Effect of scroll angle on performance of automotive torque converter

The internal flow of a torque converter strongly depends on the blade geometry, which directly affects its performance. Among the various parameters that influence the performance of a torque converter, blade angles have been the main focus of investigation as the major governing parameter. Recently, however, other parameters including bias and scroll angles have become new areas for research in order to achieve a better performance. The objective of this paper is to numerically investigate the effect of the scroll angle of impeller and turbine blades on the performance of a torque converter. In the present study, the internal flow field of an automotive torque converter was calculated using the 3-D Navier-Stokes flow code with a mixing plane. The results provide a physical understanding of the internal flow characteristics and the effect of the scroll angle on the general flow behavior. Furthermore, the results can also be used as reference data for performance enhancement in the design process of torque converter blades.