Journal

of

The Franklin I n s l i l u l e
D e v o t e d to S c i e n c e and t h e M e c h a n i c Arts

Vol. 235 MAY, 1943 No. 5

THE FLUID TORQUE CONVERTER AND C O U P L I N G

HY

R U P E N EKSERGIAN, Ph.D.

T h e m a j o r i t y of t o r q u e c o n v e r t e r s are m o d i f i c a t i o n s of the
F 6 t t i n g e r t r a n s m i s s i o n , b u t s u c h t r a n s m i s s i o n s in a d d i t i o n
i n c o r p o r a t e the f l u i d fly w h e e l c l u t c h . R e c e n t d e v e l o p m e n t s
are the V o i t h S i n c l a i r a n d L y s h o l m - S m i t h h y d r a u l i c t r a n s -
m i s s i o n s a n d the V u l c a n S i n c l a i r F l u i d c o u p l i n g s a n d the
T r i l o k or H y d r o f l e x G e a r .
F u n d a m e n t a l l y , a n y type of t o r q u e c o n v e r t e r m u s t i n c l u d e
s t a t i o n a r y g u i d e v a n e s or c h a n n e l s a s the r e a c t i o n m e m b e r for
a u g m e n t i n g the p r i m a r y o r e n g i n e t o r q u e . In f l u i d c o u p l i n g s ,
no r e a c t i o n m e m b e r e x i s t s , so t h a t t h e r e is no t o r q u e a u g m e n -
t a t i o n , the c o u p l i n g a c t i n g m e r e l y as a f l u i d c l u t c h .
T h e t o r q u e c o n v e r t e r c o n s i s t s e s s e n t i a l l y of a c e n t r i f u g a l
p u m p c o n n e c t e d t o the e n g i n e s h a f t a n d a h y d r a u l i c t u r b i n e ,
the r o t a t i n g v a n e s b e i n g c o n n e c t e d with the s e c o n d a r y s h a f t
a n d the f i x e d v a n e s a s p a r t of the c a s i n g . T h e f l u i d m e d i u m ,
h o w e v e r , r e c i r c u l a t e s in a c l o s e d p a t h , a n d the p u m p a n d
t u r b i n e r o t o r s are a r r a n g e d in a c o m p a c t c a s i n g with a s h o r t
r e c i r c u l a t i n g circuit, so t h a t the l o s s e s are r e d u c e d t o a
minimum. T h e r e c i r c u l a t i n g flow is set up by a differential
p r e s s u r e head due t o t h e t o r q u e a n d p o w e r i n p u t a t the
p r i m a r y or p u m p r o t o r .
In the c i r c u l a t i o n of the f l u i d t h r o u g h the c o n v e r t e r , the
t o t a l c h a n g e in a n g u l a r m o m e n t u m a b o u t the s h a f t axis in a
(Note---The F r a n k l i n Institute is not responsible for the statements and opinions advanced
by contributors in t h e JOURNAL.)
v r ~ l , , 235, No. 1 4 0 9 - - 1 7 44 t
442 R U P E N EKSERGIAN. [J. F. I.

c o m p l e t e c i r c u l a t i o n is nil u n d e r s t e a d y m o t i o n . T h e r e f o r e ,
the r e s u l t a n t t o r q u e r e a c t i o n i m p r e s s e d on the flow is also nil.
T h e i m p r e s s e d t o r q u e on the c i r c u l a t i n g flow c o n s i s t s of the
p r i m a r y o r p u m p i m p e l l e r t o r q u e ~e, the r e a c t i n g t o r q u e of
the s t a t i o n a r y g u i d e s of the h o u s i n g &R a n d the t o r q u e r e a c t i o n
of the s e c o n d a r y or t u r b i n e r u n n e r v a n e s q~s. If A . M . = the
t o t a l a n g u l a r m o m e n t u m of the c i r c u l a t i n g flow, then in
steady motion,
d(A.M.)
~P + (be -- ¢P,~ -- - - - - o;
dt
•. ~ s = 4~, + , ~ , (I)

so t h a t the d e l i v e r e d t o r q u e is e q u a l t o the p r i m a r y t o r q u e
a u g m e n t e d by the t o r q u e r e a c t i o n of the h o u s i n g .
In the f l u i d c o u p l i n g no r e a c t i o n m e m b e r e x i s t s , the c i r c u -
lation taking place directly between primary and secondary
r o t a t i n g m e m b e r s , so t h a t ~ s = ~P. In o t h e r w o r d s , we h a v e
a m u t u a l r e a c t i o n b e t w e e n the p r i m a r y a n d s e c o n d a r y r o t o r s
a s in a n o r d i n a r y c o u p l i n g or c l u t c h .
In a t o r q u e c o n v e r t e r , if o~i, = e n g i n e or p u m p r o t o r
s p e e d s , a n d c0s = s e c o n d a r y r o t o r s p e e d , then the p o w e r
o u t p u t is 4s0~,s a n d the i n p u t is q~eo~e, so t h a t the o v e r a l l
effÉciency is
q~.~o~s (41, + ~e)o~,~
-- &ec0e q~ecol, (2)

w h i c h s u g g e s t s m e a s u r i n g the t o r q u e r e a c t i o n of p r i m a r y
m o t o r for ~ e a n d the t o r q u e r e a c t i o n o n the c o n v e r t e r h o u s i n g
for q~n a n d n o t i n g p r i m a r y a n d s e c o n d a r y s p e e d s .
In a f l u i d c o u p l i n g , s i n c e the m u t u a l r e a c t i o n & b e t w e e n
p r i m a r y a n d s e c o n d a r y r o t o r s is e q u a l a n d o p p o s i t e , the
efficiency v a r i e s d i r e c t l y as the slip S. If c0e = p r i m a r y
s h a f t s p e e d , then (I - S) c0e = s e c o n d a r y s p e e d , so t h a t
(I - S)*o,,,
= = - s, (3)
(lr)c0 p

i.e., tile efficiency v a r y i n g l i n e a r l y with the s l i p .

S i n c e a p p l i c a t i o n s of the t o r q u e c o n v e r t e r are u s u a l l y t o
v a r i a b l e s p e e d o p e r a t i o n on the s e c o n d a r y or t u r b i n e side a n d
a t c o n s t a n t s p e e d on the p r i m a r y or p u m p i m p e l l e r s i d e , it is
May, 1943.] TORQUE C O N V E R T E R AN[) (~OUPLING. 443

n e c e s s a r y t o e s t i m a t e the v a r i a t i o n of c i r c u l a t i n g flow a n d the

t o r q u e for both p u m p a n d t u r b i n e r o t o r s a t d i f f e r e n t s e c o n d a r y
speeds.
In the f o l l o w i n g a n a l y s i s we are p r i m a r i l y c o n c e r n e d with
the a n g u l a r m o m e n t u m a n d e n e r g y r e l a t i o n s a t the t e r m i n a l
s e c t i o n s of the f l u i d a c r o s s the p u m p i m p e l l e r b e t w e e n s e c t i o n s
one a n d two, then a c r o s s the t u r b i n e t e r m i n a l sections be-
t w e e n sections two and t h r e e a n d f i n a l l y a c r o s s the t e r m i n a l
s e c t i o n s of the g u i d e b l a d e s b e t w e e n s e c t i o n s t h r e e a n d one.
S e c t i o n s , r a d i i a n d a n g l e s , of the g u i d e b l a d e s will be d e s i g -
n a t e d by the s u b s c r i p t " g " with an a d d i t i o n a l n u m b e r for the
p a r t i c u l a r section. L i k e w i s e , the s u b s c r i p t " P " s t a n d s for
the p u m p i m p e l l e r a n d the s u b s c r i p t " S " for the t u r b i n e rotor.
T h e c i r c u l a t i n g flow Q m e a s u r e d a c r o s s a n y s e c t i o n in Cu.
F t . per s e c o n d is o b v i o u s l y the flow rate t h r o u g h e i t h e r t u r b i n e
or p u m p impeller. L e t 0 = d e n s i t y of f l u i d , l b s . / c u , ft.

1. ANALYSIS OF T O R Q U E AND ENERGY TRANSFER ACROSS PUMP

IMPELLER AND TURBINE R O T O R .

a. C o n s i d e r i n g the i n t e r a c t i o n of tile F l u i d Flow with the

p u m p impeller, let, we = a n g u l a r velocity of p u m p r o t o r
(rads./sec.), Fp2 a n d F,,1 = the exit a n n u l a r a r e a s for the p u m p
r o t o r a n d g u i d e w h e e l (sq. ft.), rv2 a n d r,a = the m e a n r a d i i
t o c e n t e r of s e c t i o n for the exit a n n u l a r a r e a s for the p u m p
r o t o r a n d g u i d e w h e e l (ft.), fip=, a n d ~ 1 = the b l a d e exit a n g l e s
for p u m p i m p e l l e r and g u i d e v a n e s . T h e n r e f e r r i n g t o
P l a t e I, Fig. I,
T h e p e r i p h e r a l t a n g e n t i a l v e l o c i t y a t p u m p r o t o r exit is
the r o t o r b l a d e v e l o c i t y ~0prpo. plus the t a n g e n t i a l c o m p o n e n t
of the relative f l u i d v e l o c i t y Q/Fe2 cot fie,., s i n c e the n o r m a l (or
r a d i a l ) c o m p o n e n t velocity of the f l u i d r e l a t i v e t o the r o t o r
is Q/Fp>
T h e a n g u l a r m o m e n t u m of the r e c i r c u l a t i n g f l u i d a c r o s s
the exit s e c t i o n of the r o t o r per u n i t time is

g
T h e a n g u l a r m o m e n t u m of the f l u i d p e r u n i t t i m e e n t e r i n g
the i m p e l l e r is l i k e w i s e the a n g u l a r m o m e n t u m of the f l u i d
per u n i t time a c r o s s the exit s e c t i o n of the s t a t i o n a r y g u i d e
444 l{t:H+:n I'~KSER(;IAN. I.I. 1;. I.

_pLAT~ i+_ SeCTiON A-A

FiG. I SHOWING ONLY
PuMP,OR PRiMARy, ROTOR
CUT OUT BELOW
SHOWS EXiT FLOW
FROM PUMP

TURSIN IZ -~ ¢

PUMP~.,
SECONDARy II
5HAFT~ lf

CASING ---4

HYDRODYNAMIC
TORQUE. CONVERTOR
SECTION ATTOP
~HOW5 ARRANGEMENT
o~ PUMP
TURBINE ~ GUIDE. WHEEL
/
E~D V~EW
GuT OUT TO show
p-klTRANCE FLOW' "[0 pup1P
May. m43. t TORQUE CONVF.~T~:R AX'r) (7ot~pux'c:. 44.~

v a n e s , i.e.,
~cot _ r,t.

Therefore, the t o r q u e e x e r t e d on the f l u i d by the i m p e l l e r , or

the t o r q u e r e a c t i o n of the f l u i d on the p u m p i m p e l l e r , is
cot ~t,2 cot~ a ~ ) ]
----r,,o F~, r~, O ; (4)

.. ~,. = Ao,,,O + BQ"~, (4')

where
cot cot a~l ]
A = ~ r°'t,o, B = p- I . . . . . rl,2 ]#~vl rgl •
g " gt Fv.,.
T h e time rate of the e n e r g y t r a n s f e r b e t w e e n the f l u i d a n d
p u m p i m p e l l e r is
Pp = ®,,~,, = ~A~,.Q + B 0 2 ~ , . (5)
a n d this c o r r e s p o n d s t o the i n p u t t o the c o n v e r t e r or the b r a k e
p o w e r l o a d i n g on the e n g i n e .
A t c o n s t a n t flow r a t e , the t o r q u e on the p u m p i m p e l l e r
i n c r e a s e s d i r e c t l y w i t h the s p e e d , w h i l e the load on the e n g i n e
v a r i e s a s a p a r a b o l i c f u n c t i o n of the s p e e d . A t c o n s t a n t s p e e d
~0v both the b r a k e t o r q u e a n d p o w e r l o a d i n g on the e n g i n e
v a r i e s a s a p a r a b o l i c f u n c t i o n of the flow r a t e .
b. C o n s i d e r i n g the t u r b i n e rotor, P l a t e I, let ~ s = a n g u l a r
v e l o c i t y of t u r b i n e r o t o r (rad./sec.), F.s2 a n d Fsa = the en-
t r a n c e a n d exit a n n u l a r area (sq. ft.), rs,., a n d rsa - the m e a n
r a d i i t o c e n t e r of s e c t i o n for the a b o v e a r e a s (ft.), fix= a n d
ttsa = the b l a d e exit a n g l e s of the t u r b i n e r o t o r .
T h e d r i v i n g t o r q u e on the t u r b i n e r o t o r e q u a l s the differ-
ence b e t w e e n the e n t r a n c e a n d exit a n g u l a r m o m e n t u m of
the f l u i d per u n i t t i m e . In the case w h e r e the t u r b i n e w h e e l
is d i r e c t l y a d j a c e n t t o the p u m p r o t o r , with s t a t i o n a r y g u i d e
v a n e s p l a c e d b e y o n d the t u r b i n e r o t o r a n d b e f o r e t h e p u m p
i m p e l l e r , the entrance fluid angular momentum per u n i t time to
the t u r b i n e is then the exit fluid angular momentum per u n i t
time from the p u m p impeller, n a m e l y (See P l a t e I) Fig. 2,

--- o a v r p 2 -Jr- c o t 3P'-, rv.,..

e
446 R U P E N EKSERGIAN. [ J . F . 1.

T h e exit a n g u l a r m o m e n t u m of the f l u i d per u n i t time from

the t u r b i n e r o t o r is

~.~r~.~ + ~ c o t ~s~ r.~.

The d r i v i n g t o r q u e e x e r t e d by the f l u i d on the t u r b i n e r o t o r ,

or the t o r q u e r e a c t i o n of the t u r b i n e on the f l u i d , is, therefore,
~s=pQ[ ( r~,~ cot ¢~m
rs3 cot ¢L~3) ]
--o~t, r2p~+ Q-r2sso~s ; (6)
g FP2 Fs3
•". Cs = AQo~,, + B'Q2 - C Q ~ s , (6')
where

A = o_ r2p2' B' ~ [ rj~2 cot ~m rsscot~sa] C P

= , = -- r 2 s 3 .
g Fm Fs3 g
T h e p o w e r t r a n s f e r b e t w e e n the f l u i d a n d t u r b i n e r o t o r is
P s = Cso~s = EA@o,, + B'Q~ - CQo~s-]o~,. (7)
W h e n Q is c o n s t a n t a n d with c o n s t a n t i m p e l l e r velocity,
o~v = c o n s t . , then
• s = M - N~s, (8) P s = ¢scos = ( M - - No~s)o~s (9)
F o r this c o n d i t i o n , the o u t p u t t o r q u e d e c r e a s e s a s a l i n e a r
f u n c t i o n of the t u r b i n e s p e e d , a n d the p o w e r o u t p u t v a r i e s as
a parabolic f u n c t i o n of the s p e e d .
F o r the s p e e d a t m a x i m u m o u t p u t , wsR,
dPs M
dws - M - 2N~s = o; .'. cose 2N'
where
M = AQo~p + B'Q2, N = C'Q.

T h e m a x i m u m o u t p u t o c c u r s a t ~sR = M / 2 N . T h e start-
i n g t o r q u e is j u s t t w i c e the t o r q u e d e v e l o p e d a t this l a t t e r
speed.
H o w e v e r , a t a n y g i v e n t u r b i n e s p e e d ~s, both the t o r q u e
a n d p o w e r o u t p u t v a r i e s a s a p a r a b o l i c f u n c t i o n of the flow
rate Q, so t h a t the s t a r t i n g t o r q u e m a y be f u r t h e r a u g m e n t e d
by a n i n c r e a s e in flow rate with d e c r e a s i n g t u r b i n e s p e e d s .
See P l a t e s 2 a n d 4.
 PLATE: I.
..~HOWlNG ONLy. F'IG. 2.
TURBINE OR S E C O N D A R Y R O T O R

CUT OUT @E|.OW

S H O W 5 ENTRANCE FLOW
TO ~'URBINE

SECTION ~"~
GU|OB.tOR
"STATIONARY. '~NE P..L

i
~JGE~TIAt.

J
E NO Vo&w
CUT OUT TO SHOW
~;~ IT FLOW FROM TURB,/NE.
May, 1943.1 TORQUE CONVERTER AND COUPLIN(;. 447
2. COMPATIBILITY RELATIONS AND E N E R G Y LOSSES.

The overall efficiency, ~ = Ps/P~,, depends on an energy

balance for the hydraulic losses P~. in the circulating flow,
w h e r e Pr. = Pp - Ps. F u r t h e r the total pressure drop, due
to these losses and the pressure rise and pressure drop through
the impeller and turbine corresponding to the mechanical
i n p u t and o u t p u t to the converter, must be nil for the com-
plete circulation. The characteristics of these losses must be
known, since equations (4) to (9) are insufficient to describe
either the loading on the engine or the o u t p u t on the turbine
s h a f t as a function of the speeds. It is not a l w a y s possible
to absorb the full engine output at all turbine s h a f t speeds.
The circulating flow itself varies with both impeller and tur-
bine speeds, so that the torque amplification may be increased
at low speeds on the turbine side, over that indicated by the
linear relation in equation (8).
Let H - - - p i p ~-c2/2g = the total head for any section,
between any two sets of blade systems, i.e., in the annular
space between blade groups, w h e r e p is tile pressure and c the
absolute mean velocity of the flow. Since tile exit velocity and
entrance velocity between blade systems are the same, it is
immaterial w h e t h e r we consider the drops along the circuit in
terms of pressures or total heads in s u m m i n g up for the
complete circuit.
Due to the energy transfer between the fluid and moving
blade systems, there must be either a rise or drop in total
head since
pQAH = .. a H = - - . (io)
pQ
Let HL = the loss in head due to friction and shock loss
and turbulence.
The entire system is assumed u n d e r pressure, the minimum
pressure being at the section before the impeller; moreover,
gravity heads are neglected.
The total rise in head across the pump impeller is
H~ -- H, = ~xHp - Hz.,, .,>, (II)
where
= I I
all,. ; - O ®,,o., = p EAoo,, + BO_]o,,..
.[.4 8 R U P E N EKSERGIAN. [J, F. 1.

The total drop in head across the turbine rotor

H2 - It3 = ~ H s + HL(,_3>, (I2)
where
= I I
AHs p--Q" Cso~s = p ~Awv + B'Q - C'ws']o~,~.

The total d r o p in head across the guide blades is

113 - //1 = HL(3-1>. (I,3)
Since the total head or pressure drop is nil for the complete
c i r c u i t , then

H, - - H 1 = ( H 2 - []3) -[- ( H a - H I ) ;
.'. AHr -- AHs = HL(I-~> + HL(2-~) + HL~-I), (14)
which is another form for the total energy components of tile
system.
The fluid flow through the various passages is subjected
to friction and turbulent losses which are difficult to estimate
due to the complexity of the flow in the curved and relatively
short blade system. Due to the varying speed requirements
of the secondary or turbine rotor, discontinuity in velocities
occur at entrance to blade channels, which in turn give rise to
eddying and large turbulent losses. Such losses are known as
the entrance shock losses. Moreover the lack of uniformity
of the entrance and exit velocities both in magnitude and
direction across these sections, and the deviations of the mean
velocity from that indicated by the blade paths, limits the
accuracy of the various formulae based on the simple E u l e r
Theory.
Likewise the following estimation of the losses can only be
regarded as a rough approximation. These losses are charac-
terized by entrance shock losses between blade systems and
friction losses in the blades themselves. The former are t a k e n
proportional to the square of the a b r u p t change in tangential
whirl velocities and the l a t t e r are conveniently measured by
the square of the relative exit velocities of the respective
blade systems.
The performance characteristics of the converter can be
greatly improved by reducing these losses; particularly, the
May, ,943.1 T O R Q U E CONVERTER AND COUPLIN(.. 449

e n t r a n c e s h o c k l o s s e s a t the l o w e r a n d h i g h e r s p e e d s of the
o u t p u t s h a f t . T h i s m a y be i n t e r p r e t e d in the f o l l o w i n g
a n a l y s i s e i t h e r by the use of more f a v o r a b l e e n t r a n c e b l a d e
a n g l e s a t o t h e r t h a n o p t i m u m s p e e d s , or by i n t r o d u c i n g a
coefficient ~ less t h a n u n i t y in the s h o c k loss expression.
(1-2) Loss of head, HL(t ~), across pump impeller.
T h e loss of head d i v i d e s i n t o two c o m p o n e n t s , the e n t r a n c e
s h o c k loss a n d the f r i c t i o n loss in the p u m p b l a d e s .
a. Entrance S h o c k Loss: S i n c e the m e a n v e l o c i t y n o r m a l
t o the p e r i p h e r a l area is u n a f f e c t e d by s h o c k l o s s e s , we are
c o n c e r n e d with the a b r u p t c h a n g e in t a n g e n t i a l v e l o c i t y from
the exit s t a t i o n a r y g u i d e s t o the e n t r a n c e t o p u m p rotor.
T h e v e l o c i t y h e a d c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o this loss is, a p p r o x i m a t e l y ,

HLS(1-2) = ~g ~al cot S0, -- c o t ~P1 -~- ¢OPYP1

b. Friction Loss i n Impeller Blades: This is m e a s u r e d by

the relative v e l o c i t y a t p u m p exit and the c o r r e s p o n d i n g
head is

Hz.y(:-2) = 2gg Fp~ Q2, (s¢ = 0.2 r o u g h l y ) .

Hence,
I I L ( t - : ) = HLS(1-2) "~- IILf(,-2). (I5)

(2-3) L o s s of h e a d , HL(~_a), a c r o s s t u r b i n e rotor.

A g a i n the loss of h e a d d i v i d e s i n t o two c o m p o n e n t s , the

e n t r a n c e s h o c k loss a n d the friction loss in the t u r b i n e b l a d e s .
a. Entrance S h o c k Loss: T h e a b r u p t c h a n g e in t a n g e n t i a l
v e l o c i t y is the exit t a n g e n t i a l v e l o c i t y from the p u m p r o t o r
m i n u s the e n t r a n c e t a n g e n t i a l v e l o c i t y j u s t w i t h i n the t u r b i n e
b l a d e , the l a t t e r b e i n g c o m p o u n d e d of the r e l a t i v e a n d per-
i p h e r a l v e l o c i t y of the b l a d e s a t e n t r a n c e . T h e v e l o c i t y h e a d
for the t u r b i n e e n t r a n c e s h o c k loss is
I r Q 2

b. Friction Loss i n Turbine Blades: T h i s is m e a s u r e d in

t e r m s of the exit r e l a t i v e v e l o c i t y of the t u r b i n e and the loss
450 RUPEN EKSERGIAN. [J. I;. I.

of head is

HL/(2-3} ---- ~g Fs3 Q~;

aL(=-a) = HLS(2-a) + nLf(2-3). (I6)
(3-1) Loss of head, HL(S-1), across guide b l a d e s .

T h e exit t a n g e n t i a l v e l o c i t y from the t u r b i n e is oasrs3

+ Q / F , 3 c o t 3s3 a n d the e n t r a n c e t a n g e n t i a l v e l o c i t y w i t h i n
the g u i d e v a n e s is O / F 0 3 c o t a03. H e n c e , the e n t r a n c e s h o c k
loss h e a d t o the g u i d e v a n e s is
cot ~03
HLS(3_,) = I---[~srs3 + ( c ° t Ssa
2gL . Fs3a p; / 0 ]2
a n d the f r i c t i o n loss d r o p in h e a d is
Go [ CSC aol t2 Q2;
_ _
HLf(a-1) = -~g ~ Fo1
•". HL<8-1) = HLS(3-1) + HLI(a-1). (I7)
C o m p a t i b i l i t y R e l a t i o n : On s u b s t i t u t i n g the a b o v e v a l u e s
for the v a r i o u s d r o p s a l o n g the c i r c u i t in e q u a t i o n (I4) we
h a v e a q u a d r a t i c f u n c t i o n for the Q ' s a n d s p e e d s . N o t i n g
that, approximately,
rol = r m = rl and F m = Fol = F1,
rv~ = rs2 = r2 Fv2 = Fs2 = F2,
rs3 = ro3 = r3 Fsa = Fo3 = Fa,
then the c o m p a t i b i l i t y c o n d i t i o n is

2g[r2=-rJ]+ [ra=-r2=] = ~ e -F,- c o t ~ v I - ~ S Fa

- - cot ao3

Q= [~12{
-- (Oal,__ooS)f~2 cot 'S2]2g'Tgg i ~0CSC2 0~01+ ( c o t o~t/1-cot3P,)' }

+ F2--~ }e c s & 3P~ + (cot BP2 -- c o t ~s~) 2

i{
+ F3--~ ~ c s c 2 3 , ~ 3 + ( c o t 3 ~ - - c o t ~ , ~ )2
}] • (x8)

T h e left t e r m is the c e n t r i f u g a l h e a d c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o the

w o r k of the c e n t r i f u g a l f o r c e s in the r o t a t i n g c h a n n e l .
May, 1943.] T O R Q U E CONVERTER AND COUPLIN(;. 45I

An a l t e r n a t e form for the d e r i v a t i o n of this e q u a t i o n is of

i n t e r e s t in t h a t the p r e s s u r e d r o p s are e x p r e s s e d e n t i r e l y in
the form of v e l o c i t y h e a d s .
T h e rate of e n e r g y t r a n s f e r e d t o the f l u i d by the i m p e l l e r is
\V
,b,~r = - - [Vp2r.2 cos ~p2 + ~,,r~ 2 - C,r~ cos c ~ ] ~ j , , (1~)
g
w h e r e Vp= = the exit relative v e l o c i t y of the i m p e l l e r , ('~ = the
absolute entrance v e l o c i t y t o the i m p e l l e r , ao~ = the exit ve-
l o c i t y from the f i x e d b l a d e s , 0~v = a n g u l a r v e l o c i t y of the
i m p e l l e r , W = flow rate of the c i r c u l a t i n g f l u i d ( l b s . see.).
L e t C= = the exit a b s o l u t e v e l o c i t y from the i m p e l l e r
w h i c h is l i k e w i s e the e n t r a n c e a b s o l u t e v e l o c i t y t o the t u r b i n e :
then, since
(7'2 2 = y2p2 -71- ¢op2r2 2 ~_ 2 Vv2 • ¢opr2 c o s ~ P 2 ,
Y2vl = (-'12 + w p 2 r l 2 - - 2 C 1 ¢ o p r l c o s a.1,

.. q%~p = P .

g ~
Since
Attp = P p / W = ( P~ + C~2
p 2g
) P~ + "~g
p _
+ II1.~ ._,,

... A H p = I~ [ ( C 09
.._C2)_(V~ 2_V2vl)+Oa/,_(ro2_r2)] (21)
and
I ' 9" 9
Ip(pl_p~) = 2g[~,,'(r2--- r12) - ( V2,,.., - 172p~)]- It~.~, ~. (22)

T h e rate of e n e r g y t r a n s f e r r e d from the f l u i d t o the t u r b i n e is

W
,~.~o~,~ = - - EC'2r~ cos ~ - V:,r~ cos ~.~ - ~,~r:/-]~.~, (23)
g
w h e r e V3 a n d ~a are the exit relative v e l o c i t y a n d exit b l a d e
a n g l e of the t u r b i n e , a n d ~s = a n g . v e l o c i t y of r o t o r .
Again, noting
C22 + ~os2r22 - - 2 C 2 o a s r 2 c o s a~ - V2s..,
and
V~,sa + ~ s 2 r a 2 q- 2 Varaoas cos/5sa = ('a 2,
4,52 Rt;PEN I']KSERGIAN. [J. F. I.

then
~ s~os =P,~ = W [ ( C : ~ - G ~) + ( V % - V%) -~-~0s2(r22-- ra2) ] ; (24)
since
6H,, = P,~/W =
'
(--)
P"
p
+ .C22
2g
. . P 3 .+
P 2g
. -- HL(2-a,,

. . p(2-3p!) = ~g[(_ V m - Vs2)~--o~s2(r32-r22)]+HL,,_a). (25)

F i n a l l y the pressure drop in the guide v a n e s is

I-'(P3 -- Pl) ~--- HL(3--I) + (-~'12 - - (-~'32 (26)

p 2g

I t is i m p o r t a n t t o note t h a t in e q u a t i o n s (22), (25) a n d (26),

d u e t o e n t r a n c e s h o c k losses, the r e l a t i v e "velocities Vp1 a n d
Vs2 in general do n o t c o i n c i d e with e n t r a n c e b l a d e angles of
p u m p a n d t u r b i n e . F u r t h e r , the exit a b s o l u t e v e l o c i t y Ca
does n o t c o i n c i d e with e n t r a n c e guide angle ao3. The entrance
relative velocities s h o u l d be d e f i n e d b y the v e c t o r relation,

VPI = C1 -- ¢oerl and Vs~ = Vm + (~t, - o~s)r~,

for the p u m p a n d t u r b i n e respectively.
O n c o m b i n i n g e q u a t i o n s ( 2 2 ) , (25) a n d (26) we o b t a i n the
c o m p a t i b i l i t y c o n d i t i o n s for the c o m p l e t e c i r c u l a t i o n of the
fluid,
I
__ LWv-~
2g r- °fro""~ -- r l 2) -~- ws 2 (r3-o -- r22) ]

I
. . . . - v-'p1) + - + ( c / -
2g
+ HL(,-2> + HL~2-3) + HI.<3-,). (27)
T h e c o n d i t i o n for c o n t i n u i t y is,
C.'~ sin aol = Q/F,, Vp2 sin 3P2 = Q/F2, Vs, sin 3,sa = Q./F3,
so t h a t
V2m = (Q/F~ c o t ~o~ - o~erl)2 q- Q2/Ffl,
V2s~ = (Q/F2 cot B m + (o~p oos)r~) 2 + Q',/F,fl,
- -

C j = (Q/F~ c o t t~,s3 + oJsr3)2 + Q2/Ffl.

May. ~43.1 "l'o~Qtrl~ (~ONVERTER ANI* (7OUPLINC;. 45,~

T h u s the v e l o c i t y h e a d s are e x p r e s s e d d i r e c t l y in t e r m s of the

flow r a t e , the b l a d e s p e e d s and the g e o m e t r i c a l b l a d e a n g l e s .
On s u b s t i t u t i n g t h e s e v a l u e s in (27) t o g e t h e r with the l o s s e s
we o b t a i n (18).
3. TORQUE CONVERTER CHARACTERISTICS.
In the a p p l i c a t i o n of the t o r q u e c o n v e r t e r we a r e c o n c e r n e d
w i t h the v a r i a t i o n in t u r b i n e t o r q u e and s e c o n d a r y o u t p u t
a g a i n s t s p e e d for v a r i o u s c o n d i t i o n s of p r i m a r y t o r q u e , s p e e d
and input.
T h e o v e r a l l h y d r a u l i c efficiency is g i v e n by the r e l a t i o n
EAOcoP + B'O - COco+ ]
- ®,.co,. - EA ,.O + 8 0 " ] 6 0 . (28)

s u b j e c t e d t o t h e c o m p a t i b i l i t y relations of the c i r c u l a t i o n with

i m p e l l e r a n d t u r b i n e s p e e d s , g i v e n in e q u a t i o n (I 8) w h i c h m a y
be e x p r e s s e d as a n i m p l i c i t f u n c t i o n ,
F ( Q , 60,,, c0,s) = o . (29)

W e m a y c o n s i d e r Q, cop and 60, (and the b l a d e a n g l e s if they

can be m a d e t o v a r y ) a s the c o 6 r d i n a t e s of the s y s t e m s .
F r o m eq. (29), we n o t e , only two c a n be r e g a r d e d as i n d e -
p e n d e n t . T h u s if we c h o o s e cop a n d cos a s i n d e p e n d e n t co-
o r d i n a t e s , t h e n Q is d e t e r m i n e d by (29), t h a t is, by eq. ( I 8 ) ,
from w h i c h we c a l c u l a t e the efficiency from eq. (28), the tur-
b i n e t o r q u e from eq. (6) a n d the c o r r e s p o n d i n g o u t p u t from
eq. (7), then the i m p e l l e r t o r q u e from eq. (4) a n d the r e q u i r e d
e n g i n e i n p u t from eq. (5).
A. If we hold the e n g i n e s p e e d constant, i.e., cop = c o n s t a n t ,
then the c i r c u l a t i o n Q v a r i e s w i t h the s e c o n d a r y or o u t p u t
s p e e d 608, a c c o r d i n g t o the c o m p a t i b i l i t y e q u a t i o n (29) o r (18).
S i n c e both the s e c o n d a r y a n d p r i m a r y t o r q u e s are q u a d r a t i c
f u n c t i o n s of Q, we find the s e c o n d a r y t o r q u e modified from a
l i n e a r r e l a t i o n w i t h s e c o n d a r y s p e e d s , w h i l e the p r i m a r y
t o r q u e c a n n o t be c o n s t a n t t h r o u g h o u t the r a n g e of s e c o n d a r y
s p e e d s , so t h a t the i n p u t i t s e l f m u s t v a r y with s e c o n d a r y
speed.
B. If we hold the e n g i n e torque constant, t h e n
®,, = A60pQ + B Q + = C o n s t a n t , ( = ®PC). (3o)
454 R U P E N EKSERGIAN. [J. F. I.

T h u s Q is d i r e c t l y r e l a t e d w i t h the e n g i n e s p e e d ~0p, i.e.,

- A~0,. + @l=--~v2 + 4Bq, vc

Q = f(we) = 2B

On s u b s t i t u t i n g in the c o m p a t i b i l i t y eq. (29) or (18) we find

oJp d i r e c t l y r e l a t e d with ~0s, t h a t is, the i m p e l l e r s p e e d m u s t
also v a r y with the t u r b i n e s p e e d . A t c o n s t a n t t o r q u e , the
i m p e l l e r s p e e d i n c r e a s e s n e a r l y l i n e a r l y with the t u r b i n e s p e e d .
H o w e v e r , in a f i r s t a p p r o x i m a t i o n , the c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of
the t o r q u e c o n v e r t e r are not g r e a t l y m o d i f i e d by a s s u m i n g a
c o n s t a n t c i r c u l a t i o n Q a t c o n s t a n t i m p e l l e r s p e e d ~0e for a
wide r a n g e of t u r b i n e or o u t p u t s p e e d s o~s. In o t h e r w o r d s
the c h a r a c t e r i s t i c p e r f o r m a n c e is m a i n l y t h a t of the t u r b i n e
s u p p l i e d a t c o n s t a n t flow r a t e . S i n c e the i m p e l l e r s p e e d is
a s s u m e d c o n s t a n t , this i m p l i e s c o n s t a n t i n p u t . F r o m eqs. (9)
a n d (5) the o v e r a l l h y d r a u l i c efficiency m u s t be
Ps ( M - N~os)o~s
-- __ , (31 )
Pp %.wl,

w h i c h r e a c h e s a m a x i m u m w h e n ~0sR = M / 2 N , the p a r a b o l i c
efficiency, f a l l s t o z e r o , a t s t a r t i n g , a n d a t ,.,s.~ = M / N . If
we d e f i n e ~sR a s the rated speed, i.e., t h a t s p e e d c o r r e s p o n d i n g
t o m a x i m u m o u t p u t a n d efficiency, then the m a x i m u m s p e e d ,
c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o zero t o r q u e , is j u s t t w i c e the r a t e d s p e e d .
O n e difficulty with a d i r e c t a p p l i c a t i o n of the t o r q u e con-
v e r t e r is the r a p i d d r o p in the efficiency with i n c r e a s i n g o v e r -
s p e e d s r e l a t i v e t o its r a t e d s p e e d . If we l i m i t the u s e f u l s p e e d
r a n g e t o 5o per c e n t . over its r a t e d v a l u e , then the efficiency
f a l l s t o a of its m a x i m u m v a l u e a t r a t e d s p e e d . T h u s if the
m a x i m u m efficiency a t r a t e d s p e e d is 85 per c e n t . , this m e a n s
the efficiency a t 50 per c e n t . o v e r s p e e d is s u c h t h a t a c h a n g e
over t o d i r e c t d r i v e is d e s i r a b l e with no f u r t h e r t o r q u e a m p l i -
fication. F o r this r e a s o n , the r e l a t i o n of s e c o n d a r y t o r q u e t o
p r i m a r y t o r q u e is s u c h t h a t the s e c o n d a r y t o r q u e f a l l s t o the
v a l u e of the p r i m a r y t o r q u e a t a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1.5 )< r a t e d .
s p e e d of the c o n v e r t e r .
P l a t e 2 s h o w s a l i n e a r o u t p u t t o r q u e Cs a g a i n s t s e c o n d a r y
s p e e d c0s, a t c o n s t a n t p r i m a r y t o r q u e Cv a n d p r i m a r y s p e e d
oa,. F o r this case the s e c o n d a r y o u t p u t Ps is a p a r a b o l i c
May, I943.[ TORQUE CONVERTER AND COUPLING. 455

t3 t3

//
//J

E
w

/
/ i J/ J
456 R U P E N EKSERGIAN. [J. F. I.

c u r v e , with its m a x i m u m v a l u e a t r a t e d s p e e d ¢ose = 1~COSM.

T h e s t a l l i n g t o r q u e or m a x i m u m t o r q u e a t zero s e c o n d a r y
s p e e d ~so is then j u s t t w i c e the r a t e d t o r q u e ~sR c o r r e s p o n d i n g
t o m a x i m u m p o w e r PsM. W e can also d e f i n e Pse = PsM
= the r a t e d o u t p u t of the c o n v e r t e r .
T h e p r i m a r y t o r q u e ~p i n t e r s e c t s the s e c o n d a r y t o r q u e a t
1.5o~se w h i c h we d e f i n e a s the u s e f u l s p e e d r a n g e of the con-
v e r t e r . F r o m P l a t e 2, it is e v i d e n t t h a t the ratio of secondary
t o primary torque at rated speed is in the o r d e r of Cs/~e = 2.
On the b a s i s of a m a x i m u m efficiency a t 0.85, the s p e e d
ratio.

"y = we/o~s = _I (Cbs/~e) = 2.35 a t r a t e d s p e e d .

Effect o f Change o f Circulating Flow Q: T h e effective head

is the d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n the i m p e l l e r h e a d c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o
the m e c h a n i c a l i n p u t a n d the c o u n t e r head of the t u r b i n e
c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o the o u t p u t p o w e r . T h e effective h e a d is
b a l a n c e d by the friction head c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o the s h o c k a n d
friction l o s s e s in the circuit. A s the s e c o n d a r y s p e e d e i t h e r
d e c r e a s e s b e l o w or i n c r e a s e s a b o v e the r a t e d s p e e d , the o u t p u t
c o u n t e r h e a d d e c r e a s e s , w h i l e , a t c o n s t a n t i n p u t , the i m p e l l e r
head r e m a i n s the s a m e . O b v i o u s l y , if the frictional r e s i s t a n c e
is s m a l l the flow rate w o u l d i n c r e a s e r a p i d l y . A c t u a l l y , the
s h o c k l o s s e s i n c r e a s e v e r y r a p i d l y a t both l o w e r a n d o v e r -
s p e e d s , t h u s i n c r e a s i n g the friction h e a d and c h e c k i n g the
g r o w t h of the c i r c u l a t i o n t o a m u c h s m a l l e r v a l u e . The
g r o w t h of c i r c u l a t i o n Q is m o r e m a r k e d , h o w e v e r , a t the l o w e r
s p e e d s t h a n a t the o v e r s p e e d s .
P l a t e 2 s h o w s the e f f e c t of i n c r e a s e of t o r q u e a n d p o w e r
o u t p u t a t the u n d e r a n d o v e r s p e e d s due t o the i n c r e a s e d flow
rate a t t h e s e s p e e d s . T h e v a l u e s are s h o w n d o t t e d a n d ,
t h e r e b y , c o m p a r e d with the p r e v i o u s l y l i n e a r t o r q u e a n d
p a r a b o l i c o u t p u t c u r v e . D e c r e a s i n g the l o s s e s a n d i m p r o v i n g
the efficiency r a i s e s the s t a r t i n g t o r q u e a n d i n c r e a s e s the
u s e f u l o p e r a t i n g s p e e d r a n g e of the c o n v e r t e r .
T h e r a t i o of s t a r t i n g t o r q u e t o r a t e d t o r q u e a t the o u t p u t
end is i n c r e a s e d t o 2. 5 a p p r o x . , i.e., ~ s o / ~ s e = 2.5.
E f f o r t s h a v e b e e n m a d e t o e x t e n d the s p e e d r a n g e a n d
i m p r o v e the efficiency t o a m o r e flat top c u r v e a t the u n d e r
May, m43.1 T O R Q U E (.~ONVERTER AND (:OUPI.IN(;. 457

a n d o v e r s p e e d s , by r e d u c i n g the l o s s e s and t h r o u g h m u l t i -
r e a c t i o n s t a g e s . S h o c k l o s s e s a t the u n f a v o r a b l e s p e e d s h a v e
b e e n r e d u c e d by b l u n t or r o u n d s h a p e d b l a d e s a t e n t r a n c e as
in the L y s h o l m S m i t h T o r q u e C o n v e r t e r • T h i s c o m b i n a t i o n
of s p e c i a l d e s i g n e d b l a d e s with m u l t i - r e a c t i o n s t a g e s h a s re-
s u l t e d in a c o n s i d e r a b l e i n c r e a s e in s p e e d r a n g e w i t h a more
flat top efficiency c u r v e c o m b i n e d with a u g m e n t e d s t a r t i n g
torque.
[)late 3 s h o w s a t y p i c a l r e a c t i o n s t a g e v e l o c i t y d i a g r a m .
Ct a n d C~ are e n t r a n c e a n d exit a b s o l u t e velocities a n d V~ a n d
V~ are c o r r e s p o n d i n g r e l a t i v e velocities. T h e e n t r a n c e a n g l e ,
of the a b s o l u t e e n t r a n c e v e l o c i t y t o the m o v i n g b l a d e , is the
exit a n g l e a t of the fixed g u i d e b l a d e , w h i l e the r e l a t i v e ve-
locity a n g l e a t exit from the m o v i n g b l a d e is ~2. In a t y p i c a l
r e a c t i o n s t a g e the p r e s s u r e d r o p in the m o v i n g b l a d e r e s u l t s
in an i n c r e a s e in r e l a t i v e v e l o c i t y from V~ t o V2. W i t h
m u l t i p l e s t a g e s V2 is m a d e e q u a l t o C~ a n d the r e l a t i v e velocity
a n g l e a t exit/~2 is m a d e e q u a l t o the exit g u i d e v a n e at i.e.,
the a n g l e of the a b s o l u t e e n t r a n c e v e l o c i t y . L e t W = lbs.
fluid/sec, for the flow r a t e . T h e n the t o r q u e is ( P l a t e 3)
W
,t~ .... EG c o s a , + (V~ c o s ~ - U)] r
g

_ Wg [ 2 C l c o s a l - U ] r , since { V2~2 = at.C1' (32)

S i n c e the p e r i p h e r a l v e l o c i t y U = ~r, the o u t p u t per s t a g e is

W
P,~ = -- E2c, cos a, - g]u (33)
g
dPs
a n d the r a t e d s p e e d Ur o c c u r s w h e n - - = o;
dU
• • U1~ = C : ~ c o s a ~ or cosa~ = --
('1
Since
V 2 2 - 2 V 2 U c o s ~ + U 2 = C~ ~ , [
C~~ - 2 C , U cos a, + U" = VI~', I
then
p~ = - -W E ( V,,2 -- V~2) - (C..,~ - C'~)] = W • xlts,
2g (34)
458 RUPEN EKSERGIAN. [J. F. I.

/
/
/
/
/
/

¢q

#.
May, t943,] TORQUE CONVERTER AND (~OUPLIN(;. 459

w h e r e AHs = t h e counter head d u e t o t h e energy transfer a t t h e

reaction s t a g e . The t o t a l h e a d includes a friction loss h e a d .
Referring t o t h e velocity diagram ( P l a t e 3), t h e entrance
s h o c k loss h e a d is

AHI,s = fs [(C, c o s ,~, - U) - C1 sin a l c o t ¢~1-]2

- -
f s [ s i n ( B ' - - a l ) C1 - -
U]2 -~-
fs[k'Ci - - C
],
2

2g sin ~1
w h e r e t3~ = t h e entrance m o v i n g blade angle.
The friction loss in t h e blade itself has t h e form

AH, v = f-Ev V== = f r C1'-' since V~ = C1.

2g 2g
Hence t h e t o t a l friction h e a d is

~tlj = aHf~ + ~xH.. = f~s [k'G - UT + f2g

v C=. (35)

I n v a r i a b l e s p e e d operations t h e first t e r m , b y far, is t h e m o s t

important, so t h a t when U is nil, AHI reaches its m a x i m u m
value.
The t o t a l drop in h e a d a c r o s s a m o v i n g reaction blade is
AHt = Alt,s + AH:,
i.e.)
_ _- +
Pl p, C12- C2~ _ { V 2 ~ - VI2 C~2- C1~} + AH~.
o 2g 2g 2g
Since V2 = C1, we h a v e for t h e pressure drop

~ H - p~ - p~ - (7/ - V / + ,~H~. (36)

p 2g
From t h e velocity diagram (('1" - V12)/2g, which is t h e p r e s -
sure drop corresponding t o t h e mechanical o u t p u t , reaches its
m a x i m u m v a l u e when
U = Ur~te,i = C1 cos a~
a n d becomes nil when U = o. On t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e friction
h e a d AHI is a m i n i m u m when U = Ur~,od a n d reaches its max-
imum v a l u e when U = o o r U -- Max.
460 R U P E N E, KSERGIAN. IJ. F. J.

By cutting down the friction head, when U is small or at

overspeeds, the lotal head is reduced over its o p t i m u m v a l u e at
r a t e d speed.
Now assuming a constant energy supply from the impeller,
we have
W ~ z x H = constant. (37)
Therefore, when U is either below or above the optimum or
rated speed, the flow rate W (lbs./sec.) must increase. This
has the effect of increasing all the velocities as shown in the
enlarged vector diagram, Plate 3- The entire speed range is
increased p a r t i c u l a r l y at the l o w e r and h i g h e r v a l u e s o f U. It
does not greatly modify the optimum value of U for maximum
efficiency, since the total drop in head is then effected prin-
cipally by the counter head A H s ( ~ H / being small since
k'C1 - U is a minimum). Thus the diagram should be en-
larged only for small and high values of U.
The effect of reducing friction and shock losses on the per-
formance of the converter is shown in P l a t e 4, where f max.

- - r .... v -- " r- 7-

LO ~s Z.O

•. ~ P E E D ERTIO

I~.ATE ~ d

refers to a converter with large friction losses and f rain. refers

to a converter with small losses.
Reducing the losses improves the low and high speed
performance and increases the useful speed range.

F L U I D COUPLING.
The fluid coupling is essentially a hydraulic clutch operat-
ing with small slippage between primary and secondary wheels.
May, 1943.1 TORQUE CONVERTER AN[) (IOUPIAN(;. 461

The m u t u a l torque between primary and secondary is

*, . . . . * s = PQ +~cot3p2]rm
g

-[~0srsl + -F-(~l c o t 3 s l l rsl I ,

w h e r e ~0p and ~0s are the primary and secondary speeds, Q

is the circulation flow r a t e , Fro.--F2 = upper annular:
F s l = FI = l o w e r annular; rm = r~ and rs~ = rl are t h e i r
corresponding mean radius, and 3m and 3st are the exit blade
angles of primary and secondary wheels.
With radial blades, the expression for torque reduces to

¢ = "Q
- - [-~e r :-o - ~srl°']. (t)
g
In the fluid coupling, the variation in torque is influenced
primarily by the circulating flow rate Q and this in turn
depends upon the effective head A H v and the shock and
friction losses.
With straight blades, the effective head due to energy
transfer to the blades is

(2)
g
The total friction and shock loss head AHL is

A I I , ~ : ~2g [(oop - - ~os)'2ro.'-' + (~o.~ -- o~,,)"r, 2] + --2g-~-e . (3)

Since AHt: = A H z for an energy balance,

1_ [ w , 2 ( r .". _ rfl) -- o ~ s 2 ( r"f -- r , ~ ) ~ - ~ Q2

2g 2~ A o (14)
in agreement with Eq. I8, which is thus seen to be a special
case of the torque converter analysis.
Since us = (I - S)~p on substituting in (4),

(r~ - r,~)(2 - S)So,~ - ~ (2~

2g 2~ A °- '
462 R U P E N EKSERGIAN. [J. 1:. I.

so t h a t
Q = K ~ p V ( r 2~ - r ~ ) ( 2 - S ) S = K ~ p F ( S ) . (5)
On s u b s t i t u t i n g in (I)

¢P = P-~-~ I t 2 2 - - ( I - - S ) r , 2 - ] o a v = K ' c o v 2 f ( S ) , (6)*

£
where
f(s) = Cr2 - - - - s)s]

= ~2(r22--r~2)~/S (roughly).
T h u s f ( S ) d e p e n d s n o t only on the slip b u t a l s o o n the size
a n d p r o p o r t i o n s of the c o u p l i n g . H o w e v e r the e f f i c i e n c y
')')t " COM,$T~KIT

l.O
.} 7
O~

~2

0
I00 ~0 ~ 4O gO 0
,sLiP

PLRTE ~ 5

= I -- S a l w a y s v a r i e s l i n e a r l y with the slip. On the o t h e r

h a n d , t o m a i n t a i n a s m a l l slip a n d h i g h efficiency will r e q u i r e
e x c e s s i v e p r o p o r t i o n s for t r a n s m i t t i n g l a r g e t o r q u e s . T h e size
of the c o u p l i n g c a n be c o n s i d e r a b l y r e d u c e d by t r a n s m i t t i n g
the t o r q u e a t h i g h r o t a t i v e s p e e d s .
P l a t e 5 s h o w s the e x p e r i m e n t a l t r e n d of f ( S ) t h a t is the
v a r i a t i o n of t o r q u e with s l i p . L i k e w i s e the efficiency v a r i e s
a s a l i n e a r f u n c t i o n w i t h the s l i p .
* Otherwise, since Q = k 4 ~r approx, and A H = i / g [ o a p r 2 2 - - ~osrl~'](oap - - o~s)
= I/g[r~" -- (I --S)]~,~S, .'.¢ = Kirk2 -- (I -- S ) r z ~ ] ~ , o v 2 4 S (approx.).
May, 1943.] T O R Q U E CONVERTER AND COUPLING. 463
F r o m d y n a m i c s i m i l a r i t y , the time rate of c h a n g e of
a n g u l a r m o m e n t u m h a s the form

6~ = kl p- Q w d 2 f l ( S ) ,
g

w h e r e d is a l i n e a r d i m e n s i o n as a d i a m . , b u t the c i r c u l a t i o n Q
is the p r o d u c t of a v e l o c i t y a n d a r e a , w h e r e the velocity d e p e n d s
on the xrg. ~ H .
.'. Q = K d 2 i g • ~H,

b u t from the p r e v i o u s a n a l y s i s , ~ H h a s the form

&II = _I d % ~ f = ( S ) ' . Q = Kda,o(f~(S)) L

g
Therefore,
* = k p- ~ 2 d ~ f ( S ) ,
g
(7)
P = k o dV(S).
g
Since
ML 2
= F ( p , g , o~, d , S ) -~ T2 ,

= , d = [L , S = numeric.
g

ep=k

= I, "8 = 2, Y = 5,

w h i c h a g r e e s with the e x p o n e n t s in (7)-

THE FLUID COUPLING AS A VIBRATION DAMPENER.

T h e f l u i d c o u p l i n g w h e n p l a c e d in a t o r s i o n a l v i b r a t i o n
s y s t e m is a n effective d a m p e n e r . W h e n v i b r a t i n g a b o u t the
m e a n load p o s i t i o n ,
,~ = K % p Z f ( S ) ( = K'~0p:~75 a p p r o x . ) ,
and
up = 01, ~ s = 02 = (~ - S ) ~ p .
464 R U P E N EKSERGIAN. [J. F. I.

F o r s m a l l oscillations, let to mean angular velocity of the

p r i m a r y s h a f t a n d So t h e mean slip corresponding t o t h e mean
load. T h e n to = toeo,

01 = t o t -~- ~)1, 02 = (I -- So)tot -~ 4a2,

.. 01 = to + 4,1 = toe = o~e0 + ~tov,
03 = (I - S0)to + 4,~ = ~s.
Since t h e torque c a n always b e expressed as a n explicit f u n c -
tion " F " of t h e p r i m a r y s p e e d ~op a n d t h e slip S, t h e n

= K'F(o~e, S) = K%e~f(S), (8)

where
F(we, S) = Fo + OF Atop + -.~ AS,
o o

W e note, however,

ato~ = 4,~, toe -- ~, = S~v = (So + a S ) ( ~ + 4,~)

and
toe - to~ = Soto + (4,~ - 4,~) = So,o + ,~AS + So4,,;

hence,
toAS = (I . So)4,t - 4,3 = 4,t - 4,3 (approx.).
Since

0 0

..
•

acb = 2 K ' 4 ( S ) o d ~ x - t - K ' w ( 4 , x - 4,~)

() of
-~ • (9)

The first term c a n b e neglected since f ( S ) 4 , , is small.

H e n c e t h e d a m p i n g torque d u e t o t h e coupling is

e D = ~ e = K ~ o~(6~-4'3)=B(4,~-43) (io)
where

o ~Soo a p p r o x . )
;lay, 1943.1 "I'ORQt;E (~ONVERTI,;R ANI) (IOUPIAN(;. 465

61 and ¢~ = the vii)ration c o o r d i n a t e s of the p r i m a r y a n d

secondary wheels.
T h e c o u p l i n g s e p a r a t e s a d y n a m i c s y s t e m i n t o two d i s t i n c t
p a r t s w i t h e q u i l i b r i u m a n g u l a r velocities ~ a n d co(I - S0) re-
spectively. T h e two s y s t e m s oscillate r e l a t i v e t o t h e i r re-
s p e c t i v e m e a n p o s i t i o n s ; w h e r e the v i b r a t o r y c o o r d i n a t e of
the p r i m a r y r e l a t i v e t o its m e a n p o s i t i o n is Ct, a n d the vi-
b r a t o r y c o o r d i n a t e of the p r i m a r y r e l a t i v e t o its m e a n
p o s i t i o n is ¢2.
A s a n e x a m p l e , c o n s i d e r the v i b r a t i o n s y s t e m s h o w n in
P l a t e 6, Fig. I, w h i c h c o n s i s t s of two, two m a s s s y s t e m s ,

Ii

I I

~J ~z

F~.'I

I S

~3

J~.~T~" ~'6

c o u p l e d by a f l u i d d a m p e n e r . T h e s e c o n d s y s t e m has a r e d u c -
tion g e a r with i n e r t i a s i 3 , / 3 a n d I4, a n d g e a r r a t i o w b e t w e e n
i,~ a n d Ia, with i3 i n c l u d i n g the s e c o n d a r y r o t o r of the c o u p l i n g .
T h e s h a f t c o n s t a n t b e t w e e n /3 a n d I4 is C34. T h e p r i m a r y
s y s t e m c o n s i s t s of the i n e r t i a s I1 a n d Is w i t h s h a f t c o n s t a n t C1~.
L e t Ole ~p~ = the a p p l i e d t o r q u e on m a s s I1. T h e Ira-
g r a n g i a n f u n c t i o n s are
T = ½[I,012 + I ~ 2 + (13 + "1,2i3)032 -Jl- 74~)42~, 1.
v = ½c,,(o, - + - o4)0-, I (")
VOL. 235, NO. I409---I8
466 RUPEN EKSERGIAN. [J. F. I.

w h i l e the d i s s i p a t i o n f u n c t i o n is a s s u m e d e n t i r e l y c o n c e n -
t r a t e d a t the c o u p l i n g , a n d is
F = }B(O= + vO3) 2. (12)
T h e e q u a t i o n s of m o t i o n are, therefore,

I10~ + C'12(01 -- 02) = dPle ivt, [ System I

1#.2 + C1~(02 - ol) + B(O~ + ~03) o, I
(i3)
(Ia + ~ =i3)~J3 + Ca4(0a - 04) + 7B (~03 +02) = o, / S y s t e m I I
1404 + C34(04 - 03) o , /

with 01 = 010e ip', 05 = O20e O't, etc.

L e t D ( i p ) be the d e t e r m i n a t e

- Ilp'2 + C1~ - C12 0 0

- C12 --I2p~+CI~+iB iBr 0
o iBr -I3'p2+Ca4+,y2B 0
0 0 - Ca4 - 1 @ 2 + C34

w h e r e Ia' = I3 + "~2ia, a n d D , s be the m i n o r of the r t h c o l u m n

a n d S t h row;
n
Y~. D r s ( i p ) * s
0;,.0 = 1
"" D(ip) ' (I4)

w h e r e S = I for the s y s t e m c o n s i d e r e d a n d or0 e q u a l s e i t h e r

010, 020, 080, 0,o a n d n = 4.
T h e f l u i d c o u p l i n g s e p a r a t e s a d y n a m i c a l s y s t e m into com-
p o n e n t systems on e i t h e r side of the c o u p l i n g . T h e i n t e r a c t i o n
b e t w e e n the s y s t e m s is the c o u p l i n g d a m p i n g t o r q u e . F o r
effective d a m p i n g , the m o t i o n a t the c o u p l i n g m u s t be l a r g e ,
a n d t h e r e f o r e its l o c a t i o n s h o u l d be a w a y from n o d a l p o i n t s of
e i t h e r s y s t e m . W h e n the c o u p l i n g is l o c a t e d in the p r o x i m i t y
of a n o d e , the v i b r a t i o n of the s y s t e m for the c o r r e s p o n d i n g
m o d e is p r a c t i c a l l y u n a f f e c t e d by the c o u p l i n g .
T h e i m p o r t a n c e of r e d u c i n g g e a r v i b r a t i o n s in a s y s t e m ,
a s in P l a t e 6, Fig. 2, s h o w s the l o c a t i o n of the c o u p l i n g a t t h e
i n t e r m e d i a t e g e a r set. L e t 11, I2 ( w i t h p i n i o n i2) a n d / 3 be a
c o m p o n e n t s y s t e m (I) on one side of the c o u p l i n g . L e t I4
p l u s p i n i o n i4 a n d I s b e a s e p a r a t e s y s t e m (II) on the o t h e r
May, t 9 4 3 . ] T O R Q U E CONVERTER AND COUPLING. 467

side of the c o u p l i n g . L e t C,= a n d C23 be the e l a s t i c s h a f t con-

s t a n t s of s y s t e m (I) a n d u2 = the gear r a t i o for p i n i o n i.,.
L i k e w i s e C45 a n d y4 a r e the e l a s t i c s h a f t c o n s t a n t a n d g e a r
r a t i o for s y s t e m ( I I ) .
W e m a y s e l e c t the n o r m a l c 0 6 r d i n a t e s for e a c h s y s t e m on
e i t h e r side of the c o u p l i n g • F o r the I s t s y s t e m , let ~,~, ¢a; a n d
¢a2 be the r i g i d a n d n o r m a l v i b r a t i o n c 0 6 r d i n a t e s . L e t ¢0~2
a n d ~4 be the r i g i d a n d n Q r m a l c 0 6 r d i n a t e s for the 2nd s y s t e m .
T h e n if 0~, 02, Oa, 04, 06 are the c 0 6 r d i n a t e s of the s e v e r a l m a s s e s ,
we h a v e
Ist S y s t e m 2nd S y s t e m
O1 = (/)rl -J[- ~1 -{- (/)2, 04 = ~0,'2 + ~4,
02 = ¢~1 + k2'¢1 + k2"¢2, Os = - - Y4(P,'2 ~ - . k s t t t g p 4 ,
Oa = ¢~1 + ka'~l + ka"¢2,
w h e r e k' is the a m p l i t u d e r a t i o of the f i r s t m o d e for a n y g i v e n
m a s s corresponding t o the n a t u r a l f r e q u e n c y El; l i k e w i s e k" is
the a m p l i t u d e r a t i o of m o d e two a t f r e q u e n c y n> F o r the
second s y s t e m (a free two m a s s s y s t e m ) we h a v e only one m o d e
a t f r e q u e n c y m with the a m p l i t u d e r a t i o ks'" for m a s s I5.*
T h e tolal k i n e t i c e n e r g y for the two s y s t e m s in t e r m s of
r i g i d a n d n o r m a l c o S r d i n a t e s of the s e p a r a t e s y s t e m s is
T =t + (12+.r==i=) + I ]$L1 + ½ [ L + (I= + k,e'2 + Iak3'216 2
+ ½FII+
+ { 1[(I4+Y42i4) --~-'y421~]62R2--~-l[(14-~-'y,2i4) + I s k ( " z - ] $ , 2} u ;
•. T = ½[(A~,$2~t+A,6t2+A2622)~+(A,.26z,.2+A4442)II], (15)
w h e r e the A / s are the i n e r t i a coefficients for the r i g i d c 0 5 r d i -
* For s y s t e m I
k 2! C12 - nl=I1 k at C2a(Ct2 - - n1~Ii)
Ist M o d e
Ct2 ' C i 2 ( C 2 a -- n t 2 I a ) '
k.,." =- CI2 - - n 2 2 1 1 ka" - C',.a(Ct2 - - n22It)
2 d .:¢(ode
Cl= ' Cl2(Ga -- n ? I : + ) '
where nt= and n22 are the roots of the frequency equation
IlI~'Ia , [ I t ( I ~ ' + Ia) I a ( I ~ + I2') 1
--- - - n" - - [ ~- j n~ + (It+12+/:,) =o
C12" C2a CI~ C2a
and
Is' = I~ + i2r22
For s y s t e m . I I
r4C45 ( r 4 2 1 5 + I4 + r42i4)C4.~
kJ" and n42 =
n 4 2 1 6 - - C4~ 16(I4 + r,2iO
 468 R U P E N EKSERGIAN. [J. F. I.

n a t e s a n d the An's are the i n e r t i a coefficients for the n o r m a l

e o 6 r d i n a t e s for the two s y s t e m s .
T h e i n t e r a c t i o n b e t w e e n the two s y s t e m s c a n be e x p r e s s e d
in t e r m s of a d i s s i p a t i o n f u n c t i o n ,
= ~ B ( 0 4 + ~202) 2
= 1BE(6,2 + 64) -J- 72(6,, + k,"$i + k2"-~,~/A~-12. (I6)
W e h a v e d a m p i n g c o u p l i n g t e r m s b e t w e e n the o t h e r w i s e i n d e -
- p e n d ~ n t n o r m a l c 0 6 r d i n a t e s of the two i n d e p e n d e n t s y s t e m s .
A s s u m i n g the d i s t u r b i n g t o r q u e .¢3e~v' t o a c t on M a s s I3
we have the f o l l o w i n g e q u a t i o n s for the v i b r a t i o n of the
system :
~Jrl ~2 . . " t * tt • ¢3elpt
"J-B~lEdPr22¢-dP42¢-72(dPr12¢-k2 cx+k2 4~)-]- At1'

•" 2 ~ k 2' . . . , ,,. k3'~3e~'*

¢2+m24,2+B 4)r~+¢4+.y~(4,~+k(4)l+k('4,~)-l=k3''¢"e'~'
As '

$~2+B/A r216r2 + 6 4 + ~ 2 ( 6 r ~ + k ( 6 , + k2"62) ~ = o,

$4 + n42¢4 + B/A4 ~6~2 + 64 -~ ~2 (6rl + k ( 6 1 + k2"62) ~ = o ,
with
¢rl = ¢~10e ipt, q~ = ¢I0e ~ t , etc.
A s o l u t i o n is e a s i l y effected p r o v i d e d we know the free
n o r m a l m o d e s for each s y s t e m in o r d e r t o c o m p u t e the k's.
It is a p p a r e n t t h a t the use of n o r m a l c o 6 r d i n a t e s offers no
simplification over o r d i n a r y c o 6 r d i n a t e s , w h e n a c o m p l e t e
s o l u t i o n is r e q u i r e d . S o m e a p p r o x i m a t i o n s , h o w e v e r , c a n
b e s t be s h o w n t h r o u g h n o r m a l c o 6 r d i n a t e s .
T h e r i g i d d i s p l a c e m e n t s can be a s s u m e d s m a l l c o m p a r e d
with n o r m a l v i b r a t i o n s of a n e x c i t e d m o d e . F u r t h e r , we will
a s s u m e the 2 n d m o d e of s y s t e m (I) e x c i t e d a n d k2" l a r g e for
this m o d e . T h i s m e a n s a l a r g e oscillation a t the g e a r .
T h e r e f o r e , the s y s t e m a p p r o x i m a t e s t o

72k2" k " ' -~ k3" ~3elpt'

64 -~- n4~q~4 -[- B / A 4 E 6 4 " J - "72k2t"dp2 "] = o.

May, I943.] TORQUE CONVERTER AND COUPLING. 469

Therefore,
k 3tt
-~o b24
= A-T 4'3e~"~'
l
(~9)
b~4 b4~ .
64 + ~i] 64 + ,,.,~,, + A--1#°4"
= ()' I
where
b24 = b42 = B3,o.k2",
b22 = B,y22kz "2, b44 = B,
a n d we have a s i m p l e two d e g r e e d a m p e d v i b r a t i o n s y s t e m .
T h i s s h o w s the n a t u r e of the p h y s i c a l i n t e r a c t i o n of the
coupling.
Let
1#2 = 1#20e ivt, 1#4 ~" 1#40eit't,
( n2~ - p~ + i p ~
b'.4
1#~o + ip ~ 1#~o = - X ®~'
kz 't ]

(2o)
*P~1#2o + n,~ - + ip 1#,o = o;
A41
( , , , . _ p: + ipb,4 k:'
A 4 ] -~[ ¢ba
• • 1#20 =
D
f! (21)
b~4 k3 4D
- ~P21~7,~ 3
1#.t0 --
D
where

As / rt4 - - + ip + A~A4 "

N o w in o u r a p p r o x i m a t i o n , we h a v e a s s u m e d the 2d m o d e of
the f i r s t s y s t e m t o be e x c i t e d by the t o r q u e ¢3e~7,t. This
m e a n s t h a t we a s s u m e n2 = p n e a r l y . H e n c e the f a c t o r
~ 2 a p p r o a c h e s i p b22
no2 - p~ + i p - ~ and D reduces to

A- ./- + . i p A 4 / + P"~,., : -A,'

so t h a t the v i b r a t i o n t o r q u e t r a n s m i t t e d t h r o u g h the c o u p -
470 RUPEN EKSERGIAN. [J. F. I.

ling is,
*co = B[640 + ~2k2II¢303 = B i p [ ¢ 4 0 + ~o-k2 t! ¢20~
"

• • ~Co = ~ p2 At- r - 2 p' rt42 -- + ip / J A 2 ¢"

B p A-4 + i,y2k2" n4o- - + ip ~ k~"e3

b224 ( p2 b44)
since
bo.4 = B ' r 2 k 2 " , b22 = B'r2O'ko-''o-
k 3 " ~3
•. ¢co - "y2ko-" ' w h e n no. a p p r o a c h e s p.

If we i s o l a t e s y s t e m I , the w o r k of the a p p l i e d t o r q u e Ca
m u s t b a l a n c e the w o r k of the d a m p i n g t o r q u e ¢co a t the
c o u p l i n g , i.e.,
• 3 • k3t'~¢2 - ~co • "r2k2"~¢2 = o,

a t r e s o n a n c e for the s e c o n d m o d e of this s y t e m .

T h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g a n g u l a r d i s p l a c e m e n t s a t the c o u p l i n g ,
are,
(n4o. _ p2 + i p b44~ k3tt
A 4 ] -~2 ~b3eit"
(~2 : ~22( p2 b44) p2 b224
ip n j -- + ip A4 + A~A-~4

since b224- b2~b,4 = o for e x c i t a t i o n of the s e c o n d m o d e ,

therefore,

, +i pbo-.
and,
b24. k3,,¢3e~v,
A4 k 3 " ¢ 3 e ~t
~ 4 = - -
b~2(m2 _ p2) -y~ k o- t t.Xa 4/~ m2 - p ~ )
A

~Pcoe ipt k3tt ¢~P3e i p t

• • ¢ 4 = - - since ¢c0 -
A 4(n4o- - - po-) ' 7o-ko-"
May, I943.] T O R Q U E CONVERTER AND COUPLING. 471

t h a t is, the external t o r q u e e x c i t i n g s y s t e m I 1 is the c o u p l i n g

t o r q u e &e0.
W h e n the s e c o n d s y s t e m is n o t e x c i t e d , then ¢2 a p p r o a c h e s
kat t~aei(p t-Tr/2)
and 4~4 - o.
pb,2~.
W h e n , in a d d i t i o n , the f r e q u e n c y of the s e c o n d s y s t e m is
in c l o s e p r o x i m i t y w i t h the e x c i t i n g f r e q u e n c y , then n4 = p
n e a r l y , so t h a t both the a m p l i t u d e s ¢2 a n d ¢4 are l a r g e a n d
the d a m p i n g of the c o u p l i n g b e c o m e s ineffective.
In g e n e r a l , h o w e v e r , the c o u p l i n g acts a s a n effective
d a m p e n e r for a n y m o d e of v i b r a t i o n of the s y s t e m s on e i t h e r
side of the c o u p l i n g , a n d in p a r t i c u l a r for t h o s e m o d e s w h o s e
n o d e s are a w a y from the c o u p l i n g .
COMBINATION OF TORQUE CONVERTER WITH FLUID COUPLING.

V e r y s a t i s f a c t o r y t o r q u e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a n d h i g h effi-
c i e n c i e s are o b t a i n e d by c o m b i n i n g the t o r q u e c o n v e r t e r with
the f l u i d c o u p l i n g . T h e c o m b i n a t i o n c a n be d o n e in two
w a y s . T h e one w a y is t o a r r a n g e two c i r c u i t s , one for the
c o n v e r t e r a n d a n o t h e r one for the c l u t c h . By filling or
e m p t y i n g the one or the o t h e r , a c h a n g e over from c o n v e r t e r
t o c o u p l i n g is e f f e c t e d . T h e o t h e r w a y is t h a t u s e d in t h e
T r i l o k G e a r . T h i s c o n t a i n s only one c a s i n g , in w h i c h the
g u i d e w h e e l for c o n v e r t e r d r i v e r e m a i n s s t a t i o n a r y . As a
c o u p l i n g , the g u i d e v a n e r o t a t e s with the t u r b i n e . T h e
c h a n g e over is c a u s e d w h e n the s e c o n d a r y t o r q u e a p p r o a c h e s
the p r i m a r y one a n d is effected a u t o m a t i c a l l y t h r o u g h a free
w h e e l drive.
T h e c h a n g e over o c c u r s a p p r o x i m a t e l y a t 1.5 t i m e s the
r a t e d s p e e d , i.e., the s p e e d c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o m a x i m u m con-
v e r t e r o u t p u t . If the c o n v e r t e r o u t p u t c u r v e d r o p s t o } the
m a x i m u m o u t p u t a t I. 5 r a t e d s p e e d , this m e a n s an o v e r a l l
efficiency a t c h a n g e over a t -] X 0.85 = o.64.
A f t e r c h a n g e over from c o n v e r t e r t o c o u p l i n g , t h e r e is no
f u r t h e r t o r q u e amplification. The transmission therefore
o p e r a t e s d i r e c t l y on the t o r q u e - s p e e d c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of the
engine.
A s s u m i n g c o n s t a n t e n g i n e t o r q u e , the c h a n g e over from
c o n v e r t e r t o c o u p l i n g (or c l u t c h ) r e q u i r e s a r e d u c t i o n in
472 R U P E N EKSERGIAN. [J. F. I.

engine s p e e d c o n s i s t e n t with torque-speed-slippage character-

istics. Let ¢1, = p r i m a r y o r engine torque a n d up = p r i m a r y
speed. Let ¢s = secondary o r o u t p u t torque a n d ~s = sec-
o n d a r y s p e e d . Let Ee = transmission efficiency a t r a t e d out-
p u t s p e e d . Let x = relative efficiency a t c h a n g e o v e r com-
pared with r a t e d o u t p u t . T h e n a t c h a n g e o v e r t h e overall
efficiency is ~ = x~e = o.64 (approx.).
Let ~0pR = n o r m a l or r a t e d e n g i n e speed. T h e n , j u s t before
change over, t h e secondary o r o u t p u t s p e e d o f t h e c o n v e r t e r is
~SM = 1.5XSR approx, o r in general,
E~P~PR
~C~')POJPR ~ (~SMOJSM; .. 5 0 S M ~" - -
~Si
Since (])SM (I)P a p p r o x , for the t u r b i n e torque, at change over,
=

therefore ~OSM = **0pR (approx.).

A f t e r change over, operating with the coupling, c p = ¢s al-
w a y s , a n d o s = (I - S ) ~ e . With t h e coupling, j u s t after
c h a n g e o v e r let ~0e = 0~mw h e r e ~p~ is t h e l o w e r e d engine s p e e d .
The o u t p u t s h a f t has t h e previous c o n v e r t e r s p e e d CoSM. The
efficiency of t h e coupling is I - S, a t c h a n g e over. Hence,
¢SCOSM = (I -- S ) d p l , W p 2 ;

OOSM
.. o0m - since (~)8' ~---- ~PP,
I --S'

a n d t h e drop in engine s p e e d , noting O~SM = *~PR,

¢0pR -- C0P2 = I - - C0p~ (approx.)• (23)

I - S
The slip S a n d t h e reduced engine s p e e d ~om are n o t inde-
p e n d e n t . Assuming c o n s t a n t engine torque eapR,
e r r = Ko~2mf(S) = Ko~2PRf(S)o;

, / f ( S )o
•. (I -- S) ~f~S-) - e a p p r ° x ' ' (24)
o r alternately,
(M2pR

w h e r e t h e function F d e p e n d s u p o n t h e coupling size.

May, I 9 4 3 . ] T O R Q U E CONVERTER AND COUPLING. 473

T h e c h a n g e over from c o n v e r t e r t o c o u p l i n g o c c u r s a t
r o u g h l y t w o - t h i r d s the m a x i m u m s p e e d r a n g e . T o e x t e n d
the s p e e d r a n g e two c o u p l i n g s c a n be u s e d with the c o n v e r t e r .
T h e p r i m a r y p a r t s of c o n v e r t e r and the two c o u p l i n g s are
d r i v e n a t the s a m e s p e e d . T h e s e c o n d a r y p a r t of t h e f i r s t
c o u p l i n g is c o n n e c t e d w i t h a s p e e d r e d u c t i o n g e a r w h i l e the
s e c o n d a r y p a r t of the s e c o n d c o u p l i n g is in d i r e c t d r i v e . In
this w a y the r a n g e of o p e r a t i o n of the c o n v e r t e r c a n be r e d u c e d
t o less t h a n 5o p e r c e n t . of the m a x i m u m s p e e d r a n g e . A t
each c h a n g e over the e n g i n e s p e e d is d r o p p e d in the o r d e r of
2 5 per c e n t .
"File f u t u r e of the t o r q u e c o n v e r t e r is t o i m p r o v e the
efficiency a t both over a n d u n d e r s p e e d s r e l a t i v e t o its r a t e d
v a l u e . In this w a y (I) the e n t i r e s p e e d r a n g e is m a t e r i a l l y
e x t e n d e d , (2) the t o r q u e a m p l i f i c a t i o n a t s t a r t i n g is i n c r e a s e d ,
(3) the d r o p in p o w e r a n d e n g i n e s p e e d a t c o n v e r t e r t o c o u p l i n g
c h a n g e over is r e d u c e d a n d (4) w e i g h t r e d u c t i o n and s i m p l i -
fication are then f u r t h e r p o s s i b l e . T h e use of i m p r o v e d en-
t r a n c e b l a d e d e s i g n , with a t e n d e n c y t o w a r d m u l t i p l e s t a g e s ,
a p p e a r s h e l p f u l , w h i l e a s i m p l e m e c h a n i s m for v a r y i n g the
b l a d e a n g l e s of the i m p e l l e r s h o u l d p r o v e m o s t p r o m i s i n g .

Acknowledgment." T h e a u t h o r is p a r t i c u l a r l y i n d e b t e d t o
P r o f . \V. S p a n n h a k e , w h o c r i t i c a l l y r e v i e w e d the p r e l i m i n a r y
m a n u s c r i p t with h e l p f u l s u g g e s t i o n s , and l a t e r t o Dr. T . D.
C o p e for his c a r e f u l r e v i e w of the p a p e r in its f i n a l f o r m .
A c k n o w l e d g m e n t is also due t o I)r. J a m e s B a r n e s for sug-
f e s t i o n s a n d t o M r . W a l t e r f l a m m e r a n d M r . V. S. C h a p l i n
for a i d i n g the a u t h o r .
APPENDIX.
1. Flow of Fluid in Stationary Channel.
Let C~ and Cu be the radial and tangential velocities, t) the density, p the
pressure, r , z and 8 the cylindrical coordinates of a particle, and C~ the velocity in
the axial direction. Then
dC~ Ct.2 Iap
d-~ -- ~ - = q~ -- 0 O r ' (t) radial motion,
d(Cur) ( I op)
dt qu -- p r ~ r = change in Ang. Momentum;
• dC~ CuC,. _ t Op
" " dl + - r = q~' orO0' (2) tangential inolion,

dC~ I o.p (3) axial motion,

d t -- q ~ o Oz '
474 R U P E N EKSERGIAN. [J. F. I.

w i t h the equation of c o n t i n u i t y ,
o(oC,r) + o(oC~r) ~ oo
Or tO0 + , , ~ +r~ = o
or
O(C,r) + O(Cvr) a(C,r)
Or ~ + 0z = o (4) for c o n s t , o.

Since the m o t i o n is i r r o t a t i o n a l , we have the rotations about the r, z and the

normal t o the plane of rg, a t a particle, nil. That is the respective circulations are

OC, OCv o,
rO0 Oz

I O(Cur) OCt
r Or rO0 o, (5)
oC~ oG
O.
Oz Or
T h u s , for the circulation at a p o i n t around the z axis we have
OCu
C"tr + (Cv +-~r d r ]i (r + dr)dO - (C~
\ + OC~
Tg~ " rdO~.t d r - CvrdO = o ;

OCtr ~ Cv OC, O(Cvr) OC~

i

O.
Or r rO0 r Or rO0
2. Flow of Fluid in a Rotating Channel.
T h e relative velocities are Vr and vv, where vr = C , and vv = Cv - o~r. On
s u b s t i t u t i n g t h e s e values i n the previous e q u a t i o n s , n o t i n g 0 = 4 + ~0t,
dvr vu2 I op
2VuO~ -- w~r = qr -- - - - (6)
dt r o Or '
dvv vvv, I op
d'-~ + --r- + 2vrw = qv o rO¢ ' (7)
dr, Iop
~df = ~" - ~ b 2 ' (8)

where 2vv~ and 2v~ are the components of the Coriolis acceleration due t o the
relative m o t i o n in the rotating channel. Since the absolute cotation is nil, on
s u b s t i t u t i n g Cv = vv + o~r, C, = v,: C, = v~, we have
OVr OVU }
2wr rOO Oz o,
OVu VU OVr
2w, = ~ + r rO~ 2o~, (9)

Ovr OVz
2~On OZ Or O,
where wr, w, and w~ are the corresponding r o t a t i o n s . T h e relative rotation a b o u t
the z a x i s , i.e., the axis of rotation of the channel, is then
723z ~ - - ~0.

Components,
3 . Applied Acceleration
H. Lorenz introduced the acceleration components qr, qv and q,, as an equiva-
lent system of forces per u n i t volume, e q u a l t o the unbalanced surface pressures
May, m43.1 T O R Q U E CONVERTER AND ( "O U* P LI NG.
r 475

of the blades on the fluid. Since the channel exerts a torque on the fluid, the
streamlines ace subjected t o lateral unbalanced pressures, which are exactly
equiwflent t o applied acceleration components normal t o the s t r e a m flow. There-
fore, for the applied acceleration components t o be equivalent t o the torque
reaction of the blades, the m o m e n t of the tangential acceleration components m u s t
be e q u a l t o the r a t e of change of the angular m o m e n t u m of the particles, w h i l e the
s u m m a t i o n of t h e s e n m m e n t s is e q u a l t o the change of angular m o m e n t u m of the
entire fluid flowing through the blades, a n d , therefore, t o the total torque exerted
by the blades on the flnid.
l lenee,
d(Ccr) dvc
+ !'cv,. + zv~o = q~ • r, L l)
dt dt r
where
j " d(Ccr)
~pqt~dV' r = .l p ~z~ - d V = ,1, I2}

and L/0 op
r ~ is o m i t t e d , since it is already included in qc.

Another c o n d i t i o n is that the total work of lhe applied acceleration c o m -

ponents m u s t be equivalent t o the torque per unit mass times the angular velocity
of the channel. U s i n g relative v e l o c i t y , we have, since v~ = C~, v, = C,,
d(Ct r)
q,v, + q..v~ + qt~(v~ + ¢or) = ~0. . . . . . . . . . (l 3)
dl
Since
d(Cur)
qcr . ~ ~ . . . . . . w, 14)
dt
t herefo,'e.
qrvr + qzv, + qCVC = O,
which shows the appl ied accelo~ration components m u s t be n o r m a l to the relaHve flow
streamlines. This c o n d i t i o n is also evident since the resultant is due t o the
normal pressure of the channel wall surfaces.

4. Relative S t r e a m l i n e Functions.
• t 0p
On m u l t i p l y i n g equations (6), (7) and (8) by v,, vc and v~ notmgorc- ~ = (,
arid qrZ'r JC qt"dV -~ qzv.. = O, we have

v,,h,, + ;,,,dv,, + vflv~ - d~r,lr = - ' /P' [ or~P d r + ``,p

riT+" rdO + Opoz d z ] ; (I(,)

• v-~ - - w2r='-- + P = C ~7)

2 2 p

where C varies for each streamline.

Let u s now consider the stream function ~bdelined as
O~ O~
v~r = Vr " r . . . . . . (I8)
Or ' c)Z
Since Or,
. . .Ovr. . o for the irrotational m o t i o n ,
ar Oz
027. ` , 0'2Lk 10,k
476 R U P E N EKSERGIAN. [J. F. I.

O b v i o u s l y ~b itself is a function of ¢ , and for a given 4,, ~b = C¢. T h e significance

of ~b can be shown as follows. Since the channel walls are tangent t o the s t r e a m -
lines, then if ~ and ~b2 are the corresponding stream functions, we have

2 r ( ¢ ; i - - ~_o) = Q ; " d~ = ~dQ, (20)

where Q is the total flow r a t e through a channel, and the torque is,

= p ~ [ ( C v r ) 2 - - (Cvr)L1 per channel. (2I)

In terms of the s t r e a m function, 6(z, r)

, = o I ' a(Cvr)
g d - - - d t ~ " d V, d V = 2rrdrdz

.'. "l' = g
t'F r°(c"r)
"'~" E az • v, + -OT-r
O(C r) " v,
] rdr . dz
Since

v..r = Or' v,r = -- O r

r f ro c{,) o(c,,r) 0¢~] dr.dz (22)

"'" "~ = - g - ' - - - L oz " oG - Or " " o-~ J
but,

g • d( Cur)

• O ( C v r ) . O_~b _ O ( C v r ) . 07/ = d¢~ • d ( C v r ) (23)

• " Oz Or Or Oz

This equality s u g g e s t s the transformation of r and z t o new variables ¢~ and C v r

i.e., r = f 1 ( ¢ ~ , C v r ) and z = f 2 ( $ , C u r ) .
T h e improvement i n efficiency of the torque converter requires a reduction
in shock losses at speeds differing from the o p t i m u m speed.
If we take for the c o n t r o l surfaces t h o s e sections between an), two blade
s y s t e m s the m o m e n t u m transferred across such sections is complicated by the
irregularity of the flow due t o e d d y i n g .
F o r a circumferential control surface, let s the circumference distance (or
a r c ) ; then the angular m o m e n t u m transferred per u n i t t i m e per unit w i d t h is
1 ~s I 0's

where C, = radial velocity J_ t o control surface, C u = tangential v e l o c i t y , and

v, and v v are the corresponding relative values. Now b o t h C, and C v are functions
of s depending upon the n a t u r e of the eddying across the section.
T h e flow across the control surface may be considered as the resultant of
velocity components of three s t r e a m functions:
~b~ a relative radial potential flow, which has no e f f e c t on causing torque on
the blades.
~b, a circulation flow, which accounts for the mean torque on the blades in
combination with
6~ a relative eddying flow w i t h a circulation corresponding t o the n e g a t i v e
rotation of the wheel. Se e q . (9)-
May. u)43.1 T O R Q U E (~ONVERTER AND ('OUPLING. 477

T h e n the resultant potential is, (~' = f(r r d q ~ ) )

¢' = ¢ ~ + ¢ , +~:~,

v r = - - r,9~b' vv= 0~b' rdck = dSr,.I.

~, 0r'
Now a t each control surface between blade s y s t e m s , we have a circumferential
circulation r~, 1"2 and F~ where r = 2 7 r r C v and Cu is the mean tangential v e l o c i t y .
Further the circulation flow is Q = 2 ~ r r C ~ • I where 1 depth of blades, and Cr is
the mean normal (or radial) v e l o c i t y .
T h e circulation around each bucket blade, w h e r e number of blades, is
defined as
n v F v = I'~ -- I'l and n,sl"~s = 1"_
.. - I':~,
w h e r e l'p and F,s are the b u c k e t circulations for impeller and turbine. Therefore,

%, = oQQ ( r 2 C t , , . - r ~ C v O = p Q npF;,, I24)

g 2g~r

which is the reaction on the flow, due t o p u m p impeller.

"l's = oQ_ ( r ~ C t . , 2 - r:~Otrs) = pQ n s l ' s . 125)

g 2g~r

W h i c h is the c o u n t e r reaction on the flow due t o turbine rotor, since Fo > I':.
In a d d i t i o n , we have a p o s i H v e reaction on the flow due t o the guide blades.
since l h > Fa

'P,; P Q ( r l C r . , - r:~L'l :~) = 0_Q_ n , l ' ; t26~

= g 2glr
Evidently;

n v l ' p + n , s I ' s + nol'u = (I".2 - 1'1) + (l':l - l'._.~ + (lh - I':l) = o

that is, the total circulation corresponding t o the t o t a l change in Ang. m o m e n t u m .

about the s h a f t axis is nil.
F o r the function which accounts for the relative eddying flow, we have the
n e g a t i v e circulation for the r e l a t i v e flow in any rotating blades channel given by

Ovu vu Ov~ 2w (see eq. 9)

o~ = ~r + r r04~

I O~kI ON~1
"" Or 2 r Or r20~q~

where ~0~ = - w is the r e l a t i v e induced vortex m o t i o n due t o the rotation ~ about

the s h a f t a x i s .
Transferring t o rectangular coordinates, this equation as suggested by
Kurcharski, becomes identical t o that of a stretched membrane w i t h initial t e n s i o n
t o per u n i t run and a pressure s o adjusted that the s l o p e s of the membrane then
correspond t o the relative velocities, w i t h boundaries along the blades.
T h e resultant flow is obtained by s u p e r i m p o s i n g the radial, the eddying or
rotational flow and the circulation.
It is i m p o r t a n t t o n o t e that detachment of the flow from the d r i v i n g face of
the blade in the impeller p u m p t a k e s place when the velocity along the blade
478 R U P E N ];-KSb2RGIAN. [J. F. [.

surface due to the relative counter eddy caused by the wheel rotation exceeds
the velocity due to the radial potential flow. The eddy velocity is roughly pro-
portioned to the angular velocity of the wheel times the blade width, while the
radial velocity is proportional to the flow rate. Thus a minimum flow rate is re-
quired for a given speed of rotation. Due to the increasing width of widely
spaced blades away from the axis, the eddying velocity is increased requiring
increased flow rate.

REFERENCES.
Handbuch der Physik, Band VII, by R. Grammel.
Teehnische Hydromechanik, by H. Lorenz.
Stea m and Gas Turbines, by A. Stodola.
Centrifugal Pumps, Turbines and Propellers, by W. Spannhake.