Boosted internal combustion engines and air compressors used therein
US6651431B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 28, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/12
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An inlet air compressor for an internal combustion engine is provided which has one inlet and a plurality of outlets. Within the compressor are disposed a plurality of diffusers coupled to the plurality of outlets. The flow is divided among the plurality of outlets so that at conditions of low overall flow rate through the engine, which would, in a compressor according to the prior art, ordinarily surge, allow the flow to be substantially discontinued through one or more diffusers and continue at through the remaining diffusers. In this way, the diffusers with flow operate within an acceptable operating range and avoid a surging condition. The present invention is directed to engines having a wide range of flow rates. A couple of examples are gasoline engines and variable displacement engines.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.