Variable Geometry Turbine Nozzle Cambered Sliding Vane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing variable geometry turbines in turbochargers face issues such as increased aerodynamic flow loss due to sub-optimal angles of incidence caused by sliding vane intrusion and packaging challenges, as well as shock wave-induced excitation during engine braking, which limits the exhaust braking power of turbocharged engines.

Innovation Solution

An annular turbine nozzle design with cambered sliding surfaces is introduced, where the sliding vane slides along a curved path defined by the cambered surfaces of the stationary and sliding surfaces, reducing radial displacement and exposing a flow disrupting feature to reduce shock wave intensity during engine braking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If sliding vane is used to vary nozzle geometry, then turbine speed and boost pressure can be controlled, but aerodynamic flow loss increases due to sub-optimal angles of incidence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturbine speedVSAvoidaerodynamic flow loss

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by designing cambered sliding surfaces instead of planar surfaces. The cambered surfaces create a curved path for the sliding vane, which maintains optimal angles of incidence for the exhaust gas flow across the turbine blades, thereby reducing aerodynamic flow losses while still enabling turbine speed control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the sliding surfaces from planar to cambered (curved). This parameter change allows the sliding vane to follow a curved trajectory that optimizes the flow angle throughout its range of motion, resolving the contradiction between maintaining power control and reducing aerodynamic losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If sliding vane travels on planar surface, then nozzle geometry can be varied, but radial displacement is large leading to packaging challenges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle geometry variationVSAvoidradial displacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cambered sliding surfaces create a curved path that reduces the radial displacement of the sliding vane. By following a curved trajectory rather than a straight radial path, the sliding vane achieves the same nozzle geometry variation with reduced radial travel distance, solving the packaging challenge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Power

If exhaust flow is constricted during engine braking, then exhaust braking power increases, but shock waves are generated causing blade excitation and fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust braking powerVSAvoidshock wave excitation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful shock wave phenomenon into a beneficial effect by using the cambered surfaces to deliberately generate controlled shock waves during engine braking. These controlled shock waves increase exhaust braking power while the cambered geometry manages the shock wave characteristics to reduce harmful blade excitation and fatigue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 maintains a desired angle of incidence while reducing aerodynamic flow losses and packaging burdens, enhancing turbine efficiency and exhaust braking power by minimizing shock wave excitation on the turbine blades.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCambered sliding surfaces:

Implementation Method 2

shock wave-induced excitation during engine braking, which limits the exhaust braking power of turbocharged engines

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock wave: Shock Wave

Data Source

PatentUS10519799B2Systems and methods for a variable geometry turbine nozzle

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Various systems and methods are described for a variable geometry turbine. In one example, a nozzle vane includes a stationary having a first cambered sliding surface and a sliding vane having a second cambered sliding surface where the second cambered sliding surface includes a flow disrupting feature in contact with the first sliding cambered surface. The sliding vane may be positioned to slide in a direction from substantially tangent along a curved path to an inner circumference of the turbine nozzle and selectively uncover the flow disrupting feature.