Exhaust Turbo-Supercharger Unified Casing for Shaft Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exhaust turbo-superchargers experience misalignment of rotating shafts due to thermal expansion, leading to abnormal vibration and reduced reliability, particularly in applications like ships and onshore power generators.

Innovation Solution

The exhaust turbo-supercharger design incorporates a casing that supports both the turbine and compressor units, with the power generator accommodated in a muffler's hollow portion, allowing for compactness and weight transmission through a leg portion, minimizing thermal expansion-induced misalignment and vibration, and enabling the power generator to function as a motor for air forced into the internal combustion engine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate supporting members are used for supercharger and power generator, then individual support is achieved, but thermal expansion difference causes shaft misalignment and vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaft alignment stabilityVSAvoidsupporting member structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the supporting members for both the supercharger and power generator into a single integrated supporting member. This unified structure supports both rotating shafts and ensures they expand uniformly with temperature changes, preventing misalignment and vibration while reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If power generator is separately mounted, then independent positioning is achieved, but overall device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidsupercharger assembly volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power generator is integrated with the supercharger assembly such that they share a common supporting member and housing structure. This merging of components achieves stable mounting for both units while significantly reducing the overall volume compared to separate mounting arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration prevents misalignment and reduces vibration, enhancing the reliability and thermal efficiency of the supercharger, allowing for stable air intake and improved engine performance.

Implementation Method 1

the supporting member on the supercharger side undergoes large thermal expansion in its longitudinal direction (top-bottom direction) due to the heat of the exhaust gas whereas the supporting member on the power generator side undergoes no thermal expansion due to the heat of the exhaust gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

a turbine unit (3) driven by exhaust gas (combustion gas) (2) guided from an internal combustion engine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy conversion: Heat Engine

Implementation Method 3

a compressor unit (5) driven by the turbine unit (3) to force outside air (4) to the internal combustion engine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2110531B1Exhaust gas turbocharger
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2110531B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2110531B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2110531B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an exhaust turbo-supercharger capable of preventing misalignment of the center of the rotating shaft of a supercharger turbine and the center of the rotating shaft of a supercharger compressor, or, misalignment of the center of the rotating shaft of the supercharger turbine, the center of the rotating shaft of the supercharger compressor, and the center of the rotating shaft of a power generator, due to the heat of exhaust gas; capable of reducing vibration of these rotation axes; and capable of improving the reliability of the entire supercharger. An exhaust turbo-supercharger 1 has a casing 6 that supports a turbine unit 3 and a compressor unit 5. The lower end of the casing 6 constitutes a leg portion 6a, and the leg portion 6a is fixed to a base placed on the floor. A power generator 19 having a rotating shaft 19a connected to a rotating shaft 7 of the turbine unit 3 and the compressor unit 5 is provided.