Turbocharged Engine Exhaust Valve Linkage for Single-Actuator EGR Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine systems for heavy-duty vehicles with multiple actuators controlling exhaust valves and recirculation are costly, cumbersome, and prone to failure.

Innovation Solution

An engine system with a single actuator and a kinematic chain to operate multiple valves, including proportional exhaust and recirculation valves, allowing for efficient switching between configurations using a single actuator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple actuators are used to control exhaust valves and recirculation valves, then precise control of exhaust gas flow is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidnumber of actuators

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple actuator functions into a single actuator that controls both the proportional recirculation valve and the proportional exhaust valves. This single actuator integrates the control of exhaust gas recirculation and exhaust flow management, reducing the total number of actuators from three to one while maintaining precise control capability through a unified control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single actuator is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple control tasks: it operates the proportional recirculation valve to control exhaust gas recirculation flow, and simultaneously operates both proportional exhaust valves to control exhaust gas flow to the turbocharger. This universal actuator replaces multiple specialized actuators, reducing system complexity while preserving control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple actuators are used to control exhaust valves and recirculation valves, then precise control of exhaust gas flow is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple actuator functions into a single actuator that controls both the proportional recirculation valve and the proportional exhaust valves. This single actuator integrates the control of exhaust gas recirculation and exhaust flow management, reducing the total number of actuators from three to one while maintaining precise control capability through a unified control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single actuator is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple control tasks: it operates the proportional recirculation valve to control exhaust gas recirculation flow, and simultaneously operates both proportional exhaust valves to control exhaust gas flow to the turbocharger. This universal actuator replaces multiple specialized actuators, reducing system complexity while preserving control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If multiple actuators are used to control exhaust valves and recirculation valves, then precise control of exhaust gas flow is achieved, but system compactness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidsystem compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple actuator functions into a single actuator that controls both the proportional recirculation valve and the proportional exhaust valves. This single actuator integrates the control of exhaust gas recirculation and exhaust flow management, reducing the total number of actuators from three to one while maintaining precise control capability through a unified control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single actuator is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple control tasks: it operates the proportional recirculation valve to control exhaust gas recirculation flow, and simultaneously operates both proportional exhaust valves to control exhaust gas flow to the turbocharger. This universal actuator replaces multiple specialized actuators, reducing system complexity while preserving control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260028951A1Engine system

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

An engine system comprises an internal combustion engine with two sets of cylinders, a turbocharger, two exhaust conduits providing fluid communication between the turbocharger and the exhaust of the sets of cylinders, and an exhaust gas recirculation system comprising a recirculation valve. Two proportional exhaust valves are adapted to control a flow of exhaust gas in the two exhaust conduits. In a first configuration, the two exhaust valves are open and the recirculation valve is closed. In a second configuration, a first of the two exhaust valve is in its closed position. The engine system comprises an actuator and a kinematic chain to operate at least two valves among the three valves. A first movement of the actuator operates each of the two valves and a second movement of the actuator operates only one of the two valves.