Torsional isolator for torque converter lock-up mechanism

A torsional isolator for damping the vibratory rotary input of an engine to an automatic power transmission having a hydrokinetic torque converter operatively engaging a change speed gear box, the torque converter including an impeller portion drivingly engaged by the engine, a turbine portion fluidly interconnected with the impeller portion and drivingly engaging the change speed gear box, and a lock-up mechanism for mechanically interconnecting the impeller and turbine portions including an annular piston mechanically drivingly engageable with the impeller portion, said torsional isolator being operatively connected between said piston member and said turbine portion and comprising:

• A. a drive ring member;
• B. first means for fixedly securing said drive ring member to said piston member;
• C. a driven ring member;
• D. second means for fixedly securing said driven ring member to said torque converter turbine portion;
• E. a plurality of spring members operatively engaged between said drive and driven ring members for damping vibratory relative motion therebetween;
• and
• F. means integrally formed with said drive member for defining a plurality of spring seats for engaging one end of each of said spring members.

In an automatic power transmission for transmitting power from an engine to a drive train of the type having a torque converter with an impeller portion and a relatively rotatable turbine portion, an annular lock-up piston member mechanically lockingly engageable with one of the portions, and torsional isolating means for damping the motion transmitted from the engine through the piston member and the portions, an improvement wherein said torsional isolating means comprises:

• A. a drive ring member;
• B. first means for fixedly securing said drive ring member to said piston member;
• C. a driven ring member;
• D. second means for fixedly securing said driven ring member to one of said torque converter portions;
• E. a plurality of spring members operatively engaged between said drive and driven ring members for damping vibratory relative motion therebetween;
• F. means defining a circumferential channel in one of said ring members for carrying said spring members;
• and
• G. means integrally formed with said one ring member for defining a plurality of circumferentially disposed seats canted radially inwardly with respect to said one ring member for engaging one end of each of said spring members.