Abstract
The objective of this investigation is to understand the steady and the unsteady flow field at the exit of an automotive torque converter pump with a view towards improving its performance. The measurements were conducted in a stationary frame of reference using a high frequency response five-hole probe and the data were processed to derive the flow properties in the relative (pump) frame of reference. The experimental data were processed at three different operating conditions: maximum efficiency point, design point and near-stall point. The unsteady values of flow properties (pressure, velocity and flow angles) were divided into five components: mean, periodic, blade aperiodic, revolution aperiodic and unresolved components.The velocity profiles indicate zones of separation near the core region at speed ratio (SR) 0.8. This zone is transported to the shell region at SR 0.065 due to the presence of a strong secondary vortex. The secondary vortex (weak) for the SR 0.8 rotates anti-clockwise, and is located only near core-wake region. The secondary vortex (strong) at SR 0.065 rotates clockwise, and encompasses the entire passage. The unsteady flow data show that unresolved and periodic components dominate the unsteadiness at the pump exit. The overall aperiodicity is negligible and is dominated by the blade aperiodic component.
Highlights
The torque converter flow field is very complex
Pressure tap was installed on the stator shell surface for measuring the hub static pressure. This static pressure was used for normalizing the stagnation and static pressures measured by the five-hole probe upstream and downstream of the pump
Pump exit) and all pump unsteadiness not linked with the pump rotor or pump blade passing frequencies, is very high
Summary
1999, Vol 5, No 2, pp. 99-116 Reprints available directly from the publisher Photocopying permitted by license only (C) 1999 OPA (Overseas Publishers Association) N.V. Published by license under the Gordon and Breach Science Publishers imprint. Printed in Malaysia.
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