Method of and apparatus for utilizing and operating a hydrokinetic torque converter with lockup clutch

A method of transmitting torque by a lockup clutch in a hydrokinetic torque converter which receives torque from an engine, comprising the step of regulating the transmission of torque by the lockup clutch in two stages one of which involves the transmission of torque within a range of between about 10% and 60% of a maximum torque transmitted by the engine and the other of which involves the transmission of torque corresponding to at least 60% of the maximum torque transmitted by the engine.

Apparatus for transmitting torque from a rotary output element of an engine, comprising a hydrokinetic torque converter including a lockup clutch and a torsional damper arranged to take up fluctuations of torque within a first range of torques transmitted by the output element, said lockup clutch being operative to slip in response to fluctuations of torque within a second range of torques being transmitted by said output element.

Apparatus for transmitting torque from a rotary output element of an engine, comprising a hydrokinetic torque converter including a turbine, a lockup clutch having an input member receiving torque from said output element, and a torsional damper between an output member of said clutch and said turbine, said damper being arranged to take up fluctuations of torque within a first range of a plurality of ranges of torques being transmittable by the output element and having a torque capacity at least approximating an upper limit of said first range, said lockup clutch being operative to slip in response to fluctuations of torque within a second range of said plurality of ranges.

Apparatus for transmitting torque from a rotary output element of a prime mover including an engine, comprising a hydrokinetic torque converter including a lockup clutch having a torsion damper with a torque capacity less than a nominal torque of said engine, said torque converter further including a turbine and said lockup clutch further having an input member receiving torque from said output element, said torsion damper being disposed between an output member of said clutch and said turbine and said torque capacity at least approximating an upper limit of a first range of a plurality of ranges of torque being transmitted by said engine, the torque being transmitted by said clutch within a portion at least of said first range of torques transmittable by said engine being at least substantially constant.

Apparatus for transmitting torque from a rotary output element of a prime mover including an engine, comprising a hydrokinetic torque converter including a lockup clutch having a torsion damper with a torque capacity less than a nominal torque of said engine, said torque converter further including a turbine and said lockup clutch further having an input member receiving torque from said output element, said torsion damper being disposed between an output member of said clutch and said turbine and said torque capacity at least approximating an upper limit of a first range of a plurality of ranges of torque being transmitted by said engine, said engine having a main driving range and at least a major part of said first range of torques being transmitted within said main driving range.

Apparatus for transmitting torque from a rotary output element of an engine, comprising a hydrokinetic torque converter including a turbine, a lockup clutch having an input member receiving torque from said output element, and a torsional damper between an output member of said clutch and said turbine, said damper having a torque capacity at least approximating an upper limit of a first range of a plurality of ranges of torque being transmittable by the engine, said first range of torques being transmitted while the engine is driven within an engine RPM range between idling RPM and about 3000 RPM.

The apparatus of claim wherein said first range of torques is being transmitted within an engine RPM range between idling RPM and 2000-2500 RPM.

Apparatus for transmitting torque from a rotary output element of an engine, comprising a hydrokinetic torque converter including a turbine, a lockup clutch having an input member receiving torque from said output element, and a torsional damper between an output member of said clutch and said turbine, said damper having a torque capacity at least approximating an upper limit of a first range of a plurality of ranges of torque being transmittable by the engine, said plurality of ranges further embracing a second range of torques transmittable by the engine and the torque transmitting capacity of said clutch within said second range being between about 0.6 and 0.99 times the actual torque being transmitted by the output element of the engine.