Torque converter bypass clutch having a modular spring damper arrangement

In a torque converter that includes an impeller and a turbine hydrodynamically driven by the impeller, a damper assembly for modulating torque disturbances, comprising:

• an impeller casing adapted for driveable connection to an engine;
• a moveable piston supported on a turbine hub for alternate frictional driveable engagement with, and disengagement from the impeller casing, having legs spaced mutually about an axis;
• a retainer driveably fixed to the turbine hub, located adjacent the piston, having a retaining flange formed integrally with the retainer and extending annularly about a radially outer periphery thereof, the retaining flange defining first and second annular pockets having a first annular length, and third and fourth annular pockets having a second annular length shorter than that of the first and second pockets, the first and second pockets spaced mutually about the axis at diametrically opposite locations, the third pocket located between the first and second pockets, the pockets having an opening facing the piston legs, stop flanges located between successive retaining flanges;
• and
• springs, each spring located in a pocket, having a first end contacted by a piston leg for displacement therewith, and a second end contacted by one of said stop flanges that limits displacement of the spring.

In a torque converter that includes an impeller and a turbine hydrodynamically driven by the impeller, a damper assembly for modulating torque disturbances, comprising:

• an impeller casing adapted for driveable connection to an engine;
• a moveable piston supported on a turbine hub for alternate frictional driveable engagement with, and disengagement from the impeller casing, having legs spaced mutually about an axis;
• a retainer driveably fixed to the turbine hub, located adjacent the piston, having a retaining flange formed integrally with the retainer and extending annularly about a radially outer periphery thereof, the retaining flange defining first and second groups of annular pockets having unequal annular lengths, spaced mutually about the axis, having an opening facing the piston legs, stop flanges located between successive retaining flanges;
• and
• a first set of helically coiled, annular curved compression springs, each spring located in a pocket of the first group, a piston leg located for contact with a first end of the springs of the first set that is displaced as the piston is driven by the impeller casing;
• a second set of helically coiled, compression springs, each spring located in a pocket of the second group, a piston leg located for contact with a first end of the springs of the second set that is displaced as the piston is driven by the impeller casing.