The Idle Effect – Saving 10% – 40% On Fuel Everyday

Steel Prices Soar – Panic Buying Sends Steel Prices to New Record Highs

Author: Stafford Sterner

May 23, 2008. Today saw steel prices soar to record highs as a report released by world steel producers confirmed worries that current production has failed to keep pace with world demand. One industry official, who did not wish to be named, expects the panic buying to continue and noted that “for the past decade, prices of scrap steel fluctuated between $50-$80 USD/ton. Late last year, that price doubled to $150 -$200 USD/ton. By March 2008 it doubled again to $345USD.

Today’s surge to $865 USD/ton reflects a depletion of steel reserves to historic lows and the inability to increase production to keep pace with world demand.” One economist today noted that steel at these price levels will have a devastating effect on consumers worldwide. The world’s economies are built on steel. Without it, the machine breaks down. Right now there simply isn’t enough to go around.

Where will it stop? Nobody seems to know. After today’s activity, many feel certain that more increases are ahead. How high will it go?

Well, it depends.

As the old’ saying goes, there’s good news and bad news. First, the good news. The above headline isn’t real. The story is fiction and the record prices described haven’t actually happened yet. The bad news is that word “yet.” You see, while fiction now, a good part of what transpires in this story is slowly becoming reality as we speak.

Scrap steel, which was cheaply priced for years, really has risen to over $345.00/ Ton within the past few months. Reserves are being tapped. Worldwide demand for fuel, metals and food staples are creating shortages, and prices on these items continue to increase. China’s recent economic expansion has had a huge impact on commodity supplies & prices. The same supply/demand fundamentals that have driven crude prices to new highs are now driving steel prices higher.

While demand for crude increases worldwide, US policy has been to conserve, rather than to increase supply. For years the strong dollar enabled the US to rely on the rest of the world to produce discounted resources that we would import to meet our nation’s growing demand. The resulting complacency resulted in a reliance on aging systems without any new additions to take their place. Over 30 years have passed since a major nuclear power plant, oil refinery or steel mill has been built in this country. The last ones we did build, which were state-of-the-art in their time, are becoming aged and antiquated and are no longer capable of producing enough to sustain current demands.

As the once mighty Yankee dollar loses its luster, our ability to import shortfalls cheaply is no longer the viable option it once was. To make matters worse, the worm has turned in the sense that the recent strength of the Euro and the dollar’s weakness are slowly turning the USA into an exporter where it once was the dominant importer. The result is an ever increasing demand on our already limited resources.

The shortages and resulting price increases we are seeing today are not an overnight occurrence. The US has more untapped natural resources than any country on the planet. As one of the largest consumers of the world’s resources, one would think we would be thinking of ways to use what we have. Yet, for the past 30 years, the US has adopted a policy of using the resources of others while preserving our own, treating them like holy relics that should not be touched. Instead of finding ways to tap known resources, the US for the past 30 years has relied on the rest of the world to do it for us.

Americans feel that their appetite for foreign resources should be met on command. The world should not only produce whatever we want, but do it at a low price. So, if we have a gas shortage, it’s the Middle-East’s fault. Drill more wells but do it on your land and off your shores; build more refineries but do it in your cities. We can’t do it in America because it’s dangerous, it’s bad for the environment, and it will pollute the oceans and destroy the planet, so you do it for us. Somehow, if another country does it, it’s different. If prices go up in the process, however, the rest of the world is being greedy. These countries need to find a way to keep up with our demand. They need to expand and build but do it on their own dime, quickly and efficiently and without raising their prices. Anything less and we’ll be outraged. How dare they? Unfortunately for the US, 30 years of neglect is not something that can be repaired anytime soon.

50 years ago, the USA was #1 in that we had the biggest and baddest of everything. We were building nuclear plants and had the world’s largest coal mines, the biggest oil companies and the best refineries. The iron range was cooking with activity and the country was producing steel in the biggest, most efficient steel plants in the world. Pittsburg, Pennsylvania was the steel capital of the world, and the USA was the industrial engine of the planet that everyone else looked to as the model for building their own economies.

The 1970’s was a time before computers, the internet and e-mail. Cell phones were the size of suit cases and a new technological age was in its infancy. Nuclear energy had its growing pains. The drilling and transportation of oil were still being done old school. We were adept at creating new technologies, but not at safeguarding them. Mistakes were made. While the rest of the world has adapted, refined and made full use of the new technologies, the US has not. More than 30 years have passed while the US continues to sit on the largest oil reserves in the world. We have not built a refinery, a steel mill or nuclear plant while the rest of the world has – and good ones at that. Yes we have the resources, but they not do us any good unless we utilize them.

While America sits idly by, the rest of the world has left us in the dust. The US has dropped from #1 to the 3rd largest producer of steel while Japan, a country with limited resources of its own, is now #2. We’ve regressed from being one of the largest producers to becoming the largest importer of crude in the world. The oil we drill we ship to the mid-east or to countries like Japan to refine, only to ship it back to the USA because we don’t have the capacity or the refining capability in the refineries we do have to refine the types of oil we do pump.

We have the brightest minds in the world, and were responsible for bringing nuclear energy to the world. Unfortunately, France now holds the title of world leader in this technology. They are energy independent, building for themselves and the rest of the world modern nuclear plants that generate energy without incident or accident. The USA, once known as the nuclear knowledge center, no longer has people with the knowledge to build a plant even it we wanted to. Most of these people are too old or have moved on to the countries that will utilize their knowledge and know how.

Environmental activists must acknowledge that what happened in the past is past. It’s 2008 and the technologies of today dwarf those that built the systems that caused concerns in the past. Look at other countries that didn’t go into a cocoon, countries that have taken the technologies of today and adapted them to improve the processes and safeguards of the 1970’s.

If France can produce safe and issue-free nuclear plants I think we can do the same here in the USA. If other countries can drill oil and ship and refine it without causing catastrophic effects, then I think we can too.

To continue to focus on the problems of 30 years ago and say that the same issues still exist is religion, not realism. In the end, we are responsible for the situation we find ourselves in today because of our own selfishness and greed. We must stop expecting others to do for us what we refuse to do for ourselves. In addition, we must stop criticizing them if they can’t do it quickly or cheaply enough. And then we wonder why the rest of the world thinks Americans are a bunch of pompous, self-centered morons

We need to get with the program and show the world we are not self centered-morons. We are a nation rich in resources, but we misuse and abuse them. With all our knowledge, all our resources and all our abilities, we proudly pat ourselves on the back for building ethanol plants that burn the food we grow to make energy that we already have in the ground but refuse to drill for. There is currently a shortage of rice and other foods in many parts of the world. We may think we’re cool and trendy and GREEN building ethanol plants to burn food to power our vehicles, but the rest of the world thinks we’re fools.

In the end, it’s a question of supply and demand. As world demand increases for the resources our planet has to offer, the supply needs to keep pace or some will have to use less. The best way to allocate limited supply is to eliminate some of the demand. This is done through prices. As prices rise, demand slows. Some will pay the new price and some won’t. Prices rise until the supply and the demand meet equilibrium, where what is demanded meets what is available.

Today, prices continue to rise because demand is still greater than the supply. Other countries claim that the US needs to start contributing to world supply and not depend on everyone else to make up the shortfalls. The US continues to refuse to do so. Building wind mills, solar panels and BURNING OUR CORN AND BEETS IS NOT THE ANSWER.

There is hope, however. As prices rise more and more, Americans are changing their attitudes. Many now agree that we need to start implementing real programs for utilizing our available resources IN A SENSIBLE MANNER. We need to once again take the lead. We need to drill new wells, build new refineries and harness the new, safer nuclear energy. We need to update our old mines and mills, and catch up to the rest of the world.

Unfortunately, 30 years of ignoring the problem cannot be undone overnight. Eliminating the red tape and writing rules and regulations that will safeguard our systems without making them too expensive to build will take time. Building these systems and getting them manned and producing will not happen overnight. While we can fix the problem that took 30 years to create, we will have to live through a few more years until we turn things around. For now, supplies will continue to fall short in a world where demand continues to rise. Where it will all end is impossible to predict, but one thing is certain. Prices are high and heading higher, with nobody knowing where they will end for now.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/economics-articles/steel-prices-soar-panic-buying-sends-steel-prices-to-new-record-highs-424308.html

About the Author

Stafford Sterner is President of SJF Material Handling Inc. In business since 1979, SJF Material Handling Equipment (SJF.com) is located in Winsted, Minnesota providing of new, used and “renewed” material handling equipment & services nationwide.

The Idle Effect – Saving 10% – 40% On Fuel Everyday

Honda Isn’t Just A Popular Car Company They Are Also One Of The Biggest Motorcycle Makers

Author: Gregg Hall

Known for their relatively inexpensive, fuel efficient cars and trucks, Honda has far more to offer. You may not know that Honda is also one of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturers. Better yet, their motorcycles are some of the finest made.

As early as 1949, Honda began turning out high quality bikes. By the year 2005, there were manufacturing plants in more than twenty countries and more than 150 million bikes were sold to eager riders. As years passed, their bikes became better and better. Many of the best motorcycle models were created at the hands of Honda.

Perhaps the greatest of all Honda models, the Valkyrie offered a six cylinder, inline engine. Liquid cooled with a 1520cc boxer, the bike soon became a top selling model. There was no V Twin design here. Instead, Honda went for power by using six different carburetors and lining the cylinders up in opposite directions instead of at angles.

Unfortunately, the great engine noises and smooth idle was not enough. In 2004, the final Valkyrie model, the limited edition “Rune” was sold. Only used Valkyrie’s remain on the market, otherwise you must choose from other excellent bikes.

Honda offers both large and small motorcycles. Their bikes are also suited for both street or off road biking. The CR85R, with its 85cc engine, is an excellent starter bike for a teen. Off road models like the CRF50 or XR650L also deliver strong performance and a powerful ride. Meanwhile, the Interceptor is a dream bike for handling daily traffic. If a larger bike is more to your liking, the Goldwing is the man’s bike with plenty of size and power.

Beginners are probably best on the CRF50. The 49cc engine and automatic transmission offer a great bike for honing skills. With three speeds, a 21 inch seat, and a weight of around 100 pounds, youth riders will soon have the training they need to tackle larger motorcycles.

XR650L is a much larger off road bike. It is a single cylinder model that delivers plenty of torque and a low rpm. No bike can beat the XR650L at hill climbing and hairpin turn performance.

The aforementioned Interceptor is an award winning bike and has not lost its title for eleven years. It is one of Honda’s motorcycles that are currently on display in New York’s Guggenheim Museum. Even without awards, that does not stop millions of riders from relying on Honda for their riding pleasures.

Regardless of your needs, big or small, on road or off, Honda is sure to have a model that suits your fancy. You are guaranteed many years of top notch performance at a price you cannot resist. With a Honda, you know you are in for a real treat.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/honda-isnt-just-a-popular-car-company-they-are-also-one-of-the-biggest-motorcycle-makers-68431.html

About the Author
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as Honda motorcycle parts at http://www.motorcycleaccessoriesplus.com

via YouTube Capture.
The Idle Effect – Saving 10% – 40% On Fuel Everyday

Get Paid to Take Surveys in Free Sites – Can You Really Make Money?

Author: Alan Lim

For most people the advantages of home based work far outweigh the disadvantages.  Before deciding that your best option is to get paid to take surveys online, you should realize that you need to have the type of personality that can handle being alone and working without outside supervision.  This fact is the single most commonly cited disadvantage to home based work. If it may be a concern to you, then you should make plans for how to get around the problem if you decide to go ahead with a home based business. You may decide to join a social group of some sort based on a hobby or other interest that you have, for example. Here are a few of the positive aspects of working from your home.

Cost Savings

Many people who make the change in job sites and get paid to take surveys from their own home or home office find that there are tremendous cost savings.  If you have had a second or even a third vehicle in your household simply because you needed to commute to work daily, you can usually reduce the transportation costs significantly–even if you keep the automobile for occasional use.  In an era of rising fuel prices, a savings of even a few miles daily can add up to hundreds of dollars less in expenses over a month.

Great income

When you get paid to take surveys, you will have the freedom to adjust your income according to your needs and desires.  If you elect to just work part time to add to your regular paycheck, you may find that it will do nicely to give you more income with less expense. You have the option of working more and accepting more surveys if you have a large expense coming up in your future so that you are better able to manage your expenses. 

De-stress your life

Do you find the daily commute and time away from your home to be more stressful than you wish.  If you get paid to take surveys, you will remove many of the common stressors from your life. No more spending time on a commuter train, or idling through a traffic jam on the way home from work.  No more trying to squeeze time out of your work day to deal with necessary errands.  You can take the time to visit with your child instead of just dropping them off at the day care on your way to work.

Be your own boss

One of the nicest things about it when you get paid to take surveys is that you are the one in charge.  You don’t have to answer to a boss who is having a bad hair day.  If you have had the experience of working for someone who is a less than effective communicator, you will appreciate being able to get the instructions you need in a clear and concise format.  You don’t have to explain to a boss about a flat tire on the way to work.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/online-business-articles/get-paid-to-take-surveys-in-free-sites-can-you-really-make-money-484876.html

About the Author

If you want to learn some information about other advantages when you Get Paid to Take Surveys or Paid to Take Surveys, visit this complete and free to join survey website: http://www.goodinternetmoney.com/Make-Money-Taking-Survey.php.

The Idle Effect – Saving 10% – 40% On Fuel Everyday

Trucking With Pets

Author: Suzanne At Coops

Taking a dog or cat or another animal with you on the road has its good points and its bad points. On the good side, pets can take the edge off an otherwise lonely trip. On the bad side, their needs require some planning. Some things you’ll want to think about before brining a pet along for the ride are food and water, exercise, exposure and truck shops.

Food and Water

These may seem obvious, but if you’re traveling in a tractor trailer truck, making sure you have pet food and fresh water can sometimes be challenging. Many of the larger grocery chains like Wal-Mart and Target have truck access or even truck parking and carry quality brands of pet foods as well as bottled water at lower prices. If you run out of food, you’ll find that most truck stops do carry dog and cat food, but they don’t have much in terms of choices. If you run out of bottled water, you can buy that at the truck stop as well. If you prefer to use the free water at the pumps on the fuel island, make sure the water is potable, meaning that it’s safe for drinking and washing. There should be signs if the water is non-potable but you may want to ask if you are unsure.

Exercise

Any trucker can tell you that being cooped up in a truck all day is no fun. Cats and other non-canine pets are tougher to exercise than dogs are, but many pet shops have small space play solutions. Truck stops and rest areas often have designated pet areas where they want you to walk your dogs in order to keep the rest of the grassy areas free of pet droppings. When you’re walking your dog, keep an eye where you’re stepping for just that reason.

Exposure

If you leave your pet in the truck when you go inside, keep in mind that it can get hot in the summer and cold in the winter when the truck is off. The greenhouse affect isn’t as drastic in a truck as it is in a car- meaning your sleeper doesn’t heat up as quickly as a car would- but a shut down truck isn’t the place for a pet for long. Anti-idling laws around the country don’t make exceptions for pets.

Truck Shops

Most truck repair shops and dealerships make allowances for pets. Either they will allow you to leave your pets in the truck while they work on your truck or they have a driver’s lounge where you can keep your pets with you. Some shops, however, won’t allow pets on the premises. You’ll want to call ahead to make sure your pet won’t get kicked out.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/trucking-with-pets-139655.html

About the Author

www.coopsareopen.com is a website dedicated to improving the lives of truckers. www.coopsareopen.com provides weigh station information that matters to truckers.

Playing with the idle timing and pilot injection quantity on a Duramax… for science!
The Idle Effect – Saving 10% – 40% On Fuel Everyday

Honda Multi Rib Belts Spell Durability

Author: Anthony Fontanelle

Multi rib belts are an essential part of any vehicle’s drive train. As the replacement for the traditional V-belts, they have been proven to have better grip. Invented by Jim Vance, these reinforced rubbers were first used in the Mustang in 1979.

For the renowned automaker Honda, durability is very important when it comes to the Honda multi rib belts. Due to its increased width, a Honda multi rip belt is designed to handle high amounts of tension without ever stretching. This capability makes the belt grip tighter to the idle pulley, thus eliminating the possibility of slipping. The results, of course, are better mileage, improved fuel economy, and more power. Since lesser pulleys are used, the engine’s workload is reduced.

When maintenance is concerned, the multi rib belts are easier to keep in good condition compared to the traditional V-belts because they have single continuous belt. Despite being manufactured with durable materials, however, extreme heat can damage the Honda multi rib belts. Another cause of their deterioration is the exposure to various corrosive elements. Multi rib belts remain to have an edge over the V-belts in terms of failure detection. A damaged Honda multi rib belt can easily be identified when the steering control is reduced. On the other hand, the traditional V-belt shows no symptoms of any damage. Often, the driver finds out about the problem only when the entire engine breaks down.

Fortunately, replacements for multi rib belts are accessible today simply by tapping online resources. What our site offers is a wide array of premium quality Honda parts to cater to any motorist’s requirements and vehicle specifications. This includes reliable Honda multi rib belts that can help boost your engine performance. Aftermarket parts and car accessories can also be found on our extensive catalog. So don’t wait any longer, get all the Honda parts that you need now.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/honda-multi-rib-belts-spell-durability-362574.html

About the Author

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

aside from the bad battery (that I replaced) I was experiencing slow/long cranking times with the engine hot or cold and also an initial idle surge that woul…
The Idle Effect – Saving 10% – 40% On Fuel Everyday

A Tribute to Mercedes Benz Luxury Coupes From 1952 to 1991

Author: Dwyane Thomas

The Mercedes luxury coupes embodies forty years of design and styling that has made Mercedes Benz to become one of the most renowned luxury brand in the world.

The story of Mercedes luxury coupes started in the year 1950 in West Germany years later after the Second World War. During that time the traffic density in Germany was very low with only 19 cars per 1000 habitants. Despite the depressing post war situation in Germany Mercedes Benz was able to shine through and was able to launched the 300 S Coupe in the W 188 model series which was presented at the Paris Motor Show in autumn of 1951. And then a year later in the summer of 1952 the 300 S Coupe entered series of production.

The 300 S Coupe demonstrated Mercedes Benz outstanding engineering expertise and its entrepreneurial spirit. The S Coupe was equipped with 150 hp six-cylinder engine and capable of reaching 175km/h.

In 1955 Mercedes Benz presented a revised model of the 300 S, the 300 Sc Coupe which is equipped with an injection pump that resulted to its 128kW/175hp output. The new 300 Sc Coupe was also made even more comfortable with the addition of a single-joint swing axle derived from the Saloon model. Between the years 1951 to 1955 only 314 of the W 188 series coupes were produced.

The year 1956 an economic recovery in Germany had developed which was recorded in history as an “economic miracle”. For the past four years starting 1952, car ownership in Germany has doubled to 40 per 1000 inhabitants.

It was also in the year 1956 when the first transatlantic telephone cable went into service making it possible to call New York or San Francisco from the comfort of one’s home. This year was also the start of the global revolution in telecommunications. Mercedes Benz presented the 220 S Coupe in the W 180 series also on this same year. The 220 S is a two door coupe with flowing roofline and prominent, curved rear window. And just like the 300 S Coupe the 220 S also displayed powerful and elegant contours that is typical of a Mercedes vehicle.

The large bumpers and fog lamps of the 220 S characterized the front end but its most striking feature was the three-fold division of the passenger cell, front end and rear end which has led to the “Pontoon Mercedes” nickname given to the 220 S. The 220 S is the very first coupe ever produced by Mercedes-Benz to possess a self-supporting body which was welded to the frame floor.

The “Pontoon Mercedes” models were given a 74kW/100hp engine which was increased later to 78kW/106 hp. Its front wheel location was also enhanced to provide better riding comfort. The same thing was done with the single-joint swing axle with its low pivot point. And at an addition of 450 Marks, an automatic, hydraulic clutch called “Hydrak” is added.

The interior was also luxurious and included polished exotic wood trim, leather upholstery and an auxiliary fan which are for heating and ventilation system. The “Pontoon Mercedes” was a blend of “Modern technology and purposeful elegance”. As answer to the demands of customers, Mercedes-Benz offered a petrol injection system in the 220 SE W 128 series at an extra cost amounting to 1900 Marks from 1958. Only 2081 220 S and 220 SE coupes were produced. And today the “Pontoon” Coupes have become one of the most sought after collectors’ items.

1961 is the year when Mercedes Benz has started to attract enormous international attention. This is also the very same year when the GDR sent a construction team to build the wall that would separate the East and West Berlin. This has marked the political division which has lasted for 28 years.

Despite the political strife in Berlin Mercedes-Benz was able to launch another coupe, the 220 SEb coupe in the W 111 series which was presented at the opening ceremony for the new Museum at the plant in Stuttgart-Unterturkheim on February 24. The new coupe as expected has once again demonstrated the creativity and unerring sense of style that Mercedes vehicles are known for.

The 220 SEb is a four-seater coupe provided with plenty of room for long trips. It has adopted the engine and suspension plus the safety body from the four-door Saloon. It is powered by a six-cylinder engine that delivers 120 hp, enough for high average speeds on long journeys. The 220 SEb was the first series production car made by Mercedes Benz to feature disc brakes at the front. A padded steering wheel, three-point seat belts and new wedge-pin door locks were also added.

Then came the year 1981 which is the era of global communication, it was during this year that Mercedes Benz launched its 380 SEC Coupe and 500 SEC Coupe in the C 126 model series. With the production of these new coupes the designers and engineers of Mercedes Benz has once again turned to the S-Class as their basis. The 380 and 500 SEC were given slightly bigger dimensions.

The 380 SEC and 500 SEC coupes were also given the V8 engines which have been revised to achieve reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emissions as part of the Mercedes Benz Energy concept. The output of the 380 SEC Coupe was 150 kW/204hp while the 500 SEC Coupe delivers 170kW/231 hp. And according to a motoring magazine: “The feeling of spaciousness and visibility are quite excellent, the SEC appears to drive itself.”

The SEC coupes were also given improved camshafts with altered timing, air-bathed injection valves and electronic idling speed control. The SEC coupes also share the same safety features as those of the S-class Saloons.

One of the most interesting interior features of the SEC coupes was the electrically operated belt feeders which were designed to bring the seat belts into the filed vision on all four seats while those of the driver and the front passenger were made easily accessible. Newer types of Mercedes Coupes produced today are equipped with even more advance equipments and parts such as the Mercedes catalytic converter which helps in reducing harmful emissions.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/a-tribute-to-mercedes-benz-luxury-coupes-from-1952-to-1991-120408.html

About the Author

Dwyane Thomas is a part time cook and full-time auto-enthusiast. This 31-year old Civil and Environmental graduate is a consultant at one of the engineering firms in Pennsylvania.

The Idle Effect – Saving 10% – 40% On Fuel Everyday

Torque Converter Operational Phases

Author: zee001

For the purposes of explanation, a torque converter can be considered to have three stages of operation:

* Stall. The prime mover is applying power to the pump but the turbine cannot rotate. For example, in an automobile, this stage of operation would occur when the driver has placed the transmission in gear but is preventing the vehicle from moving by continuing to apply the brakes. At stall, the torque converter can produce maximum torque multiplication if sufficient input power is applied (the resulting multiplication is called the stall ratio). The stall phase actually lasts for a brief period when the load (e.g., vehicle) initially starts to move, as there will be a very large difference between pump and turbine speed.

* Acceleration. The load is accelerating but there still is a relatively large difference between pump and turbine speed. Under this condition, the converter will produce torque multiplication that is less than what could be achieved under stall conditions. The amount of multiplication will depend upon the actual difference between pump and turbine speed, as well as various other design factors.

* Coupling. The turbine has reached approximately 90 percent of the speed of the pump. Torque multiplication has ceased and the torque converter is behaving in a manner similar to a fluid coupling. In modern automotive applications, it is usually at this stage of operation where the lock-up clutch is applied, a procedure that tends to improve fuel efficiency.

The key to the torque converter’s ability to multiply torque lies in the stator. In the classic fluid coupling design, periods of high slippage cause the fluid flow returning from the turbine to the pump to oppose the direction of pump rotation, leading to a significant loss of efficiency and the generation of considerable waste heat. Under the same condition in a torque converter, the returning fluid will be redirected by the stator so that it aids the rotation of the pump, instead of impeding it. The result is that much of the energy in the returning fluid is recovered and added to the energy being applied by the pump itself. This action causes a substantial increase in the mass of fluid being directed to the turbine, producing an increase in output torque. Since the returning fluid is initially traveling in a direction opposite to pump rotation, the stator will likewise attempt to counter-rotate as it forces the fluid to change direction, an effect that is resisted by the one-way stator clutch.

Unlike the radially straight blades used in a fluid coupling, a torque converter’s turbine and stator use angled and curved blades. The blade shape of the stator is what alters the path of the fluid, forcing it to coincide with the pump rotation. The matching curve of the turbine blades helps to correctly direct the returning fluid to the stator so the latter can do its job. The shape of the blades represents a bit of a black art in converter design, as minor variations can result in significant changes to the converter’s performance.

During the stall and acceleration phases, in which torque multiplication occurs, the stator remains stationary due to the action of its one-way clutch. However, as the torque converter approaches the coupling phase, the energy and volume of the fluid returning from the turbine will gradually decrease, causing pressure on the stator likewise decrease. Once in the coupling phase, the returning fluid will reverse direction and now rotate in the direction of the pump and turbine, an effect which will attempt to forward-rotate the stator. At this point, the stator clutch will release and the pump, turbine and stator will all (more or less) turn as a unit.

Unavoidably, some of the fluid’s kinetic energy will be lost due to friction and turbulence, causing the converter to waste heat (dissipated in many applications by water cooling). This effect, often referred to as pumping loss, will be most pronounced at or near stall conditions. In modern designs, the blade geometry minimizes oil velocity at low pump speeds, which allows the turbine to be stalled with the engine at idle speed for long periods with little danger of overheating.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/torque-converter-operational-phases-142778.html

About the Author

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