Resilient input to a lockup clutch
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorChing-Chung Ling
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An hydrokinetic torque converter (10) which has a clutch for driveably releasing and locking the cover (12) and turbine (26). The clutch is comprised of a first annular member (74) having a first friction surface (80) driveably connected to the turbine (26) and a second annular member (60) having a second friction surface (61) resiliently connected (69) to the cover (12). The second friction surface (61) frictionally engages the first friction surface (80) to provide a driving engagement therebetween.
Claims19
In an hydrokinetic torque converter that includes a cover, an impeller drivably connected to the cover and a turbine, a clutch for drivably releasing and locking the impeller and turbine, comprising:
- a piston slidably mounted on the turbine having a first friction surface;
- a tension spring having first and second ends connected at said first end to said cover and at said second end to said piston, creating a resilient connection therebetween;
- a second friction surface carried on the cover, facing the first friction surface;
- and
- passage means for alternately pressurizing and venting a first space located between the cover and the piston and a second space located between the piston and the turbine.
In an hydrokinetic torque converter that includes a cover having an axis of rotation, an impeller driveably connected to the cover and a turbine located between the cover and the impeller, a clutch for driveably releasing and locking the cover and turbine, comprising:
- a piston slidably mounted on the turbine, sealed on the turbine against passage of fluid, and having a second friction surface;
- a clutch disc welded to the cover, having a third friction facing said second friction surface;
- a spring positioned between said cover and said piston, creating a resilient connection therebetween;
- a drive ring fixed to the turbine, having a friction disc located between the second and third friction surfaces;
- passage means for alternately pressurizing and venting a first space located between the cover and the piston and a second space located between the piston and the turbine;
- and
- damper means driveably connected to the turbine and drive ring for absorbing and dissipating torsional vibrations.
In an hydrokinetic torque converter that includes a cover having a first friction surface, an impeller drivably connected to the cover and a turbine, a clutch for drivably releasing and locking the cover and turbine, comprising:
- an annular piston drivably connected to the cover having a second friction surface,
- an annular ring drivably connected to the turbine having a third and a fourth friction surface provided parallel the first and second friction surfaces, respectively, wherein said third and fourth friction surfaces are engageable with the first and second friction surfaces to provide a driving engagement therebetween;
- and
- a spring having first and second ends positioned between said cover and piston to resiliently connect said piston and said cover, said cover connected to the first end of said spring and said piston connected to the second end of said spring.
In an hydrokinetic torque converter that includes a cover, an impeller drivably connected to the cover and a turbine, a clutch for drivably releasing and locking the cover and turbine, comprising:
- an annular piston drivably connected to the turbine having a first friction surface,
- an annular ring drivably connected to the cover having a second friction surface provided parallel the first surface, wherein said friction surfaces are engageable to provide a driving engagement therebetween;
- and
- a tension spring having first and second ends positioned between said piston and turbine to resiliently connect said piston and said cover, said ring connected to the first end of said spring;
- and said turbine connected to the second end of said spring.
In an hydrokinetic torque converter that includes a cover having an axis of rotation, an impeller drivably connected to the cover and a turbine, a clutch for drivably releasing and locking the cover and turbine, comprising:
- an annular ring resiliently drivably connected to the cover having a first friction surface;
- an annular piston drivably connected to the turbine having a second friction surface provided parallel the first surface, wherein said friction surfaces are engageable to provide a driving engagement therebetween;
- a damping means between said ring and said cover;
- and
- a spring having first and second ends positioned between said piston and turbine resiliently connecting said piston to said turbine, said piston connected to the first end of said spring, and said turbine connected to the second end of said spring, said spring oriented generally perpendicular to the cover axis of rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.