Torque Converter: Description and Operation

DESCRIPTION
The torque converter couples the engine to the turbine shaft in the transaxle. The torque converter transmits the driving force from the engine through the use off fluid. The torque converter assembly includes the torque converter clutch mechanism, and houses the turbine hub, turbine, stator, impeller, and the torque converter clutch piston.

IMPELLER AND COVER
The impeller supplies torque multiplication together with the stator. The impeller is driven by the converter cover at engine speed.

TURBINE
The turbine is driven by centrifugal fluid force from. the impeller. The turbine is splined to the turbine shaft, allowing the turbine to transmit input torque to the geartrain.

REACTOR
The reactor or stator contains a one-way clutch to hold the torque converter stationary when reaction is-squired. The reactor, with the impeller, causes torque application by hydraulic reaction. When torque multiplication is not required, the one-way clutch allows the reactor to freewheel.

TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH
The torque converter clutch (TCC) couples the turbine hub and the spline. During lockup, the clutch converter slides on the turbine hub and is pressed against the converter cover. The force is transmitted to the transaxle with no fluid slippage within the converter.