Abstract
The hydraulic torque converter is an important component for AT or CVT transmission, in which energy is transformed between fluid energy and mechanical energy. The transformation is implemented through the interaction of blade wheels. Therefore, the blade's geometry shape has a great effect on the performances of the hydraulic torque converter. Some traditional design methods have been used in the past years, but these methods mainly depend on designers´ experience, which results in a design process with tediousness and low-efficiency.
A three-dimension design method suitable to CAE/CAM is proposed in this paper and a design flow chart is provided. Different pumps, turbines and stators designed by varied parameters law are compared and analyzed. Based on the analysis, laws are developed and summarized about how blade angle affects the performance of the hydraulic torque converter. Blade design and the corresponding computation of torque converter performance are implemented by 3-D CAD/CFD technology. In addition, the experiment on the torque converter performance used as the baseline for comparison ensures the reliability of the conclusion. The three-dimension design method reduces the dependence on experiences. Simultaneously, its result provides a basic guidance for designing new blade considering blade angle factor.
Keywords: 3-D Molding Method, Hydraulic Torque Converter, Blade Design, Blade Angle, CFD