Hydrokinetic torque converter with lockup clutch

US5501309A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Ernst Walth · Heilbronn, DE
• Georg Weidner · Amberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 27, 1994
• Grant date: Mar 26, 1996
• Expiry date: Jul 27, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16H2045/0294
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises a lockup clutch having an annular piston which is reciprocable in the direction of the axis of rotation of the housing of the torque converter and carries a friction lining having a friction surface which bears against a friction surface at the inner side of the housing when the lockup clutch is engaged. At least one of the friction surfaces is provided with channels defining passages for the flow of a fluid coolant from a first internal compartment of the housing toward a second compartment located radially inwardly of the friction surfaces. The piston and/or the housing is resiliently deformable so that it can influence the rate of fluid flow through the passages. The width of the passages decreases gradually radially inwardly from the first compartment toward the second compartment, and the passages slope radially outwardly in the direction of rotation of the housing. The pump, the stator and the turbine of the torque converter are installed in the first compartment of the housing.