Supercharger Pump Pressure Control for Engine Fuel Economy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supercharged engines face a challenge in maximizing fuel economy due to the mechanical linkage of the supercharger to the engine's crankshaft, which consumes engine power and affects vehicle efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that control an electronic throttle and a supercharger bypass valve to minimize pressure across the supercharger pump by determining a desired manifold pressure and setting either the throttle or the bypass valve to a predetermined position, while controlling the other to achieve optimal air flow and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the supercharger pump is driven by the engine crankshaft to force high volume air into cylinders, then the engine output power is improved, but the fuel economy deteriorates due to engine power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the bypass valve to adjust the pressure differential across the supercharger pump based on operating conditions. By dynamically modulating the bypass valve position, the system optimizes the balance between power delivery and energy consumption, allowing the pump to operate more efficiently under varying load conditions rather than maintaining a fixed mechanical linkage configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the supercharger pump by controlling the bypass valve to minimize the pressure differential across the pump. This parameter optimization reduces the work required by the pump while maintaining sufficient air flow to the cylinders, thereby improving fuel economy without completely sacrificing power output
2Productivity
If the supercharger pump forces additional oxygen mass into cylinders to burn more fuel, then the volumetric efficiency is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the operating parameters of the supercharger system by controlling the bypass valve to minimize the pressure differential across the pump. This allows the system to achieve the required volumetric efficiency with reduced power consumption by operating the pump at more efficient pressure differentials rather than maintaining high pressure differentials at all times
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control where the controller monitors operating conditions and adjusts the bypass valve position accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain optimal volumetric efficiency while minimizing power consumption by adapting to changing engine load and speed conditions
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 approach effectively minimizes power consumption by the supercharger pump, enhancing fuel economy while delivering the required air flow for engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
A supercharger (also known as a blower, positive displacement pump or a centrifugal pumper) can be used to increase engine output power by forcing a relatively high volume of air into the engine's cylinders
Implementation Method 2
controlling the other of the throttle or the bypass valve to minimize pressure across the supercharger pump
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for minimizing the power consumed by a supercharger pump in an engine system. The methods and systems minimize the delta pressure across the pump with a control strategy for positioning the electronic throttle and supercharger bypass valve in a coordinated manner to deliver the required amount of fresh air flow into engine (i.e., the air flow associated with the driver's requested torque), while, at the same time, minimizing the power consumed by the supercharger pump for best fuel economy.