Replacement torque converter cover assembly

• US 7,717,244 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2007
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonnax Transmission Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonnax Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Rowell, Brian G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonck; Rodney H
• Application Number:
  US11/893,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20080041685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 192/70.16
• US Class Current: 192/3.29
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 41/24 Details
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A replacement torque converter cover designed to withstand mechanical stresses generated in the torque converter lock-up clutch of ALLISON transmissions when such transmissions are utilized with diesel engines and other high-torque truck engines. The original equipment cover includes through-drilled holes for receiving unitary threaded stud pins, which function to attach the cover to the engine crankshaft externally and to drive the lock-up clutch piston internally during operation. The present replacement cover provides a lock-up clutch piston interface wherein such through-drilled holes and unitary threaded stud pins are eliminated, which substantially reduces stress concentration and mechanical fatigue in the replacement cover. In comparison to the unitary threaded stud pins of the original equipment cover, the present replacement cover provides separate threaded stud and drive pin components respectively, which are installed at radially offset positions on opposite sides of a modified radial wall having an increased axial thickness and improved durability.

Claims

1. 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, an integral radial wall disposed in perpendicular relation to said axis, wherein an inner surface of said radial wall comprises a clutch piston interface, a plurality of original equipment threaded studs having integral drive pins, wherein said threaded studs are installed in through-drilled holes formed in said radial wall to attach said cover to an engine flexplate externally thereof, wherein said integral drive pins engage a clutch piston internally of said cover, wherein said clutch piston is a component of a lock-up clutch assembly installed within said cover, wherein said replacement torque converter cover comprises:

a replacement drum-shaped member including a modified radial wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said inner surface of said modified radial wall includes an array of blind holes formed therein at regular angular intervals, wherein said outer surface of said modified radial wall includes an array of blind threaded holes at regular angular intervals, said array of blind threaded holes being radially oriented at a predetermined angular offset to said array of blind holes;

a plurality of replacement threaded studs engaged within said blind threaded holes; and

a plurality of replacement drive pins disposed within said blind holes, wherein said plurality of replacement drive pins are positioned for engagement within mating receptacles formed in said clutch piston.

2. A replacement torque converter of claim 1 wherein said regular angular intervals corresponding to said array of blind holes is sixty degrees.

3. A replacement torque converter of claim 1 wherein said regular angular intervals corresponding to said array of threaded blind holes is sixty degrees.

4. A replacement torque converter of claim 1 wherein said predetermined angular offset between said array of blind threaded holes and said array of blind holes is thirty degrees.

5. A replacement torque converter of claim 1 wherein a combined axial length of said replacement threaded studs and said replacement drive pins is equivalent to an overall length of said original equipment threaded studs including said integral drive pins.

6. A replacement torque converter of claim 1 wherein an axial thickness of said modified radial wall of said replacement drum-shaped member is substantially increased in comparison to said radial wall of said original equipment torque converter cover to provide increased structural strength.

7. A replacement torque converter of claim 1 wherein said plurality of replacement threaded studs engaged within said blind threaded holes are permanently captured therein by weldment.

8. An improved 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, an integral radial wall disposed in perpendicular relation to said axis, wherein an inner surface of said radial wall comprises a clutch piston interface, a plurality of original equipment threaded studs including integral drive pins, wherein said threaded studs are installed in through-drilled holes formed in said radial wall to attach said cover to an engine flexplate externally thereof, wherein said integral drive pins engage a clutch piston internally of said cover, wherein said clutch piston is a component of a lock-up clutch assembly installed within said cover, wherein the improvements comprise:

a replacement drum-shaped member including a modified radial wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said inner surface of said modified radial wall includes an array of blind holes formed therein at regular angular intervals, wherein said outer surface of said modified radial wall includes an array of blind threaded holes at regular angular intervals, said array of blind threaded holes being radially oriented at a predetermined angular offset to said array of blind holes.

9. The improved torque converter cover of claim 8 wherein a plurality of replacement threaded studs are engaged within said array of blind threaded holes.

10. The improved torque converter cover of claim 9 wherein a plurality of replacement drive pins are disposed within said array of blind holes.

11. The improved torque converter of claim 9 wherein said plurality of replacement threaded studs engaged within said blind threaded holes are permanently captured therein by weldment.

12. The improved torque converter cover of claim 8 wherein said regular angular interval corresponding to said array of blind holes is sixty degrees.

13. The improved torque converter cover of claim 12 wherein said regular angular interval corresponding to said array of threaded blind holes is sixty degrees.

14. The improved torque converter cover of claim 13 wherein said predetermined angular offset between said array of blind threaded holes and said array of blind holes is thirty degrees.

15. The improved torque converter cover of claim 8 wherein a combined axial length of said replacement threaded studs and said replacement drive pins is equivalent to an overall length of said original equipment threaded studs including said integral drive pins.

16. The improved torque converter of claim 8 wherein an axial thickness of said modified radial wall of said replacement drum-shaped member is substantially increased in comparison to said radial wall of said original equipment torque converter cover to provide increased structural strength.