COMPRESSOR BYPASS TURBINE-GENERATOR

• US 20140157774A1
• Filed: 12/06/2012
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: McConville, Gregory Patrick, Maceroni, Karen Elizabeth
• Granted Patent: US 9,163,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/611
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/164 the bypassed air being used in an auxiliary apparatus, e.g. in an air turbine
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

Embodiments for a turbine-generator position in a compressor bypass flow path are presented. In one example, a method for an engine having a compressor comprises generating energy via a turbine-generator positioned in a bypass flow path of the compressor. In this way, the energy of the recirculated intake air may be recovered by the turbine-generator.

Claims

1. A method for an engine having a compressor, comprising:

generating energy via a turbine-generator positioned in a bypass flow path of the compressor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating energy via the turbine-generator further comprises directing at least a portion of recirculated compressed intake air through the turbine generator.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising adjusting a compressor bypass valve to recirculate compressed intake air from an outlet of the compressor to an inlet of the compressor.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein directing at least a portion of recirculated compressed intake air through the turbine generator further comprises adjusting the compressor bypass valve to a first position.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising adjusting the compressor bypass valve to a second position to recirculate compressed intake air from the outlet of the compressor to the inlet of the compressor without directing the compressed intake air through the turbine-generator.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising closing the compressor bypass valve to block recirculation of the compressed intake air.

7. A method for an engine having a compressor, comprising:

directing intake air through a compressor and to the engine; and

during select conditions, recirculating at least a portion of the intake air from downstream of the compressor to upstream of the compressor via a turbine-generator positioned in a compressor bypass flow path.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein recirculating at least a portion of the intake air from downstream of the compressor to upstream of the compressor via a turbine-generator further comprises opening a compressor bypass valve to a first position.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the select conditions comprise a ratio of a compressor pressure ratio to mass air flow being above a first threshold and below a second threshold.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising when the ratio is above the second threshold, opening the compressor bypass valve to a second position to recirculate at least a portion of the intake air from downstream of the compressor to upstream of the compressor without passing through the turbine-generator.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising when the ratio is below the first threshold, closing the compressor bypass valve to direct the intake air from downstream of the compressor to the engine.

12. A system comprising:

a compressor bypass passage to recirculate compressed intake air from an outlet of a turbocharger compressor to an inlet of the turbocharger compressor;

a turbine positioned in a flow path of the recirculated compressed intake air; and

an energy conversion device coupled to the turbine.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a valve positioned in the compressor bypass passage.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the turbine is positioned in a turbine passage coupled to compressor bypass passage.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising a controller configured to adjust the valve to a first position to direct at least a portion of the recirculated compressed intake air through the turbine and to the inlet of the compressor.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the valve to a second position to direct the recirculated compressed intake air through the compressor bypass passage and block the recirculated compressed intake air from reaching the turbine.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to close the valve to block recirculation of the compressed intake air and direct the compressed intake air to the engine.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the valve based on a pressure ratio and a mass flow rate of the compressor.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the turbine is a first turbine, and further comprising a second turbine positioned in an exhaust path of the engine and coupled to the compressor via a shaft.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the energy conversion device is coupled to a battery.