Device for atmosphere conditioning for testing combustion engines, and associated method and use

An atmosphere conditioning device for testing combustion engines, comprising:

• an inflow conduit arranged for being connected at a first end to a combustion engine admission to be subjected to testing and drawing in air from the outer atmosphere through a second end;
• an outflow conduit arranged for being connected at a first end to the exhaust of the combustion engine and expelling exhaust gases into the atmosphere through a second end;
• a first communication conduit which communicates the inflow conduit with the outflow conduit close to their respective first ends, such that the admission of the device is in communication with the exhaust thereof;
• a supercharging turbogenerator arranged in the inflow conduit, the turbogenerator comprising a turbine coupled to a dissipation system for dissipating the energy generated in the expansion;
• a first bypass valve which diverts the air flow in the inflow conduit that circulates towards the turbine, the first bypass valve and the turbine being able to be regulated to obtain desired pressure and air flow values in the inflow conduit;
• a first heat regenerator, consisting of respective first and second heat exchangers in the outflow conduit and in the inflow conduit connected by the same heat transfer fluid circuit, arranged between the supercharging turbogenerator and the first communication conduit, facilitating indirect heat exchange between the exhaust gases in the outflow conduit and the admission air in the inflow conduit;
• a second bypass valve in the outflow conduit together with the corresponding first heat exchanger of the first heat regenerator, regulating the amount of exhaust gases that actually participate in the heat exchange;
• a third heat exchanger in the outflow conduit downstream from the first heat regenerator to cool the exhaust gases to a safe temperature;
• a turbocompressor downstream from the third heat exchanger, charged by turbocompressor charging means, to regulate, together with the turbine and the first bypass valve, the decrease in admission air pressure and admission air flow;
• a first three-way valve connecting the inflow conduit, upstream from the supercharging turbogenerator, with the outflow conduit, between the third heat exchanger and the turbocompressor;
• a second three-way valve connecting the inflow conduit, between the supercharging turbogenerator and the first heat regenerator, with the outflow conduit proximal to the second end thereof;
• a third three-way valve connecting the outflow conduit, between the first heat regenerator and the third heat exchanger, with the inflow conduit, between the first three-way valve and the supercharging turbogenerator;
• and
• a fourth three-way valve connecting the outflow conduit, between the turbocompressor and the point where a conduit from the second three-way valve flows out, and the inflow conduit, between the second three-way valve and the first heat regenerator;
• such that the configuration of the assembly of three-way valves allows the use of the device in a mode for increasing or reducing the inflow air pressure with respect to atmospheric air.

A method for atmosphere conditioning for testing combustion engines by means of an atmosphere conditioning device, comprising the steps of:

• subjecting inflow atmospheric air to a pressure variation step;
• subjecting inflow air to a first temperature variation step;
• diverting inflow air towards the outlet to directly communicate exhaust gases with inflow air;
• introducing inflow air subjected to independent pressure and temperature variations in the admission of an engine to be subjected to testing;
• reducing the temperature of the exhaust gases to a safe temperature for the passage thereof through a turbocompressor;
• and
• expelling exhaust gases from the engine subjected to testing into the atmosphere;
• wherein the inflow air pressure variation step is performed by means of the combined action of a turbocompressor, a turbine and a bypass valve regulating the amount of inflow air.