IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,196,298
Granted Patent B1
US 12,196,298 · App. 18/410,311 · Granted Jan 14, 2025

Torque converter blade assembly with braced tab

Inventors: Keith Spore (Wooster, OH); Randy Keller (Polk, OH)
Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
F16H41/28F16H41/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,196,298
App. No.
18/410,311
Granted
Jan 14, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

A blade assembly for a torque converter includes a shell extending annularly about an axis and defining an inner surface and a plurality of blades arranged around the inner surface of the shell. The plurality of blades each include a curved portion contacting the inner surface. The plurality of blades each further include a brace including a first leg and a second leg each extending circumferentially from the curved portion relative to the axis. The second leg is radially spaced from the first leg relative to the axis. The plurality of blades each further include a tab disposed radially between the first leg and the second leg relative to the axis. The tab extends axially from the curved portion relative to the axis.

Claims (27)

1. A blade assembly for a torque converter, comprising:

a shell extending annularly about an axis and defining an inner surface;

a plurality of blades arranged around the inner surface of the shell, the plurality of blades each including:

a curved portion contacting the inner surface;

a brace including a first leg and a second leg each extending circumferentially from the curved portion relative to the axis, wherein the second leg is radially spaced from the first leg relative to the axis; and

a tab disposed radially between the first leg and the second leg relative to the axis, the tab extending axially from the curved portion relative to the axis, wherein the brace includes an opening corresponding to a size and a shape of the tab.

2. The blade assembly of claim 1 , wherein the shell includes a groove extending at least partially therethrough, the tab arranged in the groove.

3. The blade assembly of claim 2 , wherein the brace abuts the inner surface.

4. The blade assembly of claim 1 , further comprising two relief holes radially spaced from each other, the relief holes each defining a portion of the tab.

5. The blade assembly of claim 4 , wherein one of the relief holes extends through a portion of the first leg, and the other of the relief holes extends through a portion of the second leg.

6. The blade assembly of claim 4 , wherein the relief holes each extend through a portion of the curved portion.

7. The blade assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tab is fixed to the shell.

8. The blade assembly of claim 7 , wherein the brace is fixed to the shell.

9. The blade assembly of claim 1 , wherein the brace includes a bridge extending from the first leg to the second leg, the bridge is circumferentially spaced from the curved portion relative to the axis.

10. A blade assembly for a torque converter, comprising:

a shell extending annularly about an axis and defining an inner surface;

a plurality of blades arranged around the inner surface of the shell, the plurality of blades each including:

a curved portion contacting the inner surface;

a brace including a first leg and a second leg each extending circumferentially from the curved portion relative to the axis, wherein the second leg is radially spaced from the first leg relative to the axis;

a tab disposed radially between the first leg and the second leg relative to the axis, the tab extending axially from the curved portion relative to the axis; and

two relief holes radially spaced from each other, the relief holes each defining a portion of the tab and extending through a portion of the curved portion.

11. The blade assembly of claim 10 , wherein the shell includes a groove extending at least partially therethrough, the tab arranged in the groove.

12. The blade assembly of claim 11 , wherein the brace abuts the inner surface.

13. The blade assembly of claim 10 , wherein one of the relief holes extends through a portion of the first leg, and the other of the relief holes extends through a portion of the second leg.

14. The blade assembly of claim 10 , wherein the tab is fixed to the shell.

15. The blade assembly of claim 14 , wherein the brace is fixed to the shell.

16. The blade assembly of claim 10 , wherein the brace includes a bridge extending from the first leg to the second leg, the bridge is circumferentially spaced from the curved portion relative to the axis.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 12, 2024
From: KELLER, RANDY; SPORE, KEITH
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 066106/0781 →
References Cited (6)
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US 8434300B2 · Marathe · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 9328812B2 · Szuba · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 10428924B2 · Yin · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 10788111B2 · Vanni · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20150267795A1 · Gurney · 2015 [cited by applicant]