Butterfly Bypass Valve for Throttle Loss Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing throttle loss recovery systems for internal combustion engines face challenges in controllability, particularly inactivating the turbine during wide-open throttle conditions while activating it for other conditions, leading to complexity, high cost, and difficulty in coordinating air flow through the turbine and bypass passages.
Innovation Solution
A butterfly bypass valve with a pivotable throttle plate and a port configuration that allows controlled air flow between the turbine and bypass passages, enabling selective routing of intake air and mimicking conventional throttle characteristics, thereby improving controllability and reducing system complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pair of valves in parallel or series is used to control air flow to the turbine and bypass passage, then controllability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single valve is segmented into two functional zones: a primary flow passage with a throttle plate for main air flow control, and a secondary port for turbine air flow control. This segmentation allows independent control of bypass and turbine flows within a single valve structure, achieving the controllability of multiple valves without the complexity of coordinating multiple separate valve mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The single valve structure performs multiple functions: it controls total air flow to the intake manifold through the bypass passage, separately controls air flow to the turbine through the port, and provides a sealed closed position that blocks both passages. This multi-functionality within a single valve eliminates the need for multiple separate valves while maintaining full controllability.
2Ease of operation
If a pair of valves is used to regulate turbine and bypass air flow, then air flow control is improved, but coordination difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented to provide separate flow paths: a bypass passage for direct air flow to the manifold and a port for air flow to the turbine. The throttle plate is positioned to seal against a sealing portion that controls both passages simultaneously, ensuring coordinated control without requiring separate actuation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control functions of two separate valves are merged into a single valve assembly. The throttle plate's movement simultaneously controls both the bypass passage and the port, eliminating the coordination complexity of managing two independent valves while maintaining precise control over both air flow paths.
3Reliability
If the throttle plate is sealed against the housing to restrict flow, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing portion of the housing is formed with a curved surface that matches the curvature of the throttle plate's outer peripheral edge. This spherical or curved geometry provides a point or line contact seal that is more tolerant of manufacturing variations compared to flat-to-flat sealing, reducing the precision requirements while maintaining effective sealing when the throttle plate is in the closed position.
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
The butterfly bypass valve provides a more controllable, less complex, and cost-effective solution for throttle loss recovery by regulating air flow through the turbine and bypass passages, effectively responding to driver demands and optimizing engine efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the air destined for the engine intake manifold first passes through a turbine that expands the air and drives an electrical generator
Implementation Method 2
the turbine acts as the throttle during such conditions... drives an electrical generator
Implementation Method 3
a butterfly bypass valve... comprises a housing defining a bypass (or main) flow passage therethrough, and a throttle plate disposed in the bypass flow passage
Data Source
AI summary
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.