Torque converter

Claim 2

A torque converter for coupling between a prime mover and a load, said converter comprising: a first rotatable member for drivably coupling to said prime mover, a second rotatable member, a linkage for drivably coupling said first rotatable member to said second rotatable member and for producing an oscillating or pulsating torque in said second rotatable member, an overspeed mechanism coupled between said first rotatable member and said second rotatable member for preventing said second member from overspeeding relative to said first member, a unidirectionally drivable mechanism connected to said second rotatable member, and a resilient member drivably coupled at one end thereof to said unidirectionally drivable mechanism and for drivably coupling at the other end thereof to said load.

Claim 3

A torque converter as in claim 1 wherein said overspeed mechanism comprises a second unidirectionally drivable mechanism.

Claim 4

A torque converter as in claim 1 wherein said resilient member comprises a spiral spring.

Claim 5

A torque converter as in claim 1 wherein said resilient member comprises a coil spring.

Claim 6

A torque converter as in claim 4 wherein said coil spring is capable of 360* relative rotational movement between its ends.

Claim 7

A torque converter as in claim 1 wherein said resilient member comprises a torsion bar.

Claim 8

A torque converter as in claim 1 wherein said resilient member has a nonlinear spring characteristic.

Claim 9

A torque converter as in claim 7 wherein said resilient member is a nonlinear spring which becomes progressively stiffer as it is wound.

Claim 10

A torque converter as in claim 1 comprising a lost-motion device having backlash and connected to one end of said resilient member.

Claim 11

A torque converter as in claim 9 wherein said lost-motion device provides approximately one turn of rotational lost motion.

Claim 12

A torque converter as in claim 9 wherein said lost-motion device provides substantially 300* of rotational lost motion.

Claim 13

A torque converter as in claim 1 wherein said linkage comprises: a crankshaft drivably coupled with said second rotatable member, a first linkage member rotatably mounted on a throw of said crankshaft, and a second linkage member drivably connected to said first rotatable member, and coupled to said first linkage member for rotating the same.

Claim 14

A torque converter as in claim 12 wherein said first linkage member is eccentrically weighted relative to said crankshaft throw.

Claim 15

A torque converter as in claim 1 wherein said linkage comprises an epicyclic gearing assembly including: a sun gear, a multithrow crankshaft drivably connected between said sun gear and said second rotatable member, linkage members rotatably mounted on respective throws of said crankshaft, an annular gear disposed around said sun gear and coupled to said linkage members to rotate the same, and planet gears engaged between said sun gear and coupled for rotation about said gun gear and coupled for rotation about said sun gear with said first rotatable member.

Claim 16

A torque converter as in claim 1 wherein said linkage comprises: a linkage member rotatable with said first rotatable member, and rotatable about an axis radially remote from that of said first rotatAble member, an oval cam track connected with said second rotatable member, and a cam follower connected with said linkage member remoted from its axis of rotation and engaged with said cam track.

Claim 17

A torque converter as in claim 1 comprising a fluid flywheel including: an impeller connected to said first rotatable member, and a runner connected to said second rotatable member for additionally coupling said members.

Claim 18

A torque converter as in claim 16 wherein said linkage is housed within said fluid flywheel.

Claim 19

A torque converter as in claim 16 wherein one of said overspeed mechanism and said first-mentioned unidirectionally drivable mechanism is directly connected between said runner and said second rotatable member, and the other of said mechanisms is indirectly connected therebetween by way of intermediate gearing.

Claim 20

A torque converter for coupling between a prime mover and a load, said converter comprising: a first rotatable member for drivably coupling said prime mover, a second rotatable member, a linkage for drivably coupling said rotatable member to said second rotatable member and for producing an oscillating or pulsating torque in said second rotatable member, an overspeed mechanism comprising a unidirectionally drivable mechanism coupled between said first rotatable member and said second rotatable member for preventing said second member from overspeeding relative to said first member, a second unidirectionally drivable mechanism coupled to said second rotatable member, and a resilient member having a nonlinear spring characteristic which becomes progressively stiffer with compressive loading thereon, drivably coupled at one end thereof to said second unidirectionally drivable mechanism and for drivably coupling the other end thereof to said load.

Claim 21

A torque converter for coupling between a prime mover and a load, said converter comprising: a first rotatable member for drivably coupling said prime mover, a second rotatable member, a linkage for drivably coupling said rotatable member to said second rotatable member and for producing an oscillating or pulsating torque in said second rotatable member, an overspeed mechanism comprising a unidirectionally drivable mechanism coupled between said first rotatable member and said second rotatable member for preventing said second member from overspeeding relative to said first member, a second unidirectionally drivable mechanism coupled to said second rotatable member, and a resilient member having a nonlinear spring characteristic which becomes progressively stiffer with compressive loading thereon, drivably coupled at one end thereof to said second unidirectionally drivable mechanism and for drivably coupling the other end thereof to said load.