Automotive Tier 1 Supplier uses MTI's Laser System to Improve Torque Converter Design - MTI Instruments - #1

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MTI Instruments, Inc. 325 Washington Avenue Extension Albany, NY 12205 PH: +1-518-218-2550 OR USA TOLL FREE: 1-800-342-2203 FX: +1-518-218-2506 sales@mtiinstruments.com www.mtiinstruments.com APPLICATION NOTE Automotive Tier 1 Supplier uses MTI’s Laser System to Improve Torque Converter Design Introduction Improper operation of a torque converter can lead to poor performance, premature system failure or worse, compromise the operation of the entire vehicle drive line. Knowing the axial displacement and dynamic expansion characteristics of a torque converter provides engineers valuable information about the torque converters’ performance. A key automotive integrator was faced with the requirement of devising a foolproof method to accurately measure the axial displacement and dynamic expansion of production torque converters for a major Tier 1 automotive supplier. The measurement solution needed to be able to provide information under varying torque and pressure loads to accurately determine the performance under dynamic conditions. The Problem Since minute defects in the torque converter casing wall thickness can result in unacceptable and dangerous torque converter expansion, a precision measurement system was needed to measure the impeller hub displacement and thus the torque converter axial displacement. An AC dynamometer would be required to spin the torque converter at a high rate of speed while a fast response hydraulic system is needed to pressurize the converter to pressures up to 150 psi. The converter case, however, is not readily accessible and there is limited mounting room. So, a translation pin is needed to be affi xed to the hub of the torque converter and a durable sensor is required to make the desired measurement. The Solution MTI Instruments’ new Microtrak II laser sensor was selected because it offered a fast 20 kHz response time, a small visible laser spot for easy setup, and high accuracy. It also proved itself more than rugged enough to operate continuously and reliably in the dyno chamber’s hostile environment. MTII appnote: torqueconverter.pdf - Page 1 of 2