STATOR INCLUDING ONE-WAY CLUTCH HELD IN A STATOR BODY BY PORTIONS OF EXTERNAL DIAMETER OF A COVER PLATE

Abstract

A stator for a torque converter is provided. The stator includes a plurality of vanes; a stator body supporting the vanes and defining an annular recess therein; a one-way clutch in the annular recess; and a cover plate supporting the one-way clutch in the annular recess. An outer diameter portion of the cover plate is received in a circumferentially extended groove in the stator body to axially fix the cover plate to the stator body.

Description

STATOR INCLUDING ONE-WAY CLUTCH HELD IN A STATOR BODY BY PORTIONS OF EXTERNAL DIAMETER OF A COVER PLATE

[0001] This disclosure refers generally to stators that include one-way clutches and more specifically to torque converter stators. BACKGROUND

[0002] Torque converter stators include cover plates that support a one-way clutch in a stator body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A stator is provided. The stator includes a plurality of vanes; a stator body supporting the vanes and defining an annular recess therein; a one-way clutch in the annular recess; and a cover plate supporting the one-way clutch in the annular recess. An outer diameter portion of the cover plate is received in a circumferentially extended groove in the stator body for axially fixing the cover plate to the stator body. The stator is as described in claim 1, wherein the circumferentially extended groove is located within the annular recess and the stator body includes a contour portion radially overlapping the outer diameter portion of the cover plate.

[0004] In stator embodiments, the contour portion may include a radially extended surface defining a circumferentially extended groove wall, and the radially extended surface of the contour portion may contact a radially extended surface of the outer diameter portion of the cover plate to axially fix the cover plate to the stator body. The contour portion may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches and a plurality of circumferentially spaced arc-shaped contour segments. The stator body may be in circumferential contact with the cover plate. CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI for circumferentially securing the cover plate to the stator body. The cover plate may include a plurality of radially extended tabs, and the stator body may circumferentially contact the radially extended tabs to secure the cover plate to the stator body. The stator body may include a plurality of stacked sections, and each of the stacked sections may contact a respective radially extended tab to secure the cover plate to the stator body. The outer diameter portion of the cover plate may be formed by a plurality of radially extended tabs.Each of the radially extended tabs may make axial contact with a contour portion of the stator body to axially fix the cover plate to the stator body. The outer diameter portion of the cover plate may be formed by a plurality of circumferentially extended teeth. Each of the circumferentially extended teeth may include an external radial protrusion that makes axial contact with a contour portion of the stator body to axially fix the cover plate to the stator body.

[0005] A torque converter is provided which includes a turbine, a propeller and the stator located axially between the turbine and the propeller.

[0006] A stator for a torque converter is also provided, comprising a plurality of vanes and a stator body supporting the vanes. The stator body defines an annular cavity formed therein. The stator also includes a one-way clutch within the annular cavity and a cover plate supporting the one-way clutch within the annular cavity. The cover plate includes radially extending tabs on an outer diameter thereof that engage in a circumferentially extending groove in the stator body within the annular cavity to axially secure the cover plate to the stator body. The stator body includes stacked sections, and each of the radially extending tabs contacts a respective one of the stacked sections to circumferentially secure the cover plate to the stator body.

[0007] The stator body may include a contour portion that is CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI overlaps radially with radially extended tabs. The contour portion may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced arc-shaped segments, and each of the radially extended tabs may axially contact a radially extended surface of one of the respective circumferentially spaced arc-shaped segments. The stator body may include a plurality of notches extending radially outward from the annular gap, and the notches may divide the contour portions into the plurality of circumferentially spaced arc-shaped segments.

[0008] A method for forming a torque converter stator is also provided. The method includes providing a cover plate and a stator body including an annular cavity; inserting a one-way clutch into the annular cavity of the stator body; and axially fixing the cover plate to the stator body, such that the cover plate supports the one-way clutch in the stator body by inserting an outer diameter portion of the cover plate into a circumferentially extended groove in the stator body.

[0009] In some embodiments of the method, the outer diameter portion of the cover plate may be formed by a plurality of radially extended tabs. The circumferentially extended groove may be formed by a plurality of circumferentially extended grooves, and the stator body may include a plurality of notches extending radially outward from the annular cavity. Inserting the outer diameter portion of the cover plate into the circumferentially extended groove of the stator body may include pressing each of the tabs into a respective notch and rotating the cover plate to force each of the radially extended tabs into a respective of the circumferentially extended grooves.The method may further include axially stacking the stator body to circumferentially fix the cover plate to the stator body. The outer diameter portion of the cover plate may be formed by a plurality of circumferentially extended teeth, and the circumferentially extended groove may be formed by a plurality of circumferentially extended grooves. The insertion of the diameter portion. CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI external of the cover plate in the circumferentially extended slot of the stator body may include forcing the circumferentially extended teeth inwards radially while pressing the cover plate into the annular recess. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present disclosure is described below with reference to the following drawings, where:

[0011] Figure 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of a torque converter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the stator that is circumferentially offset from the view of the stator shown in the torque converter in Figure 1;

[0013] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the stator;

[0014] Figure 4a shows a standalone perspective view of the stator mold;

[0015] Figure 4b shows a perspective view of the mold with the cover plate omitted;

[0016] Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the stator body shown in Figure 4;

[0017] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the stator;

[0018] Figures 7 to 11 illustrate a method for constructing a stator by installing a cover plate in an annular recess and securing the cover plate tabs in circumferentially extended slots; and

[0019] Figures 12 to 15 illustrate a further example of a cover plate for fixing in an annular cavity of a stator body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a torque converter 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The torque converter 10 includes a front cover 12 for connection with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and / or an output of an electric motor, and a rear cover 14 forming a housing 16 for a drive or pump 18. The The torque converter 10 also includes a turbine 20 configured as a piston, such that the turbine 20 can be moved axially toward and away from the impeller 18 to engage and disengage the impeller 18, thereby forming a coupling clutch. The turbine 20 includes a turbine housing 22 and an inner ring 24 supporting a plurality of turbine vanes 26 between them. The turbine housing 22 includes a rounded vane support portion 28 to support the turbine vanes 26 on one side of the front vane cover 26. Radially outside the vane support portion 28, the turbine housing 22 includes an external radial extension 30 projecting radially outward from an outer circumference of the vane support portion 28. The propeller housing 16 together with a center ring 32 supports a plurality of propeller vanes 34.

[0021] A friction material 36 is attached over an external radial extension surface 30 to couple the propeller housing 16. A damper assembly 38 is located between the front cover 12 and turbine 20 and is configured to transfer torque from the turbine 20 to a transmission input shaft through a bushing 40.

[0022] The external radial extension 30 of the turbine 20 engages the impeller 18 via a friction material 36 to transfer torque input at the front cover 20 by means of the internal combustion engine crankshaft and / or the electric motor to the transmission input shaft. Since the turbine 20 is driven by the impeller 18, either by contact through the friction material 36 and impeller housing 16 when the engagement clutch is engaged or by fluid flow between the vanes 26, 34, the turbine 20 transfers torque to the damper assembly 38, which in turn drives the transmission input shaft.

[0023] The torque converter 10 also includes a stator 42 axially located between the turbine 20 and the impeller 18 to redirect fluid flowing from the turbine vanes 26 before the fluid reaches the impeller 18 in order to increase the efficiency of the torque converter 10, while the turbine 20, impeller 18, and stator 42 rotate about a central axis AC of the torque converter 10. Unless otherwise specified, the terms radial, axial, and circumferential and derivatives thereof are used herein with reference to a central axis AC. The stator 42 includes a stator mold 44 comprising a plurality of vanes of CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI stator 46 and a stator body 48. The stator 42 also includes a one-way clutch 50 held within the stator body 48 by means of a cover plate 52. A portion of an outside diameter of the cover plate 52 is held in at least one circumferentially extended groove 54 formed in the stator body 48. The one-way clutch 50 includes an inner groove 56, an outer groove 58, and rollers 60 and springs 62 (Figure 4b) radially positioned between the inner groove 56 and the outer groove 58.

[0024] The stator mold 44 is rotatably fixed to the outer groove 58, and depending on the operating conditions of the torque converter 10, the inner groove 56 and outer groove 58 are either rotatably fixed to each other or can rotate relative to each other. When the impeller 18 rotates faster than the turbine 20 and the stator 42 is stationary, the circumferentially offset springs 62 of the rollers 60 press the rollers 60 against wedge-shaped surfaces to rotatably fix the inner and outer grooves 56, 58 to each other, preventing rotation of the stator mold 44 and causing the stator 42 to redirect the fluid flowing from the turbine 20 to the impeller 18.When the propeller 18 and turbine 20 rotate at substantially the same speed, the inner groove 56 and outer groove 58 can rotate relative to each other, and the stator 42 rotates in the same direction as the propeller 18 and does not redirect the flow flowing from the turbine 20 to the propeller 18.

[0025] Figure 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional side view of stator 42 that is circumferentially offset from the view of stator 42 shown in the torque converter 10 in Figure 1. The stator 42 includes vanes 46 for redirecting the torque converter fluid that extend radially outward from an external circumferential surface 64 of the stator body 48. The stator body 48 includes, on axially opposite sides of the stator body 48, a first axially oriented side 48a and a second axially oriented side 48b. The first axially oriented side 48a includes a radially extended surface 68 that extends axially inward from the external circumferential surface 64 of the stator body 48. The stator body 48 defines an annular gap 66 formed in the first axially oriented side 48a that extends axially outward from the radially extended surface 68.The annular cavity 66 receives the clutch. CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI unidirectional 50. The annular gap 66 is defined by two stepped portions: an internally radially stepped portion 70 receiving an internal groove 56 and an externally radially stepped portion 72 receiving the rollers 60 and the external groove 58. The internally radially stepped portion 70 includes a radially extended surface 70a extending radially outward from an internal circumferential surface 74 of the stator mold 44 and an axially extended circumferential surface 70b extending from a radially external edge of the radially extended surface 70a.The radially external stepped portion 72 includes a radially extended surface 72a extending radially outward from an axially extended circumferential surface 70b of the stepped portion 70 and an axially extended circumferential surface 72b extending from a radially external edge of the radially extended surface 72a toward a first axially oriented side 48a.

[0026] The stator mold 44 also includes circumferentially extended grooves 54 within the annular recess 66. Each of the circumferentially extended grooves 54 is axially positioned between a second stepped portion 72 and the radially extended surface 68. The circumferentially extended grooves 54 are defined on a first axial side by an external radially stepped portion 72 and a second axial side by a contour portion 76.More specifically, the contour portion 76, which is defined by the first axial side 48a by surface 68, includes a radially extended surface 76a that defines a first radially extended wall of the groove 54, and the external radially stepped portion 72 includes a radially extended surface 72c, which extends radially from the axially extended surface 72b, which defines a second radially extended wall of the groove 54. An axially extended surface 54a extends axially from surface 72c to surface 76a, to define an external axially extended circumferential wall of the groove 54.

[0027] As clearly shown in Figure 3, which illustrates an exploded view of the stator 42, an outer diameter portion of the cover plate 52 is configured to be received in the circumferentially extended grooves 54 for axially fixing the cover plate 52 CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI to stator body 48. More specifically, the cover plate 52 includes an outer diameter portion in the form of a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs 78 on the outer diameter thereof that define outermost circumferential surfaces 80a of the cover plate 52. The outer circumference of the cover plate 52, in addition to the outermost circumferential surfaces 78a, further includes radially inner surfaces 80b that are directly circumferentially adjacent to the surfaces 80a, and radially intermediate surfaces 80c that are radially closer to the central axis CA than the surfaces 80a but radially farther from the central axis CA than the surfaces 80b.The tabs 78 also include a first radially extended surface 80d on a first circumferential side of tab 78 extending radially outwards from the respective surface 80b to surface 80a and a second radially extended surface 80e on a second circumferential side of tab 78 extending radially outwards from the respective surface 80b to surface 80a.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 3, the tabs 78 are joined by the surfaces 80b on both circumferential sides of these and the surfaces 80c are joined by the surfaces 80b on both circumferential sides of these, so that each surface 80b is directly circumferential between a surface 80a and a surface 80c. The inward radial displacement of surfaces 80b with respect to the directly adjacent surfaces 80a, 80c defines a plurality of notches 82 on the outer circumference of the cover plate 52. Each of the notches 82 is directly circumferentially adjacent to one of the tabs 78, so that each of the tabs 78 is directly circumferentially adjacent to two notches 82. Figure 3 further shows the inner groove 56 and outer groove 58 removed from the annular recess 66 in the stator body 48 and allows visualization of the circumferentially extended slots 54.The inner groove 56 includes an inner grooved surface 56a for connecting with a stator shaft and the outer groove 58 includes an outer grooved surface 58a for connecting with the axially extended surface 72b of the radially stepped outer portion 72. The circumferentially extended grooves 54 extend circumferentially with respect to the shaft. CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI central CA and, as stated above, are defined by surfaces 54a, 72c, 76a.

[0029] Figure 4a shows a separate perspective view of the stator mold 44 that permits a clear view of the annular recess 66 and the circumferentially extended grooves 54, and Figure 4b shows a view of the stator 42 with the cover plate 52 omitted. In order to install the cover plate 52 in the circumferentially extended grooves 54, the contour portion 76 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches 84, one notch 84 for each tab 78, which allow the tabs 78 of the cover plate 52 to pass axially as the cover plate 52 is axially pressed into the annular recess 66.The notches 84 extend radially outward from the axially extended surface 72b of the radially external stepped portion 72 and beyond the axially extended surface 54a of the grooves 54 to divide the contour portion 76 into a plurality of circumferentially spaced arc-shaped segments 76b. Each arc-shaped segment 76b includes a stacked section 86 that is formed in the contour portion 76 after the cover plate 52 is inserted into the annular recess 66. Each stacked section 86 circumferentially abuts one of the tabs 78 and is received in one of the notches 82 to engage the cover plate 52 circumferentially in place in the circumferentially extended grooves 54.Each stacked section 86 includes an axially formed groove 86a in the radially extended surface 68 on the first axially oriented side 48a of the stator body 48 and a protrusion 86b extending axially from the radially extended surface 76a of the contour portion 76 into the respective circumferentially extended groove 54. The stator body 48 circumferentially contacts the cover plate 52 to circumferentially fix the cover plate 52 to the stator body 48. More specifically, the circumferential edge 86c of each protrusion 86b contacts a respective radially extended surface 80d or 80e of one of the tabs 78 to prevent circumferential movement of the cover plate 52 within the circumferentially extended grooves 54.

[0030] Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the bodyCQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI of stator 48 shown in Figure 4 illustrating details of one of the notches 84 and one of the stacked sections 86. The notch 84 includes an axially extended surface 84a extending from the radially extended surface 68 and a radially extended surface 84b extending radially inward from surface 84a to axially extended surface 72b. The notch 84 has an axial depth that is greater than an axial depth of the circumferentially extended groove 54, so that surface 84b is recessed axially from surface 72c of the groove 54. The notch 84 also has a radial depth that is greater than a radial depth of the circumferentially extended groove 54, so that surface 84a is recessed axially from surface 54a of the groove 54.This radial depth reduces the stiffness with respect to the surface 72b of the stator body 48 comprising facing grooves 58a of the external groove 58 and thus reduces the stress state in the stator mold 44.

[0031] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the stator 42 illustrating one of the tabs 78 received in the circumferentially extended groove 54. The contour portion 76 overlaps radially with the outside diameter portion, i.e., tabs 78, of the cover plate 52. A first axially oriented, radially extended surface 78a of the tab 78 contacts the radially extended surface 76a of the contour portion 76, and a second axially oriented, radially extended surface 78b of the tab 78, which is axially opposite surface 78a, is axially spaced from the radially extended surface 72c by a distance X1, so that each tab 78 has an axial thickness X2 that is less than an axial depth X3 of the circumferentially extended groove 54 between surfaces 76a, 72c.The outermost circumferential surfaces 80a of the cover plate 52, defined by the tabs 78, are radially spaced from the axially extended surface 54a by a distance X4, for example, 2 mm or more. A contour portion 76 has an axial thickness X5, for example, 2 mm or more. An axially oriented, radially extended surface 52a of the cover plate 52 is on the same side of the cover plate 52 as surfaces 78b. CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI tab 78, makes axial contact with the external groove 58.

[0032] Figures 7 to 11 illustrate a method for constructing a stator 42 by installing a cover plate 52 in an annular recess 66 and fixing the tabs 78 of the cover plate 52 in circumferentially extended grooves 54. It is noteworthy that the one-way clutch 50 is omitted in Figures 7 to 11, but the one-way clutch 50 is installed inside the annular recess 66 before the cover plate 52 is inserted into the annular recess 66.After the one-way clutch 50 is installed inside the annular recess 66, as shown in Figure 7, each of the tabs 78 is axially aligned with one of the notches 84, and the cover plate 52 is pressed into the annular recess 66, so that each of the tabs 78 fits into the respective notch 84, so that the axially oriented surface 78a of each of the tabs 78 is in the recess 66 farther from surface 68 than the radially extended surface 76a of the contour portion 76 is from surface 76.

[0033] After the tabs 78 are inserted into the slots 54, as shown in Figure 8, the cover plate 52 is rotated in the rotary direction D1 by a desired angle, so that each of the tabs 78 can be moved circumferentially out of the respective notch 84 and into axial alignment with a respective arc segment 76b of the contour portion 76, and the surface 78a of each tab 78 is oriented directly axially toward the respective surface 76a. Circumferential stops can be provided in each circumferentially extended slot 54 for each tab 78 to make contact with the respective tab 78 and indicate when the tabs 78 are in the correct angular orientation. The circumferential stops can be positioned angularly every n / 360 degrees, where n is the number of tabs 78.For example, in the example shown in Figures 7 to 11, with four tabs 78, the circumferential stops can be located every ninety degrees in the circumferentially extended grooves 54 (i.e., 4 / 360 = 90). Figure 9 illustrates one of the tabs 78 axially aligned with a respective arc segment 76b.

[0034] As illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, after the tabs 78 are rotated to the desired angular degree, the contour portion 76 of the body of CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI stator 48 is stacked with a stacking tool to form a plurality of stacked sections 86. More specifically, in the example in Figures 10 and 11, each arc-shaped segment 76b of the contour portion 76 is stacked to form a stacked section 86 thereon. In other words, each stacked section 86 lies circumferentially between two of the notches 84. At least one of the stacked sections 86 (two in the example shown in Figure 10) prevents rotation in direction D1, and at least one of the stacked sections 86 (two in the example shown in Figure 10) prevents rotation in direction D2, which is opposite to direction D1.More specifically, two of the stacked sections 86 come into contact with the first radially extended surface 80d on the first circumferential side of the respective tab 78, and two of the stacked sections 86 come into contact with the second radially extended surface 80e on the first circumferential side of the respective tab 78. The stacked sections 86 that come into contact with the surfaces 80d thereby prevent rotation in direction D2, and the stacked sections 86 that come into contact with the surfaces 80e thereby prevent rotation in direction D1.

[0035] Figures 12 through 15 illustrate a further example of a cover plate 152 for mounting in an annular cavity 166 of a stator body 148. Unless otherwise specified below and illustrated in Figures 12, 13, and 15, the stator body 148 is configured the same as the stator body 48, and the annular cavity 166 is configured the same as the annular cavity 66. Figure 12 shows a plan view of the cover plate 152 in the stator body 148, and Figure 13 shows a view of an enlarged portion of Figure 12. Figure 14 shows a separate perspective view of the cover plate 152. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the cover plate 152 is axially held in place by an outer diameter portion of the cover plate 152 shaped like teeth extended circumferentially 156 on the outer diameter of the cover plate 152.The stator body 148 makes circumferential contact with the cover plate 152 to circumferentially fix the cover plate 152 to the stator body 148. More specifically, the tabs 178 rotatably fix the cover plate 152 in place on the stator body 148 by engaging with the notches 184 formed in the stator body 148. Each of the tabs 178 includes two extended surfaces. CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI radially inward so that an outward circumferential surface 156d of each tooth 156 (i.e., the external circumferential surface of each protrusion 156a) is radially inward with respect to an internal circumferential surface 176c of the respective contour portion 176. A chamfered surface 156e of each tooth 156 can contact a chamfered surface 176d of the respective contour portion 176 to force the teeth 156 radially inward.

[0039] In the preceding specification, the present disclosure was described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments and examples thereof. However, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to those without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and drawings should be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. List of part numbers: torque converter, front cover, rear cover, propeller housing, propeller, turbine, turbine housing, turbine inner ring, turbine blades, rounded blade support portion of turbine housing, external radial extension of turbine housing, propeller center ring, propeller blades, friction material, damper assembly, damper bushing, stator, stator mold CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI stator vanes stator body 48a first axially oriented side 48b second side axially oriented one-way clutch cover plates 52a axially oriented surface extending radially annular groove 54a axially extended surface defining annular groove, inner groove, outer groove, rollers, springs, external circumferential surface of the stator body, annular cavity of the stator body, radially extended surface on the first axially oriented side of the stator body, internal radially stepped portion in the annular cavity of the stator body 70a radially extended surface of the internally radially stepped portion 70b axially extended surface of the internal radially stepped portion and external radially stepped portion in the annular cavity of the stator body 72a first radially extended surface of the radially external stepped portion 72b axially extended surface of the radially external stepped portion 72c second radially extended surface of the radially outer stepped portion innermost circumferential surface of the stator mold stator body outline portion 76a radially extended surface of the contour portion CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI 76b circumferentially spaced arc-shaped segments of the contour portion; circumferentially spaced outer diameter tabs of the coating plate 78a first axially oriented surface extended radially of tabs 78b second axially oriented surface extended radially by tabs 80a circumferential surfaces further outward from the coating plate 80b radially internal external circumferential surfaces of the cladding plate 80c radially intermediate external circumferential surfaces of the coating plate 80d radially extended surfaces of the outer circumference of the cover plate outer circumference notches in the cover plate circumferentially spaced notches stacked section of the contour portion 86a stacked section slit 86b stacked section protrusion 86c circumferential border of protuberance 148 stator body 152 coating plate 154 circumferentially extended slots 156 circumferentially extended teeth 156a radial protuberance of the radial external circumferential surface of teeth 156b external circumferential surface of teeth 156c radially extended surface axially oriented tooth 156d outermost circumferential surface of tooth 156e beveled surface of teeth 166 annular hole CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI 176 portion of stator body outline 176a radially extended surface of the contour portion 176b arc-shaped segments spaced circumferentially from the contour portion 176c internal circumferential surface of the contour portion 176d beveled surface of the contour portion 178 tabs 178a first axially oriented surface extended radially of tabs 178b second axially oriented surface extended radially by tabs 184 notches 184a first radially extended surfaces of notches 184b second radially extended surfaces of notches 190 notch extending circumferentially on the plate of CQLRfrn / ZZnzn / YIAI coating

Claims

1. A stator for a torque converter comprising: a plurality of vanes; a stator body supporting the vanes, wherein the stator body defines an annular cavity formed therein; a one-way clutch in the annular cavity; and a cover plate supporting the one-way clutch in the annular cavity, wherein an outer diameter portion of the cover plate is received in a circumferentially extended groove of the stator body to axially fix the cover plate to the stator body.

2. The stator referred to in claim 1, wherein the circumferentially extended groove is located within the annular cavity and the stator body includes a contour portion that radially overlaps the outer diameter portion of the cover plate.

3. The stator referred to in claim 2, wherein the contour portion includes a radially extended surface defining a circumferentially extended groove wall, wherein the radially extended surface of the contour portion contacts a radially extended surface of the outer diameter portion of the cover plate to axially fix the cover plate to the stator body.

4. The stator referred to in claim 2, wherein the contour portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches and a plurality of circumferentially spaced arc-shaped contour segments.

5. The stator referred to in claim 1, wherein the stator body makes circumferential contact with the cover plate to circumferentially fix the cover plate to the stator body.

6. The stator referred to in claim 5, wherein the cover plate includes a plurality of radially extended tabs, wherein the stator body circumferentially contacts the radially extended tabs to circumferentially fix the cover plate to the stator body.

7. The stator referred to in claim 6, wherein the stator body includes a plurality of stacked sections, wherein each of the stacked sections comes into contact with a respective of the radially extended tabs for circumferentially fixing the cover plate to the stator body.

8. The stator referred to in claim 1, wherein the outer diameter portion of the cover plate is formed by a plurality of radially extended tabs.

9. The stator referred to in claim 8, wherein each of the radially extended tabs makes axial contact with a contour portion of the stator body to axially fix the cover plate to the stator body.

10. The stator referred to in claim 1, wherein the outer diameter portion of the cover plate is formed by a plurality of circumferentially extended teeth.

11. The stator referred to in claim 10, wherein each of the circumferentially extended teeth includes an external radial protrusion that axially contacts a contour portion of the stator body to axially fix the cover plate to the stator body.

12. A torque converter comprising: a turbine; a propeller; and the stator referred to in claim 1 axially located between the turbine and the propeller.

13. A stator for a torque converter comprising: a plurality of vanes; a stator body supporting the vanes, wherein the stator body defines an annular cavity formed therein; a one-way clutch within the annular cavity; and a cover plate supporting the one-way clutch within the annular cavity, the cover plate including radially extended tabs on an outer diameter thereof that are received in a circumferentially extended groove of the stator body within the annular cavity to axially fix the cover plate to the stator body, wherein the stator body includes stacked sections, wherein each of the radially extended tabs contacts a respective one of the stacked sections to circumferentially fix the cover plate to the stator body.

14. The stator referred to in claim 13, wherein the stator body includes a contour portion that radially overlaps the radially extended flanges.

15. The stator referred to in claim 14 wherein the contour portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced arc-shaped segments, wherein each of the radially extended tabs axially contacts a radially extended surface of a respective circumferentially spaced arc-shaped segment.

16. The stator referred to in claim 15, wherein the stator body includes a plurality of notches extending outward radially from the annular cavity, wherein the notches divide the contour portions into a plurality of circumferentially spaced arc-shaped segments 17. A method for forming a torque converter stator comprising: providing a cover plate and a stator body including an annular cavity; inserting a one-way clutch into the annular cavity of the stator body; axially fixing the cover plate to the stator body such that the cover plate supports the one-way clutch in the stator body by inserting an outer diameter portion of the cover plate into a circumferentially extended groove of the stator body.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the outer diameter portion of the cover plate is formed by a plurality of radially extended tabs, the circumferentially extended groove is formed by a plurality of circumferentially extended grooves, and the stator body includes a plurality of notches extending radially outward from the annular cavity, the insertion of the outer diameter portion of the cover plate into the circumferentially extended groove of the stator body includes pressing each of the tabs into a respective notch, and rotating the cover plate to force each of the radially extended tabs into a respective circumferentially extended groove.

19. The method mentioned in claim 18, further comprising axially stacking the stator body to circumferentially fix the cover plate to the stator body.

20. The method mentioned according to claim 17, wherein the outer diameter portion of the cover plate is formed by a plurality of circumferentially extended teeth and the circumferentially extended groove is formed by a plurality of circumferentially extended grooves, the insertion of the outer diameter portion of the cover plate into the circumferentially extended groove of the stator body includes forcing the circumferentially extended teeth radially inwards while pressing the cover plate into the annular recess.

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