US 6,615,962 B2Granted

Hydraulic torque converter

AssigneeLuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG

InventorsGunnar Back, Bruno Müller, Hubert Friedmann, Stephan Maienschein

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Abstract

A hydraulic torque converter, particularly for use in a motor vehicle between the prime mover and the transmission of the power train, employs a combination of a bypass clutch with one or more torsional vibration dampers which brings about savings in space and/or in the number of parts. In addition, the torque converter can stand long periods of use and is less prone to wear, adverse influences of abruptly developing stresses and/or other undesirable influences than conventional torque converters. Furthermore, the improved torque converter employs or can employ a bypass clutch and/or one or more torsional vibration dampers simpler and less expensive than but superior to those in conventional torque converters.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A hydraulic torque converter, comprising:

a housing including a mass and arranged to rotate about a predetermined axis, to confine a supply of hydraulic fluid and to receive torque from an output element of a prime mover;
a pump disposed in and arranged to rotate with said housing about said axis;
an annular turbine coaxial with said pump, disposed in said housing and arranged to receive torque from the fluid in said housing in response to rotation of said pump;
a rotary input element coaxial with said housing;
a rotary output member arranged to transmit torque between said input element and at least one of said pump, said turbine and said housing;
a bypass clutch engageable to transmit force between said pump and said turbine during predetermined stages of operation of the torque converter;
at least one torsional vibration damper including an input, an output coaxial with said housing and with said input and rotatable relative to said input, energy storing means arranged to oppose rotation of said input and said output relative to each other, and a torque transmitting member between said input and said output element;
an annular array of retaining members provided on said mass and received in openings provided therefor in said torque transmitting member;
and
means for holding said retaining members in the respective openings.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/022,050Filed 13 Dec 2001
Priority: DE 100 62 49914 Dec 2000
Published: US 2002/0074200 A120 Jun 2002
Granted: 9 Sep 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

F16H 45/02
Combinations of fluid gearings for conveying rotary motion with couplings or clutches: with mechanical clutches for bridging a fluid gearing of…
F16H 2045/021
With mechanical clutches for bridging a fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type: three chamber system, i.e. comprising a separated, closed chamber…
F16H 2045/0284
Characterised by the type of the friction surface of the lock-up clutch: multiple disk type lock-up clutch
F16H 2045/0294
Characterised by the type of the friction surface of the lock-up clutch: single disk type lock-up clutch, i.e. using a single disc engaged between…