Illustration 1 | g00637433 |
Torque Converter Components (1) Rotating housing (2) Flange assembly (3) Impeller (4) Gear (5) Inlet port (6) Carrier (7) Turbine (8) Cover assembly (9) Carrier assembly (10) Hub (11) Output shaft (12) Stator (13) Hub (14) Outlet port |
The torque converter is located at the input end of the transmission. The torque converter housing is bolted to the flywheel housing. Output torque from the torque converter enters the planetary transmission through either the Number 1 sun gear or the Number 2 sun gear. The gear that receives the output is dependent upon the direction clutch that is engaged.
The hydraulic system for the torque converter contains the inlet ratio valve and the outlet relief valve.
Oil for the operation of the torque converter is supplied by the transmission oil pump. The torque converter inlet pressure is controlled by the ratio valve. The ratio valve limits the pressure to the torque converter to a maximum of 965 kPa (140 psi) when the oil is cold. The ratio valve is part of the selector and pressure control valve.
The torque converter outlet pressure is 415 kPa (60 psi).
Rotating housing (1), flange assembly (2), hub (13), impeller (3), and oil pump drive gear (4) are driven by the flywheel. These components rotate as a unit at the engine speed.
The oil from the transmission hydraulic control relief valve enters the torque converter through inlet port (5) in carrier (6). The oil is directed to the inlet port (5) by a passage in the torque converter housing. From inlet port (5), the oil flows through a passage in the hub (13). As impeller (3) rotates, impeller (3) acts as a pump in order to direct oil to turbine (7) .
The turbine (7) is bolted to hub (10), which is connected to output shaft (11) by splines. The turbine (7) directs oil to stator (12), which is held stationary. The stator (12) is connected to carrier assembly (9) by splines. Carrier assembly (9) is connected to carrier (6) by splines. Carrier (6) is bolted to the torque converter cover.
Oil is directed from the torque converter through a passage in hub (13). From the passage in hub (13), the oil flows through a passage in carrier assembly (6) to outlet port (14). From outlet port (14), oil is directed to the torque converter outlet relief valve. All the oil from the outlet relief valve flows to the oil cooler. The temperature of the oil is lowered in the torque converter oil cooler. From the torque converter oil cooler, the oil flows to the transmission. The oil cools the internal components of the transmission. The oil lubricates the internal components of the transmission.
Converter Ratio Valve
Illustration 2 | g00637604 |
(1) Transmission selector and pressure control valve (2) Ratio valve (3) Spring (4) Slug |
Ratio valve (2) controls the maximum pressure to the torque converter. Ratio valve (2) prevents damage to the torque converter components when the engine is started and the oil is cold. Ratio valve (2) limits the maximum pressure to the torque converter to 965 kPa (140 psi). This pressure is not adjustable. The ratio valve is part of transmission selector and pressure control valve (1) .
The torque converter pressure is felt against the left end of ratio valve (2). The torque converter pressure is felt over the whole diameter of the valve spool.
Pressure from the speed clutch oil is felt in the slug chamber of the valve spool. The speed clutch pressure is felt over the whole diameter of slug (4) .
The pressure on the left end of ratio valve (2) is less than the pressure in the slug chamber and the force of spring (3) .
When the torque converter inlet pressure reaches the maximum, the valve spool moves to the right. This allows more oil to go to the reservoir. When the pressures are again in balance, the ratio valve (2) moves back to the left.
Oil that is not used by the clutches goes to the ratio valve (2) for the torque converter.
Torque Converter Outlet Relief Valve
Illustration 3 | g00637677 |
Torque Converter Outlet Relief Valve (1) Spring (2) Valve spool (3) Spacers |
Illustration 4 | g00637705 |
The converter outlet relief valve controls the minimum pressure in the torque converter. When the pressure in the torque converter falls below 415 kPa (60 psi) the force of spring (1) moves spool (2) to the right in order to limit oil flow to the oil cooler.
The outlet relief valve is mounted to the right side of the converter cover.
Spacers (3) are used to make adjustments to closing pressure of the relief valve.