Damper apparatus for use with vehicle torque converters

A damper assembly for a vehicle torque converter, comprising:

• a first portion operatively coupled to a clutch of the vehicle torque converter and configured to receive an engine torque from the clutch based on a state of the clutch;
• a hub rotatably coupled to a turbine of the vehicle torque converter;
• a second portion interposed between first portion and the hub, the first portion, the second portion, and the hub rotatable relative to each other about an axis of the vehicle torque converter;
• a gear train, including:
• a ring gear coupled to the first portion;
• a planet gear rotatably coupled to the second portion;
• and
• a sun gear coupled to the hub, the planet gear operatively coupled between the ring gear and the sun gear;
• and
• a primary damping element positioned in a cavity formed by the second portion, rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion compressing and decompressing the primary damping element to dampen a torsional vibration associated with the engine torque,
• wherein the first portion includes an annular body and a protrusion coupled to the annular body, the protrusion extending away from the annular body at least partially into the cavity and configured to engage a seat proximate to the primary damping element.

A damper assembly for a vehicle torque converter, comprising:

• a first portion operatively coupled to a clutch of the vehicle torque converter and configured to receive an engine torque from the clutch based on a state of the clutch;
• a hub rotatably coupled to a turbine of the vehicle torque converter;
• a second portion interposed between first portion and the hub, the first portion, the second portion, and the hub rotatable relative to each other about an axis of the vehicle torque converter;
• a gear train, including:
• a ring gear coupled to the first portion;
• a planet gear rotatably coupled to the second portion;
• and
• a sun gear coupled to the hub, the planet gear operatively coupled between the ring gear and the sun gear;
• a primary damping element positioned in a cavity formed by the second portion, rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion compressing and decompressing the primary damping element to dampen a torsional vibration associated with the engine torque;
• and
• a secondary damping element positioned within the primary damping element.