Motor-generator assisted turbocharging systems for use with internal combustion engines and control method therefor
AssigneeTurbodyne Systems, Inc.
InventorsWilliam E. Woollenweber, Edward M. Halimi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A turbocharger system for use with an internal combustion engine includes an assisting motor-generator and control for enhancing turbocharged internal combustion engine performance with reduced losses inherent to turbochargers incorporating waste gates. The controlled assisting motor-generator provides enhanced turbocharger boost with reduced turbo lag below a boost pressure limit, and can generate electric current at high exhaust gas flow rates.
Claims21
A turbocharging system for use with an internal combustion engine operated by an accelerator pedal, comprising:
- a turbocharger including a rotor with an exhaust gas turbine for receiving an exhaust gas flow from the internal combustion engine and a turbine-driven compressor for providing compressed air to the internal combustion engine and a sensor for providing a signal relating to turbocharger rotor speed;
- an assisting motor-generator for assisting the turbocharger in providing compressed air to the internal combustion engine;
- and
- a control for controlling said assisting motor-generator and the turbocharger rotor speed, said control comprising a first switch for energizing said motor-generator as a motor to maintain the turbocharger rotor speed at a minimum continuous level, a second switch for super energizing said motor-generator upon the rapid depression of the accelerator pedal, and means responsive to the turbo-charger speed signal to de-energize the motor-generator above a higher turbocharger motor speed.
A method of turbocharging an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of:
- providing a turbocharger for using exhaust gas energy from the internal combustion engine for producing a compressed combustion air flow;
- providing an electric motor connected for assisting the turbocharger in producing said compressed combustion air flow;
- providing a source of energy for said electric motor capable of operation of the electric motor between a predetermined minimum speed and a predetermined elevated speed;
- operating a first switch means for controlling said source of energy to operate said electric motor at the predetermined minimum speed;
- operating a second switch means for controlling said source of energy to super energize said electric motor;
- determining the electric motor speed;
- and
- controlling the electric motor in response to the determined electric motor speed by de-energizing the electric motor above a predetermined elevated speed and by re-energizing the electric motor when the electric motor speed falls below the predetermined minimum speed from said source of energy.
A turbocharging system for use with an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a turbocharger including a rotor with an exhaust gas turbine for receiving an exhaust gas flow from the internal combustion engine and a turbine-driven compressor for providing compressed air to the internal combustion engine and a sensor for providing a signal relating to turbocharger rotor speed;
- a motor-generator for assisting in the rotation of the turbocharger in providing compressed air to the internal combustion engine;
- a source of energy for rotating said motor-generator;
- and
- a control for controlling said source of energy to said motor-generator consisting essentially of
- first switch means for controlling said source of energy to maintain operation of said motor-generator at a predetermined minimum speed,
- second switch means for controlling said source of energy to super-energize said motor-generator and increase its speed of operation, and
- third means, responsive to said signal relating to turbocharger rotor speed, for deenergizing the motor-generator above a predetermined elevated rotor speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.