ADJUSTABLE STATOR FOR TORQUE CONVERTER

Abstract

A torque converter is provided with a stator having adjustable fluid flow holes for changing the K-factor of the torque converter, as needed. The stator includes a base plate with fluid flow openings and an adjustable plate with fluid flow openings. The plates matingly engage, such that the fluid openings are adjacent one another. The degree of overlap of the openings can be varied from fully aligned to substantially misaligned by rotating the adjustable plate relative to the base plate, and thereby controlling the fluid flow through the openings. In alternative embodiments the stator holes can be automatically opened and closed in response to changes in fluid pressure in the torque converter, via reed values or spring biased balls.

Claims

1-3. (canceled)

4: An adjustable stator for a torque converter, comprising: a plate with a plurality of fluid openings; an automatic adjustment means to open and close the fluid openings to control fluid volume flowing through the openings as engine speed changes.

5: The adjustable stator of claim 4 wherein the adjustment means is a reed valve.

6: The adjustable stator of claim 4 wherein the adjustment means is a ball detent.

7: The adjustable stator of claim 4 wherein the adjustment means is a clutch.

8: The adjustable stator of claim 4 wherein the adjustment means is set to actuate at a desired RPM.

9: A method of adjusting K-factor for a torque converter, comprising: orienting fluid flow openings in a pair of mating plates of a stator in the torque converter so that the openings are adjacent on another; adjusting alignment of the openings from fully aligned for maximum fluid flow to misaligned for reduced fluid flow; and wherein the alignment is adjustable to at least 25% misalignment between the holes of the mating plates.

10: The method of claim 9 further comprising fixing the plates in a selected position.

11: The method of claim 10 wherein the plates are fixed together using threaded fasteners extending through one plate and into the other plate.

12: The method of claim 11 wherein the fasteners are loosened to adjust the plates to vary the opening overlap.

13-20. (canceled)

21: The torque converter of claim 4 further comprising a spring biased ball positioned adjacent each orifice and movable between a seated position relative to the orifice when fluid pressure increases.

22: The torque converter of claim 6 wherein the ball opens and closes the orifice as the fluid pressure increases and decreases.

23: The torque converter of claim 4 further comprising a spring biased ball positioned adjacent each opening and movable between a seated and unseated positions relative to the opening in response to fluid pressure changes.

24: The torque converter of claim 6 wherein the balls open and close the openings as the fluid pressure increases and decreases.

25: The adjustable stator of claim 4 wherein one of the plates has threaded apertures and the other plate has slots aligned with the apertures and the fasteners being bolts extending through slots and into the apertures for securing the plates together in a selected adjustment position when the bolts are tightened.

26: The torque converter of claim 4 wherein the orifice sizes are adjustable between fully open and fully closed.

27: The method of claim 9 wherein the alignment is adjustable to at least 50% misaligned.

28: The method of claim 9 wherein the alignment is adjustable to at least 75% misalignment.

29: A method of adjusting fluid flow through a stator of a torque converter, comprising: automatically opening and closing fluid flow openings in the stator in response to engine speed changes.

30: The method of claim 29 wherein the opening and closing of the openings is provided by flexible reed valves overlying the openings.

31: The method of claim 29 wherein the opening and closing of the openings is provided by spring biased balls overlying the openings.

32: The method of claim 29 wherein the adjustment of fluid flow is between fully open to fully closed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a view of a first embodiment of an adjustable stator, from one side of the base of the two-part stator, according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows the adjustable plate of the two-part stator, according to the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows the stator base and adjustable plate in an assembled condition, with the plate rotated to a first position wherein the base and plate holes are fully aligned and wide open.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows the plate rotated counter clockwise to a second position, wherein the base and plate holes are offset approximately 25%.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows the plate rotated counter clockwise to a third position with the base and plate holes offset approximately 50%.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows the plate rotated counter clockwise to a fourth position with the base and stator holes offset or closed approximately 75%.

[0029] FIG. 6A shows the adjustable plate rotated to a fifth position, with the holes fully closed.

[0030] FIG. 7 shows the base and plate in the second position, with set screws loosened to allow adjustability of the plate relative to the base.

[0031] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the stator plates of FIGS. 1-7.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of an adjustable stator according to the present invention, and having reed valves to adjust the K-factor, and the reed valves in a closed position.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 with the reed valves in an open position.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a perspective of a third embodiment of an adjustable stator according to the present invention, and having a ball and detent to adjust the K-factor, with the balls shown in a closed position.

[0035] FIG. 12 is a view of the third embodiment with the balls in an open position.

[0036] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] The adjustable converter stator 10 of the present invention includes a base plate 12 and an adjustable plate 14. The stator 10 allows the K-factor of the torque converter to be selectively adjusted, without the need to interchange multiple stators having different blades or openings. The stator 10 of the present invention is mounted in the torque convertor (not shown) in a manner similar to a conventional stator. However, the stator 10 allows the size of the oil openings to be adjusted without switching out to a different stator.

[0038] More particularly, the base 12 includes a plurality of oil holes 16 extending in a circle around the center mounting ring 18. The plate 14 also has a plurality of oil openings 20 extending in a circle around the center mounting opening 22.

[0039] The plate 14 is mounted on the base 12, with the mounting ring 18 of the base 12 extending through the mounting opening 22 of the plate 14. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the base 12 has an inner row of tapped or threaded holes 24 and an outer row of tapped or threaded holes 26. The plate 14 includes an inner row of elongated slots 28 and an outer row of elongated slots 30. Threaded screws or bolts 32 (FIG. 7) are adapted to extend downwardly through the slots 28, 30 and into the threaded holes 24, 26. With the fasteners 32 loosened, the plate 12 can be rotated clockwise and counter clockwise to adjust the alignment of the holes 20 of the plate 14 over the holes 16 of the base 12. Once the plate 12 is in the desired positions, the fasteners 32 are tightened to maintain the selected position.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the plate 14 is rotated clockwise so that the fasteners 32 are at the right end of the slots 28, 30 (as viewed from a 6 o'clock position), which fully aligns the holes 16, 20 for maximum fluid flow therethrough. In FIG. 4, the plate 14 is rotated counter clockwise so as to partially close the alignment of the holes 16, 20, approximately 25%. With continued counter clockwise rotation of the plate 14, as seen in FIG. 5, the holes 16, 20 are offset approximately 50%, with fasteners 32 being located approximately in the center of the slots 28, 30. Continued counter clockwise rotation of the plate 14 and so that the fasteners 32 are at the left end of the slots 28, 30 (viewed from the 6 o'clock position) nearly closes the alignment of the holes 16, 20 for minimum fluid flow therethrough.

[0041] By adjusting the alignment of the hole 16, 20 and thus the flow of oil or fluid therethrough, the K-factor of the torque converter can be increased or decreased, without having to exchange stators having a different number of vanes, a different pitch of vanes, and/or a different size of openings between vanes. Thus, the need for an inventory of different stators is eliminated with a single two-part stator 10 of the present invention.

[0042] Thus, the plate 14 can be adjusted relative to the base, to adjust the hole or orifice size to the desired K-factor, and then the screws or bolts 32 tightened to fix the position of the plate 14 relative to the base 12. Thus, the two-part stator 10 of the present invention replaces the multiple stators with different numbers of blades and fluid orifice sizes, as in conventional torque convertors, thus allowing adjustment of the stall speed of the torque converter.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, automatic adjustment of the hole alignment in the stator 10 may be achieved. For example, a stator with a plurality of fluid holes is provided, along with a clutch liner to frictionally engage the turbine of the torque convertor. The holes maybe be closed when the vehicle is stationery so as to increase engine speed, without fighting the hydraulics of the torque converter. Then, as the vehicle starts to move, the turbine starts to rotate, the clutch friction is overcome so as to rotate the base to open the fluid holes, thereby increasing torque efficiency of the convertor.

[0044] In yet another alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the stator 10A has slots 16A for passage of oil. Each slot 16A is covered with a reed valve 36, such that the slots are closed, as seen in FIG. 9. The reed valves 36 are initially closed when the hydraulic pressure is minimal. As the fluid pressure increases, the reeds 36 move apart from the stator slots or openings 16A to increase the fluid flow therethrough, and thus adjust the K-factor of the torque converter. The reeds 36 may be attached to the stator 10A in any convenient manner, such as the rivets 38. Thus, one end of each reed valve is fixed to the stator, and the opposite end flexibly extends over the orifice.

[0045] In still another alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the holes 20 in the upper plate of the stator 10B can be closed by a ball and spring detent assembly when the hydraulic pressure is minimal. The springs 40, which are seated or fixed in the holes 16 of the base 12, urge the balls 42 upwardly to close the plate holes 20. Then, when the hydraulic pressure increases to a pre-determined value, the spring force of the springs 40 is overcome so as to unseat the balls 42 with respect to the holes 20, thus increasing fluid flow through the holes, and lowering the K-factor.

[0046] Thus, in all embodiments, when the stator holes are closed, the K-factor is relatively high, and as the holes open, the K-factor adjusts downwardly until the holes are fully open.

[0047] The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.