Compressor Bypass Turbine-Generator for Surge Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbocharging engines face issues with compressor surge, leading to noise disturbances and performance problems, which are mitigated by compressor bypass valves but result in energy wastage and degraded fuel economy due to recirculation of compressed air.

Innovation Solution

A turbine-generator is positioned in the compressor bypass flow path, allowing controlled recirculation of air through it to recover energy, thereby mitigating surge and improving fuel efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If compressor bypass valves recirculate compressed air from compressor outlet to inlet, then compressor surge is mitigated, but energy is wasted and fuel economy degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor surge mitigationVSAvoidenergy waste from recirculation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful recirculated compressed air, which previously wasted energy, into a beneficial resource by routing it through a turbine-generator. The turbine extracts energy from the recirculating air flow to generate electricity, transforming the energy waste into useful electrical power while maintaining the surge mitigation function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of simply discarding the recirculated air back to the inlet, the system recovers energy from it by passing through the turbine-generator. This recovery process captures the kinetic and pressure energy that would otherwise be lost, converting it to electrical energy for vehicle systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If compressor bypass valve allows unrestricted recirculation, then surge is effectively mitigated, but energy recovery opportunity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor surge controlVSAvoidenergy recovery potential

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The turbine-generator acts as an intermediary device in the recirculation path. It mediates between the compressor outlet and inlet by extracting energy from the air flow while still allowing the air to recirculate for surge mitigation. The control valve serves as another intermediary to regulate flow distribution between the turbine path and direct recirculation path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively recovers energy from recirculated air, reducing compressor surge and enhancing fuel economy by converting the energy into electrical power, which can supplement battery charging and reduce engine load.

Implementation Method 1

a turbine-generator positioned in a bypass flow path of the compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbine: Turbine

Implementation Method 2

generating energy via a turbine-generator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9163555B2Compressor bypass turbine-generator

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Embodiments for a turbine-generator position in a compressor bypass flow path are presented. In one example, a method for an engine having a compressor comprises generating energy via a turbine-generator positioned in a bypass flow path of the compressor. In this way, the energy of the recirculated intake air may be recovered by the turbine-generator.