Hydraulic Coupling

Variable Capacity Torque Converter

Outer Impeller
Turbine Inner
Impeller
Stator

Impeller
Clutch

The purpose of the variable capacity torque converter (Figure above) is to allow
the operator to limit the amount of torque increase in the torque converter to
reduce wheel spin and to divert power to the hydraulic system. The main
components of the unit are the inner impeller, outer impeller, impeller clutch,
turbine and stator.
The inner impeller, turbine and stator all function essentially the same as in the
conventional torque converter previously covered. The principal difference is that
the impeller is split so there is an additional impeller for greater torque
management flexibility.

Outer Impeller

The outer impeller (The figure above) is the second impeller within the torque
converter. The outer impeller rotates with the converter housing when oil
pressure acts on the clutch piston to engage the clutch pack. When maximum oil

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pressure fully engages the clutch, the outer impeller turns with the inner impeller.
When there is a reduction of oil pressure, there is clutch slippage resulting in the
outer impeller turning slower and a reduction of torque converter capacity.

Impeller Clutch

The impeller clutch is hydraulically activated and controlled by the transmission

hydraulic system. The clutch connects the outer impeller to the rotating housing
allowing the inner and outer impellers to turn together.

Impeller Clutch Oil Flow

In the full power mode, oil pressure acts on the clutch piston which engages the
impeller clutch and causes the outer impeller to turn with the inner impeller. With
both impellers rotating at the speed of the housing, the impellers displace the full
amount of oil and the torque converter produces maximum torque.
When the clutch is completely engaged there is no clutch slippage allowing the
torque converter to operate as a conventional torque converter.
In the reduced power mode (The figure above, right diagram), oil pressure
decreases at the clutch piston allowing the clutch to slip. The clutch transfers
some of the power from the rotating housing to one impeller. One impeller rotates

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at the same speed as the rotating housing and one impeller rotates slower. The
impellers do not displace the full amount of oil and torque converter output is
reduced.
At minimum capacity, the operation of the variable capacity torque converter is
similar to a conventional torque converter, except that the effective size of the
impeller has been reduced due to impeller clutch slippage.
Impeller displacement depends on the speed of the impeller. Slower speed
means less displacement and less displacement means less power transfer. The
clutch slips in order to keep the wheels from slipping. The machine operator sets
the amount of slip by varying the pressure behind the clutch piston.

Benefits of Variable Capacity Torque Converter

Similar to the impeller clutch torque converter, the variable capacity torque
converter keeps the wheels from slipping during bucket loading operations. The
variable capacity torque converter also increases available engine power.

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