GB2579585A - A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid to a turbogenerator - Google Patents

A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid to a turbogenerator Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2579585A
GB2579585A GB1819796.2A GB201819796A GB2579585A GB 2579585 A GB2579585 A GB 2579585A GB 201819796 A GB201819796 A GB 201819796A GB 2579585 A GB2579585 A GB 2579585A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
waste
gate
valve
flow
regulator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1819796.2A
Other versions
GB201819796D0 (en
Inventor
O'neill Stuart
C Cusworth Steve
Cordero-Orille Ivan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bowman Power Group Ltd
Original Assignee
Bowman Power Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bowman Power Group Ltd filed Critical Bowman Power Group Ltd
Priority to GB1819796.2A priority Critical patent/GB2579585A/en
Publication of GB201819796D0 publication Critical patent/GB201819796D0/en
Priority to PCT/GB2019/053403 priority patent/WO2020115463A1/en
Publication of GB2579585A publication Critical patent/GB2579585A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B37/00—Engines characterised by provision of pumps driven at least for part of the time by exhaust
    • F02B37/12—Control of the pumps
    • F02B37/18—Control of the pumps by bypassing exhaust from the inlet to the outlet of turbine or to the atmosphere
    • F02B37/183—Arrangements of bypass valves or actuators therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02C—GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
    • F02C6/00—Plural gas-turbine plants; Combinations of gas-turbine plants with other apparatus; Adaptations of gas- turbine plants for special use
    • F02C6/04—Gas-turbine plants providing heated or pressurised working fluid for other apparatus, e.g. without mechanical power output
    • F02C6/10—Gas-turbine plants providing heated or pressurised working fluid for other apparatus, e.g. without mechanical power output supplying working fluid to a user, e.g. a chemical process, which returns working fluid to a turbine of the plant
    • F02C6/12—Turbochargers, i.e. plants for augmenting mechanical power output of internal-combustion piston engines by increase of charge pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N5/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus combined or associated with devices profiting from exhaust energy
    • F01N5/04—Exhaust or silencing apparatus combined or associated with devices profiting from exhaust energy the devices using kinetic energy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B37/00—Engines characterised by provision of pumps driven at least for part of the time by exhaust
    • F02B37/005—Exhaust driven pumps being combined with an exhaust driven auxiliary apparatus, e.g. a ventilator
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B37/00—Engines characterised by provision of pumps driven at least for part of the time by exhaust
    • F02B37/12—Control of the pumps
    • F02B37/18—Control of the pumps by bypassing exhaust from the inlet to the outlet of turbine or to the atmosphere
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/0002—Controlling intake air
    • F02D41/0007—Controlling intake air for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2410/00—By-passing, at least partially, exhaust from inlet to outlet of apparatus, to atmosphere or to other device
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2410/00—By-passing, at least partially, exhaust from inlet to outlet of apparatus, to atmosphere or to other device
    • F01N2410/14—By-passing, at least partially, exhaust from inlet to outlet of apparatus, to atmosphere or to other device in case of excessive pressure, e.g. using a safety valve
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/12—Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A method for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid to a turbo generator 24 comprising the steps of driving a turbo generator turbine 28 with a flow of exhaust fluid; providing a waste-gate valve 22 within the flow of exhaust fluid; providing a regulator valve 34 within the flow of exhaust fluid; and monitoring the position of said waste-gate valve. The method further comprises the steps of measuring a rate of change in the position of the waste-gate valve, and controlling the position of the regulator valve in response to the rate of change in the position of said waste-gate valve. The regulator valve may be moved towards an open position if the rate of change is greater than a predetermined or calculated maximum value. The regulator valve may be maintained at the same position if the rate of change is smaller than a predetermined or calculated maximum. The method may be repeated after as predetermined or calculated period of time. The regulator valve may be arranged so as to bypass the turbo generator.

Description

A Method and Apparatus for Controlling the Flow of Exhaust Fluid to a Turbogenerator
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid to a turbogenerator, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid to a turbogenerator using a regulator valve.
Background of the Invention
Turbochargers and turbogenerators can be fitted to the exhaust systems of combustion engines to improve the overall energy efficiency of the system by recovering energy from the waste exhaust gases emitted from the combustion engine. Where both a turbocharger and a turbogenerator are used together, they may work in tandem to increase the energy efficiency of the system still further. In systems of this kind, the turbocharger uses the flow of waste gases from the engine to increase the pressure inside the engine such that the fuel efficiency is improved, whilst the turbogenerator simultaneously generates electrical power from the waste exhaust gases.
Both the turbocharger and the turbogenerator increase the gas pressure in the exhaust system and in the combustion engine. This pressure build-up can sometimes reach undesirable levels where the efficiency of the engine can be greatly reduced, or the combustion engine is damaged. As such, it is desirable to control the pressure inside the energy recovery system to maximise electricity produced by the turbogenerator without negatively impacting the combustion engine.
In energy recovery systems comprising both a turbocharger and a turbogenerator, it is important to regulate and control exhaust fluid flow to each of the components. Additionally, it is important to control the pressure within each section and component of the system.
Whilst current methods of controlling these pressures attempt to address this issue, present solutions are unsatisfactory in at least their relatively slow response to pressure changes within the energy recovery system Objects and aspects of the present claimed invention seek to alleviate at least this problem
of the prior art.
Summary of the Invention
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid to a turbogenerator, the method comprising the steps of: driving a turbogenerator turbine with a flow of exhaust fluid; providing a waste-gate valve within the flow of exhaust fluid, the waste-gate valve able to move between a waste-gate open position and a waste-gate closed position; providing a regulator valve within the flow of exhaust fluid, the regulator valve able to move between a regulator open position and a regulator closed position; monitoring the position of the waste-gate valve between the waste-gate open position and the waste-gate closed position; wherein the method further comprises the steps of measuring a rate of change in the position of the waste-gate valve, and controlling the position of the regulator valve between the regulator open position and the regulator closed position in response to the rate of change in the position of the waste-gate valve.
Preferably, the method further comprises determining if the rate of change is smaller than, equal to or greater than a predetermined or calculated maximum value. Preferably, the method further comprises determining if the rate of change is smaller than a predetermined or calculated maximum value. Preferably, the method further comprises determining if the rate of change is equal to a predetermined or calculated maximum value. Preferably, the method further comprises determining if the rate of change is greater than a predetermined or calculated maximum value.
Preferably, the step of controlling the position of the regulator valve comprises moving the regulator valve towards the regulator open position if the rate of change is greater than or equal to the predetermined or calculated maximum value.
Preferably, the step of controlling the position of the regulator valve comprises maintaining the position of the regulator valve if the rate of change is smaller than the predetermined or calculated maximum value.
Preferably, the step of controlling the position of the regulator valve comprises the step of proceeding to a subsequent method step if the rate of change is smaller than the predetermined or calculated maximum value.
Preferably, the step of controlling the position of the regulator valve comprises moving the regulator valve towards the open position of the regulator valve or towards the closed position of the regulator valve by a predetermined distance. Preferably, the predetermined distance is fixed. Preferably, the predetermined distance is dynamic and varies with the regulator position. Preferably, the predetermined distance is found using a calibration curve.
Preferably, the step of controlling the position of the regulator valve comprises calculating a distance to move the regulator valve towards the open position of the regulator valve or towards the closed position of the regulator valve. Preferably, the step of calculating the distance to move the regulator valve comprises interrogating or using the rate of change. Preferably, the step of calculating step to move the regulator valve comprises comparing the difference between the rate of change and the maximum rate of change.
Preferably, the subsequent optional method step comprises determining if the position of the waste-gate valve lies within a range of optimal waste-gate positions.
Preferably, the method further comprises moving the regulator valve towards the regulator open position when the position of the waste-gate valve lies between the waste-gate open position and the range of optimal waste-gate positions.
Preferably, the method comprises moving the regulator valve towards the regulator closed position when the position of the waste-gate valve lies between the waste-gate closed position and the range of optimal waste-gate positions.
Preferably, the method comprises maintaining the position of the regulator valve when the position of the waste-gate valve lies within the range of optimised positions. This is beneficial as it stops over-control or control jitter of the regulator valve with respect to the waste-gate valve as the regulator valve is not moved by this method when the waste-gate valve is within the optimal range of waste-gate positions.
Preferably, the optimal range of waste-gate positions is a range. Preferably, the optimal range of waste-gate positions is a static range. Preferably, the optimal range of waste-gate positions is a dynamic range. Preferably, the optimal range of waste-gate positions is centred on an optimal value. Preferably, the optimal value is predetermined. Preferably, the optimal value is dynamic. Preferably, the optimal range of waste-gate positions is a single value.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of repeating the method. Preferably, the method is continually looped.
Preferably, the step of repeating the method comprises pausing for a predetermined or calculated period of time before repeating the method. Preferably, the method comprises pausing for a predetermined or calculated period of time if the regulator valve has been moved by the method. Preferably, the time period is predetermined and fixed.
Preferably, the step of providing a regulator valve within the flow of exhaust fluid comprises placing the regulator valve in a position where the flow of exhaust fluid through the regulator valve bypasses the turbogenerator.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of providing a turbocharger within the flow of exhaust fluid.
Preferably, the step of providing a turbocharger within the flow of exhaust fluid comprises providing the turbocharger in parallel with the turbogenerator. Preferably, the step of providing a turbocharger within the flow of exhaust fluid comprises splitting the flow of exhaust fluid between the turbocharger and the turbogenerator.
Preferably, the step of providing a waste-gate valve within the flow of exhaust fluid comprises providing the waste-gate valve in parallel Wth the turbocharger and in series with the turbogenerator.
Preferably, the step of providing a waste-gate valve within the flow of exhaust fluid comprises providing the waste-gate valve in series with the turbocharger and in parallel with the turbogenerator.
Preferably, the method further comprises controlling the flow of exhaust fluid to the turbocharger with the waste-gate valve.
Preferably the method comprises driving a plurality of turbogenerator turbines with a flow of exhaust fluid.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a turbogenerator system configured to operate the method and any of its optional features described herein.
Detailed Description
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a turbogenerator system in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a flowchart depicting a method of controlling fluid flow to a turbogenerator in accordance with the present invention.
Referring to Figure 1 there is depicted a schematic drawing of exhaust energy recovery system 10 in accordance with the present invention. The exhaust energy recovery system 10 comprises an engine 12 which, during operation, is supplied with air by a compressor 14. Whilst the engine 12 is operational, the airflow into the engine 12 from the compressor 14 is cooled by the engine charge air cooler 16 to improve the efficiency of the system.
In the illustrated system the compressor 14 forms part of a turbocharger 18. In use, the engine 12 produces waste exhaust gases, also known as exhaust fluid, that exit the engine 12 and enter the engine exhaust conduit 20. The turbine 19 of the turbocharger 18 is rotated by waste gas flow, which is also known as the exhaust fluid flow, from the engine 12 through the engine exhaust conduit 20 towards the exhaust outlet 21. The exhaust outlet 21 vents the waste exhaust gases to the external environment. Due to this rotation of the turbine 19 of the turbocharger 18, the compressor 14 draws in air through an air inlet 15 to supply air to the engine 12.
The actions of the compressor 14 and turbine 19 of the turbocharger 18 serve to increase the pressure inside the engine 12 and engine exhaust conduit 20. The engine exhaust conduit 20 comprises a waste-gate valve 22 to control, limit and prevent the build-up of pressure inside the engine 12 and engine exhaust conduit 20.
The waste-gate valve 22 is located on a branch of the engine exhaust conduit 20 parallel to the turbocharger 18 and the exhaust outlet 21. As such, the waste-gate valve 22 vents waste exhaust fluid flow gases away from the turbocharger 18 and towards a turbogenerator 24.
Within the engine exhaust conduit 20, the position of the waste-gate valve 22 can be varied between a dosed position and an open position by the engine controller 26. The engine controller 26 communicates with the waste-gate valve 22 via the communication link 27. In the open position, the waste-gate valve 22 does not impede the flow of waste exhaust gases through the engine exhaust conduit 20 towards the turbogenerator 24, and in the closed position, the waste-gate valve 22 completely occludes the engine exhaust conduit 20, and no waste exhaust gases can flow towards the turbogenerator 24. Instead, in the closed position, the waste-gate valve 22 directs the flow of waste exhaust gases towards the turbocharger 18.
The position of the waste-gate valve 22 is continuous and can be set and held at any position in between the open position and the closed position. When the waste-gate valve 22 is in any position other than the closed position, a portion of the waste exhaust gases is directed through the waste-gate valve 22 and a second portion of the waste exhaust gases is directed towards the turbocharger 18. An actuator is used to move the waste-gate valve 22 between positions, the actuator itself controlled by the engine controller 26 via the communication link 27.
In operation, the engine controller 26 changes the position of the waste-gate valve 22 to vary the flow of waste exhaust gases to the turbocharger 18 such that the engine 12 consistently operates at optimum boost pressure. The engine controller 26 can reduce the pressure inside the engine 12 by moving the waste-gate valve 22 towards its open position such that more waste exhaust gases are diverted away from the turbocharger 18. Alternatively, the engine controller 26 can increase the pressure inside the engine 12 by moving the waste-gate valve 22 towards its closed position such that less waste exhaust gases are diverted away from the turbocharger 18. As such, the position of the waste-gate valve 22 is configured to control the pressure inside the engine 12. In this way, the waste-gate valve 22 can be controlled by the engine controller 26 to prevent performance reducing pressure build-up inside of the engine 12.
Waste exhaust gases which are diverted away from the turbocharger 18 through the waste-gate valve 22 flow along a turbogenerator conduit 25 towards the turbogenerator 24. In the turbogenerator 24, the flow of exhaust gases is used to generate electricity. In the turbogenerator 24, the turbine 28 is rotated by the flow of the waste exhaust gases, concomitantly rotating a generator 30 to produce electrical power. The waste exhaust gases that flow through the turbine 28 are emitted into the environment through a second exhaust conduit 31.
Further to the waste-gate valve 22, the flow of waste gases along the turbogenerator conduit to the turbogenerator 24 is controlled by two additional valves: an isolator valve 32 and a regulator valve 34. The isolator valve 32 is located within the turbogenerator conduit 25 in series with the inlet to the turbine 28, such that the isolator valve 32 and can be used to isolate the turbine 28. To isolate the turbine the position of the isolator valve 28 is moved to completely occlude the turbogenerator conduit 25 and prevent all fluid flow to the turbine 26.
The regulator valve 34 is located on a branch of the turbogenerator conduit 25 parallel to the inlet of the turbine 28. In this embodiment of the invention, the regulator valve 34 links the turbogenerator conduit 25 to the second exhaust conduit 31. The regulator valve 34 provides a bypass to the turbogenerator 24 and turbine 28. As such, the regulator valve 34 can be used to regulate fluid flow to the turbogenerator 24 and turbine 28. Bypassing the turbine 28 reduces the pressure inside the turbogenerator conduit 25, which concomitantly reduces exhaust fluid flow to the turbocharger 18.
The regulator valve 34 regulates flow by changing position. The position of the regulator valve 34 can be varied from a closed position to an open position. In the open position, the regulator valve 34 does not impede the flow of waste exhaust gases, and fluid flow is therefore directed towards the second exhaust outlet 31. In the closed position, the regulator valve 34 is completely occluded, and the flow of waste exhaust gases is directed towards the turbine 28.
The position of the regulator valve 34 is continuous and can be set and held at any position in between its open position and its closed position. In this case, a portion of the exhaust fluid is directed through the regulator valve 34 and a second portion of the exhaust fluid is directed towards the turbogenerator 24. The regulator valve 34 comprises an actuator to change its position. The actuator of the regulator valve 34 is in communication with a power electronics unit 36 via communication link 37 of the energy recovery system 10. The power electronics unit 36 is connected to generator 30 and provides the electrical output 38 of the turbogenerator system 10. The position of the waste-gate valve 22 is communicated to the power electronics unit 36 by the engine controller 26 via communication link 39.
There is depicted in Figure 2 a flow chart of the method 100 for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid to a turbogenerator 24 in an energy recovery system 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The method 100 comprises providing the apparatus as described in Figure 1 and operating the apparatus. As such, the engine 12 is running and producing exhaust fluid which is flowing through the engine exhaust conduit 20 and powering the turbine 19 of the turbocharger 18. Additionally, the waste-gate valve 22 is also partially open such that exhaust fluid flows through the turbogenerator conduit 25 and powers the turbine 28 of the turbogenerator 24. The amount of fluid flow to the turbogenerator 24 is controlled by the position of the waste-gate valve 22 and the regulator valve 34, where the position of the regulator valve 34 is controlled by the power electronics 36.
The method 100 further comprises step 102, which involves monitoring the position of waste-gate valve 22 using the engine controller 26. The position of the waste-gate valve 22 is measured over time. From this continuous monitoring, the rate of change in the position of waste-gate valve 22 can be determined, and this measurement is hereinafter described as the rate of change value (ROC).
The subsequent method step 104 is then performed. In this step, the engine controller 26 then compares the rate of change value ROC to a maximum rate of change value MAX. The maximum rate of change value MAX is predetermined for the system and stored in a memory of the engine controller 26.
If the rate of change value is greater than or equal to the maximum rate of change value MAX, then the method 100 resets a waste-gate valve timer WGT in method step 106. If the comparison of method step 104 instead finds that the rate of change ROC value is less than the maximum rate of change value MAX, then the method proceeds to step 108. Method step 108 comprises incrementing the waste-gate timer WGT and proceeding to step 110.
The waste-gate timer WGT only reset when the rate of change ROC is greater than or equal to the maximum rate of change value MAX. Thus, the waste-gate timer WGT measures the time between this event reoccurring.
After the waste-gate timer, WGT has been reset in method step 106 the method 100 proceeds to perform method step 118. Method step 118 comprises moving the regulator valve 34 towards its open position by an amount D and then pausing the method for a period of time T before proceeding to start method step 102 again.
Subsequent to incrementation of the timer in step 108, the position of the waste-gate valve WG is compared against a range of optimal waste-gate positions OPT, where OPT-X is the lower limit, and OPT+X is the upper limit of the range of optimal waste-gate positions OPT, respectively.
Method step 110, which succeeds step 108, determines if the position of the waste-gate valve WG lies between the waste-gate closed position and the range of optimal waste-gate positions OPT. In particular, if the position of the waste-gate valve WG is less than the lower limit of the range of optimal waste-gate positions OPT-X, then the method 100 proceeds to step 114. Or, if the position of the waste-gate valve WG is greater than or equal to the lower limit of the range of optimal waste-gate positions, then the method 100 instead proceeds to step 112.
The method step 112 compares the position of the waste-gate valve WG against the range of optimal waste-gate positions OPT and determines if the position of the waste-gate valve WO lies between the waste-gate open position and the range of optimal waste-gate positions OPT. In particular, method step 112 comprises determining if the position of the waste-gate valve WG greater than the upper limit of the range of optimal waste-gate positions OPT+X. If true then the method 100 proceeds to step method 118, where method step 118 is the same as described above. Or, if the position of the waste-gate valve WG is less than or equal to the upper limit of the range of optimal waste-gate positions OPT+X, then the method 100 proceeds to step 102 and begins the method 100 again.
The method step 114, which may proceed step 110, comprises comparing the waste-gate timer WGT against a waste-gate check time WGCT. In particular, if waste-gate timer WGT is less than or equal to the waste-gate check time WGCT then the method 100 proceeds to method step 102, or if the waste-gate timer WGT is greater than the waste-gate check time WGCT then the method 100 proceeds to method step 116.
In essence, method 114 checks that enough time, the waste-gate check time WGCT, has passed since the last time than the rate of change ROC exceeded the maximum rate of change MAX before proceeding with method step 116, as method step 116 comprises closing the regulator valve 34, which may cause a sudden change in the position of the waste-gate valve WG.
Method step 116 comprises moving the regulator valve 34 towards its closed position by an amount D' and then pausing the method for a period of time T' before proceeding to start method step 102 again.
The distances D, D' which the regulator valve 34 is moved towards its open or closed position can be provided in several ways. In this embodiment, the distances D, D' are both predetermined and fixed to be a certain percentage of the distance between the open position and the closed position of the regulator valve 34. In other embodiments it is envisaged, the distances D, D' would vary in the distance in relation to the difference between the rate of change value ROC and the maximum rate of change value MAX.
Likewise, in this embodiment, the periods of time T, T' are set to be predefined values. However, other embodiments are envisaged where the periods of time T, T. would vary in length with the difference between the rate of change value ROC and the maximum rate of change value MAX.
The method steps 112, 114, 116 and 118 all proceed to step 102. All routes through the method 100 loops back to step 102. In this way, method 100 is a looped continuous method 100 of monitoring the position of the waste-gate valve 22, WG and actuating the position of the regulator valve 34.
The method 100 controls the regulator valve 34 in reference to the rate of change ROC in the position of the waste-gate valve 22. As such, the method 100 enables the regulator valve 34 to respond quickly to changes in the position of the waste-gate WG, as method 100 does not wait for the position of the waste-gate WG to be beyond acceptable limits but instead responds to quicker movements of the waste-gate valve 22. It has been found that quicker movements of the waste-gate valve 22 are indicative that the position of the regulator valve 34 needs to be controlled to maintain the correct pressure within the engine 12.

Claims (19)

  1. Claims 1. A method for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid to a turbogenerator, said method comprising the steps of: driving a turbogenerator turbine with a flow of exhaust fluid; providing a waste-gate valve within said flow of exhaust fluid, said waste-gate valve able to move between a waste-gate open position and a waste-gate closed position; providing a regulator valve within said flow of exhaust fluid, said regulator valve able to move between a regulator open position and a regulator closed position; monitoring the position of said waste-gate valve between said waste-gate open position and said waste-gate closed position; wherein the method further comprises the steps of measuring a rate of change in the position of said waste-gate valve, and controlling the position of said regulator valve between said regulator open position and said regulator closed position in response to said rate of change in the position of said waste-gate valve.
  2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises determining if said rate of change is smaller than, equal to or greater than a predetermined or calculated maximum value.
  3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of controlling the position of said regulator valve comprises moving said regulator valve towards said regulator open position if said rate of change is greater than or equal to said predetermined or calculated maximum value.
  4. 4. The method of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the step of controlling the position of said regulator valve comprises maintaining the position of said regulator valve if said rate of change is smaller than said predetermined or calculated maximum value.
  5. 5. The method of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the step of controlling the position of said regulator valve comprises the step of proceeding to a subsequent method step if said rate of change is smaller than said predetermined or calculated maximum value.
  6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the subsequent method step comprises determining if the position of said waste-gate valve lies within a range of optimal waste-gate positions.
  7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises moving said regulator valve towards said regulator open position when the position of said waste-gate valve lies between said waste-gate open position and said range of optimal waste-gate positions.
  8. 8. The method of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the method comprises moving said regulator valve towards said regulator closed position when the position of said waste-gate valve lies between said waste-gate closed position and said range of optimal waste-gate positions.
  9. 9. The method of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the method comprises maintaining the position of said regulator valve when the position of said waste-gate valve lies within said range of optimised positions.
  10. 10. The method of any one preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises the step of repeating the method.
  11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of repeating the method comprises pausing for a predetermined or calculated period of time before repeating the method.
  12. 12. The method of any one preceding claim, wherein the step of providing a regulator valve within said flow of exhaust fluid comprises placing said regulator valve in a position where said flow of exhaust fluid through said regulator valve bypasses said turbogenerator.
  13. 13. The method of any one preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises the step of providing a turbocharger within said flow of exhaust fluid.
  14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of providing a turbocharger within said flow of exhaust fluid comprises providing said turbocharger in parallel with said turbogenerator.
  15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of providing a waste-gate valve within said flow of exhaust fluid, comprises providing said waste-gate valve in parallel with said turbocharger and in series with said turbogenerator.
  16. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of providing a waste-gate valve within said flow of exhaust fluid, comprises providing said waste-gate valve in series with said turbocharger and in parallel with said turbogenerator.
  17. 17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the method further comprises controlling said flow of exhaust fluid to said turbocharger with said waste-gate valve.
  18. 18. The method of any one preceding claim, wherein the method comprises driving a plurality of turbogenerator turbines with a flow of exhaust fluid.
  19. 19. A turbogenerator system configured to operate the method of any one preceding claim.
GB1819796.2A 2018-12-04 2018-12-04 A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid to a turbogenerator Withdrawn GB2579585A (en)

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GB1819796.2A GB2579585A (en) 2018-12-04 2018-12-04 A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid to a turbogenerator
PCT/GB2019/053403 WO2020115463A1 (en) 2018-12-04 2019-12-02 A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid to a turbogenerator

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GB2508866A (en) * 2012-12-13 2014-06-18 Bowman Power Group Ltd Turbogenerator system and method

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JPS59141712A (en) * 1983-01-31 1984-08-14 Isuzu Motors Ltd Engine equipped with exhaust energy recovering device
CN102224074A (en) * 2008-09-23 2011-10-19 威罗门飞行公司 Powerplant and related control system and method
GB201307610D0 (en) * 2013-04-26 2013-06-12 Controlled Power Technologies Ltd Exhaust Driven Turbine-Generator Integrated Gas Energy Recovery System
DE102015210739A1 (en) * 2015-06-11 2016-12-15 Mtu Friedrichshafen Gmbh Internal combustion engine
DE102015219026A1 (en) * 2015-10-01 2017-04-06 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Turbogenerator control system

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GB2508866A (en) * 2012-12-13 2014-06-18 Bowman Power Group Ltd Turbogenerator system and method

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WO2020115463A1 (en) 2020-06-11

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