Use of the hydraulically driven device in a series configuration with a minimally restrictive turbocharger is defined which will allow a very responsive and powerful boosting system to reach boost levels of 4-5 pressure ratio (PR) to support and enable OEM engine downsizing trends. An electric supercharger is also considered. A hydraulic drive assists to increase the acceleration rate of a turbocharger impeller/turbine shaft assembly and provide a secondary means of driving the compressor impeller at lower engine speeds where exhaust gases alone does not generate adequate shaft speeds to create significant induction boost. The hydraulic circuit includes a dual displacement motor, which provides high torque for acceleration yet converts to a single motor for high-speed operation. When the exhaust driven turbine function allows compressor speeds, beyond which the hydraulic system can contribute, a slip clutch allows disengagement of the hydraulic drive. In an alternative embodiment, the hydraulic drive provides means of forced induction air alone.

Use of the hydraulically driven device in a series configuration with a minimally restrictive turbocharger is defined which will allow a very responsive and powerful boosting system to reach boost levels of 4-5 pressure ratio (PR) to support and enable OEM engine downsizing trends. An electric supercharger is also considered. A hydraulic drive assists to increase the acceleration rate of a turbocharger impeller/turbine shaft assembly and provide a secondary means of driving the compressor impeller at lower engine speeds where exhaust gases alone does not generate adequate shaft speeds to create significant induction boost. The hydraulic circuit includes a dual displacement motor, which provides high torque for acceleration yet converts to a single motor for high-speed operation. When the exhaust driven turbine function allows compressor speeds, beyond which the hydraulic system can contribute, a slip clutch allows disengagement of the hydraulic drive. In an alternative embodiment, the hydraulic drive provides means of forced induction air alone.

A method for controlling an engine in response to an increase in a load on the engine is disclosed. The engine includes a cylinder with a piston slidably disposed therein between a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position. The cylinder and the piston define a combustion chamber. The method includes initiating a first injection event and a second injection event. The first injection event includes introducing a first predetermined quantity of fuel into the combustion chamber at least 5 degrees before the piston reaches the top dead center position. The second injection event includes introducing a second predetermined quantity of fuel into the combustion chamber not earlier than 30 degrees after the piston moves away from the top dead center position.

There is provided a compact turbine-compressor assembly 25. The turbine-compressor assembly 25 includes a turbine wheel 39 with one or more turbine blades 41 and a compressor wheel 47 that includes one or more compressor blades 49. The compressor wheel 47 is concentric with the turbine wheel 39. Furthermore, the compressor wheel 47 and the turbine wheel 39 are not located at opposite ends of a common axle with a medial portion of the axle distancing them apart, as is the case with prior art turbine-compressor assemblies that are known. In contrast, the turbine wheel 39 and the compressor wheel 47 are located adjacent to each other and in one embodiment they axially overlap each other so that one nests within the other to thereby provide a compact arrangement. The turbine-compressor assembly 25 includes a first fluid path 67 which is configured to convey fluid, which will typically be air, through the turbine blades 41. The turbine-compressor assembly 25 also includes a second fluid path 77 which is configured to convey fluid, which will typically be air, through the compressor blades. The turbine-compressor assembly 25 is arranged so that the first fluid path 67 is distinct from the second fluid path 77 and vice-versa.

There is provided a compact turbine-compressor assembly 25. The turbine-compressor assembly 25 includes a turbine wheel 39 with one or more turbine blades 41 and a compressor wheel 47 that includes one or more compressor blades 49. The compressor wheel 47 is concentric with the turbine wheel 39. Furthermore, the compressor wheel 47 and the turbine wheel 39 are not located at opposite ends of a common axle with a medial portion of the axle distancing them apart, as is the case with prior art turbine-compressor assemblies that are known. In contrast, the turbine wheel 39 and the compressor wheel 47 are located adjacent to each other and in one embodiment they axially overlap each other so that one nests within the other to thereby provide a compact arrangement. The turbine-compressor assembly 25 includes a first fluid path 67 which is configured to convey fluid, which will typically be air, through the turbine blades 41. The turbine-compressor assembly 25 also includes a second fluid path 77 which is configured to convey fluid, which will typically be air, through the compressor blades. The turbine-compressor assembly 25 is arranged so that the first fluid path 67 is distinct from the second fluid path 77 and vice-versa.

An engine having a low pressure EGR system includes: an intake line suctioning outdoor air and transferring the outdoor air to a combustion chamber; a turbocharger actuated by exhaust gas which flows in an exhaust line to compress gas which flows in the intake line; a supercharger installed at a downstream side of the turbocharger; a low pressure EGR line branched at one side of the exhaust line and joined to an upstream side of the turbocharger to recirculate the exhaust gas; a recirculation line branched on the intake line at a downstream side of the supercharger and joined to the intake line at an upstream side of a point where the low EGR line and the intake line meet; and a control unit controlling the actuation of the supercharger. The control unit actuates the supercharger in the case of a coasting driving condition.

An engine having a low pressure EGR system includes: an intake line suctioning outdoor air and transferring the outdoor air to a combustion chamber; a turbocharger actuated by exhaust gas which flows in an exhaust line to compress gas which flows in the intake line; a supercharger installed at a downstream side of the turbocharger; a low pressure EGR line branched at one side of the exhaust line and joined to an upstream side of the turbocharger to recirculate the exhaust gas; a recirculation line branched on the intake line at a downstream side of the supercharger and joined to the intake line at an upstream side of a point where the low EGR line and the intake line meet; and a control unit controlling the actuation of the supercharger. The control unit actuates the supercharger in the case of a coasting driving condition.

A charging device for internal combustion engines includes a compressor part configured to compress drawn-in combustion air. The compressor part is arranged in an intake line of the internal combustion engine and is connected to the internal combustion engine via an actuatable mechanical coupler. An expansion part is disposed in a circulation system for a circulating working medium. The circulation system includes at least one exhaust-gas heat exchanger and a circulation pump such that the expansion part is driven utilizing waste heat from the internal combustion engine. An electric machine is connected to the expansion part so as to drive the compressor part. The electric machine is connected to the compressor part. An operational electric connection is disposed between the electric machine and a battery so that electric energy is stored during an energy-recovery mode or else so that electric energy is provided to drive the electric machine.

A method of generating electric power includes expanding a flow of exhaust gas from a combustion process as the exhaust gas passes through a turbo-expander disposed on a turbo-crankshaft. The flow of exhaust gas from the turbo-expander is routed through an absorber section of an open cycle absorption chiller system. Water from the exhaust gas is absorbed via a first refrigerant solution disposed in the absorber section as the exhaust gas passes through the first refrigerant solution and out of the absorber section. The flow of exhaust gas from the absorber section is compressed as the exhaust gas passes through a turbo-compressor disposed on the turbo-crankshaft. Electrical power is generated from a bottoming cycle generator disposed on the turbo-crankshaft.

A bottoming cycle power system includes a turbine generator and an open cycle absorption system. The turbine-generator includes a turbo-expander and turbo-compressor disposed on a turbo-crankshaft. The turbo-expander is operable to rotate the turbo-crankshaft as a flow of exhaust gas from a combustion process passes through the turbo-expander. The turbo-compressor is operable to compress the flow of exhaust gas after the exhaust gas passes through the turbo-expander. The open cycle absorption chiller system includes an absorber section that is operable to receive the flow of exhaust gas from the turbo-expander. The absorber section includes a first refrigerant solution that is operable to absorb water from the exhaust gas as the exhaust gas passes through the first refrigerant solution. The absorber section is also operable to route the flow of exhaust gas to the turbo-compressor after the flow of exhaust gas has passed through the first refrigerant solution.