Abstract:
The present invention broadly comprises a stator for a torque converter with first and second plates. The first plate is connected to a rim for the stator and includes at least one first opening. The second plate is connected to the a hub for the stator and includes at least one first protrusion lockingly engageable with the at least one first opening. The first plate is rotatable about an axis for the hub and the at least one first protrusion and the at least one first opening are lockingly engageable when the first plate is rotated in a first direction with respect to the axis. The at least one first protrusion and the at least one first opening are slidingly engageable when the first plate is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/710,828, filed Aug. 24, 2005. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to an axially engaging and disengaging one-way clutch. In particular, the invention relates to a stator having an axially engaging and disengaging one-way clutch mechanism for a torque converter.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Torque converters are frequently used in motor vehicles to transmit the torque from the engine to the transmission. A torque converter typically comprises three main components, namely, an impeller, a turbine wheel and a stator, which is supported between the impeller and turbine wheel. All parts are housed in a converter housing that is filled with hydraulic fluid.  
         [0004]     The stator comprises a stator rim, which supports guide blades, and a one-way clutch typically mounted on the inner circumference of the stator rim. In general, the one-way clutch has an outer freewheel ring, which is rotationally fixedly joined to the stator rim, an inner freewheel ring, which rests in a rotationally fixed manner on a stator shaft that is attached to the transmission, and a one-way clutch mechanism disposed between them. The one-way clutch permits a rotation of the stator in relation to the stator shaft in only one relative direction of rotation and blocks it in the other direction of rotation.  
         [0005]     One-way clutch mechanisms, such as ratchet freewheels (European Patent 0 525 126 B1), roller-type freewheels (German Patents 32 41 053 A1 and 195 32 923 C2) or sprag freewheels (European Patent 0 811 788 B1) are known. Unfortunately, these clutch mechanisms must be made of a plurality of separate elements, requiring a high level of manufacturing and assembly effort. Thus, for example, numerous spring-mounted jamming rollers are inserted in a roller-type freewheel between the two freewheel rings in pockets of the outer ring. The respective spring presses the jamming roller into contact with a grip roller associated therewith. Depending on the direction of rotation, the outer ring may be rotated relative to the inner ring or be blocked in a wedgelike manner.  
         [0006]     German Patent Application 100 17 744 A1 (US 2001/0027649 A1) discloses a freewheel for a stator of a hydrodynamic torque converter including a blocking element carrier extending in the circumferential direction and formed from an element in the shape of a ring wheel. First and second blocking elements are bent out from the ring wheel in opposing axial directions and opposing circumferential directions. In a corresponding manner, the solid freewheel inner element and the solid freewheel outer element have sections situated opposite each other in which axially open recesses are formed using embossing techniques.  
         [0007]     The axially protruding locking elements of the locking element carrier axially engage in these recesses. In addition, a plurality of indentations are formed on the perimeter of the locking element carrier, in which the freewheel inner element engages with assigned radially inward gripping clutch projections in order to obtain a rotationally fixed coupling between the locking element carrier and the freewheel inner element. The locking surfaces are oriented opposite each other so that they are exposed in opposing circumferential directions in order to cooperate with the locking elements assigned to each. In order to be able to support the axial shear forces on the stator primarily in the locking mode for the freewheel, an additional axial support element acting between the two elements may be provided. Unfortunately, the freewheel elements must be placed on the periphery of the stator, which may not be desirable in all cases.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention broadly comprises a one-way clutch for an automotive component, including: a first plate radially disposed about an axis for the component and rotationally connected to a rotating element of the component and a second plate radially disposed about the axis. The first plate includes one of a first opening and a first protrusion. The second plate includes the other of the first opening and the first protrusion and the first opening and the first protrusion are lockingly engageable. The first plate is rotatable about the axis in a first direction and the first protrusion and the first opening are lockingly engageable when the first plate is rotated faster than the second plate in the first direction. In some aspects, the second plate is rotatable about the axis in the first direction or the second plate is non-rotatable about the axis. The first protrusion and the first opening are slidingly engageable when the first plate is rotating in a second direction, opposite the first direction, relative to the second plate. In some aspects, the second plate is non-rotatable about the axis.  
         [0009]     In some aspects, the clutch includes an intermediate plate axially disposed between the first and second plates. In response to the first plate rotating in the second direction relative to the second plate, the intermediate plate and the first protrusion are engageable and the intermediate plate prevents the first protrusion from engaging the first opening. In some aspects, the intermediate plate includes a second opening and wherein the first opening and the second opening are alignable. In some aspects, the at least one first protrusion includes a tab engageable with one of the first or second plates when the intermediate plate is rotated in the second direction. In some aspects, at least one of the first plate, the second plate, or the intermediate plate is a stamped part.  
         [0010]     In some aspects, the clutch includes a biasing element in contact with the second plate, the second plate is axially displaceable, and the biasing element urges the second plate toward the first plate along the axis. In some aspects, the biasing element is a spring or the second plate is inherently elastic and in contact with the first plate.  
         [0011]     In some aspects, the clutch includes a third plate radially disposed about the axis and rotationally connected to the rotating element and a fourth plate radially disposed about the axis. The third plate includes one of a second opening and a second protrusion, the fourth plate includes the other of the second opening and the second protrusion, and the second opening and the second protrusion lockingly engageable.  
         [0012]     In some aspects, the clutch includes at least one track disposed between the first and second plates and at least one element disposed in the at least one track and in contact with the first and second plates. The second plate is axially displaceable with respect to the first plate responsive to movement of the element in the track, the first opening and the first protrusion are engageable responsive to the movement, and the element is moveable in response to rotation of the first plate with respect to the second plate. In some aspects, the element is a sphere. In some aspects, the automotive component is selected from the group consisting of a stator for a torque converter, a torque converter, an actuator mechanism, an accessory drive, and a transmission  
         [0013]     The present invention also broadly comprises a one-way clutch for a stator for a torque converter, including a first plate radially disposed about an axis for the stator and rotationally connected to a rim for the stator and a second plate radially disposed about the axis and rotationally connected to a hub for the stator. The first plate includes one of a first opening and a first protrusion. The second plate includes the other of the first opening and the first protrusion, the first protrusion and the first opening are lockingly engageable when the first plate is rotating in a first direction, and the first protrusion and the first opening are slidingly engageable when the first plate is rotating in a second direction, opposite the first direction. In some aspects, the stator includes an intermediate plate axially disposed between the first and second plates. In response to the first plate rotating in the second direction, the intermediate plate and the first protrusion are engageable and the intermediate plate prevents the first protrusion from engaging the first opening. In some aspects, at least one of the first plate, the second plate or the intermediate plate is a stamped part. In some aspects, the clutch includes a biasing element in contact with the second plate, the second plate is axially displaceable, and the biasing element urges the second plate toward the first plate along the axis. In some aspects, the stator includes at least one track disposed between the first and second plates and at least one element disposed in the at least one track and in contact with the first and second plates. The element is moveable in response to rotation of the first plate with respect to the second plate, the second plate is axially displaceable with respect to the first plate responsive to the movement, and the first opening and the first protrusion are engageable responsive to the movement.  
         [0014]     The present invention further broadly comprises a one-way clutch for a stator for a torque converter, including: a first stamped plate radially disposed about an axis for the stator, rotationally connected to a rim for the stator, and including a first opening; a second stamped plate rotationally connected to a hub for the stator and including a first protrusion; a biasing element in contact with the second plate; and an intermediate plate axially disposed between the first and second plates. The first protrusion and the first opening are lockingly engageable when the first plate is rotated in a first direction and the first protrusion and the first opening are slidingly engageable when the first plate is rotating in a second direction, opposite the first direction. In response to the first plate rotating in the second direction, the intermediate plate and the first protrusion are engageable and the intermediate plate prevents the first protrusion from engaging the first opening. The second plate is axially displaceable and the biasing element urges the second plate toward the first plate along the axis.  
         [0015]     The invention also comprises a method for freewheeling in a stator for a torque converter.  
         [0016]     One object of the present invention is to simply the design for a freewheel in a torque converter stator.  
         [0017]     Another object of the present invention is reduce production costs for a freewheel in a torque converter stator.  
         [0018]     Still another object of the present invention is to reduce the weight associated with a freewheel in a stator.  
         [0019]     Yet another object of the present invention is to reduce parts wear during freewheel operation.  
         [0020]     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     The invention is explained in detail below in reference to an exemplary embodiment. In the accompanying drawings:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a present invention stator with a single clutch mechanism;  
         [0023]      FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view of the stator in  FIG. 1  along line  1 A- 1 A in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of a typical ramp for a present invention stator;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a present invention stator with two clutch mechanisms;  
         [0026]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of the stator in  FIG. 2  along line  2 A- 2 A in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of a present invention stator using stamped metal parts;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3A  is a partial plan view of the stator in  FIG. 3  along line  3 A- 3 A in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of a present invention stator with a moveable element for separating plates;  
         [0030]      FIG. 4A  is a partial plan view of the stator in  FIG. 4A  along line  4 A- 4 A in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a present invention stator with an intermediate plate;  
         [0032]      FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view, along line  5 A- 5 A in  FIG. 5 , of the stator in  FIG. 5  in freewheel mode;  
         [0033]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view, along line  5 A- 5 A in  FIG. 5 , of the stator in  FIG. 5  in lock mode;  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of a present invention stator with an intermediate plate;  
         [0035]      FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view, along line  6 A- 6 A in  FIG. 6 , of the stator in  FIG. 6  in freewheel mode; and,  
         [0036]      FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view, along line  6 A- 6 A in  FIG. 6 , of the stator in  FIG. 6  in lock mode. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0037]     At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.  
         [0038]     Furthermore, it is understood that this invention 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 invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.  
         [0039]     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 invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.  
         [0040]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a present stator with a single clutch mechanism.  
         [0041]      FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view of the stator in  FIG. 1  along line  1 A- 1 A. The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 1 and 1 A. Stator  1  includes stator rim  2  having an integrally formed inner stator ring  4 , integrally formed outer stator ring  6 , and guide blades  8  disposed between inner stator ring  4  and outer stator ring  6 . The rim, ring, and blades can be made of any material known in the art, for example, die-cast aluminum. Stator hub  10  includes multi-tooth spline  12  engaged with a stator shaft (not shown) of a transmission (not shown). In some aspects, stator hub  10  is solid and can be made of any material known in the art, for example, stainless steel or unbreakable plastic. Cylindrical ratchet disk  14  is positioned inside inner circumference  15  of inner stator ring  4  and outer casing  16  of disk  14  and is attached to ring  4  by any means known in the art. Disk  14  is radially disposed about a longitudinal axis (not shown) for stator  1 . Alternately stated, disk  14  is substantially orthogonal to the axis. Disk  14  is rotationally fixed with respect to rim  2 . Inner casing  18  of cylindrical ratchet disk  14  centers and guides stator hub  10 . Stator rim  2  forms a solid ring base for holding stator hub  10  in the area of inner stator ring  4 . Ratchet disk  14  includes at least one window  20 . In some aspects, windows  20  are evenly spaced. Snap ring  22  in inner stator ring  4  holds ratchet disk  14  in the stator. Locking disk  24  is disposed between inner stator ring  4  and stator hub  10 . Locking disk  24  is rotationally fixed, but axially displaceable with respect to hub  10 . In some aspects disk  24  is pot-shaped. Disk  24  is radially disposed about the longitudinal axis for stator  1 . Alternately stated, disk  24  is substantially orthogonal to the axis.  
         [0042]      FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of a typical ramp for a present invention stator.  FIG. 1B  is not to scale. The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 1, 1A , and  1 B. Locking disk  24  includes ramps, or protrusions,  26  aligned to face windows  20 . In general, ramps  26  correspond in number to windows  20 . Ramps  26  are configured to form a surface  28 , typically orthogonal with surface  30 .  FIG. 1B  is meant to show the general features of the ramps, for example, inclined area  31  and flattened area  32  and does not show details such as bevels. It should be understood that other configurations of ramp  26  are within the spirit and scope of the claims.  
         [0043]     Locking disk  24  is configured so that the disc is urged in direction  33 . In some aspects, the locking disc is intrinsically elastic. In some aspects, cup spring  34  applies force to disk  24 . Cup spring  34  is positioned on stator hub  10  and is secured using snap ring  35 . The urging of ramps  26  in direction  33  causes the ramps to engage windows  20 . In some aspects, stator rim  2  and hub  10  are cast parts; ratchet disk  14  and locking disk  24  are simple stamped bent parts; and cup springs  34  and snap rings  22  and  35  are standard parts, thereby reducing the cost of producing stator  1 .  
         [0044]     The function of the present invention is briefly explained below. In a freewheel mode, rim  2  and disk  14  rotate in direction  36 . Hub  10  and disk  24  do not rotate due to the connection of hub  10  to the shaft. Windows  20  slidingly engage ramps  26  in the freewheel mode. That is, edges  38  ride along surface  30 , engage ramps  26  at surface  40  and drop down to surface  30  again at surface  28  (it should be noted that disk  14  is fixed axially and disk  24  is axially displaceable). Thus, rim  2  is able to freewheel with respect to hub  10 . That is, the rim rotates independently of the hub. As a result, stator  1  can run freely as torque is transmitted to stator rim  2  via blades  8  in direction  36 .  
         [0045]     In a locking mode, rim  2  and disk  14  rotate in direction  42 . As noted above, hub  10  and disk  24  do not rotate. As disk  14  rotates, edges  38  lockingly engage ramps  26 . That is, the edges ride along surface  30  and engage edge  28 . Since disk  24  is being urged in direction  33 , surface  30  presses against disk  14  and the disk is unable to move past edge  28 . Thus, in this direction of rotation, stator rim  2  and stator hub  10  can no longer freewheel relative to each other. That is, rim  2  is rotationally locked with hub  10 . Stator rim  2  locks because stator hub  10  is fixedly attached to the stator shaft of a vehicle transmission. It should be understood that directions  36  and  42  and the configuration of ramps  26  may be reversed and that this variation is applicable to each of the aspects of the present invention.  
         [0046]     In some aspects (not shown), ratchet disk  14  is rotationally fixed with respect to stator hub  10  and locking disk  24  is rotationally fixed with respect to inner stator ring  4 . It should be understood that this general configuration is applicable to other aspects of the present invention.  
         [0047]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of present invention stator  50  with two clutch mechanisms.  
         [0048]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of stator  50  along line  2 A- 2 A in  FIG. 2 . The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 2 and 2 A. Stator  50  is substantially the same as the stator shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1 A, except stator  50  includes ratchet disks  52  and locking disks  54  in mirror symmetry. In some aspects, centrally mounted undulated spring  56  provides for the suspension of locking disks  54 . However, it should be understood that any means known in the art can be used to bias the disks. Outer casing  60 , inner casing  62 , windows  64 , and ramps  66  substantially correspond to outer casing  16 , inner casing  18 , windows  20 , and ramps  26  in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0049]     In some aspects (not shown), ratchet disks  52  are not separate, but instead are formed from a single piece.  
         [0050]     In some aspects (not shown), ratchet disks  52  are rotationally fixed with respect to stator hub  10  and locking disks  54  are rotationally fixed with respect to inner stator ring  58 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of present invention stator  100  using stamped metal parts.  
         [0052]      FIG. 3A  is a partial plan view of stator  100  along line  3 A- 3 A in  FIG. 3 . The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 3 and 3 A. The stator shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3 A reduces the manufacturing cost and weight of the stator due to a more extensive use of stamped bent parts. Stator rim  101  includes inner stator ring  102 , outer stator ring  104 , and guide blades  106 . The blades are disposed between inner stator ring  102  and outer stator ring  104  and surround stator hub  108 . Inner ring  110  carries multi-tooth profile  112  for a stator shaft (not shown). Stator rim  101  and stator hub  108  are cast parts, for example, die-cast aluminum, or plastic injection-molded parts (similar to the rim and hub shown in  FIGS. 1A and 2A ). However, in some aspects (not shown), the stator rim and hub are sheet metal parts. Therefore, in comparison to the hub and rim shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  (reference designators  10  and  2 , respectively), the respective structures of the sheet metal stator rim and stator hub are advantageously diminished.  
         [0053]     Inner ring  102  of stator rim  101  is fixedly attached to ratchet disk  114  with respect to the rotation of the hub about axis  116 . Disk  114  includes windows  118 . Ratchet disk  114  is rotatably interfaced with stator hub  108 . Locking disk  120  includes ramps  122 , pressed out at the periphery of disk  120 , and is fixedly connected to stator hub  108  with respect to the rotation of the hub about axis  116 . Annular to toroid stator rim carrier  124  encompasses inner stator ring  102  of stator rim  101 . Carrier  124  is fixedly connected to ring  102  with respect to the rotation of the ring about axis  116  and guides stator hub  108 . Thus, inner stator ring  102 , outer stator ring  104 , guide blades  106 , disk  114 , and carrier  124  rotate together.  
         [0054]     Locking disk  120  is spring-loaded by cup spring  130 , enabling ramps  122  to engage windows  118 . However, it should be understood that any means known in the art can be used to bias disk  120 . Cup spring  130  is stressed at its outer circumference  132  and contacts disk carrier  124 . Thus, spring  130  applies force to locking disk  120  in the direction of ratchet disk  114 . Spring  130  also contacts disk  120 , for example, at tabs  138 . For spring  130 , the area of contact with carrier  124  is greater than the area of contact with disk  120 . Therefore, spring  130  rotates with carrier  124  and rotates independently of disk  120  in freewheel mode. However, in some aspects (not shown), locking disk  120  may also be configured as intrinsically elastic and cup spring  130  can be omitted. Then, locking disk  120  is in direct contact with stator rim carrier  124  and is stressed at its outer circumference by stator rim carrier  124 . Tabs  138  extend radially inward toward hub  108  and engage disk  120  at ramps  122 . Spring  130  also includes tabs  140  having top surfaces  142 .  
         [0055]     In freewheel mode (direction  36 ), as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3 A, tabs  138  rotate until the tabs reach the vicinity of or engage wall  146  of ramps  122 , restraining further movement of the spring in direction  36 . In this position, top surfaces  142  are substantially radially coplanar with top surfaces  144  of ramps  122  and top surfaces  142  and  144  present a composite surface having length  148  longer than length  150  of windows  118 . Segments  152  of disk  114 , disposed tangentially between the windows, ride upon surfaces  142  and  144 , preventing ramp  122  from engaging windows  118 . Therefore, disk  114  and disk  120  rotate independently of each other.  
         [0056]     In locking mode (direction  42 ), tabs  138  move away from wall  146  and tabs  140  move into radial alignment with ramps  122 . As the tabs and ramp align, length  148  becomes less than length  150 . Therefore, ramps  122  enter windows  118 , similar to the manner described for the ramps and windows in  FIG. 1  (reference numbers  26  and  20  respectively) and disk  114  and disk  120  lock as described for the ratchet and locking disks in  FIG. 1  (reference numbers  14  and  24  respectively).  
         [0057]     In some aspects, hub  108  and stator rim  101  are solid, for example, in die-cast aluminum and the remaining parts are fabricated from sheet metal profiles or plastic profiles. However, in other aspects, stator hub  108  and/or stator rim  101  also are fabricated from sheet metal profiles or plastic profiles, eliminating or minimizing the need for die-cast or compression-molded parts in stator  100 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of present invention stator  200  with a moveable element for separating plates.  
         [0059]      FIG. 4A  is a partial plan view of stator  200  along line  4 A- 4 A in  FIG. 4 . The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 4 and 4 A. In contrast to the spring configuration in  FIG. 3A , cup spring  202  is situated on stator hub  108  or near stator hub  108  between stator rim carrier  204  and locking disk  206 . Movable elements  208  are mounted in ramp pockets (also referred to as tracks)  210  disposed between locking disk  206  and ratchet disk  212 . The pockets trap elements  208 . In some aspects, elements  208  are balls or spheres. In some aspects, ramp pockets  210  are incorporated in the bottom  214  of ratchet disk  212  between each window  216  of ratchet disk  212  and stator hub  108 . In some aspects, pockets  210  are formed in disk  206  or are formed in both disk  212  and disk  206 . In some aspects, stator rim carrier  204  is configured differently than the rim carrier (reference designator  124 ) in  FIG. 3A .  
         [0060]     Pockets  210  are configured along length  217  so that longitudinal height  218 , measured between disk  206  and disk  212 , increases in direction  36 . In the freewheel mode (direction of rotation  36 ), the rotational energy of stator  200  causes balls  208  to roll along ramp pockets  210  in direction  42 . Since disk  212  and rim carrier  204  are axially fixed with respect to stator rim  220 , the decrease in height  218  causes elements  208  to push disk  206  axially away from disk  212  as the elements traverse pockets  210 . At some point, disk  206  is pushed sufficiently such that ramps  219  do not engage windows  216 . In this case, stator rim  220  runs freely on stator hub  108 . This freewheel mode enables the stator to experience less wear when freewheeling and generates less noise during operation.  
         [0061]     In the locking mode (direction of rotation  42 ), elements  208  move in direction  36 . Since disk  212  and rim carrier  204  are axially fixed with respect to stator rim  220  and height  218  increases as the elements traverse pockets  210 , spring  202  pushes disk  206  axially toward disk  212 . At a predetermined point, disk  206  is pushed sufficiently such that ramps  219  engage windows  216  and disks  206  and  212  lockingly engage.  
         [0062]     In some aspects (not shown), disk  206  is axially fixed, disk  212  is axially displaceable, and spring  202  pushes disk  212  toward disk  206 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of present invention stator  300  with an intermediate plate.  
         [0064]      FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view, along line  5 A- 5 A in  FIG. 5 , of stator  300  in freewheel mode.  
         [0065]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view, along line  5 A- 5 A in  FIG. 5 , of stator  300  in lock mode. The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 5, 5A , and  5 B. Stator  300  is substantially the same as the stator of  FIG. 2  (reference indicator  50 ) with the addition of intermediate plates  302  having windows  304 . In  FIG. 5A , stator  300  is shown in freewheel mode. In this mode, plate  302  stops in a position such that segments  310  of plates  302  come to rest on ramps  306  and prevent the ramps from entering windows  64  and  304 . In some aspects, friction between intermediate plate  302  and ramps  306  of locking disks  308  causes plate  302  to stop, however, other means known in the art (not shown), for example, pins in slots and bent tabs, can be used to control the position of plate  302 . In some aspects, thickness  312  of plates  302  is less than height of the ramps, reducing the movement of the blocking plate in axial direction  314 . This reduction of movement lowers the energy (noise) associated with the movement of disks  52  and plates  308  with respect to each other.  
         [0066]     In  FIG. 5B , stator  300  is shown in locking mode. In this mode, windows  64  and  304  are aligned and disks  52  and ramps  306  operate as described for the disk and ramps in  FIG. 1  (reference designators  14  and  26 , respectively).  
         [0067]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of present invention stator  400  with an intermediate plate.  
         [0068]      FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view, along line  6 A- 6 A in  FIG. 6 , of stator  400  in freewheel mode.  
         [0069]      FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view, along line  6 A- 6 A in  FIG. 6 , of stator  400  in lock mode. The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS. 6, 6A , and  6 B. Stator  400  is substantially the same as the stator of  FIG. 5  (reference indicator  300 ) with the addition of tabs  402  on ramps  404  of locking disks  406  and the addition of notches  408  in windows  410  for ratchet disk  412 . In freewheel mode ( FIG. 6A ), tabs  402  contact intermediate plate  302 , imparting motion to the plate. Intermediate plate  302  then acts as a hydrodynamic bearing between disk  406  and disk  412 . In locking mode, tabs  402  engage notches  408  and enable ramps  404  to slide into windows  410 , locking disks  406  and  412 , as described for disks  52  and  308  in  FIG. 5B . In some aspects (not shown), intermediate plate  302  includes stops to ensure that windows  410  are not covered by plate  302  in lock mode.  
         [0070]     The preceding figures and descriptions are directed to a present invention one-clutch in a stator for a torque converter. However, it should be understood that a present invention one-way clutch can be used in any automotive component, including, but not limited to a stator for a torque converter, a torque converter, an actuator mechanism, an accessory drive, and a transmission. Further, in the examples above, a present invention one-way clutch is described with a rotationally fixed plate. However, it should be understood that a present invention clutch can be used without a fixed plate. For example, returning to  FIGS. 1 and 1 A, hub  10  could be rotatable, then, the free-wheeling and locking modes are with respect to relative movement between plates  14  and  24 . For example, assuming the plates rotate in direction  36 , the plates free-wheel when plate  14  rotates faster than plate  24 , that is, edges  38  run up the ramps as described supra. The plates lock when plate  14  rotates slower than plate  24 , such that edges  38  engage the face of the ramps as described supra. That is, plate  14  is rotating in direction  42  relative to said plate  24 .  
         [0071]     It should be understood that a present invention one-way clutch is not limited to the configuration of plates or disks and openings and protrusions, or ramps, shown in the figures. That is, locations of the openings and protrusions can be reversed. For example, returning to  FIGS. 1 through 1 B, openings  20  can be formed in plate  24  and ramps  26  can be formed in plate  14 . The preceding example is applicable to the other configurations shown above, such as  FIG. 3 , in which windows  118  can be formed in disk  120  and ramps  122  can be formed in disk  114 . That is, one of the plates or disks is formed with one of an opening or a protrusion and the other plate or disk is formed with the other of an opening or protrusion.  
         [0072]     The present invention may be manufactured and mounted very economically. It should be understood that many components of a present invention stator may be manufactured from stamped bent parts, replacing previously solid die-cast or compression-molded parts. Also, individual elements (not shown), such as rollers, ratchets, springs, etc. are omitted. Therefore, a present invention stator uses less material and is lighter than prior art stators with a freewheel function.  
         [0073]     Thus, it is seen that the objects of the invention are efficiently obtained, although changes and modifications to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed. Although the invention is described by reference to a specific preferred embodiment, it is clear that variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as claimed.