Turbine-Driven Energy Storage for Engine Back Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid electric vehicles currently waste a significant portion of energy through exhaust heat, and existing solutions for energy recovery in hybrid vehicles are inefficient, particularly in managing back pressure and recirculating exhaust gases, leading to increased costs and weight without comprehensive energy recovery across all engine operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
An engine assembly with a turbine-driven energy storage mechanism and an engine control unit that varies energy storage rates to control back pressure, allowing for efficient recovery of waste energy from the exhaust, which can be used to power the vehicle and optimize engine efficiency, eliminating the need for conventional throttle valves and reducing the size of energy storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional hybrid electric vehicle system is used to recover energy during deceleration, then energy recovery is achieved, but the cost and weight of the vehicle increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the turbocharger and energy storage system into an integrated turbo-compounding hybrid system. The turbocharger turbine is directly coupled to the energy storage device, merging two separate functions (turbocharging and energy storage) into a single integrated system, thereby reducing overall vehicle weight and cost while maintaining energy recovery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores energy from the turbine during deceleration, provides torque to the crankshaft during acceleration, and can operate as a standalone power source. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate systems, reducing both weight and cost
2Loss of energy
If a turbine is mechanically coupled to the crankshaft to recover exhaust energy, then energy recovery is achieved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the turbocharger and energy storage system into a single integrated turbo-compounding hybrid system. The turbine is coupled to both the compressor (for turbocharging) and the energy storage device (for hybrid operation), combining two functions into one system and reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be driven by the turbine to generate electrical energy, directly coupled to the crankshaft to provide mechanical torque, or operate independently. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies the overall architecture
3Power
If an intake throttle valve is used to control air flow, then engine output power control is achieved, but energy is wasted through irreversible throttling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical intake throttle valve system with a turbine-based energy recovery system. Instead of using a throttle valve to control air flow (which creates irreversible energy loss), the system uses a turbine to convert exhaust energy into useful work, and the energy storage device to control power delivery, eliminating the throttling loss entirely
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of exhaust energy (which would normally be wasted) into a beneficial force by using it to drive the turbine. The turbine then drives the energy storage device, which in turn controls the engine output power, transforming what was previously a loss into a useful energy source
4Quantity of substance
If a variable geometry turbocharger is used to recirculate exhaust gases, then exhaust gas recirculation is achieved, but additional energy is required and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device serves multiple functions including driving the turbine for energy recovery, providing torque to the crankshaft, and controlling exhaust gas recirculation. By integrating EGR control into the existing hybrid system, no additional energy input is required and system complexity is minimized
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 solution enables the recovery of approximately a third of engine energy under various loads, improving fuel efficiency, reducing the size of energy storage devices, and allowing for simultaneous energy generation and propulsion, while eliminating the need for large electrical machines and alternators, thus enhancing the cost-benefit ratio and package freedom in vehicle design.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine driven in use by the exhaust
Implementation Method 2
mechanically coupled to an electricity generator
Data Source
AI summary
An engine assembly includes an engine control unit, an internal combustion engine having an exhaust, a turbine driven in use by said exhaust, and an energy storage mechanism for storing energy recovered from said exhaust by said turbine, wherein the engine control unit is operable to vary the rate of storing energy in the energy storage mechanism.