Sealed plate for a clutch and method thereof

A torque converter, comprising:

• a cover arranged to receive torque;
• a pump shell nonrotationally connected to the cover;
• a turbine shell;
• a clutch including:
• a piston axially displaceable to open and close the clutch;
• a seal plate engaged with the piston and including:
• a main portion radially located between inner and outer circumferences of the seal plate and having a first thickness in an axial direction;
• and,
• a seal retaining portion extending radially outward from the main portion and including:
• first and second walls extending axially beyond the main portion, the first and second walls including respective outside surfaces facing the cover and the turbine shell, respectively;
• and,
• a slot at least partially formed by the first and second walls and opening radially outward;
• and,
• a seal element at least partially disposed in the slot and sealing the seal plate to a component fixedly secured to the cover;
• an apply pressure chamber at least partially formed by the piston and the seal element;
• and,
• a release pressure chamber at least partially formed by the piston and the seal element, wherein:
• an axial distance between the respective outside surfaces is equal to twice the first thickness;
• and,
• increasing fluid pressure in the apply pressure chamber to be greater than fluid pressure in the release chamber displaces the piston to close the clutch.