Multi-Channel Turbine Valve Assembly With Pivotable Fin Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-channel turbines face performance issues due to flow separation in dual-volute designs, leading to inefficiencies and increased packaging and assembly complexities, particularly at high rotation speeds, which can damage the turbocharger and reduce catalyst efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a pivotable fin design for controlling the volute connecting opening, reducing material and weight, requiring less actuation energy, and incorporating a bypass opening to divert exhaust gases, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-channel turbine with dual-volute design is used, then the turbine can handle exhaust gases from multiple cylinders, but flow separation occurs leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine housing is divided into multiple volute channels (first volute channel, second volute channel) that are separated by a divider wall. This segmentation allows exhaust gases from different cylinders to flow through separate channels, preventing flow separation and maintaining performance while preserving multi-channel capability.
2Productivity
If overflow areas are added to connect volute channels, then flow separation is reduced, but packaging complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow area is integrated directly into the divider wall structure, merging the flow control function with the structural separation element. This eliminates the need for separate overflow components and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the ability to control exhaust flow between channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The divider wall serves multiple functions: it separates the volute channels to prevent flow separation, provides structural support to the turbine housing, and incorporates the overflow area to control exhaust flow distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
3Ease of operation
If linear actuators with valve arrangements are used to control overflow areas, then flow control is achieved, but packaging space and assembly processes are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The valve arrangement is extracted from a separate linear actuator assembly and integrated directly into the overflow area of the divider wall. This extraction and integration eliminates the need for separate actuator mounting and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining flow control capability.
4Device complexity
If bypass openings are combined with overflow areas, then control is simplified, but catalyst heating efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass opening and overflow area are positioned at different locations within the turbine housing with different geometric characteristics. The overflow area in the divider wall provides localized flow control close to the volute channels, while the bypass opening provides additional flow paths. This local differentiation allows both functions to operate effectively without compromising catalyst heating.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a valve assembly 10 for controlling a volute connecting opening 324 of a multi-channel turbine 500. The valve assembly 10 comprises a housing portion 300, a valve body 100 and an internal lever 200. The housing portion 300 defines a first volute channel 312, a second volute channel 314 and a volute connecting region 320. The housing portion 300 further comprises a cavity 340. The cavity 340 is separated from the volutes 312, 314 and can be accessed from outside the housing portion 300 via a housing opening 342 which extends from outside the housing portion 300 into the cavity 340. The volute connection region 320 is located between the first volute channel 312 and the second volute channel 314 and defines a volute connecting opening 324. The valve body 100 is inserted in the cavity 340 of the housing portion 300 and comprises at least one fin 120. The internal lever 200 is coupled with the valve body 100 and configured to pivotably move the valve body 100 between a first position and a second position. In the first position of the valve body 100, the fin 120 blocks the volute connecting opening 324.