A bearing system and method may include a bearing element that may have a first surface. A mating element may have a second surface that may face the first surface. A fluid film interface may be defined between the first and the second surfaces. The mating element may rotate about an axis and relative to the bearing element. An axial direction may be defined parallel to the axis. A radial direction may be defined perpendicular to the axis. The first surface may have a profile that may vary in the axial direction and that may varies in the radial direction. The profile may direct a fluid present in the fluid film interface in a direction or directions having circumferential and/or axial components.

A bearing system and method may include a bearing element that may have a first surface. A mating element may have a second surface that may face the first surface. A fluid film interface may be defined between the first and the second surfaces. The mating element may rotate about an axis and relative to the bearing element. An axial direction may be defined parallel to the axis. A radial direction may be defined perpendicular to the axis. The first surface may have a profile that may vary in the axial direction and that may varies in the radial direction. The profile may direct a fluid present in the fluid film interface in a direction or directions having circumferential and/or axial components.

A bearing system and method may include a bearing element that may have a first surface. A mating element may have a second surface that may face the first surface. A fluid film interface may be defined between the first and the second surfaces. The mating element may rotate about an axis and relative to the bearing element. An axial direction may be defined parallel to the axis. A radial direction may be defined perpendicular to the axis. The first surface may have a profile that may vary in the axial direction and that may varies in the radial direction. The profile may direct a fluid present in the fluid film interface in a direction or directions having circumferential and/or axial components.

A supercharger assembly includes a supercharger in series with an engine that has a crankshaft and has an air intake manifold defining a plenum through which air flow is provided to the engine. A supercharger is upstream of the plenum in air flow to the engine and has a first rotor rotatable with a first shaft and a second rotor rotatable with a second shaft. The supercharger assembly also includes an electric motor-generator that is selectively alternately operable as a motor and as a generator, and a planetary gearing arrangement having a first member operatively connected to the electric motor-generator, a second member connectable to be rotated by the engine crankshaft, and a third member operatively connected for rotation with the first shaft. The supercharger assembly has only two selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms and a control system configured to control the electric motor-generator and the torque-transmitting mechanisms.

A supercharger assembly includes a supercharger in series with an engine that has a crankshaft and has an air intake manifold defining a plenum through which air flow is provided to the engine. A supercharger is upstream of the plenum in air flow to the engine and has a first rotor rotatable with a first shaft and a second rotor rotatable with a second shaft. The supercharger assembly also includes an electric motor-generator that is selectively alternately operable as a motor and as a generator, and a planetary gearing arrangement having a first member operatively connected to the electric motor-generator, a second member connectable to be rotated by the engine crankshaft, and a third member operatively connected for rotation with the first shaft. The supercharger assembly has only two selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms and a control system configured to control the electric motor-generator and the torque-transmitting mechanisms.

The present invention uses the exhaust gas of an internal combustion reciprocating engine to drive a turbine. The turbine is position around the cylinder. The turbine is connected to systems that will use the energy to improve the total system efficiency. One such system would be connected to a compressor to create the force induction required for two-stroke engines.

The present invention uses the exhaust gas of an internal combustion reciprocating engine to drive a turbine. The turbine is position around the cylinder. The turbine is connected to systems that will use the energy to improve the total system efficiency. One such system would be connected to a compressor to create the force induction required for two-stroke engines.

A supercharger system includes an impeller, a compressor housing, an input shaft, an input pulley assembly, and a freewheel clutch. The impeller is for acquiring air. The compressor housing surrounds at least a portion of the impeller so as to direct the acquired air toward an internal combustion engine. The input shaft is configured to rotate the impeller. The input pulley assembly is configured to drive the input shaft and interface with a serpentine belt that is associated with the power source. The input pulley is configured to rotate in a primary direction correlating with rotation of the serpentine belt in the primary direction. The freewheel clutch is configured to interface with an input shaft of the supercharger, wherein the freewheel clutch prevents rotation in a reverse direction that is opposite the primary direction.

A supercharger system includes an impeller, a compressor housing, an input shaft, an input pulley assembly, and a freewheel clutch. The impeller is for acquiring air. The compressor housing surrounds at least a portion of the impeller so as to direct the acquired air toward an internal combustion engine. The input shaft is configured to rotate the impeller. The input pulley assembly is configured to drive the input shaft and interface with a serpentine belt that is associated with the power source. The input pulley is configured to rotate in a primary direction correlating with rotation of the serpentine belt in the primary direction. The freewheel clutch is configured to interface with an input shaft of the supercharger, wherein the freewheel clutch prevents rotation in a reverse direction that is opposite the primary direction.

Methods and systems are provided for a swirl generating device upstream of a compressor. In one example, a method for actuating the swirl generating device, which is located in a ring-shaped duct, adjust a swirl of charge air flowing through the ring-shaped duct to the compressor in response to engine operating conditions.