Turbo Boost Control Before Gearshift to Prevent Surge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preventing turbo surge in internal combustion engine systems are inadequate, particularly during gearshifts, leading to potential damage and unpleasant sounds, and do not effectively manage power cut-offs.

Innovation Solution

A proactive method that determines the risk of turbo surge before gearshift by analyzing current and target engine conditions, and if necessary, reduces boost pressure through actuators to avoid surge and shorten power cut-off time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If gearshift is initiated during high torque and high boost pressure operation, then productivity is improved through faster gear changes, but turbo surge occurs causing damage and unpleasant sound

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegearshift speedVSAvoidturbocharge system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system determines the risk of turbo surge before the gearshift is initiated and proactively lowers boost pressure in advance. This preliminary action prevents the harmful condition from occurring while allowing the gearshift to proceed, resolving the contradiction between fast gear changes and turbocharge system reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies a counter-action by lowering boost pressure before the gearshift event that would otherwise cause turbo surge. This preliminary anti-action neutralizes the harmful effect in advance, enabling both fast gearshifts and reliable turbocharge operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Loss of time

If accelerator pedal is released suddenly during high torque and high boost pressure operation, then loss of time is reduced through quick response, but turbo surge occurs causing damage and unpleasant sound

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidturbocharge system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system prepares by lowering boost pressure in advance when it detects conditions that could lead to turbo surge upon accelerator release. This preliminary action allows for quick response without causing damage, resolving the contradiction between fast response and turbocharge system reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system cushions against potential turbo surge by proactively reducing boost pressure before the harmful event can occur. This beforehand cushioning protects the turbocharge system while maintaining quick response capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If boost pressure is lowered reactively after surge detection, then turbo surge damage is prevented, but power cut off time during gearshift is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturbocharge system protectionVSAvoidpower cut off time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By lowering boost pressure before gearshift initiation rather than reactively after surge detection, the system eliminates the need for extended power cut off time. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by preventing turbo surge while maintaining short power cut off duration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system uses feedback from detecting upcoming gearshift conditions and current boost pressure levels to make proactive adjustments. This feedback mechanism enables timely boost pressure reduction that prevents turbo surge without extending power cut off time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Effectively prevents turbo surge and reduces power cut-off duration by anticipating and managing engine conditions, allowing faster torque and speed changes during gearshifts.

Implementation Method 1

a turbocharging arrangement configured to provide a boost pressure of air fed to the internal combustion engine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a turbocharging arrangement configured to provide a boost pressure of air fed to the internal combustion engine; a turbine that in turn is driven by exhaust gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbine: Turbine

Data Source

PatentEP4435247B1A method for controlling an internal combustion engine system
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4435247B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4435247B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4435247B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for controlling an internal combustion engine system (1) so as to avoid turbo surge and/or shorten power cut off during gearshift, wherein the internal combustion engine system (1) comprises: an internal combustion engine (2) and a gearbox (3) operatively connected to the internal combustion engine (2); a turbocharging arrangement (4) configured to provide a boost pressure of air fed to the internal combustion engine (2); and a control system (5) configured to control operation of the internal combustion engine system (1), the method comprising: providing information about i) a point of time for initiating an upcoming gearshift (ti), ii) a target engine speed after the upcoming gearshift, iii) a target engine torque after the upcoming gearshift, and iv) current operation conditions of the internal combustion engine system (1); determining, based on said information and before the upcoming gearshift is initiated, whether there is a risk of having turbo surge during the upcoming gearshift; and, if such a risk is determined, lowering the boost pressure before initiating the upcoming gearshift.