Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a twin-scroll turbocharger with a flow control valve along the larger of the two scrolls. At low engine speeds, the valve is closed so that all exhaust gases are routed through the smaller scroll. At higher engine speeds, the valve opens to reduce back pressure and provide the desired boost in the power band of the engine. The overall swallowing capacity of the turbine is disproportionally divided between the scrolls, such as a 75/25 split between the large and small scrolls.

Abstract: A variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT) for an internal combustion engine configured to generate a flow of post-combustion gases as a byproduct of generating output torque includes a turbine housing defining a volute. The VGT also includes a turbine wheel mounted on a shaft having a rotational axis, retained inside the turbine housing, and configured to be rotated about the rotational axis by the flow of post-combustion gases. The turbine housing defines an inlet to the turbine wheel downstream of the volute and upstream of the turbine wheel. The inlet to the turbine wheel includes a circumferentially continuous and unobstructed intake channel having a selectable cross-sectional area and configured to regulate effective expansion ratio of the VGT. An internal combustion engine employing such a VGT is also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) includes a turbine housing, a turbine wheel disposed within the turbine housing and configured to be rotated by post-combustion gasses communicated to the turbine wheel via a turbine housing inlet, a compressor wheel operably connected to the turbine wheel via a shaft, and a variable position vane mechanism comprising a plurality of movable vanes arranged radially outward from and concentric with the turbine wheel and disposed between the turbine housing inlet and the turbine wheel, wherein each vane comprises an actuating feature configured to be manipulated by a crown disposed radially inward from the plurality of actuating features. The crown includes a central aperture through which the shaft is disposed. Manipulating each of the vanes via the crown can increase or decrease the pressure ratio of VGT. Each actuating feature can be a vane wheel parallel with the crown.

Abstract: Exhaust gas recirculation systems and methods are provided for an internal combustion engine. The system includes a first conduit configured to receive at least a portion of exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine; a cooling circuit selectively fluidly coupled to the first conduit; a bypass circuit selectively fluidly coupled to the first conduit and including a bypass conduit; and a second conduit fluidly coupled to receive the exhaust gas flowing through the cooling circuit and through the bypass circuit. A cooling valve has a bypass position to direct the exhaust gas from the first conduit through the bypass circuit, a cooling position to direct the exhaust gas from the first conduit through the cooling circuit, and a closed position to prevent the exhaust gas from flowing into either of the bypass or cooling circuits. The system further includes a heating device for selectively heating the bypass conduit.

Abstract: A compressor housing includes a compressor inlet duct and an inlet for a compressor wheel. The compressor inlet duct has a longitudinal axis and connects an air intake duct with the compressor wheel inlet. The compressor housing includes at least one appendix positioned between an upstream portion of the compressor inlet duct and the compressor wheel inlet. The appendix includes a pipe closed in a distal part thereof with respect to the longitudinal axis of the compressor inlet duct.

Abstract: A turbocharger system for an engine of a vehicle includes a variable geometry turbine configured to receive exhaust gas from the engine. The variable geometry turbine includes adjustable vanes and a vane actuator to adjust the adjustable vanes between at least an open position and a closed position. The turbocharger further includes an intake duct configured to receive intake air; a first compressor rotationally coupled to the variable geometry turbine and fluidly coupled to the intake duct to compress at least a first portion of the intake air; an electric compressor fluidly coupled to the intake duct to selectively compress at least a second portion of the intake air; and a manifold conduit fluidly coupled to the first compressor and the electric compressor and configured to receive and direct the first and second portions of the intake air to a manifold of the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine structure including a plurality of cylinders. An air intake system and an exhaust system are in communication with the plurality of cylinders. A turbocharger includes a turbine section in communication with the exhaust system and a compressor in communication with an air intake passage of the air intake system. The compressor includes a compressor wheel having a predetermined rotational direction during operation. An EGR passage is in communication with the exhaust system and is connected to the air intake passage at a location upstream of the compressor and is tangential to an inner wall of the air intake passage so as to provide a swirl in the predetermined rotational direction.

Abstract: A method of operating an automotive system having an internal combustion engine equipped with an electric compressor and a turbocharger having a turbocharger compressor is disclosed. A surge threshold line and a pre-surge threshold line in a turbocharger compressor map are defined as a function of a turbocharger compressor pressure ratio and mass flow rate. The pre-surge threshold line is defined in terms of greater mass flow values for each corresponding pressure ratio value of the surge threshold line. The position of a turbocharger compressor working point in the turbocharger compressor map is monitored as a function of the turbocharger compressor pressure ratio and mass flow rate. When an increased torque request is detected, the electric compressor is activated to assist the turbocharger compressor in delivering the requested torque when the turbocharger compressor working point crosses the pre-surge threshold line in a direction towards the surge threshold line.

Abstract: A variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT) for an internal combustion engine configured to generate a flow of post-combustion gases as a byproduct of generating output torque includes a turbine housing defining a volute. The VGT also includes a turbine wheel mounted on a shaft having a rotational axis, retained inside the turbine housing, and configured to be rotated about the rotational axis by the flow of post-combustion gases. The turbine housing defines an inlet to the turbine wheel downstream of the volute and upstream of the turbine wheel. The inlet to the turbine wheel includes a circumferentially continuous and unobstructed intake channel having a selectable cross-sectional area and configured to regulate effective expansion ratio of the VGT. An internal combustion engine employing such a VGT is also disclosed.

Abstract: A turbocharger system for an engine of a vehicle includes a variable geometry turbine configured to receive exhaust gas from the engine. The variable geometry turbine includes adjustable vanes and a vane actuator to adjust the adjustable vanes between at least an open position and a closed position. The turbocharger further includes an intake duct configured to receive intake air; a first compressor rotationally coupled to the variable geometry turbine and fluidly coupled to the intake duct to compress at least a first portion of the intake air; an electric compressor fluidly coupled to the intake duct to selectively compress at least a second portion of the intake air; and a manifold conduit fluidly coupled to the first compressor and the electric compressor and configured to receive and direct the first and second portions of the intake air to a manifold of the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, including an engine structure having a plurality of cylinders. An air intake system is in communication with the plurality of cylinders. An exhaust system is in communication with the plurality of cylinders. A turbocharger has a turbine section in communication with the exhaust system and a compressor section in communication with the air intake system and including a compressor housing having a cooling jacket. An EGR passage is in communication with the exhaust system and the air intake system. The EGR passage includes a cooled EGR valve.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating an internal combustion engine equipped with an aftertreatment device. The internal combustion engine is equipped with a cylinder having an exhaust gas port intercepted by an exhaust valve, the exhaust valve being actuated by means of a Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) system, An aftertreatment device regeneration is detected, and the exhaust valve closure is anticipated using the Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) system during the aftertreatment device regeneration to provide an exhaust valve actuation profile having an anticipated exhaust valve closure with respect to a baseline exhaust valve actuation profile.

Abstract: A turbocharged automotive system includes an internal combustion engine and a Long Route Exhaust Gas Recirculation system connected to an exhaust line of the engine. The LR-EGR system is equipped with a LR-EGR cooler, which is cooled by a LR-EGR coolant circuit receiving coolant from an engine coolant circuit. The turbocharged automotive system further includes a low temperature coolant circuit and a connecting element for connecting the LR-EGR coolant circuit with the low temperature coolant circuit bypassing the engine coolant circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for operating an internal combustion engine equipped with a turbocharger and an exhaust gas recirculation pipe fluidly connecting an exhaust gas line to an air intake duct upstream of a compressor of the turbocharger. A value of a parameter indicative of a temperature of a portion of the exhaust gas recirculation pipe is determined. Exhaust gas recirculation via the exhaust gas recirculation pipe is prevented when the determined value is lower than a predetermined threshold value thereof. The air intake duct portion of compressed air exiting from the compressor is recirculated via the portion of the exhaust gas recirculation pipe.

Abstract: Exhaust gas recirculation systems are provided for an internal combustion engine. The system includes an exhaust conduit configured to receive exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. A junction is disposed to receive the exhaust gas from the exhaust conduit. An EGR conduit is connected with the junction and configured to recirculate a portion of the exhaust gas to the internal combustion engine. A tailpipe is connected with the junction and configured to discharge at least a portion of the exhaust gas to atmosphere. A control valve is disposed at the junction and is configured to control entry of the exhaust gas into the EGR conduit, and the control valve is configured to throttle entry of the exhaust gas into the tailpipe.

Abstract: Exhaust gas recirculation systems and methods are provided for an internal combustion engine. The system includes a first conduit configured to receive at least a portion of exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine; a cooling circuit selectively fluidly coupled to the first conduit; a bypass circuit selectively fluidly coupled to the first conduit and including a bypass conduit; and a second conduit fluidly coupled to receive the exhaust gas flowing through the cooling circuit and through the bypass circuit. A cooling valve has a bypass position to direct the exhaust gas from the first conduit through the bypass circuit, a cooling position to direct the exhaust gas from the first conduit through the cooling circuit, and a closed position to prevent the exhaust gas from flowing into either of the bypass or cooling circuits. The system further includes a heating device for selectively heating the bypass conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for operating an internal combustion engine equipped with a turbocharger and an exhaust gas recirculation pipe fluidly connecting an exhaust gas line to an air intake duct upstream of a compressor of the turbocharger. A value of a parameter indicative of a temperature of a portion of the exhaust gas recirculation pipe is determined. Exhaust gas recirculation via the exhaust gas recirculation pipe is prevented when the determined value is lower than a predetermined threshold value thereof. The air intake duct portion of compressed air exiting from the compressor is recirculated via the portion of the exhaust gas recirculation pipe.

Abstract: A turbocharged automotive system includes an internal combustion engine and a Long Route Exhaust Gas Recirculation system connected to an exhaust line of the engine. The LR-EGR system is equipped with a LR-EGR cooler, which is cooled by a LR-EGR coolant circuit receiving coolant from an engine coolant circuit. The turbocharged automotive system further includes a low temperature coolant circuit and a connecting element for connecting the LR-EGR coolant circuit with the low temperature coolant circuit bypassing the engine coolant circuit.

Abstract: A compressor housing includes a compressor inlet duct and an inlet for a compressor wheel. The compressor inlet duct has a longitudinal axis and connects an air intake duct with the compressor wheel inlet. The compressor housing includes at least one appendix positioned between an upstream portion of the compressor inlet duct and the compressor wheel inlet. The appendix includes a pipe closed in a distal part thereof with respect to the longitudinal axis of the compressor inlet duct.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating an internal combustion engine equipped with an aftertreatment device. The internal combustion engine is equipped with a cylinder having an exhaust gas port intercepted by an exhaust valve, the exhaust valve being actuated by means of a Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) system, An aftertreatment device regeneration is detected, and the exhaust valve closure is anticipated using the Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) system during the aftertreatment device regeneration to provide an exhaust valve actuation profile having an anticipated exhaust valve closure with respect to a baseline exhaust valve actuation profile.