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

Journal Article · Tue Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Journal of Turbomachinery

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2841170· OSTI ID:516737

Brun, K; Flack, R D ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (United States). Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering Dept.

The three-dimensional average velocity field in an automotive torque converter turbine was examined. Two significantly different operating conditions of the torque converter were tested: the 0.065 and 0.800 turbine/pump speed ratio. Velocities were measured using a one-directional, frequency-shifted laser velocimeter. The instantaneous angular positions of the torque converter turbine and pump were recorded using digital shaft encoders. Shaft encoder information and velocities were correlated to generate average velocity blade-to-blade profiles and velocity vector plots. Measurements were taken in the inlet, quarter, mid, and exit planes of the turbine. From the experimental velocity measurements, mass flows, turbine output torque, average vorticities, viscous dissipation, inlet incidence flow angles, and exit flow angles were calculated. Average mass flows were 23.4 kg/s and 14.7 kg/s for the 0.065 and 0.800 speed ratios, respectively. Velocity vector plots for both turbine/pump speed ratios showed the flow field in the turbine quarter and midplanes to be highly nonuniform with separation regions and reversed flows at the core-suction corner. For the conditions tested, the turbine inlet flow was seen to have a high relative incidence angle, while the relative turbine exit flow angle was close to the blade angle.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 516737
• Report Number(s): CONF-950629--
• Journal Information: Journal of Turbomachinery, Journal Name: Journal of Turbomachinery Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 119; ISSN JOTUEI; ISSN 0889-504X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
AUTOMOBILES
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
MECHANICAL TRANSMISSIONS
PUMP TURBINES
VELOCIMETERS