Patent ID: 7296666

Claim:
A replacement torque converter cover for replacement of an original equipment torque converter cover within an automatic transmission of a land vehicle, wherein said original equipment torque converter cover includes a drum-shaped member having a longitudinal axis, a radial wall perpendicular to said axis, wherein said radial wall further includes an original equipment lock-up surface having an axial length dimension, a plurality of threaded studs including integral stud flanges having an axial length dimension, wherein said stud flanges are mounted on an exterior surface of said radial wall for attachment of said cover to an engine of said vehicle, said drum-shaped member further including an integral cylindrical portion having an inner surface extending axially from said radial wall in concentric relation to said axis, wherein said inner surface includes an array of simulated spline embossments disposed at spaced intervals for mating engagement with at least one friction disc, wherein said at least one friction disc forms part of a lock-up clutch assembly installed within said cover, wherein said replacement torque converter cover comprises: replacement drum-shaped member including a radial wall having an inner surface, wherein said inner surface comprises a modified lock-up surface having an increased axial length dimension equivalent to the sum of said axial length dimensions of said original equipment lock-up surface and said integral stud flanges; and a true internal spline machined on said inner surface of said cylindrical portion of said replacement drum-shaped member, wherein said true internal spline provides up to a 70% increase in spline tooth engagement with said mating friction disc in comparison to the spline tooth engagement achieved by said array of simulated spline embossments with said mating friction disc imparting increased torque capacity to said lock-up clutch assembly.