A torque converter comprising: first and second cover plates arranged to receive torque; a flange; a turbine shell independently rotatable relative to the flange; at least one resilient element, at least partially disposed axially between the first and second cover plates, for transmitting a torque force between the flange and the first and second cover plates; a first axial gap, disposed between the flange and the first cover plate, having a first width; a second axial gap, disposed between the flange and the second cover plate, having a second width; one of the first cover plate or the second cover plate having at least one ramp protruding in an axial direction toward the flange, the ramp rotatably engageable with the flange for urging the flange axially in a direction toward the cover, and for transmitting an axial force for urging a clutch to engage.

A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises an impeller rotatable about a rotational axis, a coaxial turbine, and a stator disposed between the impeller and the turbine. The stator includes an annular stator hub, an annular radially outer stator rim, a plurality of stator blades radially outwardly extending between the stator hub and the stator rim, and an annular outer stator flange extending radially outwardly from the stator rim thereof and disposed between an impeller core ring and a turbine core ring. The stator further includes a plurality of hydraulic pressure grooves provided on at least one of axially opposite impeller and turbine side surfaces of the stator flange. The hydraulic pressure grooves face at least one of the impeller and turbine core rings so as to create a hydrodynamic lift between the stator and at least one of the impeller and turbine core rings in the axial direction.

A drive assembly for a torque converter is provided. The drive assembly includes an axially movable turbine defining a piston of a lockup clutch; and a damper assembly including a first component including a plurality of first ramps and a second component including a plurality of second ramps, the first ramps configured for interacting with the second ramps to generate an axial force on the turbine during a coast condition of the torque converter, the damper assembly being arranged and configured to limit the axial force to prevent the piston from self-locking during the coast condition. A torque converter and a method of forming a drive assembly for a torque converter are also provided.

A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises an impeller rotatable about a rotational axis, a coaxial turbine, and a stator disposed between the impeller and the turbine. The stator includes an annular stator hub, an annular radially outer stator rim, a plurality of stator blades radially outwardly extending between the stator hub and the stator rim, and an annular outer stator flange extending radially outwardly from the stator rim thereof and disposed between an impeller core ring and a turbine core ring. The stator further includes a plurality of hydraulic pressure grooves provided on at least one of axially opposite impeller and turbine side surfaces of the stator flange. The hydraulic pressure grooves face at least one of the impeller and turbine core rings so as to create a hydrodynamic lift between the stator and at least one of the impeller and turbine core rings in the axial direction.

A tuned damper for a torque converter includes a piston plate with a pivot ring, an inertia ring at least partially rotatable in a circumferential direction relative to the piston plate, and a resilient element fixed to the inertia ring and frictionally engaged with the piston plate pivot ring. In some example embodiments, the pivot ring includes a pair of radially extending tabs, the resilient element includes a radially-extending leaf spring fixed to a slide roll, and an outer circumference of the slide roll is clamped by the pivot ring tabs. In an example embodiment, the pivot ring tabs each include respective distal bent segments extending toward one another to limit radial displacement of the slide roll. In an example embodiment, an inertia of the inertia ring and a torsional spring rate of the resilient element are selected so that a natural frequency of the inertia ring is less than a shudder frequency.

A torque converter includes: a front cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the front cover; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell; and a damper assembly disposed axially between the front cover and the turbine shell. The damper assembly includes a first cover plate non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell. The damper assembly further includes a second cover plate non-rotatably connected to the first cover plate and disposed axially between the front cover and the first cover plate. The damper assembly further includes an intermediate flange disposed axially between the first cover plate and the second cover plate. The damper assembly further includes a bias spring engaged with the intermediate flange and the second cover plate. The bias spring is configured to pull the second cover plate into contact with the intermediate flange.

A torque converter includes: a front cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the front cover; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell; and a damper assembly disposed axially between the front cover and the turbine shell. The damper assembly includes a first cover plate non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell. The damper assembly further includes a second cover plate non-rotatably connected to the first cover plate and disposed axially between the front cover and the first cover plate. The damper assembly further includes an intermediate flange disposed axially between the first cover plate and the second cover plate. The damper assembly further includes a bias spring engaged with the intermediate flange and the second cover plate. The bias spring is configured to pull the second cover plate into contact with the intermediate flange.