Dana Spicer Torque Converter: Structure and Principle of the Hydraulic Torque Converter
Release date:
2021-09-10 15:23
Source:
Dana Spicer torque converter: The hydraulic torque converter uses ATF (automatic transmission fluid) as its working medium to multiply the torque from the engine and transmit it to the automatic transmission (planetary gear set). The torque converter consists of a pump impeller, a turbine, a one-way clutch, a stator, and a converter housing that encloses all these components. The ATF supplied by the oil pump is housed within the converter. The rotation of the engine and the pump impeller forces a powerful stream of fluid to flow out of the pump impeller, thereby driving the turbine.

Dana Spicer torque converter – pump impeller
The pump impeller is integrated with the torque converter housing and connected to the crankshaft via a drive plate. Numerous curved blades are mounted within the pump impeller. Guide rings are fitted on the inner edges of the blades, providing a stable flow path for the fluid.
Dana Spicer torque converter — turbine
Many blades are mounted on the turbine, much like the impeller blades of a pump. The curvature of these blades is opposite to that of the pump impeller blades. The turbine is installed on the input shaft of the transmission housing, positioning its blades opposite those of the pump impeller, with a very small clearance between them.
Dana Spicer torque converter — stator
The stator is positioned between the pump impeller and the turbine. It consists of a one-way clutch mounted on the stator shaft and secured to the transmission housing.
Stator operation: The fluid flow returning from the turbine to the pump impeller impedes the impeller’s rotation. Consequently, the stator redirects the fluid flow so that it strikes the back side of the pump impeller, providing additional assistance and thereby increasing torque.
Function of the one-way clutch: The one-way clutch causes the stator to rotate in the same direction as the engine crankshaft. However, if the stator begins to rotate in the opposite direction, the one-way clutch locks the stator to prevent it from turning.
Dana Spicer torque converter principle
Torque Transmission: As the pump impeller speed increases, centrifugal force causes the fluid to flow outward from the impeller’s center. With further increases in impeller speed, the fluid is forced off the impeller. The fluid strikes the turbine blades, causing the turbine to rotate in the same direction as the pump impeller. The fluid then flows inward along the turbine blades. Upon reaching the interior of the turbine, the curved inner surface redirects the fluid back toward the pump impeller, and the cycle begins anew. Torque is transmitted through the fluid circulation between the pump impeller and the turbine.
Torque Multiplication: The torque multiplication effect of the torque converter is achieved by using stator vanes to redirect the fluid—still carrying energy—flowing through the turbine back toward the pump impeller. In other words, the torque generated by the engine spins the pump impeller, thereby increasing the torque of the fluid returning from the turbine. Consequently, the pump impeller effectively doubles the original input torque transmitted to the turbine.
Beijing Yihaowei Power Equipment Co., Ltd. specializes in Dana, Dana Spicer, Dana agency services, and Dana repair. Its product lineup includes Dana drive axles, Dana torque converters, Dana transmissions, Clark transmission‑driven axles, and Allison transmission spare parts, among others. Established in 2002, the company obtained authorization from Dana in 2004, becoming one of over 60 service centers worldwide. Today, we operate one of China’s largest warehouses for powertrain components. Backed by a highly skilled professional team, we provide expert technical support and genuine, high‑quality product solutions to numerous equipment manufacturers, end users, and distributors both domestically and internationally.
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