Normally engaged turbine clutch
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorPatrick Lindemann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A torque converter includes a housing, a turbine shell, and a spring. The housing includes an impeller shell and a cover. The turbine shell includes a clutch portion. The spring is disposed axially between the cover and the turbine shell, and is arranged for urging the turbine clutch portion into driving engagement with the impeller shell. In an example embodiment, the spring is a diaphragm spring. In an example embodiment, the turbine shell is arranged for sealing to and driving engagement with a transmission input shaft. In some example embodiments, the torque converter includes a bearing disposed axially between the cover and the turbine shell, and arranged for rotationally disconnecting the spring from the cover. In an example embodiment, the bearing is a ball bearing or a needle roller bearing.
Claims15
A torque converter comprising:
- a housing comprising an impeller shell and a cover;
- a turbine shell including a clutch portion;
- a spring:
- disposed axially between the cover and the turbine shell;
- and,
- arranged for urging the clutch portion into driving engagement with the impeller shell;
- a drive ring fixed to the turbine shell;
- and,
- a damper drivingly engaged with the turbine shell and arranged for driving connection to a transmission input shaft, wherein:
- the damper comprises a damper plate;
- and,
- the drive ring includes an axial protrusion extending through the damper plate.
A torque converter comprising:
- an impeller fixed to a cover housing;
- a turbine shell arranged for driving engagement with a transmission input shaft and including a clutch portion;
- a first resilient element compressed between the cover housing and the turbine shell and arranged for urging the clutch portion into driving engagement with the impeller;
- a damper drivingly engaged with the turbine shell and including a damper plate;
- and,
- a drive ring fixed to the turbine shell and having an axial protrusion extending through the damper plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.