Four-pass torque converter with variable-pitch stator and bypass clutch

A torque converter comprising:

• a turbine disposed in a hydrodynamic chamber;
• a bypass clutch including an apply chamber fluidly isolated from the hydrodynamic chamber;
• a first hydraulic passage in fluid communication with the apply chamber;
• and
• a variable-pitch stator including blades controllable by an actuator that has a tightening chamber in fluid communication with the first hydraulic passage, wherein the actuator is configured to tighten the blades in response to a first pressure being applied to the first hydraulic passage, and the bypass clutch is configured to be engaged in response to a second, larger pressure being applied to the first hydraulic passage.

A torque converter comprising:

• an impeller;
• a turbine disposed in a hydrodynamic chamber;
• a clutch selectively engageable to couple the impeller to the turbine and including a piston, an apply chamber fluidly isolated from the hydrodynamic chamber, a compensation chamber, and a first resilient member disposed in the compensation chamber and biasing the piston toward the apply chamber;
• a first hydraulic passage in fluid communication with the apply chamber and configured to receive fluid from a valve body;
• a second hydraulic passage in fluid communication with the compensation chamber and configured to convey fluid between the compensation chamber and a transmission lubrication circuit;
• and
• a variable-pitch stator including blades controllable by an actuator that includes a tightening chamber in fluid communication with the first hydraulic passage and an isolation chamber in fluid communication with the second hydraulic passage, wherein the actuator is configured to adjust a pitch of the blades in response to a first pressure being present in the first hydraulic passage, and the piston is configured to be stroked to engage the clutch in response to a second, larger pressure being present in the first hydraulic passage.