Turbocharger Turbine Setpoint Limiting for Transient Torque Build-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing turbocharging systems face challenges in maintaining stable combustion efficiency and optimal torque during transient load conditions due to improper management of turbocharger turbine actuator positions, leading to increased exhaust pressure, reduced fresh air intake, and degraded combustion performance.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining a final setpoint for the turbocharger turbine opening based on engine operating parameters, including engine speed and intake pressure, to optimize torque during transient phases without requiring an upstream turbine pressure sensor, applicable to both variable and fixed geometry turbochargers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If the turbine actuator is closed more to increase intake pressure, then intake pressure increases, but exhaust pressure rises faster than intake pressure causing pumping losses to intensify and torque to degrade

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintake pressureVSAvoidpumping losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the turbine actuator position based on real-time detection of transient phase conditions. The system transitions from static actuator positioning to dynamic adjustment, where the actuator position is continuously optimized based on the detected transient state, allowing the system to adapt to changing operating conditions and prevent excessive exhaust pressure buildup during transient phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback control by detecting transient phase conditions and using this information to adjust the turbine actuator position. The system monitors operating parameters, identifies transient states, and feeds this information back to the control unit, which then modifies the actuator position to optimize the balance between intake pressure and exhaust pressure, preventing pumping losses from intensifying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Stress or pressure

If the turbine actuator is closed more to increase intake pressure, then intake pressure increases, but combustion efficiency decreases due to increased residual burnt gases in the combustion chamber

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintake pressureVSAvoidcombustion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the turbine actuator position based on detected transient phase conditions, transitioning from fixed positioning to adaptive control. This dynamic adjustment ensures that during transient phases, the actuator does not close excessively, thereby preventing residual burnt gases from accumulating in the combustion chamber and maintaining combustion efficiency while still achieving the desired intake pressure increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system uses feedback from transient phase detection to regulate turbine actuator positioning. By monitoring operating conditions and identifying transient states, the system feeds this information back to adjust the actuator position, preventing excessive closure that would trap residual burnt gases and degrade combustion efficiency, thus maintaining reliable combustion performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Stress or pressure

If the turbine actuator is closed more during transient load conditions, then intake pressure increases dynamically, but torque build-up is limited due to poor evacuation of combustion chamber gases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintake pressureVSAvoidtorque build-up
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the turbine actuator based on real-time detection of transient phase conditions. Instead of allowing excessive actuator closure during transient load conditions, the system dynamically adjusts the actuator position to maintain optimal exhaust pressure, ensuring proper evacuation of combustion chamber gases and enabling effective torque build-up while still achieving the necessary intake pressure increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback control by detecting transient phase conditions and using this information to regulate turbine actuator positioning. The control unit monitors operating parameters, identifies transient states, and feeds this information back to adjust the actuator position, preventing excessive closure that would impede gas evacuation and limit torque build-up, thus optimizing torque development during transient load conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4229289B1Method for determining a maximum position setpoint for a turbocharger turbine
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4229289B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4229289B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4229289B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for determining a final setpoint (Cf) of a characteristic variable for opening a turbocharger turbine fitted to an internal combustion engine during a transient phase of increasing engine torque, wherein a first setpoint value (C1) of said characteristic variable is determined according to at least one engine operating parameter, characterised in that said first setpoint value (C1) is compared (54) with a predetermined maximum admissible limit value (Pos_max) of said characteristic variable for which it is considered that, for the engine operating parameter value, the increase in engine torque is optimal, and as long as the first setpoint value (C1) is less than the maximum value (Pos_max), the first setpoint value (C1) is used as the final setpoint (Cf), and otherwise the predetermined maximum limit value (Pos_max) is used as the final setpoint (Cf).