Turbocharger Vane Guide Section for Uniform Gas Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The non-uniform flow speed distribution of exhaust gas near the trailing edge of a turbine wheel in turbochargers leads to inefficiencies due to centrifugal force causing gas to be biased radially outward, resulting in flow speed imbalances and reduced turbine efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A turbocharger design featuring a vane with a guide section that directs at least part of the gas flow radially inward on the trailing edge side of the turbine wheel, using a convex portion on the pressure surface to guide the gas inward and a concave portion on the leading edge to control the flow, ensuring a uniform gas flow speed distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If gas flows through the scroll flow path and is supplied to the turbine wheel via the nozzle flow path, then the turbine wheel rotates and produces power, but centrifugal force causes the gas to be biased radially outward near the trailing edge of the blade, resulting in non-uniform flow speed distribution and reduced turbine efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The guide section is provided only in the specific region where gas flows radially outward near the trailing edge of the blade. This localized structure modifies the flow characteristics only where needed, without affecting other regions of the turbine wheel, thereby maintaining uniform flow speed distribution and improving turbine efficiency while preserving power output
Solution Approach 2:
The guide section acts as an intermediary structure between the nozzle flow path and the blade trailing edge. It mediates the gas flow by providing a guide surface that redirects the gas flow direction, preventing excessive radial outward movement and achieving more uniform flow distribution before the gas reaches the blade trailing edge
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 design enhances turbine efficiency by reducing flow speed imbalances and gas loss, achieving a uniform gas flow speed distribution near the trailing edge of the turbine wheel, thereby improving overall turbocharger performance.
Implementation Method 1
A centrifugal force acts a result of the rotation of the turbine wheel, and thus the gas may be biased radially outwards as the gas approaches the trailing edge of the turbine wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A turbocharger (10) comprising: a rotating shaft (14); a turbine wheel (12); a turbine housing (31); a scroll flowpath (34) having gas flowing therethrough that rotates and drives the turbine wheel (12); a nozzle flowpath (35) that guides gas radially inwards from the scroll flowpath (34) and supplies gas to the turbine wheel (12); and a vane (53) that adjusts the amount of gas introduced in the nozzle flowpath (35). The vane (53) comprises a guide section (60) that guides the gas flow (F) in the turbine wheel (12) radially inwards.