Fundamental Analysis of the Secondary Flows and Jet-Wake in a Torque Converter Pump—Part II: Flow in a Curved Stationary Passage and Combined Flows

Abstract

Previously, experimental results for the velocity field in a torque converter pump showed strong jet/wake characteristics including backflows and circulatory secondary flows. Navier-Stokes flow models were developed herein to independently analyze the pump pressure-to-suction side jet/wake flow, the core-to-shell side jet/wake flow, and the secondary flows. Two relatively simple models were employed: (i) a rotating two-dimensional straight-walled duct and (ii) a 180 deg flow bend. Parametric studies were undertaken to evaluate the effect that operating conditions and geometry had on the characteristics. Results from the model showed that the core side wake, which was due to flow separation caused by rapid radial flow turning, was primarily a function of the Reynolds number; increasing the Reynolds number increased the core-to-shell side jet/wake flow. The passage length (or curvature) strongly affected the core-to-shell jet/wake. Using the modified equations for the generation of streamwise vorticity and the results from the two-dimensional jet/wake model for the normal and binormal vorticity components, trends for the secondary flows in the torque converter pump were predicted. Predicted secondary flows in the torque converter pump circulated in the counterclockwise direction (positive streamwise vorticity) in the pump midplane and in the clockwise direction (negative streamwise vorticity) in the pump exit plane. These trends agreed with experimental observations. Both the Reynolds number and the modified Rossby number were seen to have a significant influence on the streamwise vorticity and, thus, on the magnitude of the secondary flow velocities. The pump midplane counter-clockwise secondary flow circulation was primarily caused by the interaction of the pressure-to-suction side jet/wake nonuniform flow (and the associated normal vorticity component) with the high radial/axial flow turning angle the flow underwent while passing through blade passage. Similarly, the pump exit plane clockwise secondary flow circulation was caused by the core-to-shell side jet/wake nonuniform flow (and the associated binormal vorticity component) being rotated about a fixed centerline (pump shaft). Thus, the pump streamwise vorticity, which was responsible for the generation circulatory secondary flows, was directly related to the pump jet/wake phenomena.