Laser Velocimeter Measurements in the Turbine of an Automotive Torque Converter: Part II — Unsteady Measurements

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Bran ◽  
Ronald D. Flack
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Field ◽  
Angular Position ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Velocity Data ◽  
Velocity Fluctuations ◽  
Blade Passage ◽  
Turbine Pump ◽  
Output Torque

The unsteady velocity field found in the turbine of an automotive torque converter was measured using laser velocimetry. Velocities in the inlet, quarter, mid, and exit planes of the turbine were investigated at two significantly different operating conditions: turbine/pump rotational speed ratios of 0.065, and 0.800. A data organization method was developed to visualize the three-dimensional, periodic unsteady velocity field in the rotating frame. For this method, the acquired data is assumed to be periodic at synchronous and blade interaction frequencies. Two shaft encoders were employed to obtain the instantaneous angular position of the torque converter pump and turbine at the instant of laser velocimeter data acquisition. By proper “registration” of the velocity data, visualizing the transient interaction effects between the turbine, pump, and stator was possible. Results showed strong cyclic velocity fluctuations in the turbine inlet plane as a function of the relative turbine-pump position. These fluctuations are due to the passing of upstream pump blades by the slower rotating turbine blades. Typical fluctuations in the through flow velocity were 3.6 m/s. Quarter and mid plane velocity fluctuations were seen to be lower; typical values were 1.5 m/s and 0.8 m/s, respectively. The flow field in the turbine exit plane was seen to be relatively steady with negligible fluctuations of less than 0.03 m/s. From the velocity data, the fluctuations of turbine performance parameters such as flow inlet angles, root-mean-square unsteadiness, and output torque per blade passage were calculated. Incidence angles were seen to vary by 3° and 6° for the 0.800 and 0.065 speed ratios, respectively, while the exit angles remained steady. The turbine output torque per blade passage fluctuated by 0.05 Nm for the 0.800 speed ratio and 0.13 Nm for the 0.065 speed ratio.

Laser Velocimeter Measurements in the Turbine of an Automotive Torque Converter: Part II—Unsteady Measurements

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 655-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Brun ◽  
R. D. Flack
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Field ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Angular Position ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Velocity Data ◽  
Velocity Fluctuations ◽  
Blade Passage ◽  
Turbine Pump ◽  
Output Torque

The unsteady velocity field found in the turbine of an automotive torque converter was measured using laser velocimetry. Velocities in the inlet, quarter, mild, and exit planes of the turbine were investigated at two significantly different turbine/pump rotational speed ratios: 0.065 and 0.800. A data organization method was developed to visualize the three-dimensional, periodic unsteady velocity field in the rotating frame. For this method, the acquired data are assumed to be periodic at synchronous and blade interaction frequencies. Two shaft encoders were employed to obtain the instantaneous angular position of the torque converter pump and turbine at the instant of laser velocimeter data acquisition. By proper “registration” of the velocity data, visualizing the transient interaction effects between the turbine, pump, and stator was possible. Results showed strong cyclic velocity fluctuations in the turbine inlet plane as a function of the relative turbine-pump position. These fluctuations are due to the passing of upstream pump blades by the slower rotating turbine blades. Typical fluctuations in the through flow velocity were 3.6 m/s. Quarter and midplane velocity fluctuations were seen to be lower; typical values were 1.5 m/s and 0.8 m/s, respectively. The flow field in the turbine exit plane was seen to be relatively steady with negligible fluctuations of less than 0.03 m/s. From the velocity data, the fluctuations of turbine performance parameters such as flow inlet angles, root-mean-square unsteadiness, and output torque per blade passage were calculated. Incidence angles were seen to vary by 3 and 6 deg for the 0.800 and 0.065 speed ratios, respectively, while the exit angles remained steady. The turbine output torque per blade passage fluctuated by 0.05 Nm for the 0.800 speed ratio and 0.13 Nm for the 0.065 speed ratio.

Laser Velocimeter Measurements in the Pump of an Automotive Torque Converter: Part II—Unsteady Measurements

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 570-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Brun ◽  
R. D. Flack ◽  
J. K. Gruver
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Field ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Incidence Angle ◽  
Angular Position ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Plane Flow ◽  
Periodic Fluctuations ◽  
Pump Inlet

The unsteady velocity field found in the pump of an automotive torque converter was measured using laser velocimetry. Velocities in the inlet, mid-, and exit planes of the pump were investigated at two significantly different operating conditions: turbine/pump rotational speed ratios of 0.065 and 0.800. A data organization method was developed to visualize the three-dimensional, periodic unsteady velocity field in the rotating frame. For this method, the acquired data are assumed to be periodic at synchronous and blade interaction frequencies. Two shaft encoders were employed to obtain the instantaneous angular position of the torque converter pump and turbine at the instant of laser velocimeter data acquisition. By proper “registration” of the data, visualizing the transient interaction effects between the stator and the pump, and between the pump and the turbine, was possible. Results showed strong cyclic velocity fluctuations in the pump inlet plane as a function of the relative stator-pump position. Typical percent periodic fluctuations in the through flow velocity were 70 percent of the average throughflow velocity. The upstream propagation influence of the turbine on the pump exit plane flow field was seen to be smaller. Percent periodic fluctuations of the throughflow velocity were typically 30 percent. The effect of the stator and turbine on the midplane flow field was seen to be negligible. The incidence angle at the pump inlet fluctuated by 27 and 14 deg for the 0.065 and 0.800 speed ratios, respectively. Typical slip factors at the exit were 0.965 and fluctuated by less than 1 percent.

scholarly journals Laser Velocimeter Measurements in the Pump of an Automotive Torque Converter: Part II — Unsteady Measurements

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Brun ◽  
R. D. Flack ◽  
J. K. Gruver
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Field ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Flow Velocity ◽  
Angular Position ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Plane Flow ◽  
Through Flow ◽  
Periodic Fluctuations ◽  
Pump Inlet

The unsteady velocity field found in the pump of an automotive torque converter was measured using laser velocimetry. Velocities in the inlet, mid-, and exit planes of the pump were investigated at two significantly different operating conditions: turbine/pump rotational speed ratios of 0.065, and 0.800. A data organization method was developed to visualize the three dimensional, periodic unsteady velocity field in the rotating frame. For this method, the acquired data is assumed to be periodic at synchronous and blade interaction frequencies. Two shaft encoders were employed to obtain the instantaneous angular position of the torque converter pump and turbine at the instant of laser velocimeter data acquisition. By proper “registration” of the data visualizing the transient interaction effects between the stator and the pump, and the pump and the turbine was possible. Results showed strong cyclic velocity fluctuations in the pump inlet plane as a function of the relative stator-pump position. Typical percent periodic fluctuations in the through flow velocity were 70% of the average through flow velocity. The upstream propagation influence of the turbine on the pump exit plane flow field was seen to he smaller. Percent periodic fluctuations of the through flow velocity were typically 30%. The effect of the stator and turbine on the mid-plane flow field was seen to be negligible. The incidence angle at the pump inlet fluctuated by 27° and 14° for the 0.065 and 0.800 speed ratios, respectively. Typical slip factors at the exit were 0.965 and fluctuated by less than 1%.

scholarly journals Laser Velocimeter Measurements in the Turbine of an Automotive Torque Converter: Part I — Average Measurements

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Bran ◽  
Ronald D. Flack
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Vector ◽  
Average Velocity ◽  
Incidence Angle ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Pump Speed ◽  
Turbine Pump ◽  
Mass Flows

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 mid planes to be highly non-uniform 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.

Laser Velocimeter Measurements in the Turbine of an Automotive Torque Converter: Part I—Average Measurements

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 646-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Brun ◽  
R. D. Flack
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Vector ◽  
Average Velocity ◽  
Incidence Angle ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Pump Speed ◽  
Turbine Pump ◽  
Mass Flows

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.

scholarly journals Measurements of Strain on 310 mm Torque Converter Turbine Blades

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-63
Author(s):  
P. O. Sweger ◽  
C. L. Anderson ◽  
J. R. Blough
Keyword(s):  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Surface Strain ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Constant Input ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Blade Tip ◽  
Input Torque

An automotive torque converter was tested in order to determine the effect of converter operating condition and turbine blade design on turbine blade strain in the region of the inlet core tab restraint. The converter was operated over a wide range of speed ratios (0 to 0.95) at constant input torque and a stall condition for two input torques. Foil-type strain gages in combination with wireless microwave telemetry were used to measure surface strain on the turbine blade. Strain measurements were made on two turbine blade designs.The steady component of strain over the range of speed ratios suggests the effect of both torque loading and centrifugal loading on the turbine blade tip. The unsteady strain was greatest at stall condition and diminished as speed ratio increased. Greater input torque at stall condition resulted in both greater steady strain and greater unsteady strain. The spectral distribution of strain over the range of tested speed ratios displayed an increase in low-frequency broadband fluctuations near stall condition. A blade-periodic event is observed which correlates to the pump-blade passing frequency relative to the turbine rotating frame. Reducing the blade-tip surface area and increasing the inlet-tab root radius reduced the range of steady strain and magnitude of unsteady strain imposed near the inlet core tab restraint over the range of operating conditions.

Laser Velocimeter Measurements in the Pump of an Automotive Torque Converter: Part I—Average Measurements

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 562-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. Gruver ◽  
R. D. Flack ◽  
K. Brun
Keyword(s):  
Angular Position ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Exit Plane ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Torque Distribution ◽  
Average Flow Velocity ◽  
Pump Shaft ◽  
Pump Inlet

A torque converter was tested for two turbine/pump rotational speed ratios, 0.065 and 0.800, and a laser velocimeter was used to measure three components of velocity within the pump. Shaft encoders were used to record the instantaneous pump angular position, which was correlated with the velocities. Average flow velocity profiles were obtained for the pump inlet, mid-, and exit planes. Large separation regions were seen in the mid- and exit planes of the pump for a speed ratio of 0.800. Strong counterclockwise secondary flows were observed in the midplane and strong clockwise secondary flows were seen in the exit plane of the pump for all conditions; vorticities were evaluated and are reported. Velocity data were also used to find the torque distribution. For both speed ratios the torque was approximately evenly distributed between the inlet and exit. Finally, slip factors were evaluated at the mid-and exit planes. At the midplane they were approximately the same as for conventional centrifugal pumps; however, at the exit plane the slip factors are larger than for centrifugal pumps.

Influence of Stator Blade Geometry on Torque Converter Cavitation

2017 ◽  
Vol 140 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Liu ◽  
Wei Wei ◽  
Qingdong Yan ◽  
Brian K. Weaver ◽  
Houston G. Wood
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Hydrodynamic Performance ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Capacity Loss ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Stator Blade ◽  
Torque Converters ◽  
Blade Geometry

Cavitation in torque converters may cause degradation in hydrodynamic performance, severe noise, or even blade damage. Researches have highlighted that the stator is most susceptible to the occurrence of cavitation due to the combination of high flow velocities and high incidence angles. The objective of this study is to therefore investigate the effects of cavitation on hydrodynamic performance as well as the influence of stator blade geometry on cavitation. A steady-state homogeneous computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed and validated against test data. It was found that cavitation brought severe capacity constant degradation under low-speed ratio (SR) operating conditions and vanished in high-speed ratio operating conditions. A design of experiments (DOE) study was performed to investigate the influence of stator design variables on cavitation over various operating conditions, and it was found that stator blade geometry had a significant effect on cavitation behavior. The results show that stator blade count and leaning angle are important variables in terms of capacity constant loss, torque ratio (TR) variance, and duration of cavitation. Large leaning angles are recommended due to their ability to increase the cavitation number in torque converters over a wide range of SRs, leading to less stall capacity loss as well as a shorter duration of cavitation. A reduced stator blade count is also suggested due to a reduced TR loss and capacity loss at stall.

Flow Pattern Evolution and Energy Decomposition of Flows at Different Operating Conditions in a Hydrodynamic Torque Converter

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wei ◽  
Mingxing Huang ◽  
Yu Li ◽  
Qingdong Yan
Keyword(s):  
Vortex Structure ◽  
Velocity Vector ◽  
Power Transmission ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Energy Decomposition ◽  
Complex Flow

Power loss and flow blockage in turbomachinery such as hydrodynamic torque converter are usually caused by jet flow, second flow and flow separation. In this paper, the velocity vector and the pressure distribution of the internal flow field in hydrodynamic torque converter were reduced by the method of the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) to find the main flow structures and the energy decomposition in the passages of pump, turbine and stator. In order to find their evolutionary processes and energy decompositions, oil flow visualizations were conducted at different speed ratios from 0 to 0.8, including stall condition and design operating condition. The results showed that the first few modes containing the majority of energy could provide enough accuracy to predict flow behavior and flow structure in flow passages. Especially when the energy percentage of the first mode was majority, its vortex structures could be recognized easily. But the flow patterns of other modes were different from each other and they made the flow more turbulent and complex, which increases the energy loss in the process of power transmission. Besides that, the change of pressure gradient had a direct influence to velocity vector. The results also indicated that the observed fluid pattern of vortex structure became extensive while the influence of secondary flow decreased in the flow passage of pump with the increase of speed ratio. But the situation is just reversed in turbine, that is, the vortex disappeared gradually and the irregular turbulent flow appeared as the increase of speed ratio. In stator, the vortex structure emerged gradually when the speed ratio increased. So the method of snapshots is a very useful way to analyze the complex flow flied in depth and to predict the trend of development.

scholarly journals Laser Velocimeter Measurements in the Pump of an Automotive Torque Converter Part I – Effect of Speed Ratio

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven B. Ainley ◽  
Ronald D. Flack ◽  
Klaus Brun ◽  
Tony J. Rovello
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Angular Position ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Exit Plane ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Plane Flow ◽  
Shaft Encoder ◽  
Mass Flows

A torque converter was tested at four turbine/pump rotational speed ratios (0.200, 0.400, 0.600, and 0.800) all with a constant pump rotational speed in order to determine the effect of speed ratio on the torque converter pump flow field. Laser velocimetry was used to measure three components of velocity within the pump and a shaft encoder was employed to record the instantaneous pump angular position. Shaft encoder information was correlated with measured velocities to develop flow field blade-to-blade profiles and vector plots. Measurements were obtained in both the pump mid- and exit planes for all four speed ratios. Results showed large separation regions and jet/wake flows throughout the pump. The midplane flow was found to have strong counter-clockwise secondary components and the exit plane flow had strong clockwise secondary components. Mass flows were calculated from the velocity data and were found to decrease as the speed ratio was increased. Also, the vorticity and slip factors were calculated from the experimental data and are included. The mid-plane slip factors compare favorably to those for conventional centrifugal pumps but less slip was present in the exit plane than the mid-plane. Neither the slip factor nor the vorticity were seen to be strongly affected by the speed ratio. Finally, the torque core-to-shell and blade-to-blade torque distributions are presented for both planes.

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