Experimental Analysis for Internal Flow Field of Torque Converter: Application of wavelet analysis to flow field between cascades

The internal flow field of an automotive torque converter is visualized experimentally by using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The three-dimensional flow field is reconstructed using a series of the two-dimensional PIV results obtained from two orthogonal directions. Detail information of the flow structure with three-dimensional vortex are obtained. In addition, wavelet transform is applied to time series of velocity component in axial direction to analyze the unsteady flow field due to the flow interactions between cascade blades of impeller, turbine and stator. From the wavelet results, the effect of the stator on features of frequency characteristics are confirmed.