Torque Converter Operation Explained
03-14-2004 | 12:20 PM
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Torque Converter Operation Explained
I posted this in a few places. I thought it may be appreciated here.
The torque converter is one of the least understood components in an automatic transmission equipped vehicle. I will attempt to explain what it does and how it does it.
The torque converter has a few different functions.
We first need to understand that there is no direct link between the crankshaft and the transmission input shaft (except in the case of a lock up style converter, but we'll talk about that later). This means that the first function of the converter is to connect the crank and the input shaft so the engine can move the vehicle, this is accomplished through the use of a fluidic coupling effect.
The torque converter also replaces the clutch that is required in a manual transmission, this is how an automatic transmission vehicle can come to a stop while still being in gear without stalling the engine.
The torque converter also acts as a torque multiplier, or extra gear ratio, to help the car get moving from a stop. In modern day converters this theoretical ratio is anywhere between 2:1 and 3:1.
Torque converters consist of 4 major components that we need to concern ourselves with for the purpose of explanation.
The first component which is the driving member, is called the impeller or "pump". It is connected directly to the inside of the converter housing and because the converter is bolted to the flexplate, it is moving anytime that the engine moves.
The next component is the output or driven member and is called the turbine. The transmission's input shaft is splined to it. The turbine is not physically connected to the to the converter housing and can rotate completely independently of it.
The third component is the stator assembly, its function is to redirect the flow of fluid between the impeller and the turbine, which gives the torque multiplication effect from a standstill.
The last component is the lock up clutch. At highway speeds this clutch can be applied and will provide a direct mechanical link between the crankshaft and input shaft, which will result in 100% efficiency between the engine and trans. The application of this clutch is usually controlled by the vehicle's computer activating a solenoid in the transmission.
Here's how it all works. For the sake of simplicity, I will use the common analogy of two fans which represent the impeller and the turbine. Let's say that we have two fans facing each other and we turn one of them on, the other fan will soon begin to move.
The first fan, which is powered, can be thought of as the impeller that is connected to the converter housing. The second fan- the "driven" fan can be likened to the turbine, which has the input shaft splined to it. If you were to hold the non-powered fan (the turbine) the powered one (the impeller) would still be able to move- this explains how you can pull to a stop with your automatic without the engine stalling.
Now imagine a third component placed in between the two which would serve to alter the airflow and cause the powered fan to be able to drive the non-powered fan with a reduction of speed- but an increase of force. This is essentially what the stator does.
At a certain point (usually around 30-40 mph), the same speed can be reached between impeller and the turbine. The stator, which is attached to a one way clutch, will begin to turn in conjunction with the other components and around 90% efficiency between the crank and the input shaft is achieved. The rpm at which this occurs under full throttle is often referred to as "stall speed".
The remainder of the slippage between the engine and trans can be eliminated by connecting the input shaft to the crankshaft through the application of the lock up clutch that was mentioned before. This will tend to lug the engine, so the computer will only command this in higher gears and at highway speeds when there is very little engine load present. The main function of this is to increase fuel efficiency and reduce the amount of heat that is generated by the converter.
I hope this helped to explain a relatively simple device that has a complex set of functions.
-John
The torque converter is one of the least understood components in an automatic transmission equipped vehicle. I will attempt to explain what it does and how it does it.
The torque converter has a few different functions.
We first need to understand that there is no direct link between the crankshaft and the transmission input shaft (except in the case of a lock up style converter, but we'll talk about that later). This means that the first function of the converter is to connect the crank and the input shaft so the engine can move the vehicle, this is accomplished through the use of a fluidic coupling effect.
The torque converter also replaces the clutch that is required in a manual transmission, this is how an automatic transmission vehicle can come to a stop while still being in gear without stalling the engine.
The torque converter also acts as a torque multiplier, or extra gear ratio, to help the car get moving from a stop. In modern day converters this theoretical ratio is anywhere between 2:1 and 3:1.
Torque converters consist of 4 major components that we need to concern ourselves with for the purpose of explanation.
The first component which is the driving member, is called the impeller or "pump". It is connected directly to the inside of the converter housing and because the converter is bolted to the flexplate, it is moving anytime that the engine moves.
The next component is the output or driven member and is called the turbine. The transmission's input shaft is splined to it. The turbine is not physically connected to the to the converter housing and can rotate completely independently of it.
The third component is the stator assembly, its function is to redirect the flow of fluid between the impeller and the turbine, which gives the torque multiplication effect from a standstill.
The last component is the lock up clutch. At highway speeds this clutch can be applied and will provide a direct mechanical link between the crankshaft and input shaft, which will result in 100% efficiency between the engine and trans. The application of this clutch is usually controlled by the vehicle's computer activating a solenoid in the transmission.
Here's how it all works. For the sake of simplicity, I will use the common analogy of two fans which represent the impeller and the turbine. Let's say that we have two fans facing each other and we turn one of them on, the other fan will soon begin to move.
The first fan, which is powered, can be thought of as the impeller that is connected to the converter housing. The second fan- the "driven" fan can be likened to the turbine, which has the input shaft splined to it. If you were to hold the non-powered fan (the turbine) the powered one (the impeller) would still be able to move- this explains how you can pull to a stop with your automatic without the engine stalling.
Now imagine a third component placed in between the two which would serve to alter the airflow and cause the powered fan to be able to drive the non-powered fan with a reduction of speed- but an increase of force. This is essentially what the stator does.
At a certain point (usually around 30-40 mph), the same speed can be reached between impeller and the turbine. The stator, which is attached to a one way clutch, will begin to turn in conjunction with the other components and around 90% efficiency between the crank and the input shaft is achieved. The rpm at which this occurs under full throttle is often referred to as "stall speed".
The remainder of the slippage between the engine and trans can be eliminated by connecting the input shaft to the crankshaft through the application of the lock up clutch that was mentioned before. This will tend to lug the engine, so the computer will only command this in higher gears and at highway speeds when there is very little engine load present. The main function of this is to increase fuel efficiency and reduce the amount of heat that is generated by the converter.
I hope this helped to explain a relatively simple device that has a complex set of functions.
-John
03-14-2004 | 12:53 PM
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