Hydrokinetic torque converter without impeller and turbine thrust bearings, and method for making the same
US9719589B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 2015 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2045/0294
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises an impeller rotatable about a rotational axis, a coaxial turbine, and a stator disposed between the impeller and the turbine. The stator includes an annular stator hub, an annular radially outer stator rim, a plurality of stator blades radially outwardly extending between the stator hub and the stator rim, and an annular outer stator flange extending radially outwardly from the stator rim thereof and disposed between an impeller core ring and a turbine core ring. The stator further includes a plurality of hydraulic pressure grooves provided on at least one of axially opposite impeller and turbine side surfaces of the stator flange. The hydraulic pressure grooves face at least one of the impeller and turbine core rings so as to create a hydrodynamic lift between the stator and at least one of the impeller and turbine core rings in the axial direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.