Air Intake Duct Ridge for Turbocharger Swirl and Flow Split
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbocharger systems face issues with airflow direction control, leading to NVH problems and increased costs due to the use of fan blades or diverter devices, and Y-shaped ducts often distribute intake air equally, which may be undesirable.
Innovation Solution
An air intake duct with an elongated ridge feature at the intersection of conduits, allowing controlled airflow distribution and swirl direction to match compressor wheel rotation, eliminating the need for additional components and optimizing airflow to each turbocharger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fan blades or diverter devices are used to redirect airflow direction, then the intake air swirl direction matches the compressor wheel rotation, but additional cost is incurred and NVH issues are created
Solution Approach 1:
The air direction feature is integrated directly into the duct structure at the intersection between conduits, combining the airflow direction control function with the duct itself. This eliminates the need for separate fan blades or diverter devices, reducing device complexity and NVH issues while maintaining reliable airflow direction control
Solution Approach 2:
The air direction feature acts as an intermediary element within the duct that redirects airflow from the common intake air source to the individual conduits leading to each turbocharger. This intermediary structure controls the swirl direction without requiring additional external components
2Reliability
If fan blades or diverter devices are used to redirect airflow direction, then the intake air swirl direction matches the compressor wheel rotation, but NVH issues are created
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the air direction feature into the duct structure, the invention eliminates separate moving parts that would generate noise and vibration. The fixed geometric feature provides stable airflow control without the NVH issues associated with rotating or movable fan blades
3Device complexity
If a Y-shaped duct is designed to provide equal amounts of intake air to each turbocharger, then the duct structure is simple, but the airflow distribution may be undesirable or unnecessary
Solution Approach 1:
The air direction feature creates different airflow characteristics in different local regions of the duct. By positioning and orienting the feature differently for each conduit branch, the duct can provide unequal airflow distribution to each turbocharger while maintaining a simple overall structure. Each local region of the duct is optimized for its specific airflow requirements
4Reliability
If additional components are used to control airflow direction, then the airflow direction is controlled, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air direction feature is formed as an integral part of the duct during the molding process, combining multiple functions into a single manufactured component. This eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble separate airflow control devices, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining effective airflow direction control
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 reduces costs and simplifies the design by ensuring optimal airflow direction without additional components, enhancing performance and reducing NVH issues.
Implementation Method 1
control a swirl direction of the intake air as the intake air travels over elongated ridge and enters each of the first conduit and the second conduit
Data Source
AI summary
An air intake duct configured to provide intake air to a first component and a second component. The duct includes a first conduit that provides the intake air to the first component and a second conduit that provides the intake air to the second component, wherein an air direction feature in the form of an elongated ridge is formed in the air intake duct at an intersection between the first conduit and the second conduit, and the air direction feature is located and oriented in the air intake duct to control an amount of the intake air that is permitted to enter each of the first conduit and the second conduit, and to control a swirl direction of the intake air as the intake air travels over elongated ridge and enters each of the first conduit and the second conduit.