Torque Converter Capacity Improvement Through Cavitation Control by Design

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Liu ◽  
Wei Wei ◽  
Qingdong Yan ◽  
Brian K. Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Incidence Angle ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Hydrodynamic Performance ◽  
Exit Angle ◽  
Cavitation Model ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Torque Capacity

Heavy cavitation in torque converters can have a significant effect on hydrodynamic performance, particularly with regards to the torque capacity. The objective of this study is to therefore investigate the effects of pump and turbine blade geometries on cavitation in a torque converter and improve the torque capacity without increasing the torus dimension. A steady-state homogeneous computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed and validated against test data at stall operating condition. A full flow passage with a fixed turbine-stator domain was used to improve the convergence and accuracy of the cavitation model. Cavitation analysis was carried out with various pump and turbine blade geometries. It was found that there is a threshold point for pump blade exit angle in terms of its effect on torque capacity due to heavy cavitation. Further increasing the pump blade exit angle past this point will worsen cavitation condition and decrease torque capacity. The study also shows that a higher turbine blade exit angle, i.e., lower stator incidence angle, could reduce flow separation at the stator suction surface and consequently abate cavitation. A base high-capacity torque converter was upgraded utilizing the cavitation model, and the resulting design exhibited a 20.7% improvement in capacity constant without sacrificing other performance metrics.

scholarly journals Evaluation and Validation of Viscous Oil Cavitation Model Used in Torque Converter

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3643
Author(s):  
Meng Guo ◽  
Cheng Liu ◽  
Qingdong Yan ◽  
Zhifang Ke ◽  
Wei Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Density Ratio ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
High Viscosity ◽  
Nucleation Site ◽  
Hydrodynamic Performance ◽  
Cavitation Model ◽  
Cavitation Behavior

Hydraulic torque converter is widely used in transmission units as it is able to provide variable speed and torque ratio, isolate vibration, and absorb shock. The pursuit of a highly packed power unit requires a high capacity/speed torque converter, consequently resulting in a higher risk for cavitation and severe performance degradation, noise, vibration, and even failure. Existing cavitation models generally focus on water, and the empirical parameters are not suitable for the cavitation prediction of torque converter which utilizes high viscosity oil as its working medium. This paper focused on the influence of parameters on the performance and cavitation characteristics of torque converter. A full flow passage geometry and different computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models with cavitation were developed to predict torque converter fluid behavior by resolving Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations using finite volume method (FVM). The numerical results indicated that nuclei volume fraction, vaporization coefficient, mean nucleation site radius, and maximum density ratio have great influences on the cavitation behavior. These parameters altered the degree of cavitation and the pressure distribution on the surface of stator blades, and affected the stall performance such as stall capacity factor and torque ratio. The cavitation model was then modified to improve calculation accuracy. The test results showed that the prediction error under stall operating condition was decreased from 6.7% to 2%. This study provides insight on the influences of the empirical parameters on both internal cavitation behavior as well as overall hydrodynamic performance.

scholarly journals Influence of Charging Oil Condition on Torque Converter Cavitation Characteristics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Liu ◽  
Meng GUO ◽  
Qingdong Yan ◽  
Wei Wei
Keyword(s):  
High Capacity ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Hydrodynamic Performance ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Cfd Models ◽  
Fluid Field ◽  
Cavitation Effect ◽  
Capacity Degradation ◽  
Charge Pressure ◽  
Fluid Behaviour

Abstract Cavitation inside a torque converter induces noise, vibration and even failure, and these effects have been disregarded in previous torque converter design processes. However, modern high-capacity torque converter applications require attention to this issue. Therefore, this study investigated the cavitation effect on a torque converter using both numerical and experimental methods with an emphasis on the influence of the charging oil feed location and charge pressure. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models were established to simulate the transient cavitation behaviour in the torque converter using different charging oil pressures and inlet arrangements and testing against a base case to validate the results. The CFD results suggested that cavitating bubbles mainly takes place in the stator of the torque converter. The transient cavitation CFD model yielded good aggrement with the experimental data, with an error of 7.6% in the capacity constant and 7.4% in the torque ratio. Both the experimental and numerical studies showed that cavitation induced severe capacity degradation, and that the charge pressure and charging oil configuration significantly affects both the overall hydrodynamic performance and the fluid behaviour inside the torque converter because of cavitation. Increasing the charge pressure and charging the oil from the turbine-stator clearance were found to suppress cavitation development and reduce performance degradation, especially in terms of the capacity constant. This study revealed the fluid field mechanism behind the influence of charging oil conditions on torque converter cavitation behaviour, providing practical guidelines for suppressing cavitation in torque converter.

Influence of Blade Profile on Secondary Flow in Ultra-Highly Loaded Turbine Cascades at Off-Design Incidence

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoshio Tsujita
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Flow ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Incidence Angle ◽  
Horseshoe Vortex ◽  
Blade Profile ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Turbine Efficiency ◽  
Oil Flow ◽  
Highly Loaded

An increase of aerodynamic loading of turbine blade leads to the reductions of the numbers of blade and stage. As a result, the size and the weight of gas turbines could be reduced. However, the secondary flow becomes much stronger because of the steeper pressure gradient across the cascade passage, and consequently deteriorates the turbine efficiency. Therefore, it is very important to minimize the loss generation increased by the increase of loading. In the present study, the influences of blade profile on the secondary flow structure in a linear ultra-highly loaded turbine cascade (UHLTC) at off-design incidence were investigated in detail by using a numerical method. The computations were performed for the flow in three types of UHLTC at zero and off-design incidences. The present three types of turbine blade are same in the inlet and the outlet metal angles but different in the length of the blade suction surface. The verification of the computed results was performed by comparing with the experimental oil flow visualizations and the measured static pressure on the blade surface. The decrease of the length of blade suction surface increased both the profile loss and the secondary loss according to the increase of incidence angle in the positive range. The positive incidence not only strengthened the horseshoe and the passage vortices but also induced a new vortex along the blade suction surface on the end-wall. The incidence angle at which the newly formed vortex appeared was influenced by the blade profile. Moreover, the newly formed vortex affected the strength of the pressure side leg of horseshoe vortex.

An Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Freestream Turbulence on the Wake of a Separated Low-Pressure Turbine Blade at Low Reynolds Numbers

1999 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Murawski ◽  
K. Vafai
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Freestream Turbulence ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Low Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Flow Reynolds Number

An experimental study was conducted in a two-dimensional linear cascade, focusing on the suction surface of a low pressure turbine blade. Flow Reynolds numbers, based on exit velocity and suction length, have been varied from 50,000 to 300,000. The freestream turbulence intensity was varied from 1.1 to 8.1 percent. Separation was observed at all test Reynolds numbers. Increasing the flow Reynolds number, without changing freestream turbulence, resulted in a rearward movement of the onset of separation and shrinkage of the separation zone. Increasing the freestream turbulence intensity, without changing Reynolds number, resulted in shrinkage of the separation region on the suction surface. The influences on the blade’s wake from altering freestream turbulence and Reynolds number are also documented. It is shown that width of the wake and velocity defect rise with a decrease in either turbulence level or chord Reynolds number. [S0098-2202(00)00202-9]

An Experimental Study of Heat Transfer on an Outlet Guide Vane

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenglong Wang ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Bengt Sundén ◽  
Valery Chernoray ◽  
Hans Abrahamsson
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layer ◽  
Guide Vane ◽  
Incidence Angle ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Transfer Coefficients ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Layer Transition

In the present study, the heat transfer characteristics on the suction and pressure sides of an outlet guide vane (OGV) are investigated by using liquid crystal thermography (LCT) method in a linear cascade. Because the OGV has a complex curved surface, it is necessary to calibrate the LCT by taking into account the effect of viewing angles of the camera. Based on the calibration results, heat transfer measurements of the OGV were conducted. Both on- and off-design conditions were tested, where the incidence angles of the OGV were 25 degrees and −25 degrees, respectively. The Reynolds numbers, based on the axial flow velocity and the chord length, were 300,000 and 450,000. In addition, heat transfer on suction side of the OGV with +40 degrees incidence angle was measured. The results indicate that the Reynolds number and incidence angle have considerable influences upon the heat transfer on both pressure and suction surfaces. For on-design conditions, laminar-turbulent boundary layer transitions are on both sides, but no flow separation occurs; on the contrary, for off-design conditions, the position of laminar-turbulent boundary layer transition is significantly displaced downstream on the suction surface, and a separation occurs from the leading edge on the pressure surface. As expected, larger Reynolds number gives higher heat transfer coefficients on both sides of the OGV.

scholarly journals Laser Velocimeter Measurements in the Stator of an Automotive Torque Converter

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 417-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven B. Ainley ◽  
Ronald D. Flack
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Flow ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Pressure Side ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
General Direction ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Pressure Surface ◽  
Mass Flow Rates

The flow field in the stator of a clear torque converter was studied using laser velocimetry. Five planes in the stator were studied at a speed ratio of 0.800 and three planes were studied at a speed ratio of 0.065. Data complements previously available pump and turbine data. Flow in the stator inlet plane is highly non-uniform due to the complicated flow exiting the turbine. At the 0.800 speed ratio, separation regions are located in the 1/4 and mid-planes in the corepressure corner region. In the 3/4 and exit planes, separation regions are located in the shellsuction corner. In the inlet plane a region of high velocities is located along the shell near the pressure side for a speed ratio of 0.800. The high velocity region migrated to the shell-suction corner and suction side in the 1/4 and mid-planes. The overall velocity field for the speed ratio of 0.065 changes significantly from the inlet plane to the mid-plane. The velocity magnitude generally decreases from the suction to the pressure side of the inlet plane and the general direction of the tangential velocity is from pressure-to-suction surface. At the speed ratio of 0.065 a strong secondary flow in the inlet from suction surface to pressure surface was seen. However, at the high speed ratio a moderate secondary flow in the inlet from pressure surface to suction surface was observed. Mass flow rates at the different planes are within the experimental uncertainty and also within the uncertainty of pump and turbine mass flow rates. The flow in the stator inlet plane are significantly influenced by the turbine relative blade position. The turbine influence on the mid-plane data is significantly less than on the inlet plane data. The influence of the pump blade position on the stator exit plane is small.

Numerical study of the impact of water injection holes arrangement on cavitation flow control

2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 003685041987774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Qingdian Zhang ◽  
Tao Tang ◽  
Shengpeng Lu ◽  
Qi Yi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Water Injection ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Hydrodynamic Performance ◽  
Cavitation Flow ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Double Row ◽  
Suppression Effect ◽  
The Impact

A method of water injection to flow field using distributed holes on the suction surface of hydrofoil is presented in this article to control cavitation flow. Modified renormalization group k–ε turbulence model is coupled with full-cavitation model to calculate periodical cavitation patterns and the dynamic characteristics of the NACA66(MOD) hydrofoil. Water injection is found to be highly effective for cavitation suppression. The cavitation suppression effect of distributed regulation of jet holes and porosities along three-dimensional spanwise hydrofoil is also investigated. The appropriate porosities of single row spanwise jet holes and optimal jet position of double row jet holes are revealed for both cavitation suppression and good hydrodynamic performance. Double row jet holes setting in forward trapezoidal arrangement shows great potential for cavitation suppression and hydrodynamic performance. This research provides a method of water injection to flow field to actively control cavitation, which will facilitate development of engineering designs.

Study of three types of wave leading edge on the performance of industrial turbine blade cascade

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed Ghandi ◽  
Reza Aghaei Togh ◽  
Abolghasem Mesgarpoor Tousi
Keyword(s):  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Flow Separation ◽  
Numerical Solutions ◽  
Incidence Angle ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Passive Flow Control ◽  
Passive Flow ◽  
Geometrical Features ◽  
Control Methodology

Purpose The blade profile and its geometrical features play an important role in the separation of the boundary layer on the blade. Modifying the blade geometry, which might lead to the delay or elimination of the flow separation, can be considered as a passive flow control methodology. This study aims to find a novel and inexpensive way to reduce loss with appropriate modifications on the leading edge of the turbine blade. Design/methodology/approach Three types of wave leading edges were designed with different wavelengths and amplitudes. The selected numbers for the wave characteristics were based on the best results of previous studies. Models with appropriate and independent meshing have been simulated and studied by a commercial software. The distribution of the loss at different planes and mid-plane velocity vectors were shown. The mass flow average of loss at different incidence angles was calculated for the reference blade and modified ones for the sake of comparison. Findings The results show that in all three types of modified blades compared to the reference blade, the elimination of flow separation is observed and therefore the reduction of loss at the critical incidence angle of I = –15°. As the amplitude of the wave increased, the amount of loss growing up, while the increase in wavelength caused the loss to decrease. Originality/value The results of the present numerical analysis were validated by the laboratory results of the reference blade. The experimental study of modified blades can be used to quantify numerical solutions.

scholarly journals The Influence of Flow Rate on the Wake in a Centrifugal Impeller

1982 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. W. Johnson ◽  
J. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Incidence Angle ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Stagnation Pressure ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Compressor Impeller

Three-dimensional flows and their influence on the stagnation pressure losses in a centrifugal compressor impeller have been studied. All 3 mutally perpendicular components of relative velocity and stagnation pressure on 5 cross-sectional planes, between the inlet and outlet of a 1 m dia shrouded impeller running at 500 rpm were measured. Comparisons were made between results for a flow rate corresponding to nearly zero incidence angle and two other flows, with increased and reduced flow rates. These detailed measurements show how the position of separation of the shroud boundary layer moved downstream and the wake’s size decreased, as the flow rate was increased. The wake’s location, at the outlet of the impeller, was also observed to move from the suction surface at the lowest flow rate, to the shroud at higher flow rates.

Unsteady Wake Effect on Film Effectiveness and Heat Transfer Coefficient From a Turbine Blade With One Row of Air and CO2 Film Injection

1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 921-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Ou ◽  
J. C. Han
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Strouhal Number ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Density Ratio ◽  
Transfer Coefficients ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Wake Effect ◽  
Pressure Surface ◽  
Heat Transfer Coefficients ◽  
Unsteady Wake

The effect of unsteady wake and film injection on heat transfer coefficients and film effectiveness from a gas turbine blade was found experimentally. A spoked wheel type wake generator produced the unsteady flow. Experiments were done with a five airfoil linear cascades in a low-speed wind tunnel at a chord Reynolds number of 3 × 105, two wake Strouhal numbers of 0.1 and 0.3, and a no-wake case. A model turbine blade injected air or CO2 through one row of film holes each on the pressure and suction surfaces. The results show that the large-density injectant (CO2) causes higher heat transfer coefficients on the suction surface and lower heat transfer coefficients on the pressure surface. At the higher blowing ratios of 1.0 and 1.5, the film effectiveness increases with increasing injectant-to-mainstream density ratio at a given Strouhal number. However, the density ratio effect on film effectiveness is reversed at the lowest blowing ratio of 0.5. Higher wake Strouhal numbers enhance the heat transfer coefficients but reduce film effectiveness for both density ratio injectants at all three blowing ratios. The effect of the wake Strouhal number on the heat transfer coefficients on the suction surface is greater than that on the pressure surface.

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