Throttle Valve Helical Vortex for Compressor Surge Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supercharged internal combustion engines with turbochargers face performance limitations at low speeds due to compressor surge, which is caused by unstable flow and aerodynamic separations, limiting the compression ratio and engine torque.
Innovation Solution
A method that controls the supercharged engine by using a recirculation valve and throttle valve to manage the flow of burnt gases, generating a helical swirling movement at the compressor inlet, which improves stability and postpones compressor surge without additional cost, by adjusting the valve position based on engine operating conditions and stored values of gas flow and compression ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a supercharged engine operates at full load and low rpm, then engine power is improved, but compressor surge occurs causing unstable flow and limiting performance
Solution Approach 1:
A throttle valve is introduced as an intermediary component in the intake duct upstream of the compressor inlet. By controlling the opening position of this valve, the system generates a helical vortex movement that acts as a mediator to repel aerodynamic separations and postpone compressor surge, enabling stable operation at low speeds while maintaining engine power.
2Reliability
If adjustable blades are positioned in the intake channel to generate helical vortex movement, then compressor surge is postponed, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle valve, which is already present in the engine's intake system for other purposes, is made multi-functional by controlling it to generate helical vortex movement. This eliminates the need for separate adjustable blades or dedicated vortex-generating components, thereby preventing compressor surge without increasing device complexity or cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing throttle valve structure is utilized to perform the additional function of generating helical vortex movement. By controlling the opening position of this existing component, the system achieves compressor surge prevention using resources already available in the engine, avoiding additional costs for dedicated means.
3Reliability
If the throttle valve opening position is controlled to generate helical vortex movement, then compressor stability is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system monitors engine operating conditions (such as rpm and load) and automatically adjusts the throttle valve opening position to generate appropriate helical vortex movement. This feedback-based control enables the system to maintain compressor stability across different operating conditions without requiring complex manual intervention or additional control mechanisms.
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 effectively stabilizes compressor operation, improving engine performance by preventing compressor surge and enhancing low-speed performance without increasing costs, by using existing components to control the flow and recirculation of gases.
Implementation Method 1
action is taken on said throttle valve according to a second control mode, to generate a helical vortex movement of the gases admitted to the inlet of said compressor able to improve the stability of the operation of said compressor
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling an internal combustion engine provided with a circuit (38) for recirculating burnt gases that opens into an intake circuit of the engine upstream of a compressor (22) and a throttling butterfly valve (40) disposed at the intake of the compressor. In engine operating conditions that require recirculation of burnt gases, when it is determined that an engine load indicator is below a threshold value, said throttling butterfly valve is operated in order to increase the flow of recirculated burnt gases fed into the engine and, in operating conditions that require little or no recirculation of burnt gases, when it is determined that an engine load indicator is above said threshold value, said throttling butterfly valve is operated in order to generate a turbulent helical movement of the gases fed into the intake of said compressor in order to improve the operational stability of said compressor.