Bearing-less torque converter

摘要

A torque converter, including: a cover; an impeller shell; a turbine shell; a turbine clutch formed by the turbine and impeller shells; and a stator formed of a single piece of material and including a protrusion extending in an axial direction and having a radial surface. In a drive mode: the cover transmits torque to the impeller shell; the turbine clutch is open; the radial surface forms an entirety of a portion of the stator closest, in the axial direction from the stator toward the turbine shell, to the turbine shell; and the radial surface is free of contact with the turbine shell. In a coast mode for the torque converter, at least a portion of the radial surface is in contact with the turbine shell or is separated from the turbine shell by a layer of fluid in contact with the radial surface and the turbine shell.

主权项

1. A torque converter, comprising:
an axis of rotation; a cover arranged to receive torque from an engine; an impeller with at least one first blade and an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover and including a first portion radially outward from the at least one first blade; a turbine with at least one second blade and a turbine shell including a second portion radially outward from the at least one second blade; a turbine clutch including the first and second portions; and, a metallic stator formed of only a single piece of material and including:
at least one third blade; and,a body portion including:
a radially outermost end to which the at least one third blade is non-rotatably connected;a radially innermost end; and,a first protrusion extending from the body portion in a first axial direction toward the impeller shell and including:
a first radially extending surface;a first radially outer circumference and a first radially inner circumference bounding the first radially extending surface;a first groove in the first radially extending surface: including a first end open to the outer circumference; and, extending radially inward and in a circumferential direction;a second groove in the first radially extending surface: including a second end open to the inner circumference; and, extending radially inward and in a circumferential direction,wherein:
in a drive mode for the torque converter:
the first portion is rotatable with respect to the second portion;the cover is arranged to transmit torque to the impeller shell;the first radially extending surface forms a segment of the body portion closest, in the first axial direction, to the impeller shell; and,the torque converter is free of a first component:
axially disposed between the stator and the impeller shell;radially disposed between the radially innermost and outermost ends of the body; and,in contact with the stator and the impeller shell.