Compressor Trim Control for Deceleration Relief Whine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Internal combustion engines experience instability and noise issues due to backflow of compressed gas during transitions from acceleration to deceleration, leading to vibration excitation and hissing sounds, which existing solutions like bypass air systems and sound-absorbing elements are costly and space-consuming.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a trim control mechanism with a trimmer to variably cover the inlet cross-section of the compressor impeller, adjusting it during load removal to prevent backflow and minimize vibration excitation, combined with a throttle valve control to manage gas flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a bypass air system is integrated into the compressor to avoid hissing sound during pressure relief, then the noise issue is resolved, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehissing noise during pressure reliefVSAvoidbypass air system with bypass valve
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful backflow phenomenon by removing the marginal section of the inlet cross-section where backflow occurs. The trimmer covers the outer 10-30% of the inlet cross-section, taking out the problematic flow path and preventing compressed gas from flowing back over the impeller, thereby eliminating hissing noise without adding complex bypass systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful backflow effect into a beneficial control mechanism by using the trimmer to deliberately restrict the inlet cross-section. This restriction prevents backflow during deceleration while maintaining or even improving compressor efficiency during normal operation by optimizing the flow distribution over the impeller blades

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If sound-absorbing elements are integrated into the fresh gas line upstream of the compressor inlet to reduce hissing noise, then the noise issue is resolved, but the cost and installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehissing noise during pressure reliefVSAvoidinstallation space for sound-absorbing elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the noise source at its origin by preventing backflow through trimmer control of the inlet cross-section. By covering the marginal section where backflow occurs, the system eliminates the vibration excitation and hissing sound before they can propagate through the fresh gas line, removing the need for downstream sound-absorbing elements and their associated space requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the trim control is adjusted to cover the inlet cross-section during deceleration to prevent backflow, then noise and vibration are reduced, but the compressor efficiency may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration excitation and hissing noiseVSAvoidcompressor efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements dynamic control of the inlet cross-section area through the trimmer, which can be adjusted in real-time based on engine operating conditions. During deceleration, the trimmer covers the marginal section to prevent backflow and reduce noise. During acceleration and steady-state operation, the trimmer opens to maintain optimal flow and compressor efficiency, creating a dynamic adaptation to varying operational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality control by selectively covering only the marginal section (outer 10-30%) of the inlet cross-section while leaving the central flow path open. This localized restriction prevents backflow at the problematic edges without significantly impeding the main flow through the compressor, thereby minimizing the impact on overall compressor efficiency while effectively eliminating noise and vibration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Optimizes engine operation by preventing backflow and reducing noise, maintaining efficiency and reducing costs and space requirements compared to existing methods.

Implementation Method 1

The resulting nozzle effect of the trimmer allows the gas flow to be focused more strongly on the hub-adjacent inlet cross-section of the compressor impeller as the control intervention increases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNozzle effect: De Laval Nozzle

Implementation Method 2

In the compressor of an internal combustion engine, the fresh gas supplied to the engine via a fresh gas stream is compressed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

Above an operating-point-dependent threshold for the incidence, the so-called surge line, the flow separates at the leading edges, and the flow within the compressor becomes unstable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3591187B1Method for operating an internal combustion engine with a trim controller assigned to the compressor
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3591187B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3591187B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3591187B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method for operating an internal combustion engine is provided, wherein the internal combustion engine comprises at least one combustion engine and a fresh gas stream, and wherein a compressor is integrated into the fresh gas stream, to which a trim control is assigned. This trim control allows for variable coverage of a marginal portion of the inlet cross-section of a compressor impeller. In the enabled position (Sn) of the trim control, the marginal portion of the inlet cross-section is relatively little covered, and in the covered position (ST2) of the trim control, it is relatively extensively covered. The trim control is designed to be moved to the covered position (ST2) during the transition from acceleration (Sn) to deceleration (S2) of the combustion engine. This prevents or minimizes the so-called relief whine.