Guide wheel for a hydrodynamic torque converter

摘要

A guide wheel 44 for a hydrodynamic torque converter comprises a guide wheel hub 46 and blades 52 arranged peripherally in succession on the hub. Each blade has a radially inner 54 and a radially outer 56 region to accommodate different blade profiles optimised for starting and continuous converter operation. The regions 54, 56 are separated to form flow channels by either an annular bezel 58 or by a gradual, continuous transition region (66 Fig. 3) encircling the hub and a second radially outer bezel 60. The bezel 58 or transition region can be circumferentially continuous or intermittent and avoids a step change in profile and consequent turbulence. Upstream or downstream portions of the pump and turbine wheels can curved differently closer to the outer shell 32 compared with nearer the inner shell 38 to allow different flow characteristics.