Combustion Engine Booster Flap Bypass Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing internal combustion engine systems face challenges in efficiently integrating mechanically or electrically driven compressors into the charge air path, leading to pressure losses and inefficiencies, particularly due to the need for additional bypass components and complex throttle valve arrangements.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an air control/shutdown flap in the charge air line that can completely or partially bypass the mechanically driven compressor, allowing for self-regulating pressure-dependent operation without an additional bypass duct, and enabling the compressor to be integrated or excluded from the air path for optimal gas flow management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanically driven compressor is integrated into a bypass duct with an additional controllable flap, then the compressor can be bypassed when not delivering, but the flap causes a pressure loss in the fresh gas line

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor bypass capabilityVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the air control/shutdown flap function with the bypass control function by positioning the existing air control/shutdown flap in the bypass duct to control gas flow to and from the mechanically driven compressor. This eliminates the need for a separate bypass control flap, thereby removing the additional pressure loss that would be caused by an extra flap in the fresh gas line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The air control/shutdown flap is given multiple functions: it controls air flow to the engine cylinders, controls gas flow to the mechanically driven compressor, and controls shutdown of the engine. By making this single flap universal, the system eliminates the need for dedicated bypass control components that would cause additional pressure losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a three-way throttle valve is used to regulate airflow and exhaust gas recirculation, then both airflow and exhaust gas flow can be controlled, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow and exhaust gas recirculation regulationVSAvoidthrottle valve arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the control functions by using the air control/shutdown flap specifically for controlling fresh air flow and compressor integration, while using separate, simpler throttle valves for exhaust gas recirculation control. This segmentation avoids the complexity of a three-way throttle valve while achieving the same regulatory capabilities through multiple simpler components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamically controllable flaps and valves that can be independently actuated based on operating conditions. The air control/shutdown flap dynamically adjusts bypass flow to the compressor, while separate throttle valves dynamically control exhaust gas recirculation, providing flexible regulation without the mechanical complexity of a three-way valve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the mechanically driven compressor is always integrated into the charge air line, then continuous compression is available, but flow resistance increases when the compressor is not needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous compression availabilityVSAvoidflow resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the compressor integration dynamic by using the air control/shutdown flap to control whether gas flow passes through the mechanically driven compressor or bypasses it. When compression is needed, the flap directs flow through the compressor; when not needed, the flap bypasses the compressor, thereby eliminating unnecessary flow resistance while maintaining continuous compression availability when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the mechanically driven compressor from the mandatory flow path by providing a bypass route controlled by the air control/shutdown flap. This allows the compressor to be removed from the active flow path when its compression function is not needed, eliminating the flow resistance it would otherwise impose on the fresh gas line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 reduces flow resistance, eliminates the need for additional bypass components, and allows for precise control of gas flow, enhancing engine efficiency and preventing unwanted engine operation by using a single flap for both regulation and shutdown functions.

Implementation Method 1

a gas mass flow in the charge air line is conducted completely or partially via the mechanically driven compressor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

allowing for self-regulating pressure-dependent operation without an additional bypass duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-dependent flow regulation: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3141735B1Combusion engine with booster
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3141735B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3141735B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3141735B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an internal combustion engine with a fresh gas line (14) for supplying fresh gas to the working cylinders (12) of the internal combustion engine, wherein, in the fresh gas line (14), a mechanically driven compressor (26) is arranged in a charge air section (22) next to a preferably provided compressor (20) of a charging device, and then downstream of the compressor (20) of the charging device. An air control/shut-off flap (24) is arranged in the charge air section (22) such that, depending on the position of the air control/shut-off flap (24), a gas mass flow in the charge air section (22) flows completely or partially over or past the mechanically driven compressor (26).