TURBOCHARGER FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20080060355A1
• Filed: 09/08/2006
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: EVULET, ANDREI TRISTAN
• Granted Patent: US 8,171,732 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/605.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 16/00 Arrangements in connection with power supply of propulsion units in vehicles from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind electric propulsion with power supply from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind B60L8/00; marine propulsion by wind motors driving water-engaging propulsive elements B63H13/00; wind motors specially adapted for installation on vehicles F03D9/32
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/02 Gas passages between engine outlet and pump drive, e.g. reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/10 at least one pump being alternatively or simultaneously driven by exhaust and other drive, e.g. by pressurised fluid from a reservoir or an engine-driven pump
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 1/28 using fluid jets to influence the jet flow
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/04 having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels F03D9/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/00 Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/11 storing electrical energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/32 on moving objects, e.g. vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/13 to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2250/323 convergent
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/60 Fluid transfer
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/601 using an ejector or a jet pump
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2250/323 convergent
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/60 Fluid transfer
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/601 using an ejector or a jet pump
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/173 by the Coanda effect
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/30 Wind power
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/14 : Combined heat and power generation [CHP]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 : Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A device is provided. The device includes an inlet manifold configured to direct an exhaust gas flow within the device, an air inlet configured to introduce an airflow within the device and at least one surface of the device having a Coanda profile configured to entrain incoming air through the exhaust gas flow to generate a high velocity airflow.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

an inlet manifold configured to direct an exhaust gas flow within the device;

an air inlet configured to introduce an airflow within the device; and

at least one surface of the device having a Coanda profile configured to entrain incoming air through the exhaust gas flow to generate a high velocity airflow.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the Coanda profile facilitates attachment of the exhaust gas flow to the profile to form a boundary layer configured to entrain the incoming air to create the high velocity airflow.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the inlet manifold receives the exhaust gas flow from an internal combustion engine of a vehicle.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the air supplied through the air inlet forms a shear layer with the boundary layer to accelerate the air at a converging section of the device and to facilitate mixing of the boundary layer and the incoming air.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein a ratio of the mass of air entrained by the device and mass of the exhaust gas flow is between about 5 to about 22.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the Coanda profile comprises a logarithmic profile.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured for use in a microturbine.

9. The turbocharger of claim 1, wherein the mechanical work generated through the high velocity airflow is utilized for driving the compressor.

8. A turbocharger for a vehicle, comprising:

a compressor configured to compress an intake airflow;

a turbine configured to expand exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine for rotating a shaft; and

a device coupled to the turbine and configured to entrain incoming air via the exhaust gases to generate mechanical work through a high velocity airflow, wherein the device comprises;

at least one surface of the device having a Coanda profile wherein the Coanda profile is configured to facilitate attachment of the exhaust gases to the profile to form a boundary layer and to entrain the incoming air to generate the high velocity airflow.

10. The turbocharger of claim 8, wherein the Coanda profile comprises a logarithmic profile.

11. The turbocharger of claim 8, wherein the airflow forms a shear layer with the boundary layer to accelerate the air at a converging section of the device and to facilitate mixing of the boundary layer and the incoming air.

12. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

a turbocharger coupled to the internal combustion engine, wherein the turbocharger comprises;

a turbine configured to expand exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine for generating mechanical work;

a device coupled to the turbine and configured to introduce exhaust gases along a Coanda profile to entrain incoming air for generating mechanical work through a high velocity airflow; and

an electrical generator configured to generate electrical power from the mechanical work; and

a rechargeable energy storage system for storing the electrical power.

13. The hybrid vehicle of claim 12, wherein the rechargeable energy storage system comprises an electrical battery.

14. The hybrid vehicle of claim 12, wherein the mechanical work generated through the high velocity airflow is utilized for driving a compressor of the turbocharger.

15. The hybrid vehicle of claim 12, further comprising an onboard electrolyzer configured to utilize the electrical power for generating hydrogen.

16. The hybrid vehicle of claim 12, wherein the turbocharger comprises an inlet manifold configured to receive the exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine.

17. The hybrid vehicle of claim 12, wherein the turbocharger comprises an air inlet configured to introduce an airflow within the device.

18. The hybrid vehicle of claim 12, wherein the Coanda profile facilitates attachment of the exhaust gases to the profile to form a boundary layer configured to entrain the incoming airflow to create the high velocity airflow

19. The hybrid vehicle of claim 18, wherein air supplied through the air inlet forms a shear layer with the boundary layer to accelerate the air at a converging section of the device and to facilitate mixing of the boundary layer and the incoming air.

20. A method of operation of a hybrid vehicle, comprising:

operating an internal combustion engine to drive the vehicle in a first mode of operation;

introducing exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine over a Coanda profile for entraining additional airflow to generate mechanical work through a high velocity airflow; and

generating electrical power from the mechanical work.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising charging an electrical battery through the generated electrical power.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein driving the vehicle in the first mode of operation comprises providing a propulsion power through the internal combustion engine and driving the vehicle in a second mode of operation comprises providing the propulsion power through the electrical battery.