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US 6,550,247 B1Granted
Multiple parallel turbocharger control with discrete step nozzles
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorJohn R. Gladden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control for a turbocharger system in an internal combustion engine particularly useful for multiple parallel turbochargers having turbines with discrete step variable nozzles. In response to a need for adjustment the variable nozzles are adjusted sequentially, not simultaneously. Sequential adjustment of the turbines minimizes the impact of the adjustment.
Claims21
An internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a plurality of combustion cylinders;
- an exhaust manifold coupled with said combustion cylinders;
- an intake manifold coupled with said combustion cylinders;
- a plurality of turbochargers each including a turbine having a variable geometry inlet connected to said exhaust manifold and having an outlet, and including a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, said compressor outlet coupled with said intake manifold;
- a sensor for detecting at least one of an operating condition of said engine and an operating condition of said turbochargers and providing a signal dependent thereon;
- and
- a controller connected to said sensor for receiving said signal, and connected to said variable geometry inlets for sequential adjustment thereof in response to a need for adjustment, said controller adapted to cause adjustment of only one of said variable geometry inlets at a time, and to pause all said adjustments after completing one said adjustment before commencing another said adjustment.
4 more elements
A turbocharger system for use with an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion cylinders, an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, said turbocharger system comprising:
- a plurality of turbochargers each including a turbine having a variable geometry inlet connected to said exhaust manifold and having an outlet, and including a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, said compressor outlet coupled with said intake manifold;
- a sensor for detecting at least one of an operating condition of said engine and an operating condition of said turbochargers and providing a signal dependent thereon;
- and
- a controller connected to said sensor for receiving said signal, and connected to said variable geometry inlets for sequential adjustment thereof in response to a need for adjustment, said controller adapted to cause adjustment of only one of said variable geometry inlets at a time, and to pause all said adjustments after completing one said adjustment before commencing another said adjustment.
1 more element
A method of operating an internal combustion engine comprising steps of:
- providing a plurality of combustion cylinders, an exhaust manifold and an intake manifold;
- transporting exhaust gas from said combustion cylinders to said exhaust manifold;
- providing a plurality of turbochargers, each turbocharger including a turbine having a variable geometry inlet and an outlet, and a compressor having an inlet and an outlet;
- providing adjustment means for adjusting positions of said variable geometry inlets;
- rotatably driving said turbines with exhaust gas introduced at said turbine inlets;
- introducing combustion gas at said compressor inlets;
- transporting combustion gas from said compressor outlets to said intake manifold;
- sensing at least one of operating conditions of said engine and performance of said turbochargers;
- controlling said adjustment means in response to at least one of said engine operating conditions and said performance of said turbochargers;
- and
- adjusting at least some of said variable inlets sequentially, including pausing said adjusting step after completing adjustment of one variable geometry turbine before commencing said adjusting of another variable geometry turbine.
8 more elements
A method for operating multiple parallel turbochargers for an internal combustion engine, comprising steps of;
- providing a variable geometry turbine for each turbocharger;
- sensing at least one of operating conditions of the engine and operating performance of the turbochargers;
- determining a need to adjust the variable geometry turbines;
- and
- adjusting the variable geometry turbines sequentially, completing adjusting one of said turbines before commencing adjusting another of said turbines, including pausing said adjusting step after completing adjustment of one variable geometry turbine before commencing said adjusting of another variable geometry turbine.
2 more elements
A method for operating multiple parallel turbochargers for an internal combustion engine, comprising steps of;
- providing a variable geometry turbine for each turbocharger;
- sensing at least one of operating conditions of the engine and operating performance of the turbochargers;
- determining a need to adjust the variable geometry turbines;
- and
- adjusting the variable geometry turbines sequentially, completing adjusting one of said turbines before commencing adjusting another of said turbines, including determining one of increasing engine speed and increasing load, determining the relative speeds of all turbines, and adjusting the turbines sequentially from the fastest turbine to the slowest turbine.
2 more elements
A method for operating multiple parallel turbochargers for an internal combustion engine, comprising steps of;
- providing a variable geometry turbine for each turbocharger;
- sensing at least one of operating conditions of the engine and operating performance of the turbochargers;
- determining a need to adjust the variable geometry turbines;
- and
- adjusting the variable geometry turbines sequentially, completing adjusting one of said turbines before commencing adjusting another of said turbines, including determining one of decreasing engine speed and decreasing load, determining the relative speeds of all turbines, and adjusting the turbines sequentially from the slowest turbine to the fastest turbine.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.