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

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