Slipping bypass clutch for hydrokinetic torque converter
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorFraser J. Macdonald
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydrokinetic torque converter includes an impeller housing and a bypass clutch located within the impeller housing. The impeller cover has welded to it a clutch plate, which is connected by a splined connection to a clutch piston rotatably supported on a turbine rotor. A drive ring carries friction surfaces adjacent the clutch piston and clutch plate. The drive ring extends axially into engagement with a helical spring carried in a damper assembly arranged in series with the damper between the impeller cover and the input shaft of the transmission.
Claims10
In an hydrokinetic torque converter that includes a casing, an impeller driveably connected to the casing and a turbine located between the casing and the impeller, a clutch for driveably releasing and locking the impeller and turbine, comprising:
- a piston slidably mounted on the turbine, sealed on the turbine against passage of fluid, and having a first friction surface located at a radially outer portion of the piston;
- means for nonreleasably connecting the piston and casing and for permitting axial displacement of the piston relative to the casing;
- a second friction surface carried on the casing, facing the first friction surface;
- a drive ring supported on the turbine for axial sliding movement relative to the turbine having a friction disc located between the first friction surface and second friction surface;
- and
- passage means for alternatively pressurizing and venting a first space located between the casing and the piston and a second space located between the piston and the turbine.
In an hydrokinetic torque converter that includes a casing, an impeller driveably connected to the casing and a turbine located between the casing and the impeller, a clutch for driveably releasing and locking the impeller and turbine, comprising:
- a piston slidably mounted on the turbine, sealed on the turbine against passage of fluid, and having a first friction surface located at a radially outer portion of the piston;
- means for rotatably connecting the piston and casing and for permitting displacement of the piston relative to the casing;
- a second friction surface carried on the casing, facing the first friction surface;
- a drive ring supported on the turbine for axial sliding movement relative to the turbine and casing having a friction disc located between the first friction surface and second friction surface;
- and
- passage means for alternately pressurizing and venting a first space located between the casing and the piston and a second space located between the piston and the turbine;
- and
- damper means located in a torque path between the turbine and drive ring for absorbing and dissipating torsional vibrations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.