US 11,746,869 B2
Torque converter assemblies with integrated planetary-type torsional vibration dampers
Dongxu Li, Troy, MI (US); and Leonid Basin, Farmington Hills, MI (US)
Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/557,506.
Application 17/557,506 is a division of application No. 16/702,679, filed on Dec. 4, 2019, granted, now 11,242,920.
Prior Publication US 2022/0112943 A1, Apr. 14, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16H 45/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16H 45/02 (2013.01) [F16H 2045/0215 (2013.01); F16H 2045/0268 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A motor vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle body;
a plurality of road wheels attached to the vehicle body;
an engine assembly attached to the vehicle body and configured to generate torque;
a power transmission attached to the vehicle body and drivingly connecting the engine assembly to one or more of the road wheels to thereby propel the motor vehicle; and
a torque converter (TC) assembly attached to the vehicle body and drivingly connecting the engine assembly with the power transmission, the TC assembly comprising:
a TC housing defining therein a fluid chamber and drivingly connected to the engine assembly to receive torque output therefrom;
a TC output member rotatable with respect to the TC housing and drivingly connected to the transmission to transfer torque thereto;
a turbine including a turbine shell, turbine blades mounted to the turbine shell and rotatable within the fluid chamber, and an adapter ring projecting radially outward from the turbine shell, the adapter ring defining a slot;
an impeller including impeller blades juxtaposed with the turbine blades and rotatable within the fluid chamber;
a TC clutch operable to lock the TC housing to the TC output member; and
a torsional vibration damper disposed within the fluid chamber adjacent the turbine and the TC clutch, the torsional vibration damper including:
a sun gear attached to the TC output member to rotate in unison therewith;
a ring gear coaxial with the sun gear and attached to the TC clutch to rotate in unison therewith;
a planet carrier with a pinion gear intermeshed with the ring and sun gears; and
a drive plate attached to the planet carrier and including a tab projecting axially from the drive plate into the slot of the adapter ring to thereby drivingly couple the planet carrier to the turbine blades to rotate in unison therewith.