A torque converter assembly includes an input plate connectable to a powerplant, a torque converter, and a disconnect clutch external to the torque converter and configured to selectively couple the input plate to the torque converter. The torque converter includes a cover having an outer surface and at least one fluid hole extending through the cover. The disconnect clutch is actuated by pressurized fluid via the fluid hole.

A method of forming a welded connection between a hub and a plate component in a transmission assembly is provided. The method includes providing the plate component which includes a radially extending portion and an opening in a connection region to the hub, forming a flare bevel with an axial extension that extends beyond a projection of a thickness of the radially extending portion of the plate component at the opening, locating the plate component with the flare bevel and at least a portion of the axial extension on the hub, welding in a recess formed between the flare bevel and the hub to connect the plate component to the hub with the weld, and removing at least a portion of the axial extension after the welding.

A torque converter for a vehicle including a front cover; an impeller which is coupled to the front cover and rotates together with the front cover; a turbine which is disposed at a position facing the impeller; a reactor which is positioned between the impeller and the turbine and changes a flow of oil flowing from the turbine to the impeller; a lock-up clutch which has a piston that directly connects the front cover and the turbine; and a torsional damper which includes a pair of retaining plates that receives driving power of an engine from the turbine or the lock-up clutch, and a driven plate that is disposed between the retaining plates, the torsional damper being coupled to the lock-up clutch and absorbing impact and vibration applied in a rotation direction.

A lock-up device for a torque converter transmitting a torque from a front cover to a transmission-side member is disclosed. The lock-up device includes a clutch part, a piston, and a return mechanism. The piston is axially opposed to the front cover through the clutch part. The piston is axially movable and applies a pressing force to the clutch part whereby the clutch part is turned to an activated state. The return mechanism urges the piston away from the front cover. The return mechanism is disposed axially between the front cover and the piston while disposed radially inside the clutch part. The return mechanism includes first and second plates, and an elastic member. The first plate contacts the front cover. The second plate contacts the piston while axially opposed to the first plate. The elastic member is disposed between the first and second plates in a compressed state.

A torque transmission assembly including a hydrodynamic torque convener able to be coupled to a crankshaft on the one hand, and able to be coupled to a gearbox input shaft on the other, the torque converter including a primary element and a secondary element which are rotationally mobile about an axis of rotation, and damping means including a transmission member and a bearing element, the transmission member including an elastic leaf rotating as one with the primary element or with the secondary element, and the bearing element being home by the secondary element or by the primary element respectively, the elastic leaf being capable of flexing and of transmitting a rotational torque between the primary element and the secondary clement, the flexing of the elastic leaf being accompanied by a relative rotation between the primary and secondary elements.

A turbine assembly includes a turbine shell, turbine hub, and a thrust washer. The turbine hub is coupled to the turbine shell via a fastener. The thrust washer is disposed on the turbine hub and includes at least one tab configured to contact the fastener. The fastener axially and radially retains the thrust washer on the turbine hub.

A torque converter includes a cover having a first surface and an annular plate axially spaced from the cover and having a second surface facing the first surface. A disc of the torque converter is disposed between the cover and the plate and has opposing first and second faces adjacent to the first and second surfaces, respectfully. Each of the faces defines a projection joined to one of the first and second surfaces by at least one capacitive discharge weld.

A housing for a torque converter comprising: an axis of rotation; a cover including: a first inner surface; a first outer surface opposite the first inner surface; a first axially extending necked portion radially outward relative to the axis of rotation and parallel to the axis of rotation, an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover and having: a second inner surface; a second outer surface opposite the second inner surface; a second axially extending necked portion radially outward relative to the first axially extending necked portion; a line orthogonal to the axis of rotation passes through the first and second axially extending necked portions; and, a weld fixedly securing the first inner surface to the second inner surface at at least one point on the line. A torque converter including such a housing closure is also described.

A torque converter for a vehicle includes an annular housing. A turbine member is fluidically connected to the pump member. A lock-up clutch is selectively engaged between the annular housing and the turbine member. A lock-up clutch actuator is connected to the lock-up clutch. A cavity is defined between the annular housing and the turbine member. A first fluid circuit is fluidically connected to the pump member, the cavity and a first side of the lockup clutch actuator. The first fluid circuit delivers a fluid to engage the lock-up clutch actuator. A second fluid circuit is hydraulically connected to the pump member and the cavity. The second fluid circuit guide the fluid from the annular housing. A third fluid circuit is hydraulically connected to a second side of the lock-up clutch actuator. The third fluid circuit selectively delivers a pressurized fluid to release the lock-up clutch.

A clutch arrangement has a first pressure chamber for exerting load clutch piston and a second pressure chamber for accommodating clutch elements and for feeding fluid for cooling the clutch elements. A first clutch element is connected to a first clutch element carrier and a second clutch element is connected to a second clutch element carrier. The first clutch element carrier accommodates the clutch piston and the second clutch element carrier exerts load on a torsional vibration damper and radially encloses the clutch unit over part of its axial extent length. The clutch piston is equipped with a flow passage for flow connection between the two pressure chambers, and the first clutch element carrier has a flow passage which interacts with a flow-guiding element provided on the second clutch element carrier, that is oriented relative to the flow passage of the first clutch element carrier at an angle.