Author : S. Jeyakumar and B.H.Madhusudhan

The hydraulic torque converter is a key interface device between engine and transmission and it amplifies the torque based on vehicle performance demand. It provides and gets the fluid angular momentum to transmit torque while effectively protecting engine and extending the service life of internal components. On the other side, it has drawbacks in efficiencies. Its maximum efficiency is lower approximately around 80% to 90% compared with gear transmission. This directly impacts the fuel consumption and vehicle performance. The main goal of this study is to design with higher efficiency (88~89%) and optimum K-Factor hydraulic torque converter as per engineering target by using in-house developed computer aided design methodology combined with CFD engineering. The targeted torque ratio, efficiency and K-Factor are 2.87~2.95, 88~89% and 8.05~8.10 (Rad/Sec)/(N-m0.5) respectively. The targeted overall torque converter performance characteristics were arrived by using this design methodology and the results of in-house developed torque converter performance analysis program and CFD simulation are correlated with experimental test data. This paper provided the computer aided design methodology of hydraulic torque converter and useful information for variable parameters involved in torque converter design.

Keywords: Torque Converter, Computer Aided Design Methodology, CFD simulation, Torque Ratio, K-Factor

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.9, No.1 (Jan/Feb 2019)