Torque Converter Transmission Explained

If you have ever tried purchasing a car before, you might have found yourself bewildered by the variety of transmissions. Manual and automatic transmissions might be the more common ones, but they are not exactly the best.

Moreover, you might have heard about torque converter transmission from the salesman and wondered how it works. This article is here to answer all your questions about torque converters. This in-depth article covers all the bases about torque converter transmission. Read ahead!

What Is Torque Converter Transmission?

In simplest terms, torque converter transmission is similar to a clutch in a manual transmission system. However, torque converters are a tad more complicated than that. This type of transmission system uses a variety of forces of physics.

In every way, the working and engineering behind torque converter transmission are beautiful. It can prevent your car from stalling when you stop it, similar to the clutch in manual transmission.

Components in a Torque Converter

We have already mentioned torque converter transmission is more complicated than a manual transmission. For smooth functioning, a torque converter equips several components. Each of these components plays a critical role in the operation. To help you get a better understanding, we've covered each part in-depth below:

• Torque Converter Pump: The torque converter pump connects to the casing of the torque converter. The torque converter is also connected to the flywheel. This pump moves the fluid inside the case in the opposite direction of the casing rotation.
• Turbines: Next are the turbines. The turbine powers the output shaft and is located in front of the pump. This turbine rotates in the opposite direction to the fluid inside the casing.
• Stator: Another component in the torque converter is the stator. The stator ensures that the fluid is moving in the right direction after coming out of the turbine. In this case, the correct fluid direction is the direction of the pump.

How Does Torque Converter Transmission Work?

Now, let's try to understand how torque converter transmission works.

As mentioned earlier, the engine is connected to the flywheel and the torque converter's casing. The whole setup ensures that the case rotates at the same RPM as the car's engine. The torque pump is connected to this casing, which rotates in the same direction and RPM. Meanwhile, the case houses a fluid that the pump throws out using centrifugal force.

This fluid is thrown by the pump and then travels to the turbine, consisting of small grates. These grates let the fluid enter and move the turbine. Lastly, the turbine absorbs the torque and starts rotating.

And that covers everything you need to know about torque converter transmission. This unique technology has bridged many gaps left by automatic and manual transmission. Driving is now more a leisure than a task with a torque converter!