# US 2017/0254397 A1 · Torque converter impeller including protrusions for centering the stator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0254397 A1 - Document ID: US20170254397A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/057,560 - Filed: 2016-03-01 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-01 - Assignees: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG - Applicants: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG - Inventors: Jasmina SUBOTIC - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170254397A1 ## CPC - F16H 41/24: Details - F16H 45/02: with mechanical clutches for bridging a fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type (control of torque converter lock-up clutches F16H61/14) - F01D 5/027: {Arrangements for balancing (for balancing rotating bodies in general F16F15/32; for compensating imbalance G01M1/36)} - F16H 41/28: with respect to manufacture, e.g. blade attachment - F05D 2230/60: Assembly methods - F16H 2045/0205: {two chamber system, i.e. without a separated, closed chamber specially adapted for actuating a lock-up clutch} - F16H: GEARING - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes a stator including a body and a plurality of blades on an outer circumferential surface of the body and an impeller including an impeller shell. The impeller shell includes at least one protrusion aligned for contacting an axially extending surface of the body of the stator to center the stator on the impeller during assembly. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided. The method includes forming an impeller shell to include at least one protrusion on a stator facing surface thereof; providing a stator including a body and a plurality of blades on an outer circumferential surface of the body; and centering the stator on the impeller shell by contacting the at least one protrusion with an axially extending surface of the body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A torque converter comprising: a stator including a body and a plurality of blades on an outer circumferential surface of the body; and an impeller including an impeller shell, the impeller shell including at least one protrusion aligned for contacting an axially extending surface of the body of the stator to center the stator on the impeller during assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the impeller shell includes a plurality of impeller blades, a rounded blade supporting portion contacting the impeller blades and an annular inner radial extension extending radially inward from the rounded blade supporting portion, the annular inner radial extension including the at least one protrusion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one protrusion is formed by a plurality of extruded rivets. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one protrusion is formed by a plurality of embossments. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the body of the stator includes an annular groove, the at least one protrusion extending axially into the annular groove. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the body of the stator includes an axially protruding ring including the axially extending surface, the at least one protrusion being radially inside of the axially protruding ring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The torque converter as recited in claim 1 further comprising a thrust washer or bearing, the at least one protrusion including an inner radial surface contacting an outer circumferential surface of the thrust washer or bearing to center the thrust washer or bearing on the impeller. ### Claim 8 A method of forming a torque converter comprising: forming an impeller shell to include at least one protrusion on a stator facing surface thereof; providing a stator including a body and a plurality of blades on an outer circumferential surface of the body; and centering the stator on the impeller shell by contacting the at least one protrusion with an axially extending surface of the body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the impeller shell includes a plurality of impeller blades, a rounded blade supporting portion contacting the impeller blades and an annular inner radial extension extending radially inward from the rounded blade supporting portion, at least one protrusion being formed on the annular inner radial extension. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the forming the at least one protrusion includes extruding the impeller to form a plurality of extruded rivets. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the forming the at least one protrusion includes embossing the impeller to form a plurality of embossments ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the body of the stator is formed to include an annular groove, the at least one protrusion extending axially into the annular groove during the centering of the stator on the impeller shell. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the body of the stator is formed to include an axially protruding ring including the axially extending surface, the at least one protrusion being radially inside of the axially protruding ring during the centering of the stator on the impeller shell. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising centering a thrust washer or bearing on the impeller by contacting an outer circumferential surface of the thrust washer or bearing with an inner radial surface of the at least one protrusion.