With Condition Responsive Drive Means Control Patents (Class 60/608)
  • Publication number: 20090320468
    Abstract: A driver (41) for driving a rotary motor (20) directly connected to a rotating shaft member of a supercharger is mounted on a board (39) together with a control device (51) and a heat sink (39a) and is housed in an engine room. Even when a temperature (ambient temperature) in the engine room detected by a temperature sensor (47b) rises up to an upper limit temperature (upper limit ambient temperature) of the ambient temperature, if a temperature (driver temperature) of a portion of the driver (41) that has a highest temperature detected by a temperature sensor (47a) is yet to rise to an upper limit temperature (upper limit internal temperature) of the driver temperature, the control device (51) causes the rotary motor (20) to continue to drive as the motor while lowering an upper limit of an output current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Shimizu, Yasuyuki Shibui
  • Patent number: 7628015
    Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling an electrically driven supercharger of an internal combustion engine. The method comprises operating the supercharger at a first speed during a first engine operating condition. The method further comprises operating the supercharger at a second speed during a second engine operating condition, the second speed being lower than the first speed and increasing as the capacity of the electric power source decreases. According to the method, during a transition from the second engine operating condition to the first engine operating condition, the speed of the supercharger is increased from the second speed to the first speed. At that time, the second speed is increased as the capacity of the electric power source decreases, and as a result, the supercharger speed increase that results from the transition may become smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Marumoto, Yoshihisa Nakamoto, Naoyuki Yamagata, Mikihito Fujii
  • Patent number: 7540148
    Abstract: A method and a device for operating at least one supercharger of an internal combustion engine is described, the actuating signal for at least one actuating element of the supercharger (waste gate actuator, electrical auxiliary compressor) being generated as a function of the exhaust gas volume flow in the exhaust tract of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Wild, Sabine Wegener, Rainer Hild
  • Patent number: 7530229
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a control apparatus for an electrically assisted supercharger capable of effectively compensating for an output drop even with decrease in the atmospheric pressure. A control apparatus for an electrically assisted supercharger according to the present invention has a supercharger 20 disposed on an intake passage 5 of an internal combustion engine 1 mounted on a vehicle, and driven by an electric motor 20a, a controller 16, 21 for controlling the electric motor 20a to control a boost pressure, and a pressure detector 30 for detecting a state of the atmospheric pressure, and is characterized in that when the atmospheric pressure detected by the pressure detector 30 becomes less than a predetermined value, the controller 16, 21 makes a driving force of the electric motor 20a larger than that when the atmospheric pressure is not less than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Akita
  • Patent number: 7530230
    Abstract: In a supercharger (10) with an electric motor in accordance with the invention, an inner side of the center housing (10) is provided with an air introduction path (38) introducing a part of a compressed air within the compressor housing (8) to the electric motor (20), and a cooling structure portion (40) cooling the air flowing through the air introduction path (38). The center housing (14) has a cooling fluid flow path (34) which is formed so as to surround the electric motor (20) and puts a cooling fluid for cooling the electric motor (20) in circulation inside. The cooling structure portion (40) is structured such as to be capable of heat exchanging between the cooling fluid and the air flowing through the air introduction path (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Shibui, Yukio Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20090107142
    Abstract: As one example, a vehicle propulsion system is provided. The system includes: an internal combustion engine including at least one cylinder; an intake valve operable to selectively admit at least intake air to the cylinder; an exhaust valve operable to selectively exhaust products of combustion from the cylinder; an intake air compressor communicating with the cylinder via the intake valve; an exhaust gas turbine communicating with the cylinder via the exhaust valve; and a control system configured to operate the compressor at a different speed than the turbine, at least under an operating condition, and to adjust an amount of opening overlap between the intake valve and the exhaust valve in response to a rotational speed of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Russell, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 7503175
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine includes a turbocharger and a throttle valve. The turbocharger that is adapted to supercharging intake air drawn into the internal combustion engine utilizing energy of exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine. The turbocharger includes an electric generator that is adapted to generating regenerative electric power utilizing energy of exhaust gas. The throttle valve is adapted to controlling a flow amount of intake air supercharged using the turbocharger. An operating condition detecting unit is adapted to detecting an operating condition of at least one of the turbocharger and the electric generator. The throttle opening correcting unit is adapted to correcting opening degree of the throttle valve on the basis of the operating condition of the at least one of the turbocharger and the electric generator, when the electric generator regenerates regenerative electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Nobumasa Isogai
  • Publication number: 20090044532
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible fuel, spark ignition, variable boost, supercharged internal combustion engine. A variable speed drive assembly connects the engine output to a supercharger. The engine includes a fuel sensor which provides a signal to an engine controller which determines the type of fuel. The engine controller also receives signals from a mass air flow sensor, a manifold air pressure sensor, a crank angle sensor, a camshaft angle sensor, an oxygen sensor in the exhaust stream and a transmission controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: KO-JEN WU, JAMES C. ELMSLIE, JIAN JUN ZHANG
  • Patent number: 7490594
    Abstract: The invention combines the features of a supercharger, a turbocharger and turbo-compounding into one system, utilizing a hydraulic or mechanical continuously variable transmission to drive the turbocharger up to a specific speed or intake manifold pressure and then holding the ideal speed to keep it at the right boost pressure for the engine condition. The benefits of a supercharger, which is primarily good for high torque at low speed, and a turbocharger, which is usually only good for high horsepower at high speeds are merged. Once the exhaust energy begins to provide more work than it takes to drive the intake compressor, the invention recovers that excess energy and uses it to add torque to the crankshaft. As a result, the invention provides the benefits of low speed with high torque and the added value of high speed with higher horsepower or better fuel economy all from one system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Ed Van Dyne, Thomas A. Gendron
  • Patent number: 7484368
    Abstract: A method of controlling an internal combustion engine boosting system of the type including an exhaust-driven turbocharger and a mechanically-driven supercharger. The supercharger includes rotors and a clutch operable in a first condition to transmit torque from a mechanical drive source to a supercharger input in response to a positive input, and operable in a second condition to interrupt the transmission of torque from the source to the input. The method is characterized by determining possible operation of the clutch in a first condition; and commanding a bypass valve toward a closed position, forcing air through the supercharger. The airflow causes the supercharger rotors to rotate, thus rotating the input of the supercharger prior to the clutch operating in the first condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Rory E. Jorgensen
  • Publication number: 20090019852
    Abstract: An electric motor-generator and an engine are linked using a first belt that is looped around a crank pulley that is mounted to a crank shaft and a one-way clutch pulley that is mounted to a rotating shaft. An electronic control unit drives the electric motor-generator as an electric motor and drives the compressor by the electric motor-generator if engine speed is less than or equal to a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaya INOUE, Yoshihito Asao
  • Patent number: 7478533
    Abstract: An engine system includes a compressor system which is at least partially driven by an electric motor, and a turbine system. The system includes a detector for detecting an actual supercharging pressure. A target supercharging pressure is determined based on operational conditions of the engine. A first control demand value is calculated to drive the motor controller, such that the actual supercharging pressure approaches the target supercharging pressure. A target value of the first control demand value is determined based on the operational conditions of the engine. A second control demand value, a difference between the target value and the first control command value is applied to the turbine system to adjust the rotation of the turbine such that the first control demand value converges to the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Ueno
  • Publication number: 20090000298
    Abstract: A method of operating a turbocharger is provided, wherein the turbocharger comprises a compressor for compressing inlet air to be supplied to an internal combustion engine and an exhaust gas turbine for driving said compressor. The turbocharger further comprises an electric motor for driving said compressor operable by an electric supply system including an alternator and an electric energy storage device. A connection between said alternator and said electric energy storage device is disconnectable by a switch. According to the present invention, the method comprises the following steps: detecting a transient condition, wherein said internal combustion engine is required to be accelerated; supplying electric energy to said electric motor only from said electric energy storage device at the beginning of said transient condition until a predetermined state is reached; supplying electric energy to said electric motor from the electric supply system after said predetermined state is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Pierre Barthelet
  • Patent number: 7468564
    Abstract: An electrical power supply system comprises an air-powered alternating current electrical generator in which pressurized air from a single source is used to drive an air turbine secured on the shaft of the alternating current electrical generator. One uncontrolled nozzle continuously directs air from the single source to the air turbine. At least a second controlled nozzle directs air from the single source. A solenoid-controlled shut-off valve is placed in a conduit between the source of compressed air and the second nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventor: Donald M. Crisafulli
  • Patent number: 7458214
    Abstract: An electric motor cartridge comprises a first cartridge housing portion (2) and a second cartridge housing portion (3). The cartridge housing portions (2, 3) are coupled together so as to assembly the electric motor cartridge (1) by radially and axially positioning a stator (4) there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Noelle Philippe
  • Publication number: 20080282699
    Abstract: An exemplary flow path for an electrically assisted turbocharger (220) includes a first opening to an air intake path (114) of an engine (110), the first opening positioned downstream from a compressor (224) of the turbocharger (220); a second opening to an exhaust path (116) of an engine (110), the second opening positioned upstream from the turbine (226) of the turbocharger (220); and a valve (229) controllable by a controller (240, 150, 160) wherein the controller (240, 150, 160) includes control logic for controlling the valve (229) and for controlling an electric motor (228) of the electrically assisted turbocharger (220). Various other exemplary devices, methods, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Pierre Barthelet, Martin Verschoor
  • Patent number: 7434399
    Abstract: A supercharging pressure controller of an internal combustion engine estimates time to execute a process of bringing power supplied to an assist motor to zero based on delay characteristics of actual emission energy immediately before actual supercharging pressure reaches target supercharging pressure. The supercharging pressure controller sets a gradient of a power gradual reduction waveform in a power gradual reduction control period at a gradient for bringing the power supplied to the assist motor to zero at the estimated time. Thus, the power supplied to the assist motor gradually reduces at the predetermined gradient over time finally to zero at the estimated time. The assist motor is turned off while the actual supercharging pressure follows the target supercharging pressure, without wastefully consuming electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Ishiwatari
  • Patent number: 7425119
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device to compress combustion air, in particular a device to compress combustion air for a combustion engine of a motor vehicle, with a housing (12), with at least one compressor impeller (30) arranged in a compression area (28) of a first housing part (14), which is arranged in the flow direction between an air inlet (24) and an air outlet (43) of the housing (12), as well as with an electric motor (18) arranged in a second housing part (16) of the housing (12) to operate the compressor impeller (30). It is proposed in accordance with the invention that a flow channel (42) running in the circumferential direction of the first housing part (12) and connecting the compression space (28) with the air outlet (43) surrounds the electric motor (18) at least partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Martin-Peter Bolz
  • Publication number: 20080173017
    Abstract: This apparatus and method introduces to the internal combustion engine, with a centrifugal compressor or positive displacement air supercharger, a high speed electric motor/generator which is drivingly coupled to a drive shaft system for the purpose of acceleration and generation of pressurized air at low engine speeds and incorporation of one-way and/or magnetic clutches to provide maximum power to the engine operation at all times. The motor/generator when not driving the supercharger is putting energy back into the engine battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: David St. James
  • Publication number: 20080148730
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a control apparatus for an electrically assisted supercharger capable of effectively compensating for an output drop even with decrease in the atmospheric pressure. A control apparatus for an electrically assisted supercharger according to the present invention has a supercharger 20 disposed on an intake passage 5 of an internal combustion engine 1 mounted on a vehicle, and driven by an electric motor 20a, a controller 16, 21 for controlling the electric motor 20a to control a boost pressure, and a pressure detector 30 for detecting a state of the atmospheric pressure, and is characterized in that when the atmospheric pressure detected by the pressure detector 30 becomes less than a predetermined value, the controller 16, 21 makes a driving force of the electric motor 20a larger than that when the atmospheric pressure is not less than the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Akita
  • Patent number: 7382061
    Abstract: A device for handling and recovering of kinetic energy in a fluid is presented which basically features a bladed impeller (11). The impeller is operated by an electric engine (12) and acts as a centrifugal blower yielding energy to the air when the main engine is in a low boost phase; otherwise in case of excessive boost pressure, the impeller receives the moving fluid which will drive its rotation, reducing pressure and absorbing the energy to operate the electric engine (12) which will act as a reversible electric machine, thus generating electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Giuseppe Ferraro
  • Patent number: 7367189
    Abstract: As the integral value of power obtained by integrating supply power to the three-phase stator coil of an assist motor with respect to time becomes larger, a motor temperature becomes higher. Then, the integral value of power obtained by integrating supply power to the three-phase stator coil of the assist motor with respect to time is detected and when this detected integral value of power is equal to or larger than a first determination value, supply power to the three-phase stator coil of the assist motor is limited. Then, when this detected integral value of power is equal to or larger than a second determination value, supply power to the three-phase stator coil of the assist motor is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Ishiwatari
  • Patent number: 7367190
    Abstract: In a supercharger (10) with an electric motor in accordance with the present invention, the electric motor (20) is arranged at a position adjacent to a compressor impeller (6), a center housing (14) has a cooling fluid flow path (34) formed in such a manner as to surround the electric motor (20) and be adjacent to a diffuser portion (25). A first cooling structure portion (38) is formed at a position in the electric motor (20) side in the cooling fluid flow path (34), a second cooling structure portion (39) is formed at a position in the diffuser portion (25) side in the cooling fluid flow path (34). The electric motor (20) is cooled by the first cooling structure portion (38). The diffuser portion (25) is cooled by the second cooling structure portion (39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: IHI Corp.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Shibui, Masahiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7360361
    Abstract: An electrically controlled turbocharger having a substantially vertically oriented shaft interconnecting a turbine and a compressor. The vertical orientation serves to eliminate the effects of gravity on the rotating components. Placing the turbine vertically above the motor and compressor and provides additional cooling through convection of heat produced by hot exhaust gas flowing through the turbine. A lubricating system utilizes scavenged air from the compressor to draw lubricating oil through internal passages of the motor housing to maintain a desirable oil sump level, ventilate the auxiliary induction motor, and provide pressure to the oil seals of the motor cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Propulsion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Prusinski, Peter Hofbauer, Jason Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7328577
    Abstract: A multivariable controller that models the interaction between groups of sensors and groups of actuators during the operation of an engine. By accounting for the interactive effects that a group of actuators has on a sensor or group of sensors, improved system performance may be achieved. When emission sensors are used, such as NOX and/or PM sensors, the multivariable controller may help control the various engine actuators to reduce emissions of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Stewart, Soumitri N. Kolavennu, Francesco Borrelli, Gregory J. Hampson, Syed M. Shahed, Tariq Samad, Michael L. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 7296409
    Abstract: A turbocharger comprises a turbine wheel and a compressor wheel mounted to a turbocharger shaft. An electric induction motor is provided for assisting rotation of the compressor wheel in predetermined circumstances. The motor comprises a fixed stator having motor field coils which generate a rotating magnetic field when energised by an AC control signal which induces eddy current flow in a rotor to generate a rotor magnetic field which in turn interacts with the stator magnetic field producing torque in the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Holset Engineering Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Edward Spooner
  • 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: 7237381
    Abstract: A method for operating a turbocharged internal combustion engine having an after-treatment device for treating exhaust gas discharged from the turbocharger, wherein exhaust gas from the engine is passed through a variable-geometry mechanism for regulating power produced by the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Soumitri N. Kolavennu, Syed M Shahed
  • Patent number: 7219497
    Abstract: A hybrid car capable of stably ensuring the bad road running property, obtaining large acceleration in a satisfactory road surface state, and simultaneously when no large acceleration is required, running with fuel consumption kept unchanged is provided. The hybrid car is composed of an engine 1 for driving either of front wheels 2 and rear wheels 8, a generator 10 driven by the engine, a wheel driving motor 14 for driving engine non-driven wheels by power of the generator, a supercharger driving motor 1b for driving a supercharger 1a by the generator, a power distributor 12 adjusting power quantity for distributing the power from the generator to the supercharger motor and wheel driving motor, and a controller 7 for inputting information of wheel speed sensors 3a and 3b and controlling power distribution of the distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Kowatari, Shinya Imura, Norkazu Matsuzaki, Shin Fujiwara, Tatsuyuki Yamamoto, Daisuke Yamamoto
  • 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: 7174714
    Abstract: Turbocompound systems can be used to affect engine operation using the energy in exhaust gas that is driving the available turbocharger. A first electrical device acts as a generator in response to turbocharger rotation. A second electrical device acts as a motor to put mechanical power into the engine, typically at the crankshaft. Apparatus, systems, steps, and methods are described to control the generator and motor operations to control the amount of power being recovered. This can control engine operation closer to desirable parameters for given engine-related operating conditions compared to actual. The electrical devices can also operate in “reverse,” going between motor and generator functions. This permits the electrical device associated with the crankshaft to drive the electrical device associated with the turbocharger as a motor, overcoming deficient engine operating conditions such as associated with turbocharger lag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 7137253
    Abstract: A technique comprising an apparatus for monitoring at least one operating parameter indicative of an operating condition of a diesel engine and controlling a turbocharger assist device to maintain desired operating conditions of the diesel engine equipped with a turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anthony Holmes Furman, Roy James Primus
  • Patent number: 7128061
    Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is provided. One embodiment of the supercharger comprises a two-piece housing wherein a parting area is substantially aligned with a rotational axis of a drive- or impeller shaft. Another embodiment comprises a sleeve, or intermediate member disposed substantially between the housing and a bearing assembly(s) located within the supercharger housing. Another embodiment comprises a disengagement device located between the supercharger impeller and the engine. The disengagement device allows selective disengagement of the impeller from the engine. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Vortech Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: James K. Middlebrook, Robert B. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7089738
    Abstract: A system for controlling turbocharger compressor surge includes a turbocharger compressor fluidly coupled to an engine intake manifold, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve disposed in-line with an EGR conduit fluidly coupled between the engine intake and exhaust manifolds, means for determining a mass flow parameter, a speed sensor producing a speed signal indicative of turbocharger speed, and a control computer configured to determine a mass flow rate surge value, corresponding to a fresh air mass flow rate above which turbocharger compressor surge is avoided, as a function of the speed signal, and to limit the EGR valve position and VGT position as a function of the mass flow parameter and the mass flow rate surge value to maintain exhaust gas flow through the EGR valve at a flow rate below which turbocharger compressor surge is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Boewe, Danny R. Baker, Philip M. Dimpelfeld, David A. Vittorio, Thomas A. Grana
  • Patent number: 7076954
    Abstract: A system for controlling intake pressure of a combustion engine operably coupled to a power generation system includes a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a pressure in an intake system of the combustion engine and a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a load on the power generation system. The system further includes a turbocharger operably coupled to the intake system. The system also includes an electric machine operably coupled to the turbocharger. The electric machine is configured to supply torque to the turbocharger. The system further includes a turbocharger controller operably coupled to the electric machine. The turbocharger controller is configured to control operation of the electric machine such that the turbocharger supplies a desired intake pressure to the combustion engine based at least partially on the signal indicative of a pressure in the intake system and the signal indicative of a load on the power generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Sopko, Jr., Michael Edward Vanderham, Kent Allen Casey, Brian D. Kuras
  • Patent number: 7047743
    Abstract: An engine/electric generator system includes an internal combustion engine, a primary electric generator driven by an output shaft of the engine and providing electrical power. A turbocharger has a first turbine driven by exhaust gasses from the engine and a compressor driven by the first turbine and provides inlet air to the engine. The system also includes a secondary turbine, and an exhaust line which communicates exhaust gas from the first turbine to an input of the secondary turbine. A secondary electric generator is driven by the secondary turbine. An electric power combining circuit combines electric power from the primary electric generator and the secondary electric generator, and delivers combined electric power to a transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ronnie Dean Stahlhut, Carl Thomas Vuk
  • Patent number: 7043916
    Abstract: A control device for a turbocharger with an electric motor includes a turbocharger which is provided along with an internal combustion engine and supercharges air taken in the internal combustion engine using a compressor; an electric motor which can increase a supercharging pressure by running the compressor of the turbocharger; and a controller. The controller calculates a base amount of electric power to be supplied to the electric motor based on a target supercharging pressure and an actual supercharging pressure, decides an amount of electric power to be supplied to the electric motor, controls the electric motor based on the decided amount of electric power to be supplied, and sets the amount of electric power to be supplied to a maximum amount of electric power in a beginning state of an electric power supplied motor, only when the compressor is out of a region where a surge occurs, regardless of the calculated base amount of electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kei Masuda
  • Patent number: 7032375
    Abstract: In the disclosed secondary air supply system, an on-off valve (13) is driven by the discharge pressure of an air pump (12). A diaphragm chamber (44) is arranged in the neighborhood of a discharge outlet (54), and a part of the discharge air flows directly into the diaphragm chamber (44). Thus, the on-off valve (13) is positively operated even at high places with low atmospheric pressure and has a fast open/close response. As an electromagnetic actuator is not used to drive the on-off valve (13), the voltage supplied to the air pump (12) (DC motor (29)) does not drop inconveniently, and at the same time, the cost is reduced. Further, the number of the lead wires (65) is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiro Tsuzuki, Shinichi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7025579
    Abstract: A bearing system for a turbocharger shaft includes an elongated bearing carrier with two anti-friction ball bearings mounted in its ends and with a radially extending flange at one end that cooperates with stationary housing portions and carries thrust loads of the rotor in both directions. The elongated bearing carrier is supported within the housing by axially spaced elastic supports which permit the rotating assembly to rotate about its mass center and provide a shock and vibration cushion. The elongated bearing carrier and housing cooperate to provide a coolant cavity which communicates with the outside periphery of the elongated bearing carrier between the axially spaced elastic supports, which also act as coolant seals between the elongated bearing cavity and the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Innovative Turbo Systems Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Woollenweber, Jon A. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6957535
    Abstract: In a variable exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine including an exhaust gas turbocharger to which exhaust gas is supplied from the engine to provide a torque for driving the turbocharger, an additional device is provided which includes an electrical or mechanical drive for supplying an additional torque to the exhaust gas turbocharger in order to maintain the exhaust gas turbocharger at a certain speed at which it is capable of generating a desired inlet air pressure for the charge air supplied to the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Siegfried Sumser, Peter Fledersbacher, Helmut Finger, Manfred Stute
  • Patent number: 6938420
    Abstract: A first compressor (1a) which supercharges intake air is provided in the intake passage (6, 20, 21) of an internal combustion engine (12). The first compressor (1a) is driven by the exhaust gas energy of the engine (12). A second compressor (2a) driven by an electric motor (2b), and a bypass valve (3) which bypasses the second compressor (2a), are provided in the intake passage (7, 20, 21) between the first compressor (1a) and the engine (12). The bypass valve (3) shifts from the open state to the closed state according to the operation of the second compressor (2a). At this time, the bypass valve (3) starts closing at some time after startup of the second compressor (2a) so that the intake air amount of the engine (12) is not deficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kawamura, Kenichi Fujimura, Ryou Ikegami, Susumu Kubo, Hideharu Kadooka, Naoki Mishima, Motoyuki Hattori, Satoshi Shimada
  • Patent number: 6931850
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an electric motor and a transmission. A turbocharger is in fluid communication with the internal combustion engine. Moreover, a generator is mechanically coupled to the turbocharger and thereby driven by exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The generator can provide electricity to the motor and/or a battery while simultaneously providing altitude compensation for the internal combustion engine so that the internal combustion engine output remains at the same power and efficiency as altitude and environmental conditions change. The turbocharger can also be used for power boost if desired. The exhaust gas driven generator system can be deployed in conventional vehicles as well to charge the battery and/or power electrical accessories, thereby replacing the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the Univesity of California
    Inventors: Andrew A. Frank, Thomas E. Darlington
  • Patent number: 6922996
    Abstract: An electrical booster in an internal combustion engine with an exhaust gas turbocharger is activated so that the electrical booster is connected with the minimum possible power consumption. The connection of the electric booster depends on the power balance, the electric booster being activated when the instantaneously available compressor power of the exhaust gas turbocharger is insufficient to provide the necessary power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dietmar Ellmer, Michael Stürtz, Markus Teiner
  • Patent number: 6922995
    Abstract: In an intake passage (1) of an internal combustion engine (8), a compressor (4) combined with an electric motor/generator (4a) is provided. A bypass valve (6) connecting upstream and downstream portions of the intake passage (1) to bypass the compressor (4) is further provided. When a required intake air flow rate of the engine (8) is smaller than a threshold value, the engine (8) operates by natural aspiration of intake air and the electric motor/generator (4a) generate electric power by using rotational energy of the compressor (4) which rotates due to the flow of intake air. By increasing the opening of the bypass valve (6) as the required intake air flow rate diverges from the discharge flow rate of the compressor (4) the intake air flow rate is accurately controlled while satisfying the power generation requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kawamura, Kenichi Fujimura, Hideharu Kadooka, Susumu Kubo, Motoyuki Hattori, Naoki Mishima
  • Patent number: 6907867
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine has a supercharger connected to an intake passage of the internal combustion engine and driven by a motor, a bypass passage which is provided for the intake passage in such a manner as to bypass the supercharger, flow amount adjustment device which arbitrarily adjusts a flow amount of air flowing through the bypass passage, and controller which controls the motor and the flow amount adjustment device. The flow amount adjustment device is electrically driven. The controller stops the supercharger from performing supercharging after driving the flow amount adjustment device and starting suction of air via the bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Igarashi, Koichi Akita, Shoji Sasaki, Hiromasa Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6889503
    Abstract: A charged internal combustion engine (1) having at least one stage of charging by a turbocharger (3), in which at least one supplemental compressor (4) is connected parallel to or in series with the turbocharger, and in which the supplemental compressor (4) has a drive independent from the working medium cycle of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Patric Hoecker, Stefan Münz, Jens-Wolf Jaisle
  • Patent number: 6883324
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine in accordance with the invention includes a supercharger, a bypass passage, a flow amount adjustment device, an operational state detection portion, and a driving time determination portion. The supercharger is connected to an intake passage of an internal combustion engine and is driven by a motor. The bypass passage is provided for the intake passage in such a manner as to bypass the supercharger. By being driven electrically, the flow amount adjustment device can arbitrarily adjust a flow amount of air flowing through the bypass passage. The operational state detection portion detects an operational state of the internal combustion engine. The driving time determination portion determines a time at which the flow rate adjustment device is driven based on a result of detection performed by the operational state detection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Igarashi, Koichi Akita, Shoji Sasaki, Hiromasa Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6880337
    Abstract: A control device for a turbocharger with an electric motor includes a turbocharger which is provided along with an internal combustion engine and supercharges air taken in the internal combustion engine using a compressor; an electric motor which can increase a supercharging pressure by running the compressor of the turbocharger; and a controller. The controller calculates a base amount of electric power to be supplied to the electric motor based on a target supercharging pressure and an actual supercharging pressure, decides an amount of electric power to be supplied to the electric motor, controls the electric motor based on the decided amount of electric power to be supplied, and sets the amount of electric power to be supplied to a maximum amount of electric power regardless of the calculated base amount of electric power when high supercharging responsiveness by the turbocharger is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kei Masuda
  • Patent number: 6871499
    Abstract: Turbocharger control systems used with electric assist turbochargers include an electric motor for controlling turbocharger operation. The system comprises an oil pressure sensor attached to the turbocharger for sensing oil pressure for lubricating a shaft bearing assembly. The pressure sensor provides oil pressure information to a control system that controls the operation of the electric motor and/or other operating parameters of the turbocharger and/or the vehicle. The control system regulates operation of the electric motor during operating conditions where a low oil pressure condition is detected when compared to a predetermined minimum. The control system reactivates the electric motor once a desired minimum oil pressure has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell Interntional, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Allen, Gerhard E. Delf, Rhett Hedrick, Daniel Black, Kevin Birch
  • Patent number: 6871498
    Abstract: Systems for preventing/controlling compressor surge in an electrically assisted turbocharger comprise a turbocharger having an electric motor disposed around a turbocharger shaft. The electric motor controller is electrically coupled to the electric motor for controlling the rotational movement provided by the electric motor to the turbocharger shaft. A memory is electrically coupled to the electric motor controller and comprises a multi-dimensional map of compressor surge conditions stored therein. Sensors are used to provide desired engine and/or turbocharger operating information for comparing against the stored map data. The sensors are electrically coupled to the electric motor controller. The controller plots the actual operating information provided by the sensors on the stored map to evaluate whether the turbocharger is operating in different operating regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Allen, Rhett Hedrick, Gerhard E. Delf, Daniel Black, Kevin Birch