# US 2012/0073925 A1 · Coil spring tilger damper fixed to turbine

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2012/0073925 A1
- Document ID: US20120073925A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/238,230
- Filed: 2011-09-21
- Published: 2012-03-29
- Earliest claimed: 2010-09-23
- Assignees: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
- Inventors: Craig Kneidel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120073925A1

## CPC

- F16H 41/28: with respect to manufacture, e.g. blade attachment
- F16H 45/02: with mechanical clutches for bridging a fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type (control of torque converter lock-up clutches F16H61/14)
- F16H 2045/0205: {two chamber system, i.e. without a separated, closed chamber specially adapted for actuating a lock-up clutch}
- F16H 2045/0231: {arranged in series}
- F16H 2045/0294: {Single disk type lock-up clutch, i.e. using a single disc engaged between friction members}
- F16H: GEARING

## Abstract

A torque converter, including: a turbine with a turbine shell; and a damper assembly including: an output flange; a first cover plate; a first drive plate fixedly secured to the turbine shell; a first plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate; a second plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate and the output flange; a third plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate and the first drive plate; and a single torque path from the turbine shell to the damper assembly, the single torque path formed by the first drive plate.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A torque converter, comprising:
a turbine with a turbine shell; and,
a damper assembly including:
an output flange;
a first cover plate;
a first drive plate fixedly secured to the turbine shell;
a first plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate;
a second plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate and the output flange;
a third plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate and the first drive plate; and,
a single torque path from the turbine shell to the damper assembly, the single torque path formed by the first drive plate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The torque converter of claim 1 wherein the second and third pluralities of springs are at a same radial distance from an axis of rotation for the torque converter.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The torque converter of claim 1 wherein the second and third pluralities of springs are circumferentially aligned.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The torque converter of claim 1 wherein the third plurality of springs is disposed radially outward from the second plurality of springs.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The torque converter of claim 1 wherein the third plurality of springs is disposed radially between the first and second pluralities of springs.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The torque converter of claim 1 further comprising:
a cover; and,
a lock up clutch engageable with the cover and directly engaged with the first plurality of springs.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The torque converter of claim 6 wherein:
the lock up clutch includes an axially displaceable piston plate and a second drive plate connected to the piston plate such that the second drive plate rotates when the piston plate rotates; and,
the second drive plate is in direct contact with the first plurality of springs.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The torque converter of claim 1 wherein a portion of the first drive plate is disposed axially between the flange and the first cover plate.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The torque converter of claim 1 wherein the first drive plate is rotatable relative to the flange and the first cover plate.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The torque converter of claim 1 wherein:
the damper assembly includes a second cover plate connected to the first cover plate by a plurality of fasteners; and,
rotation of the first drive plate is restricted by the plurality of fasteners.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The torque converter of claim 1 wherein:
the first cover plate includes a slot;
the first drive plate includes an axial protrusion disposed in the slot: and,
the rotation of the first drive plate is restricted by contact of the axial protrusion with respective ends of the slot.

### Claim 12

A torque converter, comprising:
a cover;
a turbine with a turbine shell;
a lock up clutch including a piston plate, friction material, and a first drive plate; and,
a damper assembly including:
an output flange;
a cover plate;
a second drive plate fixedly secured to the turbine shell;
a first plurality of springs engaged with the cover plate and the second drive plate;
a second plurality of springs engaged with the cover plate and the output flange and circumferentially aligned with the first plurality of springs; and,
a third plurality of springs engaged with the cover plate and the first drive plate.

### Claim 13

A torque converter, comprising:
a turbine with a turbine shell; and,
a damper assembly including:
an output flange;
a cover plate;
a first plurality of springs engaged the cover plate;
a second plurality of springs engaged with the cover plate and the output flange;
a third plurality of springs, separate from the first and second pluralities of springs;
a single torque path from the turbine shell to the damper assembly;
a first torque path from the first plurality of springs to the output flange via the cover plate;
a second torque path from the third plurality of springs to the cover plate; and,
a solid torque path, including the single torque path, from the turbine shell to the third plurality of springs.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The torque converter of claim 13 wherein:
first torque transmitted along the first torque path urges the cover in a first rotational direction; and,
second torque transmitted along the second torque path urges the cover in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction.