Compressor having integral EGR valve and mixer

• US 20070144170A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Griffith, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/313,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20070144170A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/600
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 17/146 by throttling the volute inlet of radial machines or engines
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 5/048 Form or construction
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 5/141 Shape, i.e. outer, aerodynamic form F01D5/148 - F01D5/20 take precedence; blade construction F01D5/147
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 9/026 Scrolls for radial machines or engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 29/0406 Layout of the intake air cooling or coolant circuit
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/00 Engines characterised by provision of pumps driven at least for part of the time by exhaust
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/025 Multiple scrolls or multiple gas passages guiding the gas to the pump drive
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 3/13 having variable working fluid interconnections between turbines or compressors or stages of different rotors controlling flow ratio between different flows of multi-flow jet-propulsion plant, e.g. ducted fan F02K3/075
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/06 Low pressure loops, i.e. wherein recirculated exhaust gas is taken out from the exhaust downstream of the turbocharger turbine and reintroduced into the intake system upstream of the compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/07 Mixed pressure loops, i.e. wherein recirculated exhaust gas is either taken out upstream of the turbine and reintroduced upstream of the compressor, or is taken out downstream of the turbine and reintroduced downstream of the compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/21 with EGR valves located at or near the connection to the intake system
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/23 Layout, e.g. schematics
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/35 with means for cleaning or treating the recirculated gases, e.g. catalysts, condensate traps, particle filters or heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/51 EGR valves combined with other devices, e.g. with intake valves or compressors combined with intake air throttles F02M26/64
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/70 Flap valves; Rotary valves; Sliding valves; Resilient valves
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/024 the driving means being assisted by a power recovery turbine
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/045 the pump wheel carrying the fluid driving means, e.g. turbine blades
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/40 in turbochargers
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/082 with as little NOx as possible
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A compressor for a power system is disclosed. The compressor has a compressor wheel rotatable to compress a fluid, and a compressor housing at least partially enclosing the compressor wheel. The compressor housing has a first volute and a second volute. The first volute is configured to direct an exhaust gas radially inward to the compressor wheel. The second volute is configured to direct a mixture of the exhaust gas and air radially outward from the compressor wheel.

Claims

1. A compressor, comprising:

a compressor wheel rotatable to compress a fluid; and

a compressor housing at least partially enclosing the compressor wheel having;

a first volute configured to direct an exhaust gas radially inward to the compressor wheel; and

a second volute configured to direct a mixture of the exhaust gas and air radially outward from the compressor wheel.

2. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the compressor housing further includes:

a central axial bore housing the compressor wheel and being configured to direct a flow of air to the compressor wheel; and

a means for mixing the exhaust gas from the first volute with the flow of air in the central axial bore, before the mixture is directed radially outward via the second volute.

3. The compressor of claim 2, wherein the first volute, the second volute, and the central axial bore are fabricated from a single integral casting.

4. The compressor of claim 2, wherein the means for mixing includes a plurality of radial passageways connecting the first volute and the central axial bore.

5. The compressor of claim 1, further including a valve element disposed within the first volute.

6. The compressor of claim 5, wherein the valve element is configured to regulate the flow of exhaust gas through the compressor.

7. The compressor of claim 5, wherein the valve element is a butterfly valve element.

8. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the compressor is associated with a turbine, and the compressor further includes a passageway in fluid communication with the first volute and the turbine, the passageway being configured to direct the exhaust gas from downstream of the turbine to the second volute.

9. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the twist direction of the first volute is opposite the twist direction of the second volute.

10. A method of operating a compressor, comprising:

axially directing air to a compressor wheel;

radially directing exhaust gas to the compressor wheel;

rotating the compressor wheel to compress a mixture of the air and exhaust gas; and

radially discharging the compressed mixture.

11. The method of claim 10, further including mixing the air and exhaust gas.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein mixing includes radially directing the exhaust gas inward at a plurality of annular locations.

13. The method of claim 10, further including regulating the flow of exhaust gas directed to the compressor wheel.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein regulating includes moving a valve element located within the compressor.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein directing exhaust gas to the compressor wheel includes directing exhaust gas from downstream of a turbine.

16. A compressor, comprising:

a compressor wheel rotatable to compress a fluid;

a compressor housing at least partially enclosing the compressor wheel; and

a valve element disposed within the compressor housing and being configured to regulate a flow of exhaust gas to the compressor wheel.

17. The compressor of claim 16, wherein the compressor housing includes:

a central axial bore configured to direct air to the compressor wheel; and

a means for mixing the exhaust gas with the air in the central axial bore.

18. The compressor of claim 17, wherein the means for mixing includes a plurality of radial passageways connecting the valve element and the central axial bore.

19. The compressor of claim 16, wherein the compressor is associated with a turbine, and the compressor further includes a passageway in fluid communication with the valve element and the turbine, the passageway being configured to direct the exhaust gas from downstream of the turbine to the valve element.

20. A method of operating a compressor, comprising:

axially directing air to a compressor wheel;

directing exhaust gas from a point downstream of a turbine to a regulating valve located within the compressor;

mixing the exhaust gas and air within the compressor;

compressing the mixture of the air and exhaust gas; and

radially discharging the compressed mixture.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein mixing includes radially directing the exhaust gas inward to the compressor wheel at a plurality of annular locations.

22. A power system, comprising:

a power source configured to produce a power output and a flow of exhaust gas;

a turbine configured to receive the flow of exhaust gas and to rotate in response thereto; and

a compressor operatively driven by the turbine to compress a fluid, the compressor including;

a compressor wheel;

a compressor housing at least partially enclosing the compressor wheel, the compressor housing having;

a first volute configured to direct an exhaust gas from downstream of the turbine radially inward to the compressor wheel; and

a second volute configured to direct a mixture of the exhaust gas and air radially outward from the compressor wheel; and

a valve element disposed within the first volute and being configured to regulate a flow of the exhaust gas to the compressor wheel.

23. The power system of claim 22, wherein the compressor housing further includes:

a central axial bore housing the compressor wheel and being configured to direct a flow of air to the compressor wheel; and

a plurality of radial passageways connecting the first volute and the central axial bore, the plurality of radial passageways configured to mix the exhaust gas from the first volute with the flow of air in the central axial bore, before the mixture is directed radially outward via the second volute.

24. The power system of claim 22, wherein the first volute, the second volute, and the central axial bore are fabricated from a single integral casting.

25. The power system of claim 22, wherein the twist direction of the first volute is opposite the twist direction of the second volute.