They are applied (pressed together) by a hydraulically
operated clutch piston, or apply piston. The clutch plates
are alternately splined, and applying them holds two parts
together. One set of plates is lined with friction material
and the other set is bare steel. Clutches are commonly
used to deliver engine power to the planetary gears, and
hold parts of the gear assembly to the case. The entire
assembly of clutch plates, the apply piston, and related
20 Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles
Turbine
Stator not turning
Converter multiplying,
stator reversing oil flow
from turbine
Impeller
Figure 1-15. The stator reverses the flow of the fluid leaving the turbine. The fluid then strikes the impeller in the same direction as
impeller rotation. This multiplies engine power. (General Motors)
Bushings
Input
shaft
Output shaft
Bushing
Stator support
Outer shaft
Inner shaft
Figure 1-16. The input and output shafts are installed at the
centerline of the transmission, but they are not connected. The
input shaft is splined to the converter turbine. The output shaft
is splined to the final drive unit. Connecting the input and
output shafts is the job of the other transmission
components. (Ford)
Figure 1-18. Some shafts are hollow to permit other shafts to
rotate inside them. Hollow shafts are commonly used on
transaxles.
Figure 1-17. Typical output shaft.