With Supercharging Means For Engine Patents (Class 60/598)
  • Publication number: 20090139699
    Abstract: An air-to-fluid intercooler is disclosed. The air-to-fluid intercooler may include a core assembly including an outer circumference and an inner circumference, at least one annular tube body configured to direct flow of a cooling fluid within the core assembly, and at least one curved fin coupled to an exterior surface of the at least one annular tube body and configured to direct a flow of charge air through the core assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Bin Li, Mustafa Taha Al-Shawaf, Rishabh Sinha, Deepak Bhupendrabhai Thakkar
  • Publication number: 20090126659
    Abstract: An engine cylinder head has an exhaust manifold cast in the cylinder head. A turbocharger with a turbine body is adapted to mount directly to an exhaust outlet mounting face of the exhaust manifold. A dual level water jacket within the cylinder head has separate coolant feeds for upper and lower cooling jackets. The cooling jackets extend above and below the exhaust outlet and are connected inward of the exhaust mounting face to reduce metal temperatures of the mounting face below those of the turbocharger exhaust inlet flange. Separate cores for the upper and lower jackets are connected at coolant inlet and outlet locations at opposite ends. Intermediate core print connectors form controlled flow passages between the upper and lower jackets and exhaust ports in the cylinder head and integrated manifold. The improved cooling in these areas lowers operating temperatures in the cylinder head and obviates the need for a separate exhaust manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: DOMINIQUE T. LESTER, Douglas Ostrowski
  • Publication number: 20090078240
    Abstract: A multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having an engine block with first and second cylinder banks arranged at an angle and longitudinally offset relative to one another and a camshaft disposed within the engine block for actuating valves associated with each cylinder includes first and second cylinder heads associated with the first and second cylinder banks and having an intake runner for each cylinder with an entrance disposed on an outward side, and an exhaust runner for each cylinder exiting the cylinder head on an inward side of the cylinder head generally rearward of an associated cylinder to facilitate positioning of one or more turbochargers and a fuel pump in the valley generally between the cylinder heads with the fuel pump disposed forward of the exhaust runner exits and associated exhaust manifolds while accommodating four valves per cylinder actuated by four pushrods extending through the cylinder heads forward of corresponding exhaust runner exits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Byrne Diggs, Michael Joseph Schrader, Jeff Allen Mullins, Jeff D. Fluharty
  • Publication number: 20090064668
    Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for enhancing aftertreatment regeneration. The system includes an internal combustion engine and an exhaust manifold directing the engine exhaust to an aftertreatment system. The system may further include an exhaust gas recycle system and a turbocharger. The system further includes a fuel injector mounted on the exhaust manifold that provides fuel to assist in regenerating an aftertreatment component. The fuel injector is mounted in an apparatus also including a flow dampener, an extender, and a residence chamber. The apparatus allows the fuel to be injected in a high temperature location where it will experience residence time at temperature, and experience shear forces passing through the turbocharger. The extender allows the fuel to be injected at a place in the exhaust manifold where recycling of injected fuel into the engine is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Brett Herrick, Stephen L. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20090049834
    Abstract: A turbocharger having a turbine housing defining a chamber for receiving exhaust gas, and a nozzle leading from the chamber. Exhaust gas flows from the nozzle through a turbine wheel in the chamber and changes direction from a radially inward direction in the nozzle to an axial direction downstream of the turbine wheel. A divider in the nozzle divides the nozzle into first-stage and second-stage nozzles. The divider has an upstream surface to guide exhaust gas through the first-stage nozzle and an opposite downstream surface to guide exhaust gas flowing through the second-stage nozzle. An axially slidable tubular piston, disposed in the turbine housing, has a radially inner surface extending along the axial direction and a non-flat upstream end surface. The piston also includes a curved flow-guiding surface causing the exhaust gas to change direction. In a closed position, the piston abuts the divider to close the second-stage nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Emmanuel Bouvier, Lorrain Sausse, Quentin Roberts, Pierre Barthelet
  • Publication number: 20090049900
    Abstract: A calibration flow position of a variable nozzle (6) of a turbocharger is set by a method for calibrating the turbocharger, which comprises a turbine (2) and a compressor (1). In this method, the turbocharger is driven by a predetermined fluid supply. Further, the flow position of the variable nozzle (6) is changed while the rotational speed (N) of the turbocharger or an outlet pressure (P2C) of the compressor (1) is monitored. The calibration flow position is fixed based on the monitored quantities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Giorgio Figura
  • Publication number: 20090041577
    Abstract: A turbine assembly for a variable-geometry turbocharger includes a turbine housing defining a divided volute having first and second scrolls, wherein the first scroll has a substantially smaller volume than the second scroll. The first scroll feeds exhaust gas to a first portion of a turbine wheel upstream of the throat of the wheel, while the second scroll feeds gas to a second portion of the wheel at least part of which is downstream of the throat. Flow from the second scroll is regulated by a sliding piston. The first scroll can be optimized for low-flow conditions such that the turbocharger can operate effectively like a small fixed-geometry turbocharger when the piston is closed. The turbine housing defines an inlet that is divided by a dividing wall into two portions respectively feeding gas to the two scrolls, a leading edge of the dividing wall being downstream of the inlet mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Nicolas Serres
  • Publication number: 20090038293
    Abstract: A first control valve is disposed downstream of a junction point of a first exhaust passage, and a second catalytic converter is disposed downstream of a junction point of the second exhaust passage. The first control valve and the second control valve are controlled so that the exhaust gas of all of the cylinders mainly passes one of the first catalytic converter disposed in the first exhaust passage and the second catalytic converter disposed in the second exhaust passage during a fuel-supply cutoff period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA 1
    Inventor: Shigeki Miyashita
  • Publication number: 20090007882
    Abstract: A compound cycle engine system has a rotary engine, which rotary engine generates exhaust gas. The system further has a compressor for increasing the pressure of inlet air to be supplied to the engine to a pressure in the range of from 3.0 to 5.0 atmospheres and an intercooler for providing the inlet air to the engine at a temperature in the range of from 150 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The system further has one or more turbines for extracting energy from the exhaust gas. The Miller Cycle is implemented in the rotary engine, enabling the compression ratio to be lower than the expansion ratio, allowing the overall cycle to be optimized for lowest weight and specific fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Charles E. Lents, Stephen P. Zeppieri, Roy N. Guile, Vincent C. Nardone, Jonathan Lauter, Arindam Dasgupta
  • Publication number: 20080307771
    Abstract: A method for cold start white smoke protection of a hydrocarbon after treatment device, and method of engine operation to effect the same. The method comprises a) determining the temperature of the hydrocarbon after-treatment device during cold start conditions; b) determining hydrocarbon emissions in the hydrocarbon after-treatment device; and c) modifying engine operating conditions to raise the hydrocarbon after-treatment temperature at a pre-determined rate to a temperature sufficient to permit controlled oxidation of the hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon after treatment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Jason T. Barton, Matthew T. Baird
  • Publication number: 20080295515
    Abstract: The invention is based on an arrangement of supercharging units (1, 5, 6, 7), which arrangement is to be attached in the construction space of a motor vehicle, for supercharging an internal combustion engine with a fluid (23) comprising charge air and/or exhaust gas, wherein the supercharging units (1, 5, 6, 7) comprise at least one heat exchanger (5, 6, 7) and at least one compressor (1). According to the concept of the invention, the supercharging units (1, 5, 6, 7) are arranged combined in a module (10A, 10B) and, in order for the same to be kept together in the module (10A, 10B), the supercharging units (1, 5, 6, 7) are connected at any rate partially to one another in a fluid-conducting manner, and at least one of the supercharging units (1, 5, 6, 7) is held on a holding structure. This enables the supercharging units to be handled flexibly, simply and nevertheless in a manner saving on construction space and outlay on connection. The invention also leads to a production method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Jurgen WEGNER
  • Publication number: 20080276613
    Abstract: A variable geometry compressor having a housing, a compressor wheel and a plurality of vanes positioned between an exducer of the compressor wheel and a housing volute. The vanes are adjustable through a range of positions, but a vane actuation system is configured to actuate the vanes through three discrete positions from among the range of positions. The actuation system has an actuator that includes an actuator housing containing a diaphragm that divides a housing chamber into two portions. Through the application of a vacuum to either chamber portion, the diaphragm drives a rod to actuate the vanes between two of the discrete vane positions, while a spring returns the vanes to the third position when no vacuum is applied. The actuator is controlled by an open-loop controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Phillipe Noelle, Nicolas Vazeille, Nicolas Massard
  • Patent number: 7448212
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (100) includes a turbocharger having a turbine (108) and a compressor (118) with an air inlet (120) and a charge air outlet (119). An electronic actuator (200) has an internal cavity (226). An intake manifold (104) is in fluid communication with the charge air outlet (119) of the compressor (118) through a cooled charge air passage (126). A bleed air passage (136) fluidly connects the cooled charge air passage (126), at a bleed air point (134), with the internal cavity (226) of the electronic actuator (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Terry G. Wood
  • Publication number: 20080271448
    Abstract: A system comprising an engine, a turbo charger, and a particle burner is provided. The particle burner is disposed between the engine and a turbine of the turbo charger. The particle burner receives exhaust from the engine, heats the exhaust to a combustion temperature of particles within the exhaust, and then directs the cleaned exhaust to the turbine. The particle burner can include a reverse flow heat exchanger to heat the exhaust received from the engine. The particle burner can also include a catalyst to catalyze the further combustion of gaseous products of incomplete combustion from within the engine. The heat produced by the further combustion at the catalyst provides a further boost to the temperature within the particle burner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Lincoln Evans-Beauchamp
  • Publication number: 20080271447
    Abstract: A method includes supplying combustion air to a fuel-fired burner of an emission abatement device from a turbocharger. During periods of low turbo boost pressure, combustion air is supplied to the fuel-fired burner from an auxiliary source. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: John B. Abel, Navin Khadiya, Samuel N. Crane
  • Publication number: 20080236162
    Abstract: A compact, solid mount unit supercharger control system is installed at the bottom front end of the engine, directly onto the crankshaft of a vehicle. An accessory drive belt around the accessory belt pulley of the system rotates continuously to keep vehicle accessories (alternator, water pump, etc.) operating. A second belt around a larger pulley drives the supercharger blower. A switch mounted with the vehicle dashboard controls engine generated electrical current to the system. In order to activate the supercharger, the switch is turned on. Electric current flows to the system and energizes an electromagnet, creating a magnetic field which compels engagement of the rotating accessory pulley with the supercharger pulley by means of a slide plate. The belt around the supercharger pulley then rotates, operating the supercharger. When activated, the supercharger forces air into the engine cylinders for greater horsepower output with fuel/air explosions within the cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Billy Machner
  • Publication number: 20080236521
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is charged by a compressor such that for example only a fraction of the charge is supercharged for an operating cycle of the internal combustion engine and is supplied via a separate charging channel with the help of a short-stroke valve which is controlled by the camshaft after closure of the inlet of the internal combustion engine such that the suction/charging stroke of the four-stroke process is maintained entirely or partially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Gunter W. Schabinger
  • Publication number: 20080229743
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for an engine includes first and second turbochargers, having air intake impellers which rotate in opposite directions. This enables the first and second turbochargers to be mounted on opposite sides of an engine in a symmetrical fashion, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing arrangement as well as air intake and exhaust piping being of the generally same length and configuration to optimize engine performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas N. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20080223329
    Abstract: A compound bracket system (400) for an internal combustion engine (100) includes a first bracket (112) that is rigidly connected to a crankcase(102) of the internal combustion engine (100). The first bracket (112) forms at least one mounting pad (310) that is arranged to connect to and support a first engine component (114). A second bracket (120) is connected to the crankcase (102) through at least one additional engine component (110). The second bracket (120) forms a component cavity (208) that is arranged to accept and support a second engine component (118). The first bracket (112) forms an interconnection pad (314), and the second component forms a strut (216) having a mounting tab (218). The mounting tab (218) is advantageously connected to the interconnection tab (314) with a fastener (422), thus increasing the rigidity of the second bracket (120) as mounted on the engine (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company ,LLC
    Inventors: Erich R. Preimesberger, Donald M. Fenton, Trinadh Koppireddy, Jayakumar Krishnaswami, Martin Wu, Zeguang Tao, Lezza Mignery
  • Publication number: 20080168769
    Abstract: An assembly guide (200) for a fluid connection includes a collar flange (202) connected to an outer surface of a tube (216). The tube (216) may have a first end connected to a first component (306), and a second end that is chamfered (218) and protrudes from the component (306). A neck portion (204) of the guide may be connected to the collar flange (202), and extend away from the collar flange (202). A guide portion (206) of the guide (200) may be connected to the neck portion (204), and may have a flared portion (208) on a distal end that is opposite the neck portion (204).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Erich R. Preimesberger, John C. McCuistion
  • Publication number: 20080148727
    Abstract: When a high-pressure compressor stage operates in an efficient operating zone defined on a compressor performance to one side of an optimum performance line that is spaced from but generally parallel to a choke limit line, the turbocharger is controlled by closed-loop control of vanes of the high-pressure turbine stage while a by-pass around the high-pressure turbine stage is kept closed. When the high-pressure compressor stage operates in a zone between the optimum performance line and the choke limit line, the vanes of the high-pressure turbine stage are increasingly opened as operation of the high-pressure compressor stage increasingly approaches the choke limit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: William de Ojeda
  • Publication number: 20080127643
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes compressing intake air using a compressor, supplying the compressed intake air to at least one combustion chamber of the engine, operating the at least one combustion chamber to output exhaust gas, and directing the exhaust gas to an inlet of a turbine configured to drive the compressor. The method also includes directing the exhaust gas from an outlet of the turbine to an exhaust system, bypassing at least a portion of the compressed intake air around the at least one combustion chamber, and adjusting a geometry of the turbine from a first configuration to a second configuration. The turbine is in the second configuration when the at least the portion of the compressed intake air is bypassed around the at least one combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Edward Leustek, Christopher Ronald Gehrke
  • Publication number: 20080115570
    Abstract: An exhaust fume turbocharger for an internal combustion engine comprises a compressor and a turbine. A compressor wheel is rotatably mounted in the compressor and a turbine wheel is rotatably mounted in the turbine. The compressor wheel is mechanically connected to the turbine wheel by a rotatably mounted turboshaft. The compressor wheel is connected to the turboshaft by a fastening element and the exhaust fume turbocharger comprises a system for sensing the rotational speed of the turboshaft. The arrangement for sensing the rotational speed is arranged at the end of the turboshaft on the side of the compressor with an element for varying a magnetic field between the compressor wheel and the fastening element. The magnetic field is varied depending on the rotation of the turboshaft and a sensor element is arranged in the proximity of the element for varying the magnetic field for sensing the variation in the magnetic field and converting it into electrical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Markus Gilch
  • Publication number: 20080034753
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are turbocharger systems and methods for their operation. In one embodiment a turbocharger system is disclosed. The turbocharger system comprises a turbine, a compressor, an air inlet, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The turbine is mechanically connected to the compressor and the air inlet is connected in fluid communication to the compressor. The first sensor and the second sensor are connected in operational communication with the air inlet and disposed a sufficient distance from one another to be capable of measuring a temperature differential caused by a hot boundary layer. The controller is connected in operational communication with the first sensor and the second sensor, and the controller is configured to detect surge precursors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Anthony Holmes Furman, Shishir Chandrasekhar Menon, Kendall Roger Swenson, Daniel Edward Loringer
  • Publication number: 20080019629
    Abstract: An improved bearing system for use in high speed rotating machinery, such as a turbocharger, wherein a shaft is rotatably supported by a floating bearing cartridge having axially spaced angular contact bearings each with a set of bearing balls supported between inner and outer races. The bearing cartridge includes an inner spacer sleeve for axially spacing the inner bearing races, and a rotationally floating outer sleeve having a pair of radially inwardly open grooves for removably receiving snap-type retaining rings which engage and axially space the outer bearing races. The axial dimension of the inner spacer sleeve is elongated slightly relative to an axial dimension defined between outboard faces of the installed retaining rings, thereby slightly unloading the sets of bearing balls from their respective outer bearing races. Such slight axial unloading enhances smooth-running operation with minimal bearing wear, while accommodating transient loads during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Robert D. McKeirnan
  • Publication number: 20080010986
    Abstract: A turbo machine having a rotor and a stator is at least partially provided on a flow-guiding part with a catalytic coating. The catalytic coating (7, 7?) comprises at least one oxide of a transition metal or an oxide of a mixture of transition metals, wherein the transition metals are elements from groups I B, in particular Cu, Ag, Ag, II B, in particular Zn, Cd, Hg, III B, in particular Sc, Y, IV B, in particular Ti, Zr, Hf, V B, in particular V, Nb, Ta, VI B, in particular Cr, Mo, W, VII B, in particular Mn, Tc, Re and/or VIII B, in particular Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Henning Fuhrmann, Martin Thiele, Tommaso Auletta
  • Patent number: 7263832
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement (10) for controlling an electrically operated charger (1), which essentially prevent a sudden drop in voltage with the run-up of the electric charger. A drive signal (AS) is formed, which drives the electric charger (1). The rate of change of speed for an increase of the rpm of the electric charger (1) is pregiven in dependence upon the instantaneous supply voltage (UV).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Nau, Ingo Immendoerfer, Martin-Peter Bolz, Michael Baeuerle, Carsten Reisinger, Guido Porten
  • Patent number: 7210296
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling an electrically operated supercharger are proposed, which cooperates with an exhaust-gas turbocharger for compressing the air supplied to the internal combustion engine. The controlling of the electrical supercharger (ES) is implemented via a control signal, which is generated as a function of a predefined value for the compressor-pressure ratio of the electrical supercharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin-Peter Bolz, Michael Baeuerle
  • Patent number: 7104060
    Abstract: An exhaust energy recovery system for a combustion engine having an exhaust passage has a displacement expansion device and a generator. The expansion device is located in the exhaust passage. Exhaust gas is introduced into the expansion device. The expansion device has an expansion chamber the volume of which varies in accordance with the pressure of exhaust gas and generates power in accordance with the volume variation of the expansion chamber. The generator generates electricity in accordance with the power generated by the expansion device. This efficiently recovers exhaust gas and effectively uses the recovered exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Ogawa, Yukio Shimokawa
  • Patent number: 7082763
    Abstract: The invention concerns an exhaust gas turbocharger (1) having a shaft (2) on which a turbine wheel (4) and a compressor wheel (3) sit and which is guided in radial bearings (5, 6) and in at least one axial bearing (9), which is characterized in that the radial bearings (5, 6) are embodied as passive magnetic bearings having permanent magnets (23 through 31) generating axial magnetic fluxes; and the axial bearing (9) is embodied as an active magnetic bearing having an electromagnet (55), an axial sensor, and a controller for controlling the electrical current impinging upon the electromagnet (55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignees: Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH, Borgwarner Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Fremerey, Matthias Lang, Jens-Wolf Jaisle
  • Patent number: 7076952
    Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine system wherein the supercharger assembly includes an ejector pump driven by high-pressure air for pumping intake air into engine combustion chamber. Included are means for sensing engine power demand and controlling the supercharging action. A compressor and an air tank for providing high-pressure air for driving the ejector pump are also disclosed. During periods of natural aspiration the ejector pump can be by-passed to reduce flow impedance. The ejector pump can use a driving nozzle with a fixed throat or a variable throat, or a lobed nozzle. Effective supercharging is achieved even at low engine speeds. One of the objects of the invention is to obtain more power from small displacement ICE and thus providing automotive vehicles with sufficient acceleration in addition to good fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Jan Vetrovec
  • Patent number: 6918804
    Abstract: A personal watercraft comprising a water jet pump, an engine for driving the water jet pump, and a mechanically driven supercharger provided independently of the engine and configured to draw taken-in air to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6871497
    Abstract: The invention provides a 4-stroke reciprocating piston engine having a supercharging piston, which ensures dynamic balance of the engine with only a simple construction and achieves high output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Daikichiro Isogai
  • Patent number: 6817348
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for humidifying the intake air of internal combustion engines that are equipped with a turbocharger. The device comprises a humidifying unit (14, 16) through which the intake air and humidifying liquid flow and come into contact with one another. The humidifying unit is arranged upstream from the compressor (6) of the turbocharger in the direction of flow of the intake air. A heat exchanger (13, 15), which serves to pre-heat the intake air and through which the atmospheric intake air flows, is located upstream from the humidifying unit in the flow path of the intake air. Said heat exchanger is connected to a liquid circuit (11, 21) with which the humidified intake air that is compressed by the compressor and supplied to the internal combustion engine is cooled by another heat exchanger (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Munters Euroform GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Wettergard, Siegfried Bulang
  • Publication number: 20040163390
    Abstract: A secondary air induction system (1) for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, including a turbine (2) and a compressor (3), in which a turbine wheel (4) of the turbine (2) and a compressor wheel (5) of the compressor (3) are mounted on a rotatable common shaft (6) supported by a bearing assembly (8) including at least one roller bearing (17) inside a turbocharger housing (7). An insulating or noise damping material (9) externally encloses at least a portion of the housing (7) to provide sound insulation in the area of the bearing assembly (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Ernst Hummel
  • Patent number: 6655327
    Abstract: A combustion method at a piston combustion engine showing a combustion chamber, in which a piston repeatedly moves in a work producing power stroke followed by an exhaust stroke with intermediate upper respective lower dead centers, in which dead centers the piston motion direction is changed. Air, which will be brought into the engine combustion chamber, is compressed to a certain pressure, whereupon it is brought into the combustion chamber with or without fuel during at least a part of the power stroke. The compressed air with or without fuel is brought into the combustion chamber during such a part of the power stroke determined by a required torque at different engine speeds, from that the piston is situated right before, at or right after the top dead center, and that fuel is combusted with the supplied air during the power stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: CARGINE Engineering AB
    Inventor: Mats Hedman
  • Patent number: 6644029
    Abstract: A process for the control of boost pressure of a turbocharger in an internal combustion engine as a function of the density of the ambient air. The internal combustion engine has an exhaust gas turbocharger with control means to control the boost pressure in which the actual boost pressure is determined at specific time intervals and compared with assigned values for the desired boost pressure taken from stored compressor characteristics. The boost pressure is adjusted as necessary. The internal combustion engine further comprises an engine control device having a control unit and a data storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Weinreuter
  • Patent number: 6571557
    Abstract: The engine head is provided with a compressor blade assembly in each intake port of each cylinder to compress the air introduced into the cylinder in order to supercharge the engine. A similar turbine blade assembly is provided in each exhaust port and is connected via a transmission to an adjacent compresssor blade assembly to drive the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventor: Steven L. DiMarco
  • Patent number: 6539714
    Abstract: A system for estimating turbocharger rotational speed includes a first pressure sensor producing a first pressure signal indicative of the pressure of air supplied by a turbocharger compressor to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, a second pressure sensor producing a second pressure signal indicative of the pressure of air entering the turbocharger compressor, a temperature sensor producing a temperature signal indicative of the temperature entering the compressor, a speed sensor producing a speed signal indicative of the rotational speed of the engine, and a control computer estimating the turbocharger rotational speed as a function of the first pressure signal, the second pressure signal, the temperature signal and the speed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventor: Yue Yun Wang
  • Publication number: 20030029167
    Abstract: A cooling system for a motor vehicle includes an engine cooling circuit in which an engine cooling circuit coolant pump pumps the coolant through at least one engine cooling system and an engine cooling circuit heat exchanger. The cooling system also includes a separate supercharger air cooling circuit in which a supercharger air cooling circuit coolant pump pumps the coolant through at least one supercharger air cooler and a supercharger air cooling circuit heat exchanger. The two cooling circuits are connected with a common expansion tank via ventilation lines which connect each cooling circuit with an upper portion of the expansion tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Hudson, Hartmut Bobertag, Waldemar Stark
  • Patent number: 6434936
    Abstract: An exhaust driven turbofan to operates a generator, for generating electrical energy, which is stored in a battery until needed. An air blower is powered by energy from the battery, to generate pressurized air. The pressurized air passes into the piston chamber when the gas pedal is depressed, independent of the rotation of the crank shaft. An exhaust blower powered by the battery, sucks air from the piston chamber during the exhaust stroke, ensuring complete removal of the exhaust gasses. Valve overlap timing is no longer needed, eliminating the dwell time between intake and exhaust gasses. A non-ferrous wheel having ferrous portions is anchored in spaced relation about the outer periphery of the non-ferrous wheel, to assist the rotation of the crank shaft. At least one electromagnet is selectively energized to aid rotation of the non ferrous wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Daljit Singh
  • Patent number: 6314733
    Abstract: A control method for use in controlling the operation of a turbo-charged engine comprises the steps of: using at least one engine parameter to derive a predicted transient air pressure value; sensing an actual air pressure value using a pressure sensor; and comparing the actual air pressure value with the predicted transient air pressure value to determine a predicted boost pressure error. The boost pressure error may be used in determining whether or not the pressure sensor is operating properly. It may also be used in determining whether the engine is in a transient condition, allowing the improvement in the response of the turbo-charger and this reduces turbo-lag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Lucas Industries plc
    Inventors: Abdolreza Fallahi, Gary Brian Forward
  • Patent number: 6282897
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for vehicles having an electronic storage and drive system for driving a vehicle and a thermal engine for charging and energizing the electrical storage and drive system, the thermal engine having a thermal energy source with a compressor and turbine combination operating in a Brayton cycle with the compressor being driven by an electrical motor and the turbine driving a generator, the compressor compressing the motive gas which is thermally heated by the thermal energy source and the heated gas expanding in the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Marius A. Paul
  • Patent number: 6276138
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder Otto cycle internal combustion direct compound engine for motor vehicles with an exhaust-gas turbocharger providing direct turbo compounding upon the engine control module receiving a speed signal indicating that the vehicle is traveling in a predetermined cruise-speed mode. Upon receipt of the signal the module turns-off each fuel injector feeding a second group of the cylinders, while maintaining fuel injection to a first group of cylinders and fully opening the electronic intake-air induction throttle. As a result the unfired second group of cylinder pistons are driven solely by compressed inlet-air pressure during the time the vehicle travels at or above a predetermined light-load cruising-speed, while positive pumping work occurs in all the cylinders. The engine thus conserves fuel during light load cruising speed while maintaining low pollutant emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Damien Welch
  • Patent number: 5704210
    Abstract: A gas generation engine having improved fuel economy and performance comprises a gas generator in the form of a supercharged internal combustion engine coupled to an expander in the form of a gas turbine. The exhaust produced by the internal combustion engine is utilized to drive the turbine. The values for the supercharging pressure ratio and internal combustion engine exhaust back pressure are chosen such that increased thermal efficiency and power output can be simultaneously obtained. The value for the peak cylinder pressure is significantly higher than the typical value for existing diesel engines. The form of internal combustion engine may be a four-stroke cycle piston engine with intercooled supercharging, the internal combustion engine driving the supercharger as well as providing the turbine input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventor: Lin-Shu Wang
  • Patent number: 5692372
    Abstract: A ducted fan aircraft compound cycle engine comprises a core engine which includes a compressor, three rotary internal combustion engines fed by the compressor and a power turbine to receive the combustion products of the rotary and combustion engines. The rotary internal combustion engines drive the compressor and the power turbine drives the fan. The engine combines the thermal efficiency of the rotary internal combustion engine with the compact size and light weight of the gas turbine engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: John Whurr
  • Patent number: 5540054
    Abstract: A rotary valve for an engine comprising an outer casing 2 having at least one bore 4, inlet port 30, exhaust port 46 and transfer duct 44 opening into the bore 4 or bores, at least one vaned rotor 26 disposed in the bore 4 or bores, and popper valve means 54 for admitting an inlet charge from the inlet manifold to the transfer duct 44 or one of the transfer ducts into the cylinder of the engine and for venting exhaust gases from the cylinder of the engine into the transfer duct 44 or one of the transfer ducts to the exhaust manifold of the engine, and porting means 8 for placing the inlet port 30 in fluid communication with the transfer duct 44 or one of the transfer ducts to supply an inlet charge thereto and for placing the exhaust port 46 in fluid communication with the transfer duct 44 or one of the transfer ducts for venting of exhaust gases, wherein the vaned rotor 26 is adapted to be rotated by the vented exhaust gases and to compress the inlet charge as a result of such rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Nicholas T. Bullivant
  • Patent number: 5448982
    Abstract: An intake system includes a supercharger for use with a power train. The power train includes a transverse engine and a transmission disposed transversely behind the engine. The engine has first and second rows of cylinders. Cylinders in each row are intended not to be fired one after another. The first and second rows of cylinders are offset sideways relative to each other. The intake system has an individual downstream intake part, downstream from the supercharger supported by the power train, for each row of cylinders. The individual downstream intake port includes a branch intake passage, branching off downstream from the supercharger and supported by the power train, and an inter-cooler disposed in the branch intake passage. One of the inter-coolers is located on a front side of the engine, and another of the inter-coolers is located above the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Arakawa, Toshimichi Akagi, Kouichi Hatamura, Makoto Kishida
  • Patent number: 5003942
    Abstract: A rotary valve provides incorporates one or more sets of blades or vanes within the tubular body member of the rotary valve, which vanes are independent of the rotary valve to enable them to be spun about the longitudinal axis of the tubular rotary valve at a significantly higher rate than the rotary valve itself. Thus, the normal rotation of the rotary valve (typically rotating at one-half crankshaft speed for a four-cycle engine) not only periodically aligns the ports of the valve with the ports of the cylinder head and enables intake/exhaust functions in the usual manner, but the internal spinning vanes (rotating at a much higher speed) provide additional thrust and, therefore, improved pressure, efficiency and flow characteristics to the gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: Gregory R. Hansard
  • Patent number: 4864825
    Abstract: A suction type turbo-supercharger (6) is driven by highly negative pressure suction air produced by a negative pressure generator (4) which accelerates the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine (1), external air being drawn by the negative pressure into the suction turbine (61) of the turbo-supercharger (6) to rotate the supercharging turbine (62) coaxial and coupled with the suction turbine (61) to thereby supercharge the air fed into the combustion chamber of the engine. The air stream produced by the negative pressure drives the turbo-supercharger and may also be used to cool the engine, in which case the turbo-supercharger is driven by the air stream after cooling the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kakuta