Patent ID: 9540937
Date: 2017-01-10
CPC Classifications: F01D,F16H

Claim:
1. A stator for use with a torque converter, the stator comprising: an inner annular shell and an outer annular core spaced apart from the inner annular shell; a plurality of stator blades disposed around the inner annular shell in a spaced part configuration and radially extending to the outer annular core, each stator blade including an inlet-side edge, an opposed outlet-side edge, a pressure-side surface extending between the inlet-side and outlet-side edges and an opposed suction-side surface extending between the inlet-side and outlet-side edges; and pressure-side and suction-side fluid directing projections outwardly projecting from the pressure-side and suction-side surfaces, respectively, in spaced relation to each other and each extending between the inlet-side and outlet-side edges; wherein the fluid directing projections are adapted to aid in redirecting torque converter fluid returning from a turbine and reducing fluid separation as the fluid interacts with the stator blades and associated fluid directing projections thereby increasing efficiency and improving performance of the torque converter; and wherein the pressure-side fluid directing projections comprise a pressure-side pattern of three projections grouped together, wherein the suction-side fluid directing projections comprise a suction-side pattern of three projections grouped together, and wherein the pressure-side and suction-side patterns of three projections are each positioned as a group closer to the outer annular core than the inner annular shell.