On the application of passive flow control for cavitation suppression in torque converter stator

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the transient cavitation process in torque converters with a particular focus on cavitation suppression with a passive flow control technique. Design/methodology/approach The transient fluid field in a torque converter was simulated by RANS-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in a full three-dimensional (3D) model. A homogeneous Rayleigh–Plesset cavitation model was used to simulate the transient cavitation process and the results were validated with test data. Various secondary flow passages (SFP) were applied to the stator blade. The cavitation behavior and hydrodynamic performance were simulated and compared to investigate the effect of SFP geometries on cavitation suppression. Findings Presented results show that cavitation in the torque converter is highly unstable at stall operating condition because of the combination of a high incidence angle and high flow velocity. The addition of an SFP to the stator blade produces a disruption of the re-entrant jet and reduces the overall degree of cavitation, consequently inhibiting the unstable cavitation and reducing performance degradation. Originality/value This paper provides unique insights into the complicated transient cavitation flow patterns found in torque converters and introduces effective passive flow control techniques useful to researchers and engineers in the areas of fluid dynamics and turbomachinery.