A torque converter includes an impeller, a turbine axially movable relative to the impeller, and a variable-pitch stator. The stator includes a hub and variable-pitch blades circumferentially arranged on the hub. Each of the blades are rotatable between first and second positions in response to axial movement of the turbine.

A torque converter includes an impeller, a turbine axially movable relative to the impeller, and a variable-pitch stator. The stator includes a hub and variable-pitch blades circumferentially arranged on the hub. Each of the blades are rotatable between first and second positions in response to axial movement of the turbine.

A torque converter stator has interchangeable blades and has a body member with a central hub and an annular wall. Dovetail openings are located on an outer surface of the annular wall. Each blade has a dovetail pin that is removably received within a respective one of the dovetail openings. A cover plate is removably attached to the body member in order to secure the blades in place within their respective dovetail openings. A heated duct ring is positioned over the outer ends of the blades and allowed to heat shrink into contact with these ends as the duct ring cools and shrinks, thereby securing the duct ring to the remainder of the stator.

A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell fixedly connected to the cover and including a first surface; a first plurality of blades fixedly connected to the impeller shell; a turbine including a turbine shell with a second surface; a second plurality of blades fixedly connected to the turbine shell; friction material bonded, with an adhesive, to one of the first surface or the second surface; and a stator connected to the turbine and the impeller and including a third plurality of blades. The one of the first surface or the second surface includes a periodic pattern etched into the one of the first surface or the second surface.

A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises a stator assembly and a turbine assembly rotatable about a rotational axis. The stator assembly comprises a stator comprising an annular stator hub coaxial to the rotational axis, an annular turbine core ring coaxial to the rotational axis, and a plurality of stator blades integral with and interconnecting the stator hub and the turbine core ring. The turbine assembly comprises a first turbine component coaxial with the rotational axis, and a second turbine component non-moveably secured to the turbine component coaxially therewith. The first turbine component is formed separately from the second turbine component. The first turbine component has a plurality of first turbine blade members integrally formed therewith.

A method of fabricating a torque converter, including: forming a turbine shell including a first annular portion with a first surface having a first roughness and forming a radially outermost portion of the turbine shell; fixing a first plurality of blades to the turbine shell; forming an impeller shell including a second annular portion with a second surface having a second roughness; fixing a second plurality of blades to the impeller shell; removing at least a portion the first or second surface without the use of particulate matter or a liquid; increasing the first or second roughness of the first or second surface from which the at least a portion is removed; applying an adhesive to the first or second surface from which the at least a portion is removed; and bonding, with the adhesive, friction material to the first or second surface.

A stator assembly of a hydrokinetic torque converter includes a stator rotatable about an axis and having a radially outer stator belt, an annular stator hub disposed radially within the radially outer stator belt, at least one fixed post extending radially outwardly between the stator hub and the stator belt and fixed thereto so as to non-moveably secure the stator belt to the stator hub, and a plurality of pivotable stator blades extending radially outwardly between the stator hub and the stator belt and configured to pivot relative to both the stator hub and the stator belt in the direction orthogonal to the rotational axis.

A torque converter impeller or turbine is provided. The torque converter impeller or turbine includes a plurality of blades and a shell including a rounded portion defining an annular bowl for receiving the blades on an interior surface of the shell. The interior surface of the shell is provided with at least one shell protrusion for each of the blades protruding away from the rounded portion. Each of the at least one shell protrusion contacts a radially extending circumferentially facing surface of the respective blade.

A stator includes a stator body member and a fixing member. The stator body member includes a first disc part, a plurality of first stator blades and a first ratchet portion. The plurality of first stator blades extend outward from the first disc part in a radial direction. The first ratchet portion is provided on a principal surface of the first disc part so as to extend in a circumferential direction. The fixing member is disposed in a non-rotatable state, and includes a second disc part and a second ratchet portion. The second ratchet portion is provided on a principal surface of the second disc part so as to extend in the circumferential direction, and is configured to be engaged with the first ratchet portion.

A stator includes a first stator member and a second stator member. The first stator member includes a plurality of first stator blades disposed at intervals in a circumferential direction. The second stator member includes a plurality of second stator blades disposed at intervals in the circumferential direction. The second stator member is fixed to the first stator member. The plurality of respective first stator blades and the plurality of respective second stator blades are aligned in the circumferential direction. At least a pair of the first and second stator blades disposed adjacently to each other in the circumferential direction partially overlaps as seen in an axial direction.