Mounting unit for turbocharger rearrangement of a reciprocating internal combustion engine, turbocharger rearrangement and reciprocating internal combustion engine

Abstract

The mounting unit (1, 1') for a turbocharger arrangement of a reciprocating internal combustion engine is provided as a single rigid structure formed by at least a mounting base (6), a high-temperature low-pressure air flow path (2), a low-temperature low-pressure air flow path (3), a high-temperature high-pressure air flow path (4), and a low-temperature high-pressure air flow path (5). At least a low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port (2a) and a high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port (4a) are arranged in the mounting base (6) so that the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet (8b) and the high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet (10b) can be directly connected, respectively, thereby allowing the turbochargers (8, 10) to be physically mounted to the mounting unit (1) simultaneously. The turbocharger arrangement 10 and the reciprocating internal combustion engine are also related.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a turbocharger associated with a reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, and more particularly to a mounting unit for such a turbocharger. The present disclosure relates to a turbocharger arrangement and a reciprocating internal combustion piston engine utilizing such a mounting unit.

Background Art

[0002] Turbochargers are commonly used in connection with reciprocating internal combustion piston engines to increase the amount of intake air available for combustion in the combustion chamber. Briefly, a turbocharger includes a turbine that is rotationally connected to a compressor such that the turbine, driven by exhaust gas, drives the compressor to fill the intake air stream.

[0003] In addition, an arrangement having a plurality of turbochargers connected in series (i.e., in line) is known to be used to further increase the pressure at which the intake air is filled. It is also known to use a plurality of turbochargers connected in parallel to increase the flow rate of the filled intake air.

[0004] However, increasing the number of turbochargers increases the number of ducts required, resulting in a more complex structure in the past, making the assembly and maintenance of both the turbochargers and the ducts associated with them more difficult. Furthermore, access to components near the turbochargers and the ducts associated with them is more restricted, further hindering the assembly and maintenance of the associated engine.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a mounting unit, a turbocharger arrangement comprising such a mounting unit, and a reciprocating internal combustion piston engine comprising such a turbocharger arrangement to mitigate the above disadvantages.

[0006] The object of the disclosure is achieved by an attachment unit, a turbocharger arrangement and a reciprocating internal combustion piston engine having the features set forth in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0007] The disclosure is based on the idea of providing an attachment unit as a single rigid structure formed at least by an attachment base, a high-temperature low-pressure air flow path, a low-temperature low-pressure air flow path, a high-temperature high-pressure air flow path and a low-temperature high-pressure air flow path. Further, at least the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet and the high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet are arranged on the attachment base so that the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet and the high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet can be directly connected, whereby a low-pressure turbocharger and a high-pressure turbocharger are attached to the attachment unit. That is, the attachment unit enables the low-pressure turbocharger and the high-pressure turbocharger to be firmly attached to the attachment unit, and at the same time realizes fluid communication between the high-temperature low-pressure air flow path and the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet and fluid communication between the high-temperature high-pressure air flow path and the high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet.

[0008] As a result, fewer conduits are required, resulting in a simpler structure for the associated turbocharger arrangement and engine. This improves access to the turbocharger or its vicinity, facilitating assembly and / or maintenance.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an attachment unit for a turbocharger arrangement of a reciprocating internal combustion engine is provided.

[0010] In the context of the present disclosure, the terms low pressure and high pressure are used relative to each other. That is, a low-pressure entity is intended to be related to a lower pressure than the corresponding high-pressure entity. Similarly, the terms hot and cool are also used relative to each other. That is, a cool entity is intended to be related to a lower temperature than the corresponding hot entity. For example, a hot low-pressure air flow path is related to air with a relatively high temperature and is intended to be at a lower pressure than a cool high-pressure flow path.

[0011] The mounting unit includes a longitudinally extending hot low-pressure air flow path. The hot low-pressure air flow path includes a compressor outlet port of a low-pressure turbocharger for providing fluid communication between the compressor outlet of the low-pressure turbocharger and the hot low-pressure air flow path. The hot low-pressure air flow path further includes a low-pressure heat exchanger inlet port for providing fluid communication between the hot low-pressure air flow path and the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet. For example, either or both of the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port and the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet port may be provided as respective flanges connected to the associated air flow path.

[0012] The mounting unit further includes a longitudinally extending cool low-pressure air flow path. The cool low-pressure air flow path includes a low-pressure heat exchanger outlet port for providing fluid communication between the low-pressure heat exchanger outlet and the cool low-pressure air flow path. The cool low-pressure air flow path further includes a high-pressure turbocharger compressor inlet port for providing fluid communication between the cool low-pressure air flow path and the high-pressure turbocharger compressor inlet. For example, either or both of the low-pressure heat exchanger outlet port and the high-pressure turbocharger compressor inlet port may be provided as a flange connected to the associated air flow path.

[0013] The mounting unit further includes a longitudinally extending high-temperature and high-pressure air flow path. The high-temperature and high-pressure air flow path includes a high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port for providing fluid communication between the high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet and the high-temperature and high-pressure air flow path. The high-temperature and high-pressure air flow path further includes a high-pressure heat exchanger inlet port for providing fluid communication between the high-temperature and high-pressure air flow path and the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet. For example, either or both of the high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port and the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet port may be provided as a flange connected to the associated air flow path.

[0014] The mounting unit further includes a longitudinally extending low-temperature and high-pressure air flow path. The low-temperature and high-pressure air flow path includes a high-pressure heat exchanger outlet port for providing fluid communication between the high-pressure heat exchanger outlet and the low-temperature and high-pressure air flow path. The low-temperature and high-pressure air flow path further includes an air supply port for providing fluid communication between the low-temperature and high-pressure air flow path and the air supply inlet port of the associated engine. For example, either or both of the high-pressure heat exchanger outlet port and the air supply port may be provided as a flange connected to the associated air flow path.

[0015] The mounting unit further includes a mounting base for most suitably and firmly mounting at least a low-pressure turbocharger and a high-pressure turbocharger to the mounting unit.

[0016] Specifically, at least the mounting base, the high-temperature and low-pressure air flow path, the low-temperature and low-pressure air flow path, the high-temperature and high-pressure air flow path, and the low-temperature and high-pressure air flow path are provided as a single rigid structure. For example, the mounting unit is cast as one piece and then machined as necessary to obtain a flat surface (e.g., the mounting base and ports).

[0017] Most suitably, the air flow paths are arranged parallel to and adjacent to each other in a first lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Next, the mounting base is arranged on the side of the mounting unit in a second lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first lateral direction. In use, it is preferable that the mounting base is arranged on the upper side of the mounting unit.

[0018] Furthermore, at least the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port and the high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port are arranged on the mounting base.

[0019] In this way, the mechanical mounting of the low-pressure and high-pressure turbochargers is achieved simultaneously with the fluid communication between the outlet ports of the turbochargers and their respective air flow paths. Furthermore, since the air flow paths are incorporated into the mounting unit, a less complex physical structure is obtained.

[0020] In an embodiment according to the first aspect, the mounting unit is directly connectable to a second mounting unit such that when connected to the same second mounting unit, fluid communication is obtained between the corresponding air flow paths of the mounting unit and the second mounting unit. That is, when the first mounting unit and the second mounting unit are connected to each other, fluid communication is obtained between their respective high-temperature low-pressure air flow paths, low-temperature low-pressure air flow paths, high-temperature high-pressure air flow paths, and low-temperature high-pressure air flow paths.

[0021] Most preferably, the high-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the low-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the high-temperature high-pressure, and the low-temperature high-pressure air flow paths are arranged parallel to each other, such that at least one, preferably both, of the longitudinal ends of the air flow paths are configured to be directly connected to the longitudinal ends of the corresponding air flow paths of the same second mounting unit, and can be arranged parallel to each other. In such an arrangement, the corresponding air flow paths of the mounting unit and the second mounting unit form a continuous longitudinal air flow path when connected. This allows the mounting units to be successively mounted to form an air flow path of a desired length, and to increase the number of low-pressure and high-pressure turbochargers to obtain a desired mass flow without further complicating the necessary ducts.

[0022] In an embodiment according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, at least the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port, the high-pressure turbocharger compressor inlet port, and the high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port are arranged on the same side of the mounting unit with respect to the air flow path. As a result, while physically mounting the high-pressure turbocharger to the mounting base of the mounting unit, connection between the high-pressure turbocharger and each air flow path can be obtained.

[0023] In an embodiment according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, one or more, preferably all, of the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet port, the low-pressure heat exchanger outlet port, the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet port, and the high-pressure heat exchanger outlet port are arranged at longitudinal ends of the air flow paths related thereto. Thereby, it is ensured that the low-pressure or high-pressure heat exchanger inlet or outlet can be connected to the air flow path related thereto at the longitudinal end of the mounting unit. This is particularly advantageous because there is always a free end to which the heat exchanger can be connected even in an assembly of a plurality of mounting units.

[0024] Although not necessarily so, preferably, an additional low-pressure heat exchanger inlet port for providing fluid communication between the high-temperature low-pressure air flow path and the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet is arranged on the mounting unit on the side opposite to the mounting base with respect to the air flow path in a second lateral direction. Most suitably, such an additional port can be provided at the bottom of the mounting unit during use.

[0025] Although not necessarily so, preferably, an additional low-pressure heat exchanger outlet port for providing fluid communication between the low-pressure heat exchanger outlet and the low-temperature low-pressure air flow path is arranged on the mounting unit on the side opposite to the mounting base with respect to the air flow path in a second lateral direction. Most suitably, such an additional port can be provided at the bottom of the mounting unit during use.

[0026] Although not necessarily so, preferably, an additional high-pressure heat exchanger outlet port for providing fluid communication between the high-pressure air flow path and the high-pressure heat exchanger can be arranged in the mounting unit on the side opposite to the mounting base with respect to the air flow path in the second lateral direction. Most suitably, such an additional port can be provided at the bottom of the mounting unit during use.

[0027] Although not necessarily so, preferably, an additional high-pressure heat exchanger outlet port for providing fluid communication between the high-pressure heat exchanger outlet and the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path can be arranged in the mounting unit on the side opposite to the mounting base with respect to the air flow path in the second lateral direction. Most suitably, such an additional port can be provided at the bottom of the mounting unit during use.

[0028] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the low-pressure high-temperature air flow path and the low-pressure low-temperature air flow path are arranged adjacent to each other, while the high-pressure high-temperature air flow path and the high-pressure low-temperature air flow path are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0029] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the low-pressure high-temperature air flow path and the high-pressure high-temperature air flow path are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0030] In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the high-pressure low-temperature air flow path is arranged at the outermost lateral side with respect to the remaining air flow paths.

[0031] It should be noted that the first aspect of the present disclosure includes, as described above, any combination of two or more embodiments or modifications thereof.

[0032] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, a turbocharger arrangement for a reciprocating internal combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger arrangement includes a first mounting unit that is the mounting unit according to any one of the first aspects of the present disclosure as described above.

[0033] The turbocharger arrangement further includes a first low-pressure turbocharger. The first low-pressure turbocharger includes a compressor inlet connectable to an air supply. The first low-pressure turbocharger further includes a compressor outlet directly connected to the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port of the first mounting unit. Further, the first low-pressure turbocharger is mounted to the mounting base of the first mounting unit.

[0034] The turbocharger arrangement further includes a first low-pressure heat exchanger. The first low-pressure heat exchanger includes an inlet connected to the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet port of the first mounting unit. The first low-pressure heat exchanger further includes an outlet connected to the low-pressure heat exchanger outlet port of the first mounting unit. Further, the first low-pressure heat exchanger is configured to cool a low-pressure air flow between its inlet and outlet. For example, either or both of the first low-pressure heat exchanger inlet and outlet may be directly connected to the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet port and the low-pressure heat exchanger outlet port of the first mounting unit, respectively. Further, either or both of the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet and outlet may be provided at a longitudinal end of the first mounting unit. Optionally, additional low-pressure heat exchangers may be provided naturally.

[0035] The turbocharger arrangement further includes a first high-pressure turbocharger. The first high-pressure turbocharger includes a compressor inlet connected to the high-pressure turbocharger compressor inlet port of the first mounting unit. The first high-pressure turbocharger further includes a compressor outlet directly connected to the high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port of the first mounting unit. Further, the first high-pressure turbocharger is mounted to the mounting base of the first mounting unit.

[0036] The turbocharger arrangement further includes a first high-pressure heat exchanger. The first high-pressure heat exchanger includes an inlet connected to the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet port of the first mounting unit. The first high-pressure heat exchanger further includes an outlet connected to the high-pressure heat exchanger outlet port of the first mounting unit. Further, the first high-pressure heat exchanger is configured to cool the high-pressure air flow between its inlet and outlet. For example, the first high-pressure heat exchanger may be directly connected to either or both of the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet port and the outlet port of the first mounting unit. Further, either or both of the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet and outlet ports may be provided at a longitudinal end of the first mounting unit. Optionally, additional high-pressure heat exchangers may be provided naturally.

[0037] In one embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the first mounting unit is provided as a mounting unit according to one embodiment of the first aspect of the present disclosure or any variation thereof, and the air flow path of the first mounting unit, as described in more detail above, forms a continuous longitudinal air flow path with the corresponding air flow path of the second mounting unit when the first and second mounting units are connected.

[0038] The turbocharger arrangement further includes a second mounting unit provided as a mounting unit according to one embodiment of the first aspect of the present disclosure or a variation thereof, and the air flow path of the first mounting unit, as described in more detail above, forms a continuous longitudinal air flow path with the corresponding air flow path of the second mounting unit when the first and second mounting units are connected.

[0039] Specifically, the second mounting unit is connected to the first mounting unit by the longitudinal ends of the corresponding air flow paths of the first mounting unit and the second mounting unit, respectively, such that the corresponding air flow paths of the first mounting unit and the second mounting unit form a continuous longitudinal air flow path.

[0040] The turbocharger arrangement may further include a second low-pressure turbocharger. The second low-pressure turbocharger includes a compressor inlet connectable to an air supply. The second low-pressure turbocharger further includes a compressor outlet directly connected to the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port of the second mounting unit. Further, the second low-pressure turbocharger is mounted to the mounting base of the second mounting unit.

[0041] The turbocharger arrangement may further include a second high-pressure turbocharger. The second high-pressure turbocharger includes a compressor inlet connected to the compressor inlet port of the high-pressure turbocharger of the second mounting unit. The second high-pressure turbocharger further includes a compressor outlet directly connected to the compressor outlet port of the high-pressure turbocharger of the second mounting unit. Further, the second high-pressure turbocharger is mounted to the mounting base of the second mounting unit.

[0042] The turbocharger arrangement preferably further includes a second low-pressure heat exchanger, although this is not necessarily the case. The second low-pressure heat exchanger includes an inlet connected to the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet port of the second mounting unit. The second low-pressure heat exchanger further includes an outlet connected to the low-pressure heat exchanger outlet port of the second mounting unit. Further, the second low-pressure heat exchanger is configured to cool a low-pressure air flow between its inlet and outlet. For example, the second low-pressure heat exchanger may be directly connected to either or both of the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet and outlet ports of the second mounting unit. Further, either or both of the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet and outlet ports may be provided at a longitudinal end of the second mounting unit.

[0043] The turbocharger arrangement preferably further includes a second high-pressure heat exchanger, although it is not necessarily so. The second high-pressure heat exchanger includes an inlet connected to the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet port of the second mounting unit. The second high-pressure heat exchanger further includes an outlet connected to the high-pressure heat exchanger outlet port of the second mounting unit. Further, the second high-pressure heat exchanger is configured to cool the high-pressure air flow between its inlet and outlet. For example, the second high-pressure heat exchanger can be directly connected to either or both of the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet and outlet ports of the second mounting unit. Further, either or both of the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet and outlet ports can be provided at a longitudinal end of the second mounting unit.

[0044] Note that, as described above, the second aspect of the present disclosure includes any combination of two or more embodiments or modifications thereof.

[0045] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a reciprocating internal combustion engine is provided. The engine includes the turbocharger arrangement according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. Specifically, either or both of the air inlets of the first mounting unit and the second mounting unit are connected to the air inlet of the engine.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0046] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings according to preferred embodiments.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0047] The mounting unit 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a high-temperature low-pressure air flow path 2, a low-temperature low-pressure air flow path 3, a high-temperature high-pressure air flow path 4, and a low-temperature high-pressure air flow path 5. All of these have a tubular cross-sectional shape and extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction. The air flow paths 2, 3, 4, and 5 are arranged adjacent to each other in a first lateral direction parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The mounting unit further includes a mounting base 6 for mounting at least a low-pressure turbocharger and a high-pressure turbocharger to the mounting unit. The mounting base 6 is arranged on the side of the mounting unit 1 in a second lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first lateral direction.

[0048] Specifically, the mounting base 6, the high-temperature low-pressure air flow path 2, the low-temperature low-pressure air flow path 3, the high-temperature high-pressure air flow path 4, and the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path 5 are provided as a single rigid structure. The air flow paths 2, 3, 4, and 5 are arranged parallel to each other and adjacent to each other in a first lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The mounting base 6 is arranged on the side of the mounting unit 1 in a second lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first lateral direction.

[0049] The high-temperature low-pressure air flow path 2 has a low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port 2a provided in the mounting base 6. The high-temperature low-pressure air flow path 2 also has two longitudinal ends 2c, 2d each having a flanged annular end face, and either of them can function as a low-pressure heat exchanger inlet port 2b.

[0050] The low-temperature low-pressure air flow path 3 has two longitudinal ends 3c, 3d each having a flanged annular end face, and either of them can function as a low-pressure heat exchanger outlet port 3a. The low-temperature low-pressure air flow path 3 also has a high-pressure turbocharger compressor inlet 3b provided separately on the same side as the mounting base 6 of the mounting unit 1.

[0051] The high-temperature and high-pressure air flow path 4 has a high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port 4a provided in the mounting base 6. The high-temperature and high-pressure air flow path 4 also has two longitudinal ends 4c, 4d each having a flanged end face, and either of them can function as the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet 4b.

[0052] The low-temperature and high-pressure air flow path 5 has two longitudinal ends 5c, 5d each having a flanged end face, and either of them can function as the high-pressure heat exchanger outlet port 5a. The low-temperature and high-pressure air flow path 5 also has an air supply port 5b that extends in the first lateral direction from the related air flow path 5 that is inclined with respect to the first lateral direction. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the high-pressure cold air flow path 5 is arranged on the outermost side (i.e., the first lateral direction) in the lateral direction with respect to the remaining air flow paths 2, 3, 4, while the low-pressure hot air flow path 2 and the high-pressure hot air flow path 4 are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0053] FIG. 2 schematically shows a perspective view from the side having the mounting base of a plurality of mounting units of FIG. 1 connected to each other, and shows the air supply port 5b. Specifically, this arrangement has a mounting unit 1 connected to the same mounting unit 1' at its longitudinal end.

[0054] Specifically, the high-temperature and low-pressure air flow path 2 is connected to the corresponding longitudinal ends 2c', 2d' of the corresponding low-pressure air flow path 2' at both of its longitudinal ends 2c, 2d in order to form continuous longitudinal high-temperature and low-pressure air flow paths 2', 2, 2'.

[0055] Similarly, the low-temperature and low-pressure air flow path 3 is connected to the corresponding longitudinal ends 3c', 3d' of the corresponding low-temperature and low-pressure air flow path 3' at both of its longitudinal ends 3c, 3d in order to form continuous longitudinal high-temperature and low-pressure air flow paths 3', 3, 3'.

[0056] Similarly, the high-temperature and low-pressure air flow path 4 is connected to the corresponding longitudinal ends 4c', 4d' of the corresponding high-temperature and high-pressure air flow path 4' at both of its longitudinal ends 4c, 4d in order to form continuous longitudinal high-temperature and high-pressure air flow paths 4', 4, 4'.

[0057] Similarly, the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path 5 is connected to the corresponding longitudinal end portions 5c', 5d' of the corresponding low-pressure high-pressure air flow path 5' at both longitudinal end portions 5c, 5d thereof in order to form continuous longitudinal low-temperature high-pressure air flow paths 5', 5, 5'.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of FIG. 2 as viewed from the side of the mounting units 1', 1, 1' on the opposite side of the mounting bases 6', 6, 6. Specifically, FIG. 3 shows that the low-temperature low-pressure air flow paths 3', 3, 3' also include additional low-pressure heat exchanger outlet ports 3e', 3e, 3e' provided on the side of the opposite mounting units 1', 1, 1' of the mounting bases 6', 6, 6'. Similarly, the low-temperature high-pressure air flow paths 5', 5, 5' include additional high-pressure heat exchanger outlet ports 5e', 5e, 5e'. Note that such additional ports may be provided in a single mounting unit 1 even if they are not connected to each other.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a turbocharger arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, it shows how the high-temperature low-pressure air flow paths 2, 2' of the first mounting unit 1 and the second mounting unit 1' are connected to each other at their corresponding longitudinal end portions 2c, 2d' to form a uniform air flow path. Similarly, the low-temperature low-pressure air flow paths 3, 3' are connected at their corresponding longitudinal end portions 3c, 3d', the high-temperature high-pressure flow paths 4, 4' are connected at their corresponding longitudinal end portions 4c, 4d', and the low-temperature low-pressure flow paths 5, 5' are connected to each other at their corresponding longitudinal end portions 5c, 5d'.

[0060] Both the compressor outlet 8b of the first low-pressure turbocharger 8 and the compressor outlet 8b' of the second low-pressure turbocharger 8' are connected to the uniform high-temperature and low-pressure air flow paths 2, 2' by the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet ports 2a of the first mounting unit 1 and the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet ports 2a' of the first mounting unit 1'. That is, both the first and second low-pressure turbochargers supply to the uniform high-temperature and low-pressure air flow paths 2, 2', and then are connected to the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet 9a of the common low-pressure heat exchanger 9 at the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet port 2b provided at the longitudinal end 2d (opposite to the longitudinal end 2c to which the second mounting unit 1' is connected).

[0061] The low-pressure heat exchanger outlet 9b of the common low-pressure heat exchanger 9 is connected to the uniform low-temperature and low-pressure air flow paths 3, 3' formed by the respective air flow paths 3, 3' of the first and second mounting units 1, 1' at the low-pressure heat exchanger outlet 3 formed at the longitudinal end 3d (opposite to the longitudinal end 3c to which the second mounting unit 1' is connected).

[0062] The uniform low-temperature and low-pressure air flow paths 3, 3' are connected to the compressor inlets 10a, 10a' of both the first high-pressure turbocharger 10 and the second high-pressure turbocharger 10' at the high-pressure turbocharger inlets 3b, 3b' of the first and second mounting units 1, 1' respectively.

[0063] The compressor outlets 10b and 10b' of the high-pressure turbochargers are connected to the uniform high-temperature and high-pressure air flow paths 4, 4' at their high-pressure turbocharger outlet ports 4a, 4a'. Further, the inlet 11a of the common high-pressure heat exchanger 11 is connected to the uniform high-temperature and high-pressure air flow paths 4, 4' at the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet 4b formed at the longitudinal end 4d (opposite to the longitudinal end 4c to which the second mounting unit 1' is connected).

[0064] The high-pressure heat exchanger outlet 11b of the common high-pressure heat exchanger 11 is connected to the uniform low-temperature and high-pressure air flow paths 5, 5' at the high-pressure heat exchanger outlet port 5a formed at the longitudinal end 5d (opposite to the longitudinal end 5c to which the second mounting unit 1' is connected).

[0065] Thereafter, the air inlets 5b of the high-pressure air flow paths 5 and 5' can be further connected to the air inlet of the associated engine.

Claims

1. An attachment unit for a turbocharger arrangement of a reciprocating internal combustion engine, the attachment unit comprising: A longitudinally extending high-temperature low-pressure air flow path, A low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port for providing fluid communication between the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet and the high-temperature low-pressure air flow path, and A low-pressure heat exchanger inlet port for providing fluid communication between the high-temperature low-pressure air flow path and the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet, The high-temperature low-pressure air flow path having the same, A longitudinally extending low-temperature low-pressure air flow path, A low-pressure heat exchanger outlet port for providing fluid communication between the low-pressure heat exchanger outlet and the low-temperature low-pressure air flow path, and A high-pressure turbocharger compressor inlet port for providing fluid communication between the low-temperature low-pressure air flow path and the high-pressure turbocharger compressor inlet, The low-temperature low-pressure air flow path having the same, A longitudinally extending high-temperature high-pressure air flow path, A high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port for providing fluid communication between the high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet and the high-temperature high-pressure air flow path, and A high-pressure heat exchanger inlet port for providing fluid communication between the high-temperature high-pressure air flow path and the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet, The high-temperature high-pressure air flow path having the same, A longitudinally extending low-temperature high-pressure air flow path, A high-pressure heat exchanger outlet port for providing fluid communication between the high-pressure heat exchanger outlet and the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path, and An air supply port for providing fluid communication between the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path and an air supply inlet of an engine associated with the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path, The low-temperature high-pressure air flow path having the same, Including, The attachment unit further includes an attachment base for attaching at least a low-pressure turbocharger and a high-pressure turbocharger to the attachment unit, The attachment base, the high-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the low-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the high-temperature high-pressure air flow path, and the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path are provided as a single rigid structure, The high-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the low-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the high-temperature high-pressure air flow path, and the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path are arranged parallel to and adjacent to each other in a first lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, The attachment base is arranged on a side portion of the attachment unit in a second lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the first lateral direction, At least the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port and the high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port are arranged on the attachment base, The mounting unit can be directly connected to the same second mounting unit so that fluid communication is obtained between the corresponding air flow paths of the mounting unit and the second mounting unit when connected. The high-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the low-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the high-temperature high-pressure air flow path, and the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path are arranged parallel to each other. At least one longitudinal end of the high-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the low-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the high-temperature high-pressure air flow path, and the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path is directly connectable to the longitudinal end of the corresponding air flow path of the same second mounting unit so that the corresponding air flow paths of the mounting unit and the second mounting unit form a continuous longitudinal air flow path when connected. A mounting unit.

2. The mounting unit according to claim 1, wherein at least the low-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port, the high-pressure turbocharger compressor inlet port, and the high-pressure turbocharger compressor outlet port are arranged on the same side of the mounting unit with respect to the high-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the low-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the high-temperature high-pressure air flow path, and the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path.

3. The mounting unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet port, the low-pressure heat exchanger outlet port, the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet port, and the high-pressure heat exchanger outlet port are arranged at the longitudinal ends of their respective associated air flow paths.

4. An additional low-pressure heat exchanger inlet port for providing fluid communication between the high-temperature low-pressure air flow path and the low-pressure heat exchanger inlet; An additional low-pressure heat exchanger outlet port for providing fluid communication between the low-pressure heat exchanger outlet and the low-temperature low-pressure air flow path; An additional high-pressure heat exchanger inlet port for providing fluid communication between the high-temperature high-pressure air flow path and the high-pressure heat exchanger inlet, and The mounting unit according to claim 3, wherein one or more of the additional high-pressure heat exchanger outlet ports for providing fluid communication between the high-pressure heat exchanger outlet and the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path are arranged on the side of the mounting unit opposite to the mounting base with respect to the high-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the low-temperature low-pressure air flow path, the high-temperature high-pressure air flow path, and the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path in the second lateral direction.

5. While the high-temperature low-pressure air flow path and the low-temperature low-pressure air flow path are arranged adjacent to each other, the high-temperature high-pressure air flow path and the low-temperature high-pressure air flow path are arranged adjacent to each other. The mounting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The high-temperature low-pressure air flow path and the high-temperature high-pressure air flow path are arranged adjacent to each other. The mounting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The low-temperature high-pressure air flow path is arranged on the outermost side in the lateral direction with respect to the remaining air flow paths. The mounting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A turbocharger arrangement for a reciprocating internal combustion engine including the mounting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A reciprocating internal combustion engine including the turbocharger arrangement according to claim 8.

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