How does an automatic transmission torque converter work?
Inside the converter are sets of blades or fins. Some are attached to the drive shell and others to an output shaft. Fluid circulates through the converter and the fins churn through the fluid. At low speed, such as at an idle, the fins easily move through the fluid and no power is transmitted. As engine speed increases, the fluid transmits force from the drive fins to the driven fins and the vehicle moves. Most modern torque converters also have a set of clutches that lock at a certain speed, even further preventing slippage.
