Turbocharger Blunt Body Suction Sealing for Shaft Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unwanted leakage of exhaust gases from turbochargers, particularly through clearances in control shaft bores, leads to emissions issues and reduced efficiency due to particulate deposition, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a blunt body with a lumen positioned above the turbine wheel, generating a suction pressure that reduces exhaust leakage by creating a pressure differential, redirecting exhaust flow and minimizing particulate deposition within the control shaft bore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a control shaft bore is used to support the control shaft in a turbocharger, then the turbocharger can operate with proper shaft support and control, but exhaust gases leak through the clearance between the shaft and bore, causing emissions problems and particulate deposition
Solution Approach 1:
A seal member is introduced as an intermediary component between the control shaft and the control shaft bore. This seal member fills the clearance gap, preventing exhaust gas leakage while allowing the shaft to rotate freely. The seal member acts as a mediator that maintains both shaft support functionality and emission control.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is implemented as a flexible sealing ring or lip seal that can deform elastically to maintain contact with the control shaft surface. This flexible structure allows the seal to adapt to shaft rotation and thermal expansion while continuously blocking the clearance path for exhaust gases and particulates.
2Ease of operation
If clearances are maintained in the control shaft bore for smooth operation, then the shaft can rotate with minimal friction, but exhaust leakage increases and particulate matter deposits in the clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member serves as an intermediary that bridges the clearance gap without impeding shaft rotation. It allows the shaft to rotate smoothly while blocking the clearance path, thus maintaining ease of operation while preventing harmful exhaust leakage and particulate deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is designed with specific material parameters (elasticity, friction coefficient, thermal conductivity) that allow it to maintain low friction during shaft rotation while effectively blocking exhaust gases. The seal lip geometry and material selection optimize the balance between rotational smoothness and sealing effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces exhaust leakage and deposition of particulate matter, improving emissions control and turbocharger efficiency by utilizing suction pressure to redirect exhaust flow away from the external environment and minimize frictional losses.
Implementation Method 1
positioned above the turbine wheel in an oncoming exhaust flow stream to provide a reduced pressure to the control shaft bore
Implementation Method 2
generating a suction pressure that reduces exhaust leakage by creating a pressure differential
Data Source
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AI summary
A system can include a turbine housing that defines a turbine wheel space, an exhaust chamber in fluid communication with the turbine wheel space and a control shaft bore that extends from the exhaust chamber to an outer surface of the turbine housing; a blunt body positionable above the turbine wheel space where the blunt body includes an opening and a lumen in fluid communication with the opening; and a suction conduit connectable for fluid communication between the control shaft bore of the turbine housing and the lumen of the blunt body. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.