Turbocharged Engine Intake Opening Device for Faster Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Internal combustion engines in electrical power supplies, particularly in emergency settings, face challenges in quickly reaching synchronization speed and recovering from load drops due to turbocharger restrictions during startup and no-load conditions.

Innovation Solution

An opening device is implemented to allow the high pressure side of the air intake system to open to atmosphere during startup, enabling the engine to breathe at atmospheric pressure and reducing turbocharger restriction, thereby enhancing turbocharger behavior during load conditions and facilitating quicker speed recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the turbocharger compressor is used during startup and no-load conditions, then the engine can operate as a suction engine with improved air intake, but the compressor acts as a restriction that slows down the engine's ability to reach synchronization speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair intake efficiencyVSAvoidsynchronization speed attainment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The air intake system dynamically switches between two configurations: during startup and no-load conditions, the opening device allows atmospheric pressure intake to avoid compressor restriction; during load conditions, the compressor is activated to provide pressurized air. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing air intake for each operational phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter of the air intake by switching between atmospheric pressure (during startup) and compressor pressurized air (during load). This parameter change allows the engine to overcome the compressor restriction during critical speed attainment phases while still benefiting from pressurized air when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the turbocharger is designed for optimal load conditions, then high specific power is achieved, but the compressor creates restriction during startup and no-load phases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecific powerVSAvoidstartup operation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air intake operation is segmented into distinct phases: startup phase using atmospheric pressure intake, and load phase using compressor pressurized air. The opening device enables this segmentation by providing an alternative air intake path during startup, allowing the turbocharger to be optimized for load conditions without compromising startup performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The opening device acts as an intermediary element that provides an alternative air intake path during startup conditions. This mediator allows the engine to bypass the compressor restriction temporarily, enabling smooth startup while preserving the turbocharger's optimal design for load conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If the engine operates with the compressor during startup, then pressurized air is provided, but the time to reach synchronization speed increases due to the restriction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair supplyVSAvoidtime to synchronization speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

During startup, the opening device is activated in advance to provide unrestricted atmospheric pressure air intake, allowing the engine to quickly overcome inertia and reach synchronization speed. Once synchronized and under load, the opening device closes and the compressor takes over to provide pressurized air, ensuring optimal performance throughout the operational sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 allows for quicker attainment of synchronization speed and improved load behavior by reducing turbocharger restriction during startup and ensuring efficient air intake, leading to faster recovery of nominal speed after power switching on.

Implementation Method 1

a turbine connected to an exhaust manifold of the engine and a compressor driven by the turbine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbine: Turbine

Implementation Method 2

a compressor driven by the turbine and connected to an intake manifold of the engine for providing the engine with pressurized air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3596323B1Internal combustion engine and generator for electrical power supply
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 LIEBHERR COMPONENTS COLMAR SAS
  • EP3596323B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3596323B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3596323B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides an electrical power supply comprising a generator and an internal combustion engine driving the generator, the engine comprising a turbo-charger with a turbine connected to an exhaust manifold of the engine and a compressor driven by the turbine and connected to an intake manifold of the engine for providing the engine with pressurized air. The present invention is characterized in that the engine has an opening device for opening a high pressure side of the air intake system downstream of the compressor to atmosphere, such that the engine can breath air at atmospheric pressure when the opening device is open.