The present invention relates to a vehicle supercharger assembly (14) comprising a generator comprising a first armature (14) being adapted for permanent drive from a source of motive power; a supercharger impeller (24) arranged to be driven via a gear train; an electric motor comprising a second armature (28), said second armature (28) being coupled to the gear train; a first clutch (32) for selectively coupling the first armature (14) to the gear train for driving the supercharger impeller (24) in a first mode of operation in which the electric motor is operable to adjust the speed of the supercharger impeller (24); and a second clutch (34), operable when said first armature (14) is coupled to the gear train, for selectively locking the gear train so as to prevent relative rotation of the first and second armatures in a second mode of operation.

Methods and systems for improving operation of an engine at higher speeds and loads are disclosed. In one example, fuel may be injected to an exhaust system of the engine so that temperatures of exhaust system components may be reduced when the engine is operated at higher speeds and loads.

Methods and systems for improving operation of an engine at higher speeds and loads are disclosed. In one example, fuel may be injected to an exhaust system of the engine so that temperatures of exhaust system components may be reduced when the engine is operated at higher speeds and loads.

An engine assembly comprises: an internal combustion engine having: a combustion chamber; an air inlet for supplying air to the combustion chamber; a fuel injector for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber; an exhaust outlet for releasing exhaust gas from the combustion chamber and a rotatable drive shaft, wherein combustion of fuel in air within the combustion chamber results in rotation of the drive shaft. The engine assembly further comprises: a turbocharger system comprising: a turbine configured to recover energy from exhaust gas provided via the exhaust gas outlet; and a turbocharger compressor configured to receive energy from the turbine and thereby to compress air for use in combustion of fuel in the combustion chamber. The engine assembly further comprises: a supercharger system comprising a supercharger compressor configured to receive kinetic energy from the drive shaft and to compress air for use in combustion in the combustion chamber. The engine assembly further comprises: a flywheel configured for kinetic energy storage; a first linkage between the drive shaft and the flywheel, wherein the linkage comprises a variable belt drive; and a second linkage between the first linkage and the supercharger compressor.

An engine assembly comprises: an internal combustion engine having: a combustion chamber; an air inlet for supplying air to the combustion chamber; a fuel injector for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber; an exhaust outlet for releasing exhaust gas from the combustion chamber and a rotatable drive shaft, wherein combustion of fuel in air within the combustion chamber results in rotation of the drive shaft. The engine assembly further comprises: a turbocharger system comprising: a turbine configured to recover energy from exhaust gas provided via the exhaust gas outlet; and a turbocharger compressor configured to receive energy from the turbine and thereby to compress air for use in combustion of fuel in the combustion chamber. The engine assembly further comprises: a supercharger system comprising a supercharger compressor configured to receive kinetic energy from the drive shaft and to compress air for use in combustion in the combustion chamber. The engine assembly further comprises: a flywheel configured for kinetic energy storage; a first linkage between the drive shaft and the flywheel, wherein the linkage comprises a variable belt drive; and a second linkage between the first linkage and the supercharger compressor.

A coupling assembly arranged between an input shaft and a rotor shaft of a supercharger can include a first coupling, a second coupling, a central hub and a plurality of coupler pins. The first coupling can be mounted for concurrent rotation with the input shaft. The second coupling can be mounted for concurrent rotation with the rotor shaft. The central hub can be disposed intermediate the first and second couplings. The central hub defines central hub bores therein. A plurality of coupler pins can be received in the central hub bores. A first plurality of elastomeric inserts can receive first portions of the plurality of coupler pins. A second plurality of elastomeric inserts can receive second portions of the plurality of coupler pins. The first and second elastomeric inserts can provide dampening between (i) the first coupling and the central hub and (ii) the second coupling and the central hub.

A coupling assembly arranged between an input shaft and a rotor shaft of a supercharger can include a first coupling, a second coupling, a central hub and a plurality of coupler pins. The first coupling can be mounted for concurrent rotation with the input shaft. The second coupling can be mounted for concurrent rotation with the rotor shaft. The central hub can be disposed intermediate the first and second couplings. The central hub defines central hub bores therein. A plurality of coupler pins can be received in the central hub bores. A first plurality of elastomeric inserts can receive first portions of the plurality of coupler pins. A second plurality of elastomeric inserts can receive second portions of the plurality of coupler pins. The first and second elastomeric inserts can provide dampening between (i) the first coupling and the central hub and (ii) the second coupling and the central hub.

A supercharging system includes a charging device having a turbine and a compressor, the compressor having a high speed shaft; a planetary gear set coupled to the high speed shaft and an electric motor, or generator, via a low speed drive shaft; a clutch unit; a power transmission for connecting a crank shaft of the combustion engine to the drive shaft via the clutch unit; at least one sensor to measure at least one physical parameter of the exhaust gases inside, or after having passed, an exhaust gas catalyzer of the internal combustion engine, the at least one sensor being configured to provide an output signal representing a measured value of the at least one physical parameter; and a system control unit to receive the output signal and to control the speed or effect of the electric motor, or generator, based on the output signal. A method is also disclosed.

A supercharging system includes a charging device having a turbine and a compressor, the compressor having a high speed shaft; a planetary gear set coupled to the high speed shaft and an electric motor, or generator, via a low speed drive shaft; a clutch unit; a power transmission for connecting a crank shaft of the combustion engine to the drive shaft via the clutch unit; at least one sensor to measure at least one physical parameter of the exhaust gases inside, or after having passed, an exhaust gas catalyzer of the internal combustion engine, the at least one sensor being configured to provide an output signal representing a measured value of the at least one physical parameter; and a system control unit to receive the output signal and to control the speed or effect of the electric motor, or generator, based on the output signal. A method is also disclosed.

An engine system having donor cylinders and non-donor cylinders is disclosed. The engine system may have a first intake manifold configured to distribute air into the non-donor cylinders, and a second intake manifold configured to distribute air into the donor cylinders. The engine system may also have a first exhaust manifold configured to discharge exhaust from the non-donor cylinders to the atmosphere, and a second exhaust manifold separate from the first exhaust manifold and configured to recirculate exhaust from the donor cylinders to the first intake manifold. The engine system may further have an orifice disposed in between the first intake manifold and the second intake manifold. The orifice may be configured to regulate a flow rate of fluid flowing from the first intake manifold to the second intake manifold. The engine system may further have a controller configured to selectively control the orifice in response to a desired exhaust gas recirculation operating condition.