Parallel Turbine Exhaust Architecture for Engine Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines have low efficiency due to thermal and kinetic losses, and the architecture with two turbines connected in series is complex and reduces the efficiency of energy production from burnt gases.
Innovation Solution
The second turbine is connected in parallel to the second exhaust opening of each cylinder, allowing burnt gases to pass through without being disturbed by the first turbine, optimizing energy recovery and simplifying the engine architecture by eliminating the need for load shedding circuits and valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If two turbines are connected in series to recover energy from exhaust gases, then energy recovery is achieved, but the efficiency of the second turbine is reduced due to disturbed gas flow and the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust system is segmented into two separate parallel paths: one path directs exhaust gases through the first turbine (turbocharger) and the other path directs exhaust gases through the second turbine (energy recovery system). This segmentation allows each turbine to operate independently with undisturbed gas flow, maintaining high efficiency while recovering energy from the exhaust stream.
Solution Approach 2:
A flow distribution mechanism acts as an intermediary to divide the exhaust gas flow between the two parallel turbine paths. This intermediary component enables the system to manage the gas flow distribution optimally, ensuring that each turbine receives appropriate flow conditions for efficient operation without the complexity of series connection load shedding circuits.
2Loss of energy
If two turbines are connected in series, then energy recovery is implemented, but valves and load shedding circuits are required to manage low load and reduced speed operations
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust system is divided into separate parallel paths for each turbine, eliminating the need for series connection load shedding circuits. Each turbine operates independently with its own flow path, reducing the complexity of control systems and valves required to manage low load and reduced speed operations.
3Loss of energy
If the second turbine is placed downstream of the first turbine in series, then energy recovery is achieved, but the burnt gases are expanded and disturbed reducing the second turbine's efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust gas flow is segmented into two separate parallel paths, allowing the second turbine to receive fresh, undisturbed exhaust gases directly from the engine exhaust manifold. This prevents the gas expansion and disturbance that would occur in a series configuration, maintaining high efficiency in the second turbine while still enabling energy recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a one-dimensional series arrangement to a two-dimensional parallel architecture, where both turbines operate simultaneously on separate paths. This dimensional change allows independent optimization of each turbine's operating conditions and eliminates the adverse effects of series connection on the second turbine's efficiency.
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 configuration enhances the efficiency of energy recovery and simplifies the engine architecture, allowing high-efficiency operation of the second turbine and reducing the complexity of the system.
Implementation Method 1
a first turbine (32) adapted to drive the compressor (22) in rotation
Implementation Method 2
a second turbine (37) adapted to drive an energy recovery system (80)
Implementation Method 3
compresses the fresh air so that more fresh air can enter the cylinders
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an internal combustion engine (1), comprising: an engine block (10) defining at least one cylinder (11) with a head provided with at least one admission opening (12) as well as first and second exhaust openings (13, 14), an admission line (20) comprising a compressor (22) and leading to each admission opening of the engine block, and an exhaust line (30) starting in each exhaust opening of the engine block and comprising a first turbine (32) for driving the compressor and a second turbine (37) for driving an energy recovery system (80). According to the invention, the second turbine communicates exclusively with the second exhaust opening of each cylinder of the engine block.