초록 ▼

A hydrokinetic torque converter includes an impeller cover and bypass clutch located within the impeller housing. The impeller cover has welded to it a clutch plate, which carries friction material adjacent the clutch piston. The piston has legs that extend axially into engagement with helical sprin

A hydrokinetic torque converter includes an impeller cover and bypass clutch located within the impeller housing. The impeller cover has welded to it a clutch plate, which carries friction material adjacent the clutch piston. The piston has legs that extend axially into engagement with helical springs carried in a damper assembly arranged in series with the damper between the impeller cover and the input shaft of the transmission. The springs are located in a retainer that accommodates two, three or four springs, as required by the torque requirements of the clutch and damper. The spring constant of the damper can be linear or piecewise linear over the full displacement range of the damper springs.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] In a torque converter that includes an impeller and a turbine driven hydrodynamically by the impeller, a damper assembly for modulating torque disturbances, comprising:an impeller casing adapted for driveable connection to an engine;a moveable piston supported on a turbine hub for

[ We claim:] [1.] In a torque converter that includes an impeller and a turbine driven hydrodynamically by the impeller, a damper assembly for modulating torque disturbances, comprising:an impeller casing adapted for driveable connection to an engine;a moveable piston supported on a turbine hub for alternate frictional driveable engagement with, and disengagement from the impeller casing, having legs spaced mutually about an axis;a retainer driveably fixed to the turbine hub, located adjacent the piston, having a retaining flange formed integrally with the retainer and extending annularly about a radially outer periphery thereof, the retaining flange defining first and second groups of annular pockets having unequal annular lengths, spaced mutually about the axis, having an opening facing the piston legs, and stop flanges located between successive pockets; andsprings, each spring located in a pocket, having a first end contacted by a piston leg for displacement therewith, and a second end contacted by one of said stop flanges that limits displacement of the spring.