Torque converter with forced oil circulation

1. A torque converter for motor vehicles comprising a three-channel oil system and a lockup clutch, wherein:

the lockup clutch includes at least two axially movable plates, at least one plate being non-rotatably connected to an outer plate carrier and at least one other plate being non-rotatably connected to an inner plate carrier;

a first channel of the oil system is connected to a first space;

a second channel operates the lockup clutch by pressurizing a second space of the torque converter with oil, thereby pressing a piston against the at least two axially moveable plates, one of the at least two axially moveable plates being closer to the piston and another of the at least two axially moveable plates being closer to the first space, the piston contacting the one of the at least two axially moveable plates being closer to the piston and moving the at least two axially movable plates in a direction away from the piston;

an additional wall spaced apart from the piston is mounted on a side of the piston that faces the first space, whereby a gap is formed between the piston and the additional wall, the additional wall abutting in a substantially oil-tight manner against the closer one to the piston of the at least two axially moveable plates and at the same time providing hydraulic separation with respect to the first space and to the second space, thus forming a third space;

the third space is connected in a substantially oil-tight manner to a third channel.

2. The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the oil passes first through the first space and then through the third space.

3. The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the oil passes first through the third space and then through the first space.

4. The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one damper is disposed in the first space.

5. The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein a sealing element is disposed in such a manner that a flow of oil between the outer plate carrier and teeth of the closer one to the first space of the at least two axially moveable plates is reduced.

6. The torque converter as recited in claim 5 wherein the sealing element is designed as an annular spring.

7. The torque converter as recited in claim 5 wherein the sealing element is designed as an annular disk, the annular disk at the same time serving as an axial stop for the plates.

8. The torque converter as recited in claim 5 wherein the sealing element is connected to the outer plate carrier in an oil-tight manner.

9. The torque converter as recited in claim 5 wherein the sealing element is connected to a torque converter housing in an oil-tight manner.

10. The torque converter as recited in claim 5 wherein the sealing element is connected by welding.

11. The torque converter as recited in claim 5 wherein the sealing element is connected by crimping.

12. The torque converter as recited in claim 11 wherein the additional wall has bumps provided on part of the additional wall which, upon assembly with the piston, the bumps rest against the piston.

13. The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the third space is provided by forming the piston with an opening allowing oil to flow between the plates and the third channel.

14. The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the plates and friction linings disposed thereon are provided with at least one axially oriented bore, except for an end plate.

15. The torque converter as recited in claim 14 wherein the bore is located substantially at a middle diameter of the friction linings.

16. The torque converter as recited in claim 14 wherein a sealing element is disposed between the plate facing the piston and the piston in such a manner that a flow of oil between the piston and the plate facing the piston is at least reduced in a region between an outer diameter of the plate and the bore.

17. The torque converter as recited in claim 16 wherein the sealing element is in the form of a conical disk.

18. The torque converter as recited in claim 14 wherein the additional wall includes two subcomponents.

19. The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the first space accommodates one or more hydrodynamic components of the torque converter.

20. The torque converter as recited in claim 19 wherein the one or more hydrodynamic components are selected from a group consisting of an impeller, a turbine and a stator, and combinations thereof.

21. A torque converter for motor vehicles comprising a three-channel oil system and a lockup clutch, wherein:

the lockup clutch includes at least two axially movable plates, at least one plate being non-rotatably connected to an outer plate carrier and at least one other plate being non-rotatably connected to an inner plate carrier;

a first channel of the oil system is connected to a first space;

a second channel operates the lockup clutch by pressurizing a second space of the torque converter with oil, thereby pressing a piston against the at least two axially moveable plates, one of the at least two axially moveable plates being closer to the piston and another of the at least two axially moveable plates being closer to the first space;

an additional wall spaced apart from the piston is mounted on a side of the piston that faces the first space, whereby a gap is formed between the piston and the additional wall, the additional wall continuously abutting in a substantially oil-tight manner against the closer one to the piston of the at least two axially moveable plates and at the same time providing hydraulic separation with respect to the first space and to the second space, thus forming a third space;

the third space is connected in a substantially oil-tight manner to a third channel.