Hydrokinetic torque converter and method of manufacture thereof

A hydrokinetic torque converter, such as for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including a power output shaft, said hydrokinetic torque converter comprising:

• a pump wheel, said pump wheel comprising:
• a pump wall;
• said pump wall comprising a first inner portion;
• said first inner portion for being disposed substantially adjacent to said power output shaft;
• a pump wheel outer shell;
• and
• a plurality of pump blades connected to said pump wheel
• outer shell;
• said pump wheel for being connected to a source for providing power;
• a turbine wheel, said turbine wheel comprising:
• a turbine wall;
• said second turbine wall comprising a second inner portion;
• said second inner portion for being disposed substantially adjacent to said power output shaft;
• a turbine wheel outer shell;
• and
• a plurality of turbine blades connected to said turbine
• wheel outer shell;
• said pump wheel and said turbine wheel being disposed such that said plurality of said pump blades of said pump wheel and said plurality of said turbine blades of said turbine wheel are adjacent to and face one another;
• said pump wheel outer shell and said turbine wheel outer shell enclosing said pump blades and said turbine blades being adjacent to and facing one another;
• said turbine wheel being connected to and for driving said power output shaft;
• stator means, said stator means being disposed between said turbine wheel and said pump wheel;
• said stator means comprising an overrunning clutch unit;
• and
• at least one of said plurality of pump blades and said plurality of turbine blades comprising a blade assembly positioned within one of said pump wheel outer shell and said turbine wheel outer shell, said blade assembly comprising:
• at least two blade portions;
• a connecting portion disposed adjacent said at least two blade portions;
• and
• a web portion connecting each of said at least two blade portions to said connecting portion;
• said at least two blade portions, said connecting portion and said web portions all being formed from a single sheet of material;
• said connecting portion of the said blade assembly being attached to said one of said pump wheel outer shell and said turbine wheel outer shell to thereby connect said blade assembly to and position said blade assembly with respect to said one of said pump wheel outer shell and said turbine wheel outer shell;
• said connecting portion of said blade assembly comprises a contour configured for attachment to said one of said pump wheel outer shell member and said turbine wheel outer shell member;
• said connecting portion comprises an arcuate portion;
• and
• said arcuate portion comprises a ring-shaped member.