a casing shell and an impeller casing shell, an impeller including the impeller shell, a turbine-piston including a turbine-piston shell, and a restriction element. The turbine-piston shell includes a turbine-piston flange and partitions the interior volume of the casing into two chambers. The turbine-piston flange has an engagement surface movable axially toward and away from an engagement surface of a piston engagement portion of the impeller shell to position the hydrokinetic torque coupling device into and out of a lockup mode. The restriction element is configured to restrict fluid flow and create a pressure drop between the first and second chambers.

A multi-function torque converter, comprising: a cover rotatable about a rotational axis and comprising opposite first and second sidewalls, the cover further comprising an outer wall extending between and interconnecting the opposite sidewalls; an impeller coaxially aligned with the rotational axis and comprising an impeller shell; a backing plate extending radially inward from and non-rotatable relative to the outer wall of the cover and being spaced between the opposite sidewalls of the cover, the backing plate having a first engagement surface; and, a turbine-piston coaxially aligned with and hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, the turbine-piston comprising a turbine shell including a radial extension having a second engagement surface axially movable toward and away from the first engagement surface of the backing plate to position the torque converter into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston is mechanically locked to and non-rotatable relative to the backing plate.

A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes an impeller including an impeller shell, a turbine including a turbine shell and a stator axially between the turbine and the impeller. A first fluid flow is generated between the impeller and the stator and a second fluid flow is generated between the turbine and the stator. The torque converter further includes a thrust bearing axially between the impeller and the stator or axially between the turbine and the stator. The thrust bearing includes a bearing surface arranged for maintaining a hydrodynamic film thereon in a region of the first fluid flow or the second fluid flow during operation of the torque converter. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided.

A lock-up device for a torque converter transmits a torque from a front cover to an input shaft of a transmission. The lock-up device includes a clutch portion, a piston and hydraulic oil leading-out portion. The clutch portion is disposed between the front cover and a turbine, and includes at least one clutch plate. The piston is disposed to be axially movable and presses the at least one clutch plate toward the front cover so as to turn the clutch portion into a torque transmitting state. The hydraulic oil leading-out portion is mounted to a piston-side lateral surface of the front cover, and leads a hydraulic oil residing between the front cover and the piston to an oil discharge channel provided in the input shaft of the transmission by utilizing rotation of the front cover.

Presented are torque converters (TC) with hydraulic systems for converter feed and clutch control, methods for making/operating such TC assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such TC assemblies. A TC assembly includes a housing that drivingly connects to an electric motor, and an output member that drivingly connects to a multi-gear transmission. Rotatable within the TC housing are a turbine attached to the TC output member and an impeller juxtaposed with the turbine. A lockup clutch disposed inside the TC housing, between the turbine and housing, is operable to lock the housing to the output member. A disconnect clutch disposed inside the housing, between the impeller and housing, is operable to lock the housing to the impeller. A pump is attached to the TC housing and drivingly connected to the motor for feeding fluid into the housing to increase pressure within the TC chamber and activate the lockup and disconnect clutches.

A method for controlling an electric drive unit (EDU) having a motor-driven torque converter includes receiving a request signal indicative of a requested output torque of the EDU, and operating the motor at a target motor speed using the requested output torque. The target motor speed minimizes system losses while achieving the requested output torque. When the requested output torque remains below a calibrated threshold and a turbine speed is less than a corner speed of the motor, a torque converter clutch (TCC) transitions to or remains in a locked state. The controller commands the TCC to transition to an unlocked state to reach the target motor speed, thereby selectively enabling torque multiplication. A powertrain system includes a driven load and the EDU. A computer readable storage medium may include executable instructions for performing the method.

A torque converter comprising: an axis of rotation; a first seal at a first radial distance relative to the axis of rotation; a second seal at a second radial distance relative to the axis of rotation; an impeller shell and a balancing plate defining at least a portion of a first hydraulic chamber; a piston plate sealed via the first seal to the balancing plate defining at least a portion of a second hydraulic chamber; a cover sealed to the piston plate via the second seal defining at least a portion of a third hydraulic chamber. A clutch plate is radially outward relative to the balancing plate. The sealing arrangement, effective at preventing drift-on or drift-off of the clutch due to dynamic pressure, features a first radial distance that is the same or equal to the second radial distance.

A torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller, an output shaft member, a turbine and a clutch. The turbine includes a turbine shell, a turbine blade, a coupling portion and a piston portion. The turbine shell is supported by the output shaft member. Additionally, the turbine shell slides on the output shaft member in an axial direction. The turbine blade is attached to the turbine shell. The coupling portion extends from the turbine shell toward the front cover. The piston portion extends from the coupling portion in a radial direction. The clutch is disposed between the piston portion and the front cover.