Parallel Turbocharger and Recovery Turbine Geometry Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbochargers and recuperation turbines designed for series architectures are not optimal for parallel architectures, limiting energy recovery from exhaust gases in drive systems.

Innovation Solution

A method that adjusts the geometric parameters of the turbocharger and recuperation turbine to maximize energy recovery by modifying permeability and flow conditions, ensuring the drive power remains within a desired range to maintain engine performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the geometric parameters of the turbocharger turbine are modified to maximize energy recovery by the recovery turbine, then the power recovered by the recovery turbine increases, but the drive power of the engine may be degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower recovered by recovery turbineVSAvoidengine drive power
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs variable geometry turbines for both the turbocharger and recovery turbine, allowing dynamic adjustment of geometric parameters (such as nozzle area and blade angles) based on operating conditions. This enables the system to adapt to different exhaust flow rates and pressures, maximizing energy recovery while maintaining engine performance across various operating points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent systematically modifies geometric parameters of the turbocharger turbine (permeability, nozzle area, blade angles) and operates across different boost levels to optimize the balance between engine drive power and recovery turbine power. By controlling these parameters, the system achieves maximum energy recovery while ensuring drive power remains within acceptable ranges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If turbochargers and recovery turbines designed for series architecture are used in parallel architecture, then the system can be implemented, but energy recovery is limited due to non-optimal geometric characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparallel architecture implementationVSAvoidenergy recovery from exhaust gases
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifically designs the turbocharger and recovery turbine with geometric parameters optimized for parallel architecture, including specific permeability values, nozzle areas, and blade configurations that differ from series architecture designs. This enables the system to efficiently split exhaust gas flow between the two turbines and maximize energy recovery in the parallel configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The variable geometry capabilities allow the turbine parameters to be dynamically adjusted based on the parallel architecture's specific flow distribution requirements, enabling optimal performance that would not be achievable with fixed geometry turbines designed for series architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 method optimizes energy recovery from exhaust gases in parallel architectures by adapting the turbocharger and recuperation turbine geometry, achieving maximum power recovery while maintaining engine drive power and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a turbocharger having a turbine mounted on the exhaust line to be driven by a first part of the exhaust gases so as to determine a level of engine boost

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbine: Turbine

Implementation Method 2

a recovery turbine mounted on the exhaust line in parallel with the turbocharger to be driven by a second part of the exhaust gases so as to recover power from said second part of the exhaust gases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbine: Turbine

Data Source

PatentEP2986833B1Method for improving the energy efficiency of a drive system
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR SAS
  • EP2986833B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2986833B1 patent drawingFigure 2~8
  • EP2986833B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

The invention concerns a method for improving the energy efficiency of a drive system (10), said system comprising: - an engine (12) provided with an exhaust line (14); - a turbocharger (16) having a turbine (18) mounted on the exhaust line to be driven by a first portion of the exhaust gases so as to determine a supercharging level of the engine; - a recovery turbine (20) mounted on the exhaust line parallel to the turbocharger to be driven by a second portion of the exhaust gases so as to recover power from said second portion of the exhaust gases; said method comprising the steps consisting of: - determining a supercharging level in such a way that the engine delivers a first drive power value; - modifying, in an increasing or decreasing manner, at least one geometric parameter of the turbine (18) of the turbocharger (16) and, for a value of the geometric parameter, determining the power recovered by the recovery turbine (20) and the difference between the drive power value corresponding to said geometric parameter value and said first drive power value; - stopping the modification of the geometric parameter of the turbine (18) of the turbocharger (16) when the power recovered by the recovery turbine (20) reaches a maximum value or when said difference in drive power is higher than a given threshold.