Abstract:
A torque converter, including: a damper assembly including a cover plate including a first plurality of openings, a flange, and at least one spring in contact with the flange and the cover plate; a turbine including at least one first blade and a shell including a portion disposed radially inward of the at least one blade, and a second plurality of openings in the portion; a turbine plate with a third plurality of openings; and a plurality of fasteners passing through the first, second, and third pluralities of openings. The plurality of fasteners: fixedly secure the cover plate, the portion of the turbine shell, and the turbine plate to one another; or fixed securing the portion of the turbine shell to the turbine plate and restricting rotation of the cover plate with respect to the portion of the turbine shell to the turbine plate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/476,847 filed Apr. 19, 2011, which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to an assembly for a torque converter that links a turbine to a damper assembly and eliminates a turbine hub. Specifically, a hardened plate links the turbine and the damper assembly and provides a surface to receive a thrust bearing. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,272 discloses a torque converter including a plate welded to a turbine shell and connected to cover plates for a damper assembly. A thrust bearing is located between the plate and a stator. The patent also discloses a turbine hub to which the damper assembly is connected. The turbine hub receives torque from the turbine or the damper assembly and transmits the torque to an input shaft for a transmission. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided an assembly for a torque converter, including: a damper assembly including a cover plate including a first plurality of openings, a flange, and at least one spring in contact with the flange and the cover plate; a turbine including at least one first blade and a shell including a portion disposed radially inward of the at least one blade, and a second plurality of openings in the portion; a turbine plate with a third plurality of openings; and a plurality of fasteners passing through the first, second, and third pluralities of openings. The plurality of fasteners: fixedly secure the cover plate, the portion of the turbine shell, and the turbine plate to one another; or fixed securing the portion of the turbine shell to the turbine plate and restricting rotation of the cover plate with respect to the portion of the turbine shell to the turbine plate. 
         [0005]    According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a torque converter, including: a turbine including at least one first blade and a shell including a portion disposed radially inward of the at least one blade, and a first plurality of openings in the portion; an impeller with at least one second blade; a stator with at least one third blade, the stator axially disposed between to the turbine and the impeller; a damper assembly including a cover plate including a second plurality of openings, a flange, and at least one spring in contact with the flange and the cover plate; and a turbine plate assembly including: a turbine plate with a third plurality of openings; a plurality of fasteners passing through the first, second, and third pluralities of openings and fixedly securing the portion of the turbine shell to the turbine plate; and a resilient element in contact with the plurality of fasteners and the cover plate and urging the cover plate toward the turbine plate. The torque converter includes a bearing axially disposed between the turbine plate and the stator and in contact with the turbine plate and the stator to enable relative rotation of the turbine shell with respect to the stator. A radially inner circumference of the turbine plate is in contact with the flange to radially center the turbine with respect to the flange. Torque from the turbine is transmitted from the portion of the turbine shell to the cover plate through the plurality of fasteners and from the cover plate to the flange of the damper through the at least one spring. The portion of the turbine shell and a radially outward portion of the turbine plate are aligned in an axial direction. For each fastener in the plurality of fasteners, a first portion of said each fastener passing through the cover plate has a first diameter. Each opening in the first plurality of openings has a radial extent and a circumferential extent each greater than the diameter such that relative rotation of the cover plate and the plurality of fasteners is enabled. 
         [0006]    According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a torque converter, including: a turbine including at least one first blade and a shell including a portion disposed radially inward of the at least one blade, and a first plurality of openings in the portion; an impeller with at least one second blade; a stator with at least one third blade, the stator connected to the turbine and the impeller; a damper assembly including a cover plate including a second plurality of openings, a flange, and at least one spring in contact with the flange and the cover plate; and a turbine plate assembly including: a turbine plate with a third plurality of openings; and a plurality of fasteners passing through the first, second, and third pluralities of openings and fixedly securing the portion of the turbine shell to the turbine plate. The torque converter includes a bearing axially disposed between the turbine plate and the stator and in contact with the turbine plate and the stator to enable relative rotation of the turbine shell with respect to the stator. Torque from the turbine is transmitted from the portion of the turbine shell to the cover plate through the plurality of fasteners and from the cover plate to the flange of the damper through the at least one spring. The portion of the turbine shell and a radially outward portion of the turbine plate are aligned in a radial direction. A radially inner circumference of the turbine plate is in contact with the flange to radially center the turbine with respect to the flange; or the turbine plate assembly includes a seal element sealed against a radially inner circumference of the turbine plate and arranged to seal against an input shaft for a transmission. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a cylindrical coordinate system demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application; 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an object in the cylindrical coordinate system of  FIG. 1A  demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application; and, 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of a torque converter with a turbine plate assembly; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view generally along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of a torque converter with a turbine plate assembly; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front view generally along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of a torque converter with a turbine plate assembly; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a back view generally along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0018]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the disclosure. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of cylindrical coordinate system  80  demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application. The present invention is at least partially described within the context of a cylindrical coordinate system. System  80  has a longitudinal axis  81 , used as the reference for the directional and spatial terms that follow. The adjectives “axial,” “radial,” and “circumferential” are with respect to an orientation parallel to axis  81 , radius  82  (which is orthogonal to axis  81 ), and circumference  83 , respectively. The adjectives “axial,” “radial” and “circumferential” also are regarding orientation parallel to respective planes. To clarify the disposition of the various planes, objects  84 ,  85 , and  86  are used. Surface  87  of object  84  forms an axial plane. That is, axis  81  forms a line along the surface. Surface  88  of object  85  forms a radial plane. That is, radius  82  forms a line along the surface. Surface  89  of object  86  forms a circumferential plane. That is, circumference  83  forms a line along the surface. As a further example, axial movement or disposition is parallel to axis  81 , radial movement or disposition is parallel to radius  82 , and circumferential movement or disposition is parallel to circumference  83 . Rotation is with respect to axis  81 . 
         [0020]    The adverbs “axially,” “radially,” and “circumferentially” are with respect to an orientation parallel to axis  81 , radius  82 , or circumference  83 , respectively. The adverbs “axially,” “radially,” and “circumferentially” also are regarding orientation parallel to respective planes. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of object  90  in cylindrical coordinate system  80  of  FIG. 1A  demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application. Cylindrical object  90  is representative of a cylindrical object in a cylindrical coordinate system and is not intended to limit the present invention in any manner. Object  90  includes axial surface  91 , radial surface  92 , and circumferential surface  93 . Surface  91  is part of an axial plane, surface  92  is part of a radial plane, and surface  93  is a circumferential surface. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of torque converter  100  with turbine plate assembly  102 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a front view generally along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Torque converter  100  includes damper assembly  104  including cover plate  106  with a plurality of openings  108 , flange  110 , and at least one spring  112  in contact with the flange and the cover plate. The torque converter also includes turbine  114  including at least one blade  116  and shell  118  including portion  120  disposed radially inward of blade  116 . Portion  120  also includes a plurality of openings  122 . Turbine plate assembly  102  includes turbine plate  126  with a plurality of openings  128 , and a plurality of fasteners  130  passing through the openings  108 ,  122 , and  128 . Fasteners  130  fixedly secure cover plate  106 , portion  120 , and the turbine plate to one another. 
         [0024]    In an example embodiment, radially inner circumference  132  of the turbine plate is in contact with the flange to radially center the turbine with respect to the flange. In an example embodiment, radially inner circumference  134  of the flange is arranged to contact input shaft  136  for a transmission (not shown) to radially center the flange with respect to the input shaft and to transmit torque to the input shaft as further described below. 
         [0025]    In an example embodiment, radially inner circumference  135  of portion  120  of the turbine shell and radially outer circumference  138  of the turbine plate are aligned in a radial direction, advantageously minimizing an axial extent of the turbine plate assembly. In an example embodiment, openings  122  and  128  are at least partially aligned in a circumferential direction such that fasteners  130  are at a uniform radial distance R from axis of rotation  139  for the torque converter. Having fasteners  130  at a single radius reduces the radial space requirements for assembly  102 . For example, if respective fasteners for the turbine plate and portion  120  were at different radii, greater radial space would be needed to accommodate the two rings of fasteners. In an example embodiment, portion  120  includes a plurality of radially inwardly projecting protrusions  140  and the turbine plate includes a plurality of radially outwardly projecting protrusions  142 . Protrusions  140  and  142  are interleaved. By interleaved, we mean that protrusions  140  and  142  are at least partially aligned in circumferential direction C and protrusions  140  and  142  alternate in direction C. 
         [0026]    In an example embodiment, torque converter  100  includes impeller  144  with at least one blade  146 , stator  148  with at least one blade  150 , and bearing  152 . The stator is axially disposed between the turbine and the impeller, and the bearing is axially disposed between the turbine plate and the stator and in contact with the turbine plate and the stator to enable relative rotation of the turbine shell with respect to the stator. In an example embodiment, bearing  152  is a thrust bearing and axial force associated with axial displacement of the damper assembly or the turbine toward each other is transmitted to the bearing. The most radially inward segment of the portion of the turbine shell is radially outward of the bearing. 
         [0027]    Advantageously, the configuration shown for torque converter  100  eliminates the need for a separate turbine hub to center the turbine and the damper assembly and to connect the turbine and the damper assembly to an input shaft. Eliminating the hub reduces the cost, size, weight, and complexity of the torque converter. For example, torque path  156  (for operation in torque converter mode) extends from the turbine to the input shaft via portion  120 , fasteners  130 , cover plate  106 , spring  112 , and the flange. In lock-up mode, torque path  158  extends from lock-up clutch  160  to the input shaft via at least one spring  162 , cover plates  106  and  164 , spring  112 , and the flange. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of torque converter  200  with turbine plate assembly  202 . Torque converter  200  includes damper assembly  204  including cover plate  206  with a plurality of openings  208 , flange  210 , and at least one spring  212  in contact with the flange and the cover plate. The torque converter also includes turbine  214  including at least one blade  216  and shell  218  including portion  220  disposed radially inward of blade  216 . Portion  220  also includes a plurality of openings  222 . Turbine plate assembly  202  includes turbine plate  226  with a plurality of openings  228 , and a plurality of fasteners  230  passing through the openings  208 ,  222 , and  228 . Fasteners  230  fixedly secure cover plate  206 , portion  220 , and turbine plate  226  to one another. 
         [0029]    Assembly  224  includes seal element  232  sealed against radially inner circumference  234  of turbine plate  226  and arranged to seal against input shaft  236  for a transmission (not shown). Radially inner circumference  238  of cover plate  206  is in contact with portion  240  of flange  210  and radially inner circumference  242  of the flange is arranged to contact input shaft  236  to radially center the flange and cover plate  206  with respect to the input shaft and to transmit torque to the input shaft as further described below. 
         [0030]    In an example embodiment, radially inner circumference  243  of portion  220  of the turbine shell and radially outer circumference  244  of the turbine plate are aligned in a radial direction, advantageously minimizing an axial extent of the turbine plate assembly. In an example embodiment, openings  222  and  228  are at least partially aligned in circumferential direction C such that fasteners  230  are at a uniform radial distance R from axis of rotation  245  for the torque converter. In an example embodiment, portion  220  includes a plurality of radially inwardly projecting protrusions  248  and the turbine plate includes a plurality of radially outwardly projecting protrusions  250 . Protrusions  248  and  250  are interleaved. By interleaved, we mean that protrusions  248  and  250  are at least partially aligned in circumferential direction C and protrusions  248  and  250  alternate in direction C. 
         [0031]    In an example embodiment, torque converter  200  includes impeller  252  with at least one blade  254 , stator  256  with at least one blade  258 , and bearing  260 . The stator is connected to the turbine and the impeller, and the bearing is axially disposed between the turbine plate and the stator and in contact with the turbine plate and the stator to enable relative rotation of the turbine shell with respect to the stator. In an example embodiment, bearing  260  is a thrust bearing and axial force associated with axial displacement of the damper assembly or the turbine toward each other is transmitted to the bearing. 
         [0032]    Advantageously, the configuration shown for torque converter  200  eliminates the need for a separate turbine hub to provide a seal, to center the turbine and the damper assembly, and to connect the turbine and the damper assembly to an input shaft. Eliminating the hub reduces the cost, size, weight, and complexity of the torque converter. For example, torque path  264  (for operation in torque converter mode) extends from the turbine to the input shaft via portion  220 , fasteners  230 , cover plate  206 , spring  212 , and the flange. In lock-up mode, torque path  266  extends from lock-up clutch  268  to the input shaft via plates  206  and  270 , spring  212 , and flange  210 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of torque converter  300  with turbine plate assembly  302 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a back view generally along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 . The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Torque converter  300  includes damper assembly  304  including cover plate  306  with a plurality of openings  308 , flange  310 , and at least one spring  312  in contact with the flange and the cover plate. The torque converter also includes turbine  314  including at least one blade  316  and shell  318  including portion  320  disposed radially inward of blade  316 . Portion  320  also includes a plurality of openings  322 . Turbine plate assembly  302  includes turbine plate  326  with a plurality of openings  328 , and a plurality of fasteners  330  passing through the openings  308 ,  322 , and  328 . 
         [0035]    Segment  331  of portion  320  and segment  332  of turbine plate  326  are aligned in axial direction A 1 . Fasteners  330  fixedly secure portion  320  and turbine plate  326  to one another and restrict rotation of cover plate  306  with respect to portion  320  and turbine plate  326 . To enable the fixing of plate  306  and portion  320 , portion  334  of fasteners  330 , passing through the cover plate, is engaged with radial surface  336  of plate  306 . Portion  334  has a diameter D 1  and each opening  328  is in the form of a circumferentially curved slot with radial extent R 1  greater than D 1  and circumferential extent C 1  greater than D 1 . Thus, fasteners  330  have a limited degree of circumferential motion within openings  328  and with respect to turbine plate  326  and the turbine. Specifically, rotation of fasteners  330 , and turbine plate  326  and the turbine, is limited by contact of the fasteners with ends E 1  and E 2  of openings  328 . Assembly  324  also includes resilient element  338  which urges cover plate  306  in axial direction A 1  against turbine plate  326 , creating frictional contact, or hysteresis between cover plate  306  and turbine plate  326 , which is beneficial to the operation of damper assembly  304 . For example, the hysteresis can be used to tune the damper assembly to attenuate undesirable vibration. 
         [0036]    In an example embodiment, radially inner circumferences  340  and  341  of the turbine plate and cover plate  306 , respectively, are in contact with flange  310  to radially center turbine  314  and cover plate  306  with respect to the flange. In an example embodiment, radially inner circumference  342  of the flange is arranged to contact input shaft  344  for a transmission (not shown) to radially center the flange with respect to the input shaft and to transmit torque to the input shaft as further described below. 
         [0037]    In an example embodiment, torque converter  300  includes impeller  346  with at least one blade  348 , stator  350  with at least one blade  352 , and bearing  354 . The stator is connected to the turbine and the impeller, and the bearing is axially disposed between the turbine plate and the stator and in contact with the turbine plate and the stator to enable relative rotation of the turbine shell with respect to the stator. In an example embodiment, bearing  354  is a thrust bearing and axial force associated with axial displacement of the damper assembly or the turbine toward each other is transmitted to the bearing. 
         [0038]    Advantageously, the configuration shown for torque converter  300  eliminates the need for a separate turbine hub to center the turbine and the damper assembly and to connect the turbine and the damper assembly to an input shaft. At the same time assembly  302  provides the desired frictional and rotational contact between cover plate  306  and turbine plate  326 . Eliminating the hub reduces the cost, size, weight, and complexity of the torque converter. For example, torque path  356  (for operation in torque converter mode) extends from the turbine to the input shaft via portion  320 , fasteners  330 , cover plate  306 , spring  312 , and the flange. In lock-up mode, torque path  358  extends from lock-up clutch  360  to the input shaft via at least one spring  362 , cover plates  106  and  364 , spring  112 , and the flange. 
         [0039]    The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 2 through 7 . Advantageously, when turbine shell  118 ,  218 , or  318  is formed by a stamping process, the respective turbine plate can be formed from the portion of the blank for the turbine shell left over from the stamping process, reducing cost for the turbine plate. Since a separate stamping operation with its attendant costs and complexities is not required, using the left over portion even further reduces costs and complexity for the turbine plate. 
         [0040]    Advantageously, the turbine shell and the turbine plate shown in the figures can be subjected to differing fabrication processes once the pieces are formed by stamping. For example, it is usually not necessary to harden the turbine shell because of the added “rib” strength from the plurality of blades. Furthermore, if hardened, the shell would likely lose much of the strength gained during exposure to the elevated temperatures necessary to braze the blades. On the other hand, the turbine plate acts as a receiving surface for a thrust bearing and it is desirable to harden the turbine plate, for example, by heat treating, so that the turbine plate has better wearing properties. If the receiving surface for the bearing and the turbine shell are formed of a single piece, the wearing properties of the plate would be sacrificed during the turbine manufacturing process. Further, if a receiving surface for a thrust bearing is integral to the shell, characteristics of the receiving surface can be undesirably modified by the brazing oven, for example, the receiving surface can be distorted. Advantageously, by the use of a separate turbine plate, the turbine plate can be withheld from the brazing oven when the turbine is formed. 
         [0041]    Although torque converters  100 ,  200 , and  300 , and assemblies  102 ,  202 , and  302  have been shown with respective particular configurations of components, it should be understood that torque converters  100 ,  200 , and  300 , and assemblies  102 ,  202 , and  302  are not limited to the respective particular configuration of components shown and that other respective configurations of components are possible. 
         [0042]    It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.