TITLE:
Optimization of the Impeller Geometry for an Automotive Torque Converter Using Response Surface Methodology and Desirability Function
AUTHORS:
Xiang Chen, Jie Chen
KEYWORDS:
Automotive Torque Converter, Response Surface Methodology, Desirability Function Approach, Central Composite Design, Optimization
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.10 No.7,
July
27,
2020
ABSTRACT: Response
surface methodology (RSM) based on desirability function approach (DFA) is
applied to obtain an optimal design of the impeller geometry for an automotive
torque converter. The relative importance of six design parameters including impeller blade
number, blade thickness, bias angle, scroll angle, inlet angle and exit angle
is investigated using orthogonal design approach. The impeller inlet angle, exit angle and bias angle are
found to exert the greatest influence on the overall performance of a
torque converter, with two flow area factors being considered, namely 17% and
20%. Then, RSM together with central composite design (CCD) method is used to
in-depth evaluate the interaction effect of the three key parameters on
converter performance. The results demonstrate that impeller exit angle has
the strongest impact on peak efficiency, with larger angles yielding
the most favorable results. The stall torque ratio maximization is attainable
with the increase of impeller bias angle and inlet angle together with smaller
exit angle. In the end, an optimized design for the impeller geometry
is obtained with stall torque ratio and peak efficiency increased by 1.62% and
1.1%, respectively. The new optimization method can be used as a reference
for performance enhancement in the design process of impeller geometry for an
automotive torque converter.