An analysis of hydrodynamic torque converters for design applications in heavy vehicles.

M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering)The automotive driveline design engineer is invariably confronted with a limited range of driveline components , the combination of which can result in a design which is far from optimal for vehicle overall performance. Due to the close interaction between the prime mover and the torque converter of an automotive driveline incorporating an automatic transmission , the requirement developed to be able to design or modify a torque converter to attain more optimal prime mover/torque converter interaction. Two torque converters of similar configuration formed the basis of this study. A test bench was developed to verifythe published characteristic of the torque converters under controlled conditions. A computer program was developed to analyse the performance of the specific torque converters. This program is similar to the program developed by Lamprecht [10] , which was further refined by the Buro of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch. A method was established to enable accurate and consistent geometry measurement of torque converters. The analysis program was evaluated by establishing the correlation between the theoretical and published results. Based on the results further refinement was done to the analysis program. A parametric study was done based on the geometry of the larger capacity torque converter. Five components (two impellers, two turbines and a single stator) of alternative design but interchangeable with the standard components, were designed and manufactured, These components were fitted individually and tested on the test bench to establish the correlation between the experimental results and design calculations. Recommendations for further development In the field of hydrodynamic torque converters are mad