Abstract:
Throttle loss recovery (TLR) systems for a spark-ignition engine are described having a turbine (either variable or non-variable) that expands incoming engine air and drives an electrical generator. A bypass passage and bypass valve can allow air to bypass the turbine under certain operating conditions. Control algorithms are employed for controlling the generator load and the valving of the TLR system, such that the generator serves an electrical load only when it is efficient to do so, in particular, only when the generator speed is above a predetermined minimum speed threshold. The control methods also aim to prevent any overspeed excursions of the turbine/generator assembly. In some embodiments there is also a series throttle valve arranged upstream or downstream of the turbine. The control methods include various algorithms for controlling the bypass valve, the VNT (when present), and the throttle valve (when present) under various engine operating conditions and scenarios.
Abstract:
A flow-control assembly may include a fluid conduit and a flow-control valve in the fluid conduit. The flow-control assembly may further include a fluid expansion conduit with an inlet defined at least in part by the fluid conduit and configured to selectively receive flow of a fluid from the fluid conduit. The fluid expansion conduit may further include an outlet in fluid communication with the fluid conduit downstream of the flow- control valve. A rotating fluid expander in the fluid expansion conduit may be configured to expand the fluid and thereby rotate and in some embodiments generate electricity. In a first position flow is substantially blocked. In a second position flow is allowed through the fluid expansion conduit. In a third position flow through the fluid conduit is allowed without necessarily passing through the fluid expansion conduit.
Abstract:
A butterfly bypass valve includes a housing defining a bypass flow passage with a pivotable throttle plate therein. An outer edge of the throttle plate in a closed position is in sealing engagement with a sealing portion of the housing such that the throttle plate restricts fluid flow through the bypass flow passage. The throttle plate is pivotable to an open position to allow fluid flow through the bypass flow passage. A port in the housing allows a portion of fluid passing through the bypass flow passage to be removed when the throttle plate is pivoted to the open position. A predetermined amount of pivoting of the throttle plate toward the open position can occur so as to allow flow through the port, while maintaining the edge of the throttle plate in substantially sealing engagement with the sealing portion so as to substantially prevent flow through the bypass passage.
Abstract:
A single-shaft exhaust gas-driven turbocharger includes two parallel-flow first-stage centrifugal compressors in series with a single second-stage centrifugal compressor, and a one-stage turbine arranged to drive both the first- and second-stage centrifugal compressors via a single shaft on which the compressors and turbine are fixedly mounted. The compressor housing defines from one to a plurality of circumferentially spaced inlet ducts for the second wheel of the first stage, and from one to a plurality of circumferentially spaced interstage ducts leading from a vaneless diffuser of the first stage into the inlet of the second stage.
Abstract:
Throttle loss recovery (TLR) systems for a spark-ignition engine are described having a turbine (either variable or non-variable) that expands incoming engine air and drives an electrical generator. A bypass passage and bypass valve allow air to bypass the turbine under certain operating conditions. In some embodiments there is also a series throttle valve arranged upstream or downstream of the turbine. Control algorithms are employed for controlling the generator load and the valving of the TLR system, such that the generator serves an electrical load only when it is efficient to do so, in particular, only when the generator speed is above a predetermined minimum speed threshold. The control methods also aim to prevent any overspeed excursions of the turbine/generator assembly. The control methods include various algorithms for controlling the bypass valve, the VNT (when present), and the throttle valve (when present) under various engine operating conditions and scenarios.
Abstract:
Throttle loss recovery (TLR) systems for a spark-ignition engine are described having a turbine (either variable or non-variable) that expands incoming engine air and drives an electrical generator. A bypass passage and bypass valve can allow air to bypass the turbine under certain operating conditions. Control algorithms are employed for controlling the generator load and the valving of the TLR system, such that the generator serves an electrical load only when it is efficient to do so, in particular, only when the generator speed is above a predetermined minimum speed threshold. The control methods also aim to prevent any overspeed excursions of the turbine/generator assembly. In some embodiments there is also a series throttle valve arranged upstream or downstream of the turbine. The control methods include various algorithms for controlling the bypass valve, the VNT (when present), and the throttle valve (when present) under various engine operating conditions and scenarios.
Abstract:
A turbomachinery device operable in either a compressor mode or a turbine mode. The device includes an impeller that rotates in the same direction in both modes, and the general flow direction remains the same in both modes. An inlet flow-guiding device may be included to direct fluid into the impeller. The impeller is coupled to a motor/generator, which operates as a motor to add power to the impeller in the compressor mode, and as a generator in the turbine mode to extract mechanical power from the impeller and convert it into electrical power. An outlet flow-guiding device may also be included. The inlet and outlet flow-guiding devices can be inlet and outlet guide vanes that are variable in setting angle or are extendable and retractable into and out of the flow path, or can be other types of flow-guiding devices.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for managing temperatures associated with a throttle loss recovery system. One exemplary system includes a flow control assembly (102) for recovering energy from a fluid bypassing a flow control valve (106) based on an orientation of the flow control valve (106), a conduit providing fluid communication with the flow control assembly (102) for the portion of the fluid flow (112) bypassing the flow control valve (106), and an electronics assembly (136) including an electronics module (130) coupled to the flow control assembly (102). At least a portion of the electronics assembly (136) is in fluid communication with the portion of the fluid flow (112) bypassing the flow control valve (106), thereby allowing for heat transfer between the electronics assembly (136) and the fluid bypassing the flow control valve (106).
Abstract:
Turbine (126) assemblies, loss recovery systems, and related fabrication methods are provided for managing temperatures associated with an electrical generator (128). One exemplary turbine assembly (124) suitable for use in a loss recovery system includes a wheel (308) configured to rotate in response to a portion of a fluid flow bypassing a flow control valve (106), a generator (128) including a stator assembly (314) disposed about a rotor (316) coupled to the wheel (308) to rotate in response to rotation of the wheel (308), a conductive structure (310) in contact with the stator assembly (314), and an insulating structure (324) radially encompassing the conductive structure (310) and the generator (128). The conductive structure (310) accesses at least a portion of the fluid flow bypassing the flow control valve (106) and impacting the wheel (308), thereby providing thermal coupling between the stator assembly (314) and the bypass fluid flow (114) to transfer heat from the stator assembly (314) to the bypass fluid flow (114) via the conductive structure (310).