The present invention discloses a fluid coupling and a coupling method for a continuous variable transmission. The fluid coupling comprises a pump having a first demi-torus body, and a turbine having a second demi-torus body. The first and second demi-torus body together forms a torus body. A first set of fluid directing blades radially disposed at the first demi-torus body. The first set of blades extends from a rim of the first demi-torus body and ends at a region proximate to a hub of the first demi-torus body. A second set of fluid directing blades radially disposed at the second demi-torus body. The second set of blades extends from a rim of the second demi-torus body and ends at a region proximate to a hub of the second demi-torus body. The fluid coupling device is configured to de-couple the negative coupling action and provide a continuously variable transmission.

A torque converter, including: a cover to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover and an impeller blade; a turbine including a turbine shell and a turbine blade; a first vibration damper including a drive plate to receive torque from the cover, a first cover plate including first and second portions, a first spring directly engaged with the drive plate and the first portion of the first cover plate, and a second cover plate non-rotatably connected to the first cover plate, surrounding a portion of the first spring in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis for the first spring, and including an opening; and a second vibration damper including a cover plate non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell, and a second spring directly engaged with the cover plate for the second vibration damper and with the second portion of the first cover plate.

A torque converter has a torus. The torus has a size set based on a flatness ratio obtained by dividing a width of the torus in an axial direction by a width of the torus in a radial direction, a thinness ratio obtained by dividing the width of the torus in the axial direction by an outer diameter of the torus, and an inner diameter ratio obtained by dividing an inner diameter of the torus by the outer diameter of the torus.

The disclosed invention is a description of the means to create increased mechanical advantage by taking advantage of the rotation of confined liquid matter. The process described uses liquid both as a mass to store rotational energy, and at the same time the rotating liquid is used as a motive force to drive a rotating shaft.

The disclosed invention is a description of the means to create increased mechanical advantage by taking advantage of the rotation of confined liquid matter. The process described uses liquid both as a mass to store rotational energy, and at the same time the rotating liquid is used as a motive force to drive a rotating shaft.

A stator assembly for a torque converter includes a body and a washer. The body is rotatable about an axis and has a cavity defined by an axial wall radially spaced from the axis and a radial wall extending radially inward from the axial wall. The washer is disposed in the cavity and is configured to be compressed against the radial wall. The washer includes a base and a plurality of circumferentially spaced from each other and extending radially outward from the base. The plurality of tabs are configured to non-rotatably connect to the axial wall.

A stator assembly for a torque converter includes a body and a washer. The body is rotatable about an axis and has a cavity defined by an axial wall radially spaced from the axis and a radial wall extending radially inward from the axial wall. The washer is disposed in the cavity and is configured to be compressed against the radial wall. The washer includes a base and a plurality of circumferentially spaced from each other and extending radially outward from the base. The plurality of tabs are configured to non-rotatably connect to the axial wall.

A power shunt for shunting rotary power from a load device includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber that contains the STF. The power shunt further includes a drive shaft housed radially within a drive side section of the chamber and protruding outward from an end of the chamber for coupling to a lock configured to prevent rotation of the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load shaft housed radially within a load side section of the chamber and protruding outward from another end of the chamber for coupling to the load device. The power shunt further includes a drive turbine housed radially within the drive side section and coupled to the drive shaft. The power shunt further includes a load turbine housed radially within the load side section at a fixed operational distance from the drive turbine and coupled to the load shaft.

A torque converter has a torus. The torus has a size set based on a flatness ratio obtained by dividing a width of the torus in an axial direction by a width of the torus in a radial direction, a thinness ratio obtained by dividing the width of the torus in the axial direction by an outer diameter of the torus, and an inner diameter ratio obtained by dividing an inner diameter of the torus by the outer diameter of the torus.

The disclosed invention is a description of the means to create increased mechanical advantage by taking advantage of the rotation of confined liquid matter. The process described uses liquid both as a mass to store rotational energy, and at the same time the rotating liquid is used as a motive force to drive a rotating shaft.