Patent ID: 6408999
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A friction clutch for a hydrokinetic torque converter, said clutch having at least one pair of annular interfaces that are adapted to engage while rotating in one direction and continuously slipping relative to each other to effect torque transmission in bypass relationship to torque transmitted by hydraulic fluid in said converter, one of said interfaces having a prescribed width and at least one circuitous groove, said groove extending a substantial annular distance about said one interface and adapted to direct hydraulic fluid in said torque converter from a high pressure cavity at one outer edge of said one interface and across the width of said one interface in a circuitous path in at least three traversing passes to a low pressure cavity at an inner edge of said one interface, each of said passes extending substantially the entire width of said one interface, said groove having an inlet section that defines one of said passes and has inlet that is adapted to open said groove at said outer edge of said one interface to said high pressure cavity, and said groove having an outlet section that defines another if said passes and has an outlet that is adapted to open said groove at said inner edge of said one interface to said low pressure cavity at an angular location remote from said inlet.