Ported Shroud Geometry for Turbocharger Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbochargers generate unacceptable noise during maximum airflow conditions due to turbulence and interaction between incoming air and the rotating compressor wheel, which existing designs fail to adequately minimize.
Innovation Solution
A compressor housing with a shroud portion that surrounds the compressor wheel, a recirculation cavity between the shroud and housing surfaces, and an angled shroud support to reduce turbulence by directing airflow through a recirculation slot, minimizing noise and improving airflow attachment time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the compressor wheel rotates at high speed to maintain turbocharger efficiency, then the air compression performance is improved, but the noise level increases due to turbulence and airflow interaction with the compressor wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow path is segmented into multiple pathways: a primary pathway through the compressor wheel and a secondary recirculation pathway through the recirculation cavity and slot. This segmentation allows portion of the airflow to bypass the high-noise interaction zone, reducing overall noise while maintaining compression efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation cavity acts as an intermediary element that receives airflow from the inlet, redirects it through the recirculation slot, and delivers it to the compressor wheel. This intermediary pathway allows noise reduction by providing an alternative, quieter route for a portion of the airflow
2Productivity
If multiple airflow pathways are incorporated to improve turbocharger performance, then the airflow conditions are optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation cavity is merged with the compressor housing structure, and the recirculation slot is integrated into the shroud portion. This merging of components allows multiple airflow pathways to be achieved without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the additional pathways utilize existing structural spaces
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 effectively reduces airflow turbulence and noise by directing airflow through a recirculation cavity and slot, enhancing the interaction with the compressor wheel and reducing noise generation while maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the recirculation cavity may be in fluid communication with the inlet portion. Furthermore, a recirculation slot may define an airflow pathway between the recirculation cavity and the compressor wheel. Additionally, the compressor housing may include an angled shroud support extending radially through the recirculation cavity from the exterior surface of the shroud portion to the interior surface of the compressor housing. The angled shroud support may be spaced an axial distance away from the recirculation slot to reduce turbulence in the airflow as the airflow moves from the recirculation cavity to the compressor wheel.
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor housing may include a shroud portion which is axially spaced from an inlet portion and configured to at least partially surround the compressor wheel. The compressor housing may be further configured to include a recirculation cavity which is formed between an exterior surface of the shroud portion and an interior surface of the compressor housing. Furthermore, a recirculation slot may define an airflow pathway between the recirculation cavity and the compressor wheel. Additionally, the compressor housing may include an angled shroud support extending radially through the recirculation cavity from the exterior surface of the shroud portion to the interior surface of the compressor housing. The angled shroud support may be spaced an axial distance away from the recirculation slot to reduce turbulence in the airflow as the airflow moves from the recirculation cavity to the compressor wheel.