The torque converter in an automatic transmission

The fluid exits the turbine moving opposite the direction that the pump and engine are turning. If the fluid were allowed to hit the pump, it would slow the engine down, wasting power. This is why a torque converter has a stator. The stator resides in the very center of the torque converter. Its job is to redirect the fluid returning from the turbine before it hits the pump again.

This dramatically increases the efficiency of the torque converter. In brief, the torque converter is a type of fluid coupling, which allows the engine to spin somewhat independently of the transmission. It is responsible for pressurizing automatic transmission fluid, a pressurization that supplies the force necessary to shift transmission gears.

A worn or dysfunctional torque converter can prevent transmission fluid from being properly pressurized, which in turn negatively impacts transmission gear function and operation. A systematic checkup by a professional is the best way to isolate the cause of the operating problems and recommend the most effective solution. Want to know more? Visite one of our locations! The evolution of transmissions has made these machines and systems increasingly complex.

When transmission repairs are required, determining the cause and cure for what ails can be tricky. Just as you have other parts of your car serviced, your transmission needs maintenance to ensure a long life and avoid transmission problems.

How Does a Torque Converter Work? By Mister Transmission. Tags: Transmission Basics. There are three components inside the very strong housing of the torque converter which work together to transmit power to the transmission: Pump Turbine Stator The pump inside a torque converter is a type of centrifugal pump.

Awsome service No Body. Eric is very professional and When the two halves of the torque converter get up to speed, this clutch locks them together, eliminating the slippage and improving efficiency. For more information on torque converters and related topics, check out the links on the next page. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe.

Towing Capacity. Towing Capacity Information. How Torque Converters Work. Antique illustration of adaptor transmission gearbox. The Basics " ". The torque converter is situated between the engine and the transmission. Inside a Torque Converter " ". The parts of a torque converter left to right : turbine, stator, pump.

Pump Turbine Stator Transmission fluid. How the parts of the torque converter connect to the transmission and engine. The pump section of the torque converter is attached to the housing.

The torque converter turbine: Note the spline in the middle. This is where it connects to the transmission. The Stator " ". The torque converter does it all by itself thus making it truly automatic. While from a stationary position you hold brakes and acceleration at the same time the car with Torque converter generates more starting torque as the converter is working irrespective of the motion of the car.

This also makes the car more smooth and provides its faster acceleration. Even with lockup mechanics at high speed, there is still a lot of fluid inside the torque converter which splashes around and causes excess energy use. That about covers the explanation of working of torque converters. They are an interesting piece of technology that has helped bridge the gap between a manual and automatic transmission and made car drives more of leisure than a chore.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Sign in. Log into your account. Forgot your password? Create an account. Sign up. Password recovery. Recover your password. It is filled with fluid and it spins with the engine crankshaft. The faster it spins, the more force is created as the fluid flows through it faster and harder. The impeller forces the fluid into another assembly of blades called the turbine.

The turbine sits opposite the impeller and rotates as the fluid from the impeller hits its blades. As the fluid flows through the turbine, it is repeatedly transferred from the outer part to the inner part of the turbine, and returned to the impeller.

This constant circulation of fluid flow from impeller into turbine, then back to impeller, creates a fluid coupling. As the transmission fluid returns to the impeller to keep the cycle going is where the torque is created. At this point the fluid is flowing in a different direction than it was originally as it came out of the impeller.

It has to be reversed, which slows the fluid and magnifies torque. This is where the stator comes in. The stator is another series of fins located between the two turbines on the transmission shaft. Its blades are angled so that when the transmission fluid flows into them, it reverses direction and gets channeled back to the impeller.

The vehicle does not move, but it does not stall. Acceleration occurs when the driver releases the brake and steps on the gas pedal. The impeller rotates faster, and there is a large difference between the impeller and turbine speed. The converter produces torque multiplication, which is necessary for acceleration. As the vehicle approaches cruising speed, the turbine rotates at nearly the same rate as the impeller, and torque multiplication ceases.

At this stage, the torque converter is a simple fluid coupling. The automatic transmission uses a lockup clutch to lock the turbine to the impeller.