Hydrodynamic torque converter with lock-up clutch

A hydrokinetic torque converter, said hydrokinetic torque converter including a lockup clutch, said hydrokinetic torque converter comprising:

• a torque input shaft defining a rotational axis;
• a torque output shaft;
• a converter housing, said converter housing comprising means for being driven by said torque input shaft;
• a pump wheel disposed within said converter housing and comprising means for being driven by said converter housing;
• a turbine wheel disposed within said converter housing and in spaced opposition to said pump wheel along said rotational axis, said turbine wheel comprising means for driving said torque output shaft;
• a piston in spaced opposition to said converter housing along said rotational axis;
• at least one friction lining disposed between said piston and said converter housing;
• said piston being displaceable along said rotational axis to abut said at least one friction lining;
• a first fluid chamber containing a substantially viscous fluid, said first fluid chamber being disposed between said converter housing and said piston;
• a second fluid chamber containing said substantially viscous fluid, said second fluid chamber being disposed within said converter housing and surrounding said pump wheel and said turbine wheel;
• at least one fluid passage for the flow of said substantially viscous fluid between said first and second fluid chambers, through said at least one fluid passage, said at least one fluid passage extending adjacent said at least one friction lining;
• said at least one fluid passage having an inflow portion for the inflow of said substantially viscous fluid thereinto;
• said at least one fluid passage having an outflow portion for the outflow of said substantially viscous fluid therefrom;
• said at least one fluid passage having a longitudinal direction along its length;
• said longitudinal direction of said at least one fluid passage having a corresponding radial component substantially aligned along a radius of said rotational axis;
• said at least one fluid passage having at least one change of said longitudinal direction between said inflow portion and said outflow portion wherein said corresponding radial component undergoes a reversal of direction;
• said at least one fluid passage additionally comprising an expanded reservoir portion;
• and
• said expanded reservoir portion being disposed substantially adjacent said change of said longitudinal direction of said at least one fluid passage where said corresponding radial component undergoes said reversal of direction.