Laser velocimeter measurements in the pump of an automotive torque converter. Part 1: Average measurements

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Journal of Turbomachinery

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2836703· OSTI ID:287467

Gruver, J K; Flack, R D; Brun, K ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (United States)

A torque converter was tested for two turbine/pump rotational speed ratios, 0.065 and 0.800, and a laser velocimeter was used to measure three components of velocity within the pump. Shaft encoders were used to record the instantaneous pump angular position, which was correlated with the velocities. Average flow velocity profiles were obtained for the pump inlet, mid-, and exit planes. Large separation regions were seen in the mid- and exit planes of the pump for a speed ratio of 0.800. Strong counterclockwise secondary flows were observed in the midplane and strong clockwise secondary flows were seen in the exit plane of the pump for all conditions; vorticities were evaluated and are reported. Velocity data were also used to find the torque distribution. For both speed ratios the torque was approximately evenly distributed between the inlet and exit. Finally, slip factors were evaluated at the mid- and exit planes. At the midplane they were approximately the same as for conventional centrifugal pumps; however, at the exit plane the slip factors are larger than for centrifugal pumps.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 287467
• Report Number(s): CONF-940626--
• Journal Information: Journal of Turbomachinery, Journal Name: Journal of Turbomachinery Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 118; ISSN JOTUEI; ISSN 0889-504X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
AUTOMOBILES
FLUID FLOW
MECHANICAL TRANSMISSIONS
PUMPS
VELOCIMETERS
VELOCITY