A torque converter, including: a cover; an impeller including an impeller blade, and an impeller shell with a first surface extending beyond the impeller blade in a radial direction and at an acute angle with respect to a first line in the radial direction; a turbine including a turbine blade, and a turbine shell with a second surface axially aligned with the first surface and at the acute angle with respect to the first line; a turbine clutch including the first and second surfaces and friction material disposed between the first and second surfaces; a torus at least partially enclosed by the impeller and turbine shells; and a pressure chamber at least partially formed by the turbine shell and the cover. For torque converter mode, the turbine and the impeller are independently rotatably with respect to each other. For lock-up mode, the first and second surfaces are non-rotatably connected.

A hydrokinetic torque coupling device includes an impeller, a casing having a first engagement surface, a damper assembly, a turbine-piston and a drive-clutch component non-moveably attached to the turbine-piston and having a second engagement surface. The turbine-piston is axially displaceable relative to the casing to move the second engagement surface axially towards and away from the first engagement surface for positioning the hydrokinetic torque coupling device respectively into and out of a lockup mode in which the first and second engagement surfaces frictionally interlock with one another to mechanically lock the casing non-rotatably relative to the input part of the damper assembly. The drive-clutch component is configured to engage and rotationally drive a torsional vibration damper.

A torque converter comprising a front cover, an impeller having an impeller shell connected to the front cover, a turbine having a turbine shell, and a lock-up clutch configured to selectively couple the turbine shell to the impeller shell for torque transmission therebetween is disclosed. In embodiments, the lock-up clutch comprises a flange connected to the turbine shell that extends radially outward therefrom, a piston disposed axially between the front cover and the turbine, and a piston actuation plate connected to the piston. The piston may be connected to the front cover and configured to actuate the piston actuation plate to press the flange against the impeller shell to connect the turbine shell to the impeller shell for torque transmission therebetween.

A launch device having a front cover connectable to the output of a prime mover, an output hub connectable to the input of the transmission, an impeller driven in rotation with the front cover and a turbine fluidly coupled in rotation with the impeller. A damper includes an output member connected to and rotatable with the output hub. A lock-out clutch, when engaged, rotationally locks the damper with the front cover and includes a clutch piston which is axially and rotationally moveable relative to the output hub. A mechanical clutch piston positioner includes first and second interfaces individually associated with either the clutch piston or one of the output member or output hub. The first interface is axially and rotationally moveable relative to the second interface. Upon the first interface overrunning tire second interface, mechanical engagement of the interfaces axially positions tire clutch piston toward the front cover.

A torque converter comprises a front cover, an impeller including an impeller shell fixed to the front cover, and a turbine including a turbine shell axially movable to frictionally engage the impeller shell such that the turbine shell forms a turbine piston of a lock-up clutch. A damper assembly disposed between the front cover and the turbine shell comprises: springs; a flange connected to the turbine shell and drivingly engaged with the springs; and a spring retainer supporting the springs and connected to a turbine hub. A piston plate may be disposed between the spring retainer and front cover and configured to be axially displaceable to force the turbine piston against the impeller shell for engagement of the lock-up clutch. A seal plate may be fixed to the front cover and disposed between the front cover and the piston plate with the piston plate sealed to the seal plate.

A hybrid powertrain includes a torque converter including an impeller, a turbine, and a stator, wherein the impeller is configured to receive torque from the engine input shaft without utilizing a torque converter cover or shell. The hybrid powertrain includes an electric machine including a rotor and motor stator, wherein the electrical machine is configured to transfer torque to a transmission input via the rotor.

The present invention relates to a torque converter that may reduce production cost by a simple structure compared to the conventional art, reduce the overall size of the torque converter by minimizing an installation space of an anti-resonance damper, and improve damping performance.

A torque converter includes a front cover configured to receive a torque. The torque converter further includes an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the front cover. The torque converter further includes a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell. The torque converter further includes a stator disposed axially between the impeller and the turbine. The torque converter further includes a one-way clutch disposed within the stator. The torque converter further includes a side plate axially disposed between the one-way clutch and the turbine shell. The side plate is configured to retain the one-way clutch within the stator. The turbine shell includes a post configured to axially constrain the side plate.

A torque converter includes a front cover arranged to receive a torque. The torque converter further includes a lock-up clutch engaged with the front cover and including a clutch plate. The torque converter further includes a damper assembly engageable with the lock-up clutch. The damper assembly includes a cover plate defining a spring retainer extending about an axis. The damper assembly further includes a spring disposed in the spring retainer. The damper assembly further includes a spring support plate fixed to the cover plate. The spring support plate includes inner tabs and outer tabs disposed radially outside of the inner tabs. The outer tabs are configured to radially constrain the spring in the spring retainer. The inner tabs are configured to position the clutch plate relative to the axis.

A transmission assembly and a method of assembling a transmission assembly that is located between the engine block and the transmission gearbox is provided. The assembly includes a hub having a fluid path for a clutch and a hub flange, a torque converter cover formed with extruded studs in an area adapted to be connected to the hub flange, the extruded studs including a circumferential outer surface having a plurality of serrations, holes in the hub flange in locations corresponding to locations of the extruded studs, with a respective inside diameter of each of the holes being smaller than an outside diameter of the studs; and the hub being connected to the torque converter cover with the studs engaging in the holes in the hub flange with an interference fit.