Simulations and Experimental Researches on Fatigue Life of Sheet-Metal Type Hydraulic Torque Converter

Abstract

In the paper, the housing of a specific type of sheet-metal type hydraulic torque converter is modeled and simplified by means of three coordinate measuring instrument and UG software. Moreover, the housing fatigue life is simulated and predicted by FLUENT and MSC software platform according to the three-dimensional flow theory. Further tests are launched to research and analyze the fatigue life and testify the simulation. It is proved that the simulation result basically complies with the experiment result. Upon less than 100,000 pressure circulations, the dilatation undergoes linear variations. In this phase, the housing suffers from elastic deformation. When the number of pressure circulation exceeds 100,000, the housing undergoes plastic deformation. Besides, the part of impeller and turbo housing with the largest curvature discontinuity, and the connection between the center and the bearing bushing shall bear a short service life.