High efficiency torque converter
US7152399B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H41/26
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A torque converter assembly is provided, which includes an impeller, a turbine, and a stator. The impeller and the turbine each have a plurality of passages for directing fluid. The inlet and outlet of each passage are larger in cross-sectional area than the middle portion of the passage, located between the inlet and outlet. This structure reduces energy losses, which typically occur near the midpoint of the passage due to flow separation. Additionally, reducing the flow area of the torus of the impeller and turbine permits an overall thinner torque converter, which is preferred for engine packaging purposes. The stator includes a core, a shell, and a plurality of stator blades. One end of each stator blade is fixed to the core, while the opposite end is fixed to the shell. Each stator blade has a mean camber line and an associated mean camber line length. The maximum thickness of each stator blade is approximately 20% of the mean camber line length. Each stator blade has a midsection located between the ends affixed to the core and the shell. The midsection of each stator blade has a larger cross-sectional area than either end of the blade. This stator blade structure creates a l…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.