A quantitative study of primary flow fields within an automotive torque converter using laser Doppler velocimetry

All modern automotive automatic transmissions require the use of a torque converter to allow for the transmission of torque from the engine to the drive train. Although they are commonly used throughout the automotive industry, there is little understanding of the primary or streamwise flows within the torque converter. This is the first experimental study of streamwise flows through the impeller passages of an automotive torque converter under operating conditions.; An automotive torque converter with windows inserted between blades of the impeller allowed for the optical access necessary to conduct Laser Doppler Velocimetry flow measurements. These measurements were used to produce animations of velocity profiles of streamwise flow through six planes in the impeller and gap region under two different operating conditions. Transient mass flow rates that are dependent on the turbine position were also observed and documented. The measurements have led to a better understanding of flow conditions within the torque converter under operating conditions and provide the guidance needed for the advancement of improved computational fluid dynamics models.