Variable Geometry Compressor Diagnosis Without Air Recirculation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for adjusting and diagnosing air flow through a variable geometry compressor in turbochargers face challenges due to compressor fan and turbine inertia, leading to inefficiencies and increased engine noise, making it difficult to determine if the compressor is functioning properly without recirculating air flow.

Innovation Solution

An engine operating method that adjusts air flow through the compressor using a flow control device within the air flow path without recirculating air from the outlet to the inlet, allowing for diagnosis of compressor operation while maintaining constant engine speed and load by adjusting the throttle position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If air flow is recirculated from compressor outlet to inlet to adjust flow, then total air flow through compressor is reduced, but device complexity increases and compressor diagnostics become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow adjustment capabilityVSAvoidbypass passage and actuator

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the flow control function from the compressor itself and places it in a separate bypass valve located in the intake manifold. This allows the compressor to be diagnosed independently while still providing air flow adjustment capability through the bypass passage, resolving the contradiction between flow control and diagnostic difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The air intake system is segmented into two independent paths: one through the compressor and another through the bypass valve. This segmentation allows the compressor to operate independently for diagnostics while the bypass valve handles flow adjustment, eliminating the complexity of integrated control within the compressor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If bypass passage is added to recirculate air flow, then air flow adjustment is achieved, but engine noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow controlVSAvoidengine noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass valve acts as an intermediary component that adjusts air flow independently of the compressor operation. By controlling the bypass passage separately, the system can adjust total air flow to the engine without creating the noise associated with air recirculation through the compressor housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If turbine speed is adjusted to control compressor air flow, then compressor flow is regulated, but response time is slow due to fan inertia

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor flow controlVSAvoidresponse speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass valve can be adjusted independently and rapidly to change total air flow to the engine before compressor adjustments are needed. This preliminary action through the bypass passage provides immediate flow control without waiting for turbine or compressor response, overcoming the inertia limitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10934979B2Methods and system diagnosing a variable geometry compressor for an internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for controlling and diagnosing air flow through a compressor without recirculating air flow through the compressor are presented. In one example, a position of an air flow control device located within a compressor housing is adjusted responsive to a request to diagnose flow through the compressor. The diagnostic may be performed while maintaining engine torque and speed.