Laser Velocimeter Measurements in the Stator of a Torque Converter

A torque converter constructed from Plexiglas was tested for two turbine/pump speed ratios and a one-directional burst type laser velocimeter was used to measure three components of velocity within the stator. Velocities in 5 meridional planes were found and 25 data stations were examined for each plane. The flow is moderately turbulent and 2000⁺ individual data samples were used for each positional data point. Shaft encoders were used to record the instantaneous pump and turbine rotational positions for each sample.

Presented data include the effect of instantaneous turbine and pump blade positions on the average velocity field in the stator (i.e. “blade pass” variations), average velocity variations from pressure surface to suction surface, variations from core to shell, meridional variations, and flow and torque distributions. Results indicate minimal “blade pass” variations in the velocity components due to turbine and pump rotation. The flow rates and torque distributions were found to be strongly dependent on radial position. Other results presented herein can be used to improve stator design and to validate predictions from viscous flow computer programs.