18/10/23, 6:01 SIS 2.

Torque Converter (UENR1447-02)

SMCS - 3101 i04705231

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Illustration 1 g01184909
Torque converter
(1) Rotating housing
(2) Piston
(3) Clutch disc
(4) Turbine
(5) One-way clutch
(6) Impeller
(7) Gear
(8) Inlet passage
(9) Passage for lockup clutch oil
(10) Output shaft
(11) Cover
(12) Clutch hub
(13) Stator
(14) Cam
(15) Hub
(16) Carrier assembly
(17) Outlet passage
(18) Passage
Oil for the operation of the converter is supplied by the charging section of the transmission
charging and torque converter scavenge pump. The pump is driven by pump drive gear (7). The
converter inlet oil pressure is controlled by the inlet pressure valve for the torque converter. This
valve limits the pressure to the converter to 980 kPa (142 psi) maximum when the oil is cold. The
valve is part of the selector and pressure control valve group in the transmission hydraulic
control.

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The outlet oil pressure is controlled by the relief valve for torque converter outlet. This valve is
mounted on the torque converter updrive housing and maintains converter outlet pressure at
415 kPa (60 psi).

The converter incorporates a lockup clutch which allows the converter to be operated in
converter drive or in direct drive. Converter drive enables the machine to be moved from
standstill. Converter drive also provides high output power over a broad speed range and
functions as a shock damper during each gear change. Direct drive allows the machine to
maintain more efficient speeds while transporting material.

Reference: For torque converter operation / transmission speeds, refer to table 1.

Table 1

Torque Converter Operation for Transmission Speeds

Transmission Torque Converter Direct Drive (Lockup Clutch

Speed Drive Engaged)
Neutral X
Forward 1 X
Forward 2 X X
Forward 3 X X
Forward 4 X X
Reverse 1 X X
Reverse 2 X X
Reverse 3 X X
Reverse 4 X X

Direct drive is available in all transmission speeds except first speed forward. The system reverts
to converter drive during gear shifts. The system remains in converter drive until the engine and
transmission output speeds reach the required values for direct drive engagement.

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Illustration 2 g02810117
Torque converter lockup control switch

The lockup clutch will only engage direct drive if torque converter lockup switch (19) is in the
enabled position.

Reference: For further information on using the torque converter lockup switch refer to
Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Operator Controls".

Direct Drive

Illustration 3 g01184919
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Torque converter
(A) Oil flow
(B) Power flow
(1) Rotating housing
(2) Piston
(3) Clutch disc
(4) Turbine
(5) One-way clutch
(6) Impeller
(7) Gear
(8) Inlet passage
(9) Passage for lockup clutch oil
(10) Output shaft
(11) Cover
(12) Clutch hub
(13) Stator
(14) Cam
(15) Hub
(16) Carrier assembly
(17) Outlet passage
(18) Passage
The lockup clutch assembly is situated within rotating housing (1). The internally splined clutch
disc (3) is engaged with lockup clutch hub (12), which is splined to output shaft (10). When the
lockup clutch is engaged, rotating housing (1), turbine (4) and output shaft (10) rotate as a unit at
engine rpm.

When the engine and transmission output speeds reach the required values, the transmission
control energizes the lockup solenoid on the lockup control valve. This valve directs oil to port
(9). This oil flows through passage (18) and down the middle of output shaft (10) to the cavity
behind cover (11). From here the oil flows through passages in rotating housing (1) to piston (2)
which engages the lockup clutch.

With the lockup clutch engaged, turbine (4), one-way clutch (5) and impeller (6) rotate as a unit.
Power flow from the flywheel is through the rotating housing, lockup clutch assembly, and
converter output shaft. The machine is now in direct drive.

The lockup clutch remains engaged as long as the engine and transmission output speeds are
high enough. The system reverts to converter drive during gear shifts preventing shock loading
of the transmission and power train components.

Converter Drive

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Illustration 4 g01184922
Torque converter
(A) Oil flow
(B) Power flow
(1) Rotating housing
(2) Piston
(3) Clutch disc
(4) Turbine
(5) One-way clutch
(6) Impeller
(7) Gear
(8) Inlet passage
(9) Passage for lockup clutch oil
(10) Output shaft
(11) Cover
(12) Clutch hub
(13) Stator
(14) Cam
(15) Hub
(16) Carrier assembly
(17) Outlet passage
(18) Passage
Oil from the transmission hydraulic controls enters the torque converter through inlet passage (8)
and flows along internal passages to impeller (6). Impeller (6) rotates acting as a pump to direct
oil against the blades of turbine (4). The turbine (4) and clutch hub (12) are bolted together and
the clutch hub assembly is splined to converter output shaft (10). The output shaft is connected
to the updrive gears which drive the drive shaft to the transmission.

The oil passes through the turbine and is redirected to the impeller by stator (13) to assist in
torque amplification.

With the torque converter working hard, the impeller is turning at the same speed as the engine
but the turbine is turning relatively slowly. The torque converter is working hard when (output

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torque requirements exceed input torque from the engine) the machine is accelerated from
standstill.

Oil passing through the turbine hits the stator blades so that the stator tends to turn in the
opposite direction to the turbine. The stator is prevented from turning by one-way clutch (5),
which is locked up. The stator then directs most of the oil passing through the turbine back to the
impeller. Oil not passing back to the impeller flows out of the converter through outlet passage
(17).

From outlet passage (17), oil is directed to the torque converter outlet relief valve. All the oil from
the torque converter outlet relief valve flows to the oil cooler, where the temperature of the oil is
lowered. From the oil cooler, the oil is then directed to the transmission and used to cool and
lubricate the internal components.

In converter drive, power flow from the flywheel is through the rotating housing, impeller, turbine,
and output shaft.

One-Way Clutch

Illustration 5 g02810118
Detail of the one-way clutch
(14) Cam
(20) Rollers
(21) Springs
(22) Opening
(23) Race
The one-way clutch consists of cam (14), rollers (20), springs (21) and race (23). Cam (14) is
splined to stator (13). Moving the stator in the opposite direction to the turbine, rollers (20) are
forced into the narrow end of tapered opening (22). The cam and stator assembly are prevented
from rotating around the carrier. Since the race is held stationary, the stator cannot turn and the
one-way clutch is locked up.

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With the torque converter not working hard, the turbine will be turning relatively quickly. The
torque converter is not working hard when (output requirements equal to or less than input
torque) ground speed is high and resistance is low. Oil passing through the turbine strikes the
back of the stator blades and the stator runs in the same direction as the turbine. The redirected
oil from the stator multiplies the torque transfer between the impeller and the turbine. Cam (14)
then rotates so that rollers (20) occupy the wide end of tapered opening (22). The cam and
stator assembly are then free to rotate around the carrier (freewheel). Oil passing through the
turbine flows out of the torque converter through passage (17). The result of the torque
multiplication is that the output shaft rotates slower than the engine crankshaft, but with
increased torque.

Torque Limiting Function

The torque limiting function protects the power train system from excessive torque loads. This
action is accomplished during stall conditions. Stalling the torque converter with the machine in
FIRST gear forward or REVERSE gear will send a signal to the transmission ECM. The
transmission ECM instructs the engine ECM to limit the engine speed.

The engine output speed is directly proportional to the torque that is transmitted through the
torque converter. As the torque output speed increases, the desired engine speed is allowed to
increase. Limiting the engine speed will reduce the torque that is produced by the engine. Also,
reducing the torque that is transferred through the torque converter.

PSP-000A6ADD
2023/10/18
11:00:38-05:00
i04705231
© 2023 Caterpillar Inc.

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