Int. 3. Mech. Sci. Vol. 28, No. 7, pp. 431~41, 1986 0020-7403/86 $3.00+.

00
Printed in Great Britain. Pergamon Journals Ltd.

ANALYSIS OF MULTI-ELEMENT TORQUE CONVERTER

TRANSMISSIONS

S. ANDERSSON
Machine Elements Division, Lund Technical University, Box 118, S-221 00 Lund, Sweden

(Received 15 May 1985; and in revised form 20 December 1985)

Abstract--A general method of analysis of transmissions incorporating hydrodynamic multi-element

torque converters, epicyclical gears and uni-directional clutches is presented. The basic concept is to
employ matrix notation, which gives a general solution to the problem and a foundation of a fully
computerized design procedure. The governing equation for the torque converter is based upon the
commonly used mean stream-line approach. Gears and clutches are shown to be implemented by
building a special matrix. This is demonstrated by four illustrative examples.

NOTATION

mo cross-sectional area of fluid flow path at a reference station

oarea factor
A,B,C flow equation coelficients
C column matrix containing CmOand ~ojs
C absolute fluid velocity
Cm,CO meridional and tangential component of c
CmO value of c m where Ao is valid
Es, Ef power loss due to incidence and friction
f friction factor
G transmission matrix (square matrix)
H column matrix containing Cmo and known values
M torque
rn mass flow rate
n number of elements in torque converter
flow equation matrix (square matrix), ditto matrix dement
r radius
u tangential velocity of rotating component
w relative fluid velocity
blade angle coefficient
F moment of the tangential absolute fluid velocity
1,0 any quantities in a general formula
K shock factor
rl internal gear ratio for epicyclical gear
p density of fluid
~o blade angle (relative to the meridional plane)
rotational speed
Subscripts
1,2 entry, exit of turbine
IA, 1B just in front of, just behind turbine entry
C planet carrier in epicyclical gear
F uni-directional clutch
j,k turbine number
P pump impeller (driven member; power input)
S stator (reaction member; guide vanes)
T turbine rotor (driving member; power output)
/~,v sequential number of alternative solutions
Superscripts
T transposed matrix
- 1 inversed matrix

1. I N T R O D U C T I O N

This paper presents an analysis of multi-element torque converter transmissions, i.e. a

compound of a hydrodynamic torque converter with more than three shafts and a number of
gears and uni-directional clutches, where the suitability of the calculation process for

431
432 s. ANDERSSON

computer programming has been taken into special consideration. Such considerations are
important due to the continual development of computer-aids for the engineering practice.
When converting an established manual calculation procedure into one suitable for
computers, often a thorough reconsideration of the process is necessary as it is essential to
find an adequate formalism. In this paper a matrix formalism is shown to constitute a quite
general solution to the problem.
The paper consists of three sections. Firstly, the basic equations for torque converters are
presented. More about these matters may be found in Refs [ 1 ] - [ 6 ] but almost all theoretical
treatises restrict themselves to the standard three-element converters.
Secondly, the interaction between the converter and the other transmission components is
analyzed. Treatises on these matters are less frequent, but recently a method has been
presented, Ref. [7]. It describes an iterative process, based on a computer program for a
general multi-element converter, to which adequate subroutines accounting for the other
transmission components are added. Such a program probably needs close supervision by the
user, which is not desirable for a convenient computer-aid.
Thirdly, the method is demonstrated on some representative transmissions, most of them
known from motor-cars of the 1950s. Today multi-element converters are uncommon in this
application, but they must be considered as a potential resource when designing the overall
optimum automatic transmission.

2. BASIC EQUATIONS FOR TORQUE CONVERTERS

Analysis of hydrodynamic torque converters employing a one-dimensional mean flow path
approach is well established and will be briefly related below. References [ 1 ] - [ 3 ] present the
concept in more detail. Examples of other types of treatises are Ref. [4], which uses certain
flow velocity distributions to refine the one-dimensional approach, and Ref. [8] which is a
true two-dimensional approach.
A meridional cross-section of a converter is shown in Fig. 1. A mean flow path is indicated
as well as the points where it enters and exits the various elements. These points are denoted
by indices of which the first refers to the number of the actual turbine and the second denotes
entry or exit, 1 or 2, respectively. At entries a letter A or B indicates that the point is just in
front of or just behind the entrance, respectively.
A sample of the velocity triangles is also shown in Fig. 1. The absolute fluid velocity c is
made up of the relative fluid velocity w and the rotational velocity u. The velocity c is resolved
into two components, co and c m, in the tangential and the mean flow path direction. The
geometrical relations between the v~locities are:
Cm : W COS ~O

co = u + w sin ~o = ro9 + c,. tan ~o.

Mean ftow ~ ,+,.+. ~

i i J
21A
L,.+.+..,,~+,~ ~--"-+.+~-~+
~._ ~/ +

3.2 ~

~2 ~2 M3
Section R-R

FIG. 1. Meridional cross-section of a torque converter.

 Multi-element torque converter transmissions 433

The cross-sectional area of the mean flow path may be written as aAo where Ao is a
reference value and a a non-dimensional factor. The continuity of the mass flow rate now
yields the relationships:
m = p c m a A o = pcmoA o (2)
Cm = C m o / a . (3)
Define the moment of the tangential flow velocity as
F = rco. (4)
Now the Euler turbomachinery equation for the j-th turbine yields:
Mj = m (Fj, 2 -- l-'j,lA)" (5)
If no torque is exerted on the non-bladed space in front of this turbine, the Euler equation
gives:

Fj, IA = F j _ I , 2 . (6)
Insertion of equations (1) and (3) in equation (4) yields
F = r2~ +
~¢mO
r tan ~p (7)
=

which together with equations (5) and (6) give the torque for the j-th turbine as
M s = m((~j, 2 --IXj- 1,2)Crn0 + r2 2o9j -r2_L2cOs_l). (8)
When the fluid is on the point of entry into a turbine, its tangential velocity is usually not
consistent with the required value, that is Fj,~^ # Fj.tB. For this reason the fluid experiences an
abrupt change of the tangential velocity and a loss of power at this point. This power loss is
usually referred to as incidence loss or shock loss and is shown to be, Ref. [8-1 among others,
m Ks (Fj'IB -- -Fj'IA~ 2 (9)
Es,s = - ~ \ rs, l f .
A shock factor ~cj has been introduced; for the ideal case Ks - 1 which is also the commonly
used value, but sometimes lower values are proposed, e.g. Ref. [1-1.
Power losses due to friction, often called circulation losses, are expressed as
¢2
E f = m• f mO , (10)

where f is a loss parameter.

Now the power balance for the entire converter states that the net power supplied by the
shafts of the machine equals the total power dissipated, that is

Mjogj = ~ E s , j + E f , (11)
j=l J=l
where n = number of turbines. Insertion of equations (6)-(10) yields a quadratic equation for
the velocity CmO as follows:
A c~o - 2Bcmo - C = 0

A =f+ xs
j= 1 rj,1

B ~ i BjtDj
j~l

Bj -- (0~j, 2 -- 0~j -1,2) + •j (0~j -1,2 -- 0tj,1 ) "Jl-Kj +1 (~j +1,1 -- ~j,2) ( /'j,2 ~2 (12)
\rs+t.l}

NS 28:7-B
434 S. ANDERSSON

C= ~, Cj,jo)2-2 ~ Cj,j+lO.)jo)j+l
j=l j=l

Cj,j = 2 r 2 2 - % r 2 . , - % + 1 r 2 2 j,2

Cj,j+ 1 = r22(1 --Kj+I).

The indices j + 1 and j - 1 should be interpreted as 'succeeding turbine' and 'preceding

turbine', respectively. Hence, ifj = n the value o f j + 1 is 1, and ifj = 1 the value o f j - 1 is n.
This state of things bring forth the useful summation formula, used when evolving equation
(12),

i ljoj_ i = ~.° lj+lo j, (13)

j=l j=~

where ~ and o are any quantities.

Consider the matrix expression below.

A -Bx -B2 -B, -CmO~

-B1 --Cll -~-C12 .3~Cln (/31 i
--B 2 +C21 --C22 +C2n
(Cm00)l (D2 . . . O)n) = 0. (14)

-B. +C.1 +C.2 -C.. On

When this is expanded it proves to be equivalent to equation (12) if the condition Cj+ 1,j
= Cj,j+I is added and if non-specified Cj~s are taken zero.
Hence the governing equation for a converter may be written as
C T Q C = o, (15)
where C is a column matrix of the size (n + 1) x 1, containing the fluid velocity Cm0 and the
angular speeds, and Q a square matrix of the size (n + 1) x (n + 1) containing the A, B, C
coefficients.
It is convenient to number the rows and columns of the matrices from zero to n, giving the
general expansion of equation (15) as

QOOC20+CmO ~ (QOj+QjO)O)j-'F ~ ~ ~jkO)jO)k=0. (16)

j=l j=lk=l
Occasionally this equation gives two positive roots but, as shown in Ref. [8], the lower one
does not represent a stable condition.
Matrix formulation is employed in Refs [3] and [8] but is otherwise seldom found in
treatises on converters.

3. INCORPORATION OF TRANSMISSION ELEMENTS

I f the rotational speeds of the shafts of the torque converter are known, the evaluation of
the fluid velocity CmO,using equation (12), is straightforward. Often, however, the rotational
speeds are not explicitly given. This is even the case for the familiar three element converter
shown in Fig. 2. The stator is mounted on a uni-directional clutch which is locked, coa = 0,
provided that M 3 > 0. If the condition M3 > 0 is not satisfied, the clutch must be unlocked,
implying that M3 = 0 and c03 > 0. In this latter case the rotational speed is given by the
equation M3 = 0, which inserted in equation (8) gives
(a3,2 -- a2.2)Cmo + r2,20~3 - - r 22
,2(D 2 = 0. (17)

This equation constitutes a linear constraint to the problem; besides the governing equation
(12) there also holds a specific relation between the velocity terms.
 Multi-element torque converter transmissions 435

FIG. 2. Three-element torque converter--the standard design.

Some velocity terms are known beforehand, which in this example is the case for the
rotational speeds of the pump and the turbine, that is

LO1 ~---(.Dp; (2)2 = 09r" (18)

If equations (17) and (18) are complemented by the identity C=o = C=o the matrix equation

i 00llcol[cio1
0
0
~3,2 - - ~ 2 , 2
1
0
0
0
1
r 22,2 r 23,2
°91
092
0)3
= 09P
r
(19)

may be written. This holds when the uni-directional clutch is unlocked; if it is locked equation
(17) is replaced by 093 = 0 which will change the last row in equation (19) and turning the
square matrix into an identity matrix.
It is evident that an analogous procedure also applies to the general case. If the converter
has n shafts, the governing equation (12) must be complemented by n constraints in order to
constitute a solvable system of equations, as there exist n + 1 unknown velocity terms,
C~o, 09~ • • • 0)n. When the other transmission components besides the converter are gears
and clutches, the constraints will be linear equations in respect of the velocity terms.
Thus, generally a relation of the type
GC = H (20)
exists, where H is a column matrix like C but only containing one unknown, Cmo. Solving
equation (20) for C,
C = G- IH (21)

and insertion in equation (15) yields

HT[(G-1)TQ(G-X)]H = 0. (22)
This equation is the kernel of the analysis. If it is compared to equation (15) the resemblance is
obvious--the original Q-matrix is replaced by the one within the square brackets in equation
(22). Thus, the fluid velocity cm0 is readily calculated from equation (22) which inserted in
equation (21) gives the rotational speeds.
Thus, the problem is reduced to finding the appropriate G -matrix, that is the constraints to
the problem. The first row in the matrix is always given by the identity
Cm0 = Cmo-In the case of the three element converter mentioned above, three constraints are
required; two are given by equation (18) and the third by the equation 0)3 = 0 if the uni-
directional clutch is locked, o r M 3 - - 0 if it is unlocked. The equation Ms --- 0 needs
conversion with the aid of equation (8) in order to become compatible with equation (20), that
is an expression of constants and velocity terms only. The result is equation (17) and the
436 S. ANDERSSON

TABLE 1. G-MATRIX FOR TRANSMISSIONACCORDING TO FIG. 2

Velocity Torque H

0 0 0 --. CmO
1 0 0 COp
0 1 0 (l)]
0 0 1 0 0 1 0

calculation procedure may be formulated as

(0 0
1232 r2r2 r20 021 Cm01
1) /0{2,2 --0{1. 2
1 1,2 2,2 = O. (23)
L~3,2--0{2. 2 0 -- r22.2 r22 _] 0)30)2

Only the leftmost row matrix is of interest since the matrix multiplication preferably is left to
the computer.
It is convenient to collect the coefficients of the constraints in a manner as in Table l. The
left-hand square area with the heading 'velocity' contains the constraints o f the velocity type,
that is the identity Cm0 = CmO and equation (18), and the equation for the locked uni-
directional clutch, 0)3 = 0. The right-hand square with the heading 'torque' contains the
constraints of the torque-type, which in this example is the leftmost row matrix of equation
(23).
This constraint is placed at the fourth row on order to exhibit the opposition to the other
fourth row on the 'velocity' side. Both constraints cannot hold simultaneously; either one
must be chosen, which results in two alternative G-matrices and consequently two solutions
to the problem.
Now remains the problem of discarding the invalid solution. It must be checked that Cm0 > 0
and that the uni-directional clutch operates correctly. Clearly it does if it is either locked
or unlocked. If it is locked, two conditions must be satisfied simultaneously: 0)3 = 0 and M 3 > 0,
but if it is unlocked, the conditions a r e : M 3 = 0 and 0)3 > 0. Writing this mathematically
gives
{locked v unlocked} = {(0)3 = 0 ^ M 3 > 0) v (0) 3 ~> 0 A M 3 ----- 0)}. 124)
Inspection of this Boolean expression shows how the two constraints to 3 = 0 and M 3 = 0
interact. If one of them is chosen, that is satisfied, insertion in the other one must yield a
positive value. Practically the calculation is perlbrmed by evaluation of the difference GC - H,
using the G-matrix which was not used when calculating C. For rows the two G-
matrices have in c o m m o n , in this example all but the fourth, the result inevitably is zero,
equation (20). For other rows any value is possible, but only positive ones are acceptable.
The generalization of the procedure is straightforward. The constraints due to the uni-
directional clutches should be arranged in conformity with equation (24). For each uni-
directional clutch therefore a two-alternative row will appear. These alternatives can be
combined arbitrarily, hence the presence o f two uni-directional clutches gives four alternative
solutions, three clutches eight solutions and so on.
The general procedure is illustrated by a flow chart in Fig. 3. The indices p and v are
sequential numbers used to label the alternative solutions.

4. A N A L Y S I S OF SOME TRANSMISSIONS

In this section four examples o f transmissions incorporating multi element torque

converters are analyzed in order to demonstrate how to find the G-matrices. The
transmissions are presented in more detail in Refs [1] and [6].
 Multi-element torque converter transmissions 437

T
I Read geometrydata
for the torqueconverter
H Calculatethe O-matrix
Eqs.(1Z),
114.),(15)

Generateat! the G-matrices,i.e. I I Convert'torque'-rows in the

combine the atfernafive rows of H G-table to 'velocity'-type;
[ the G-fabe n everyway example Eq (23)

Read the H-matrix; I

I exampe Eq. 19),Table 1 ]
E ~ $otvecmofrom Eqs (221
*1 and (16) using the
G-matrix G~+
CES

ES I Cblcutatec =G: H' Eq (21) I

L
NUC = number of uni-directionbl clutches
1;;,%
2Nuc= number of alternative solutions

FIG. 3. Flow chart for the general calculation procedure.

1,

FIG. 4. Five-elementtorque converter---the'Dynaflow-polyphase-converter'.

The first example is shown in Fig. 4. This converter has two stators, $1 and $2, each
mounted on a uni-directional clutch, FI and F2. The fifth element is a pump, P2, which is
connected to the main pump, P1, by a uni-directional clutch, F3, designed so that P2 may
rotate faster than P1. In this example the G-matrix is of the size 6 x 6. Its five first rows are
readily found by proceeding as in Section 2; equations (18) and (24) and Table 1. The sixth
row is obtained by expressing the conditions for the operation of the clutch F3 analogous to
equation (24), that is:
{(cos - c o 1 = 0A M5 > 0)v (~o5-o91 > 0A Ms = 0)}. (25)
The result is shown in Table 2. It is observed that three rows offer two alternatives, which may
be combined in eight different ways, corresponding to eight possible modes of operation of
the transmission.
The second example is shown in Fig. 5. Here the converter has two turbines, T~ and T2,
which are connected to the sun wheels of an epicyclical gear. The planet carrier, C, is the
output shaft of the transmission.
438 S. ANDERSSON

TABLE 2. G-MATRIX FOR TRANSMISSIONACCORDING TO FIG. 4

Velocity Torque H

1 0 0 0 0 0 . . . . . CmO
0 1 0 0 0 0 . . . . . . (Or,
0 0 1 0 0 0 . . . . (0 7 .

0 0 0 1 0 0 -- 0 0 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 -- 0 0 0 1 0 0
0 -1 0 0 0 1 -- 0 0 0 0 1 0

FIG. 5. Four-element torque converter connected to an epicyclical gear.

T h e r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n the r o t a t i o n a l speeds d u e to the epicyclical gear is

tot2 + I-Itor, = (1 + I-I)toc, (26)

w h e r e H d e n o t e s t h e i n t e r n a l gear ratio, that is the q u o t i e n t o f the n u m b e r o f teeth for the

a n n u l u s a n d the s u n wheel.
E q u a t i o n (26) is n o t sufficient to d e t e r m i n e the r o t a t i o n a l speeds o f the t u r b i n e s ; the
l a c k i n g r e l a t i o n is the e q u i l i b r i u m e q u a t i o n

Mr, = HMr. (27)

M o r e t h e o r y for epicyclical gears m a y be f o u n d in Refs [5] a n d [6]. I n this case the G-

m a t r i x is o f the size 5 x 5, a n d e q u a t i o n s (26) a n d (27) are a s s i g n e d to r o w s three a n d four.
R e m a i n i n g r o w s are o b t a i n e d as before; the result is s h o w n in T a b l e 3.
T h e third e x a m p l e , s h o w n in Fig. 6, is the o n e c o n s i d e r e d by Ref. [7]. T h e c o n v e r t e r has five
e l e m e n t s ; t w o stators, Sx a n d $2, o n u n i - d i r e c t i o n a l clutches, Fx a n d F2, a n d t w o t u r b i n e s , T~
a n d T2, c o n n e c t e d to t h e a n n u l u s wheel a n d the p l a n e t carrier o f a n epicyclical gear,
respectively. T h e s u n wheel, is s u p p o r t e d by a u n i - d i r e c t i o n a l c l u t c h p r e v e n t i n g b a c k w a r d s
rotation, Fa.
T h e c o r r e s p o n d e n c e to e q u a t i o n s (26) a n d (27) is

oJv~+ l-Itnr, = (1 + H)tor~ (28)

TABLE3. G-MATRIXFOR TRANSMISSIONACCORDINGTO FIG. 5

Velocity Torque H

1 0 0 0 0 . . . . C,.o
0 1 0 0 0 . . . . . cop
0 0 n 1 0 . . . . . (1 + Fl)wc
. . . . . . 0 1 -H 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 -- 0 0 0 1 0
 Multi-element torque converter transmissions 439

r~ sl

i
C

FIG. 6. Five-element torque converter--the 'Twin Turbine Dynaflow'.

TABLE 4. G-MATRIXFOR THE TRANSMISSIONACCORDINGTO FIG. 6

Velocity Torque H

1 0 0 0 0 0 . . . . . . Cm0
0 1 0 0 0 0 . . . . . . tOp
0 0 --H 0 I+H 0 -- 0 ~ 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0 0 -- 0 0 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 . . . . . . tOT2
0 0 0 0 0 1 -- 0 0 0 0 1 0

and
Mr, = 1-IMr,, (29)
and to the expression (24)
{(or~ = 0 ^ Mr, > 0) v (or, > 0 ^ Mr~ = 0)}. (30)
Equations (28) and (29) inserted in (30) gives the third row in the sought G-matrix which for
the rest is much alike the previous ones, see Table 4.
The total output torque from the transmission is

Mc=Mr~+(l+l)Mr. (31)

As 17 = 1.681 in the referred example the torque from the turbine T1 is multiplied by the
factor 1.595 resulting in an improved torque multiplication characteristic of the transmission.
This concept is the basic scheme for the transmission shown in Fig. 7 which provides the final
example. This converter has three turbines of which two are connected to the output shaft by
epicyclical gears. If both gears have equal internal gear ratio, I'I, the output torque is

Mc=Mr,+(1)
1+~ Mr2+(l+l'I)Mr. (32)

As l'I = 1.67, the torques from Tt and/'2 are multiplied by 2.67 and 1.60, respectively. The
uni-directional clutches F1 and F 2 prevent backwards rotation of the sun and annulus wheel
of the T2 and T~ gear, respectively. With the notation in Fig. 7 the equivalents of equation
(24) are
{(OF, = 0 A Mr, > 0) v (or, > 0 A MF, = 0)} (33)
and
{(Or2 - - O F , = 0 A MF2) 0) V (OF~ - - O F , ) 0 A M r : = 0)}. (34)
440 S. ANDERSSON

M (A)F

F>-
', ~ MF,-M~
~ "?a
%-
'

] I", ,1 M~, MF~ i ~ME' iii 'It

MT,

FIG. 7. The 'Turboglide' or the +Flight Pitch Dynaflow"transmission,

TABLE 5. G-MATRIX FOR THE TRANSMISSION ACCORDING 1-O FI(,. 7

Velo/:ity Torque H

1 0 0 0 0 0 CmO
0 1 0 0 0 0 V;p
0 0 0 -rl I+H 0 0 -[! -~ 0 0 0
o o -~- lq h-n o o - I1 o o t) o
0 0 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0

The positive directions o f the torques and rotational speeds of the converter are defined in
Fig. 1 and has to be noticed when decomposing the transmission.
Application o f equations (26) and (27) now gives:

toF, + IItor2 = (1 + Fl)to c (35)

ogr, + Yl~o~== (1 + H)o& (36)

Mr2 = - H (M~, - Mr+) (37)

Mr 2 = - FIMr,. (38)
N o t e that the torques f r o m the turbines normally have negative values. These equations
inserted in (33) and (34) yields the third and the fourth row of the G-matrix, which otherwise
is as the one in Table 4.

5. CONCLUSION
The governing equation for the torque converter is constructed as a matrix equation.
I n c o r p o r a t i o n o f other transmission elements, such as uni-directional clutches and epicyclical
gears, is shown to be accomplished by building a special matrix. The matrix notation proves
to give a calculation process especially suited for c o m p u t e r programming. The process also
includes an automatic determination o f the status o f uni-directional clutches.

REFERENCES
I. M. WOLF, Str6munoskupplungen und Str6mungswandler. Springer-Verlag, Berlin (1962).
2. R. HERBERTZ,Untersuchung des dynamischen Verhaltens yon F6ttinger-Getrieben. Diss, TH Hannover 11973l.
 Multi-element torque converter transmissions 441

3. I. ZOBORY, Theoretical investigation of the sphere of problems involved with the inverse meridian flow mode of
action of hydrodynamical torque converters, based on computed characteristic curves. Proc. Fourth Conf. Fluid
Machinery, Budapest. pp. 1557-1570 (1972).
4. A. WHITFIELD, F. J. WALLACE and R. SIVALINGHAM,A performance prediction procedure for three element
torque converters. Int. J. Mech. Sci. 20, 801-814 (1978).
5. E. B. WESTON, Theory and Design of Automatic Transmission Components. Butterworths, London (1967).
6. J. STi)PER, Automatische Automobilgetriebe. Springer-Verlag, New York (1965).
7. A. WHITFIELD, F. J. WALLACEand A. PATEL, Performance prediction of multi-element torque converters, int. J.
Mech. Sci. 25, 77-85 (1983).
8. S. ANDERSSON, On hydrodynamic torque converters. Trans. Machine Elements Division. Lund Technical
University, Lund (1982).