Patent ID: 6957530

Claim:
A hydrodynamic torque converter of the type comprising a pump wheel and a turbine wheel, each said wheel comprising an outer shell, an inner shell, and a plurality of vanes connecting the shells, each said vane comprising an inner edge facing said inner shell and an outer edge facing said outer shell, each said shell having at least one opening with a length and a rear surface facing away from the vanes, each said vane of at least the turbine wheel comprising: a plurality of connecting elements on said edges, said elements being received through respective openings in the shells and deformed against the rear surfaces of the shells to fasten the vanes to the shells, said connecting elements comprising a first connecting element comprising a positioning segment, which extends substantially the length of the respective opening, and a retaining segment, which stands proud of said positioning segment but does not extend the length of the opening, only said retaining segment being deformed against said rear surface.