Torque converter with weld contamination control ring

1 . A torque converter comprising:

an input housing having an axial surface;

a pump shell having an axial surface, the input housing and the pump shell being welded together; the pump shell or the input housing having a groove facing the other of the pump shell or output housing; and

a ring located in the groove and contacting the other of the pump shell or input housing.

2 . The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the ring has a circumferential opening permitting compression.

3 . The torque converter as recited in claim 2 wherein the circumferential opening of the ring has tapered ends.

4 . The torque converter as recited in claim 2 wherein the circumferential opening of the ring has stepped ends.

5 . The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the ring is a wire ring.

6 . The torque converter as recited in claim 5 wherein the ring is a spring wire.

7 . The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the ring is a metal ring.

8 . The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the ring is compressible.

9 . The torque converter as recited in claim 1 wherein the ring has a radial extent greater than the manufactured tolerance between the pump shell and the input housing.

10 . A method for manufacturing a torque converter comprising:

welding an input housing to a pump shell; and

prior to the welding, providing a ring between an input housing and a pump shell to prevent contamination into an inside of the torque converter.

11 . The method for manufacturing a torque converter as recited in claim 10 further comprising compressing the ring when the housing and shell are assembled.