Torque converter with integrated hydrodynamic washer and seal

A torque converter, comprising:

• a cover arranged to receive torque;
• an impeller including:
• an impeller shell connected to the cover;
• and,
• at least one impeller blade;
• a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including:
• a turbine shell;
• and,
• at least one turbine blade;
• and,
• a stator assembly including:
• a stator including at least one stator blade axially disposed between the turbine and the impeller;
• a one-way clutch including:
• an outer race non-rotatably connected to the stator;
• and,
• an inner race arranged to non-rotatably connect to a stator shaft;
• and,
• a combination washer and seal including:
• a first portion axially disposed between the turbine shell and the stator;
• and,
• a second portion extending radially inwardly from the first portion and arranged to at least partially seal against the stator shaft.

A method of operating a torque converter including a cover, an impeller including an impeller shell, connected to the cover, and at least one impeller blade, a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell and at least one turbine blade, a stator assembly including a combination washer and seal, and a stator non-rotatably connected to a stator shaft and including at least one stator blade axially disposed between the turbine and the impeller, the method comprising:

• applying rotational torque to the cover;
• rotating, with the cover, the impeller shell at a first speed;
• rotating, with the impeller, the turbine at a second speed less than the first speed;
• clamping, between the turbine shell and the stator assembly, a first portion of the combination washer and seal;
• rotating the turbine shell with respect to at least a portion of the stator assembly;
• sealing a second portion of the combination washer and seal against the stator shaft;
• flowing a pressurized fluid into a chamber defined at least in part by the cover and the impeller shell;
• and,
• blocking, with the second portion of the combination washer and seal, a flow of the pressurized fluid between the stator shaft and the combination washer and seal.