Stored Compressed Air Management and Flow Control for Improved Engine Performance
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsRoss Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for providing air to a combustion chamber of an engine, the engine including a compressor and a boost tank selectably coupled to an intake manifold. The method comprises admitting air from the compressor to the intake manifold via a main throttle valve, storing some air from the compressor in a boost tank, and discharging some of the air stored in the boost tank to the intake manifold via an auxiliary throttle valve distinct from the main throttle valve.
Claims20
A method for providing air to a combustion chamber of an engine, the engine including a compressor and a boost tank selectably coupled to an intake manifold, the method comprising:
- admitting air from the compressor to the intake manifold via a main throttle valve;
- storing some air from the compressor in a boost tank;
- and
- discharging some of the air stored in the boost tank to the intake manifold via an auxiliary throttle valve distinct from the main throttle valve.
A method for providing air to a combustion chamber of an engine, the engine including an intake manifold coupled to a compressor via a main throttle valve and further coupled to a boost tank, the engine also including an auxiliary throttle valve distinct from the main throttle valve, the method comprising:
- admitting air from the compressor to the intake manifold via a main throttle valve;
- storing some air from the compressor in a boost tank;
- and
- discharging some of the air stored in the boost tank to the intake manifold in response to an increased opening of the main throttle valve;
- and
- discharging some of the air stored in the boost tank to the intake manifold in response to a decreased opening of the main throttle valve.
A system comprising:
- intake manifold coupled to a main throttle valve and to an auxiliary throttle valve;
- a compressor fluidically coupled to the main throttle valve, mechanically coupled to an exhaust-driven turbine, and configured to admit exhaust tapped from downstream of the turbine;
- and
- a boost tank fluidically coupled to the auxiliary throttle valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.