Variable Valve Timing Control Arrangement for Turbocharged Piston Engine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbocharged piston engines face inefficiencies at low load operations due to compressor surging, inadequate air supply for self-ignition, and overheating of valves and components resulting from inefficient scavenging.

Innovation Solution

A control arrangement that adjusts the timing of inlet valve opening and closing, utilizing an asymmetric cam nose and a hydraulic medium-filled chamber to advance valve opening and provide a delay function, enhancing scavenging efficiency and cooling at low loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the compressor operates at high pressure ratios to increase charge pressure, then the engine output and efficiency are improved, but the compressor is prone to surging at low load conditions which reduces pressure and flow supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine outputVSAvoidcompressor operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic valve timing control that adjusts the inlet valve opening timing based on engine load conditions. At low load conditions, the valve opens earlier to improve scavenging and prevent compressor surge. At high load conditions, normal timing is maintained to preserve high pressure ratio operation and engine output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter of inlet valve opening dynamically. By advancing the inlet valve opening timing at low load conditions, the scavenging process is improved, allowing the compressor to operate stably without surge while maintaining adequate air supply for combustion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the inlet valve opens later with standard cam timing, then the valve timing is simpler, but at low load situations the cylinders do not receive enough air for self-ignition during compression stroke

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve timing mechanismVSAvoidair supply for combustion
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by opening the inlet valve earlier than the standard cam timing would dictate. This advance opening allows the cylinder to be pre-filled with air before compression begins, ensuring sufficient air quantity for self-ignition even at low load conditions where the turbocharger provides limited boost pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the valve timing is optimized for high pressure charging, then the charging action occurs in shorter time, but the valves and components overheat at low load situations due to inefficient scavenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidvalve temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts valve timing based on operating conditions. At low load conditions, the inlet valve opens earlier to improve scavenging efficiency, which increases cooling airflow through the cylinder and valve components, preventing overheating. At high load conditions, the standard sharp cam timing is maintained to preserve fast charging action and high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the inlet valve open time is extended for better scavenging, then low load cooling is improved, but the peak phase of valve opening must remain unchanged to maintain normal charging characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescavenging efficiencyVSAvoidvalve timing control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making only the initial portion of the valve opening event different from standard timing. The inlet valve opens earlier at the beginning of the stroke to improve scavenging, but the peak opening phase and closing timing remain unchanged to maintain normal charging characteristics. This localized modification achieves improved reliability without fundamentally altering the valve timing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution prevents compressor surging at full loads, improves scavenging efficiency, and allows for independent delay functions, ensuring better engine efficiency and reliability across varying load situations.

Implementation Method 1

a guide member (10) arranged at the lower end of the piston device (9) within the body part (8) and in engagement with and urged by a spring (11) towards a roller (12), which receives its guidance from a cam profile (5') of a cam device (5). The guide member (10) is provided with an auxiliary piston (13) movably fitted within it and which together with the guide member (10) define a chamber (14), into which hydraulic medium can be selectively fed for providing an advance in the time of opening of the inlet valve (3).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2443324B1A control arrangement for gas exchange in a piston engine
Publication Date: 2013.04.17 WARTSILA FINLAND OY
  • EP2443324B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2443324B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2a
  • EP2443324B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a control arrangement for gas exchange in a piston engine adapted between a cam device (5) of a camshaft (4) of the engine (1) and an inlet valve mechanism (6) arranged to open and close the inlet valve (3) in association with a cylinder of the engine, which control arrangement (7) comprises a body part (8), in which a piston device (9) is movably arranged to be in force transmission connection with the cam device (5) and the valve mechanism (6), and a guide member (10) arranged in the body part (8) between the cam device (5) and the piston device (9) to be movably responsive with the movements of cam device (5). The control arrangement includes means for adjusting timing of valve opening of the inlet valve, said means cooperating with said piston device (9).