FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; rule 13]
TITLE: “AN ENGINE SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR PREVENTING COMPRESSOR SURGE IN AN ENGINE”
Name and Address of the Applicant:
Name: Reliance Industries Ltd
Nationality: India
Address: 3rd Floor, Maker Chamber-IV, 222, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021, Maharashtra India
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
2
[001]
TECHNICAL FIELD
[002]
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of turbocharged internal combustion engine. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a method for preventing compressor surge in the internal combustion engine during throttle closure 5 condition.
[003]
BACKGROUND
[004]
Internal combustion (IC) engine is a type of heat engine where the combustion of a fuel 10 occurs within the engine itself to produce mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is then used to perform work, typically for driving a vehicle or generating electricity. Internal combustion engines are widely used in various applications, including automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, airplanes, and small power equipments.
15
[005]
Internal combustion engines typically use liquid fuels, and the choice of fuel depends on the type of engine and its application. The two primary types of internal combustion engines are spark-ignition engines (commonly associated with gasoline) and compression-ignition engines (commonly associated with diesel). In addition to gasoline and diesel, there are alternative fuels used in internal combustion engines for specific applications or to address 20 environmental concerns. Some of these alternative fuels include natural gas, ethanol, hydrogen, biodiesel etc.
[006]
In a conventional spark ignited (SI) engine a throttle valve closing may be used to reduce the power developed by the engine as it restricts the air entering the engine. At times 25 this is done instantaneously to drop engine power to minimum, in a vehicle, for example to change gears or to halt the vehicle instantly. When done instantaneously the turbocharger continues to spin due to its inertia and this develops a large pressure between throttle and compressor of the turbocharger. This high pressure may cause damage to throttle valve and compressor. 30
[007]
To avoid this, a dump valve may be provisioned between the compressor and the throttle valve. The dump valve may be opened to relieve the pressure from outlet of compressor to inlet side.
35
3
[008]
However, the dump valve increases the complexity of layout of the engine and adds to the cost. Therefore, usage of dump valve is not desirable.
[009]
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or other such limitations associated with the conventional techniques. 5
[010]
The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. 10
[011]
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[012]
One or more shortcomings of conventional methods and systems are overcome, and 15 additional advantages are provided through the method and system as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
20
[013]
In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a method for preventing compressor surge in an internal combustion (IC) engine during throttle closure condition is disclosed. The method comprises detecting, by an electronic control unit (ECU) associated with the IC engine, a throttle closure command, operating, by the ECU, a fuel injection unit of the IC engine to cut off fuel supply to the IC engine upon detection of the throttle closure command. The method 25 further includes operating, by the ECU, a turbocharger assembly to an open position to regulate flow rate of exhaust gases to the turbocharger assembly and delaying, by the ECU, start of actuation of the turbocharger assembly to a closed position from the open position by at least a pre-defined time upon detection of the throttle closure command.
30
[014]
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the throttle closure condition is a snap throttle condition and the throttle closure command is a snap throttle command.
4
[015]
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the turbocharger assembly includes a variable geometry (VG) turbine, and the method comprises actuating, by the ECU, an actuator of the VG turbine to fully open position upon detection of the throttle closure command.
[016]
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method comprises operating, by the ECU, the 5 actuator of the VG turbine to fully closed position upon closing a throttle valve of the engine.
[017]
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method comprises regulating, by the ECU, start time of closing of the throttle valve and rate of closing the throttle valve.
10
[018]
In an embodiment of the disclosure, operating the turbocharger assembly to the open position includes restricting the position of the VG turbine to at least 50% open position during the throttle closure condition.
[019]
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the turbocharger assembly includes a waste gate 15 (WG) valve, and the method comprises actuating, by the ECU, the WG valve to fully open position upon detection of the throttle closure command.
[020]
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method comprises actuating, by the ECU, the WG valve to fully closed position upon closing the throttle valve. 20
[021]
In an embodiment of the disclosure, operating the turbocharger assembly to the open position includes restricting the position of the WG valve to at least 20% open position during the throttle closure condition.
25
[022]
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the pre-defined time is 1 second.
[023]
In another non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, an engine system is disclosed. The engine system comprises an internal combustion (IC) engine, a throttle valve, a turbocharger assembly and an electronic control unit (ECU) associated with the IC engine and 30 operably coupled to the turbocharger assembly and the throttle valve. The ECU is configured to detect a throttle closure command, operate a fuel injection unit of the IC engine to cut off fuel supply to the IC engine upon detection of the throttle closure command. Further, the ECU is configured to operate the turbocharger assembly to an open position to regulate flow rate of
5
exhaust gases to the turbocharger assembly and
delay start of actuation of the turbocharger assembly to a closed position from the open position by at least a pre-defined time upon detection of the throttle closure command.
[024]
In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, an engine system is 5 disclosed. The engine system comprises a throttle valve, a turbocharger assembly comprising a variable geometry (VG) turbine and an electronic control unit (ECU) associated with the IC engine and operably coupled to the turbocharger assembly and the throttle valve. The ECU is configured to detect a throttle closure command, operate a fuel injection unit of the IC engine to cut off fuel supply to the IC engine upon detection of the throttle closure command. Further, 10 the ECU is configured to operate the turbocharger assembly to an open position to restrict the position of the VG turbine to at least 50% open position during the throttle closure condition and delay start of actuation of the turbocharger assembly to a closed position from the open position by at least 1 second upon detection of the throttle closure command.
15
[025]
In still another non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, an engine system is disclosed. The engine system comprises an internal combustion (IC) engine, a throttle valve, a turbocharger assembly comprising a waste gate (WG) valve and an electronic control unit (ECU) associated with the IC engine and operably coupled to the turbocharger assembly and the throttle valve. The ECU is configured to detect a throttle closure command, operate a fuel 20 injection unit of the engine to cut off fuel supply to the IC engine upon detection of the throttle closure command. Further, the ECU is configured to operate the turbocharger assembly to an open position to restrict the position of the WG valve to at least 20% open position during the throttle closure condition and delay start of actuation of the turbocharger assembly to a closed position from the open position by at least 1 second upon detection of the throttle closure 25 command.
[026]
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the 30 following detailed description.
6
[027]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[028]
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a mode of use, further objectives, and 5 advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
10
[029]
Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an engine system with variable geometry turbine in a turbocharger assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[030]
Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the engine system with a waste gate valve in the turbocharger assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 15
[031]
Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic view of the engine system with a multi-stage turbocharger assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[032]
Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for preventing compressor surge in an IC 20 engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[033]
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the method and system illustrated herein may be employed without departing 25 from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
[034]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[035]
While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and 30 alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
35
7
[036]
It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and modify various features of system and method, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, such modifications are considered to be part of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure 5 with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skilled in the art having benefit of the description herein. Also, the system and method of the present disclosure may be employed in any kind of vehicles including commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, and the like.
10
[037]
The terms “comprises...a”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions such that a method comprises steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such mechanism. In other words, one or more steps in method proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other steps or 15 additional processes in the method.
[038]
Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses an engine system and a method for preventing compressor surge in an IC engine during throttle closure condition. The present disclosure discloses an engine system and a method that eliminates the requirement of dump 20 valve or by-pass valve that may be used in conventional IC engine system to deal with the problem of compressor surge. Therefore, with the method and engine system of the present disclosure, the total cost may be reduced, and the system complexity is reduced because of elimination of additional component such as dump valve or by-pass valve. The engine system and the method of the present disclosure may be typically employed in a vehicle, but is not 25 limited to the same and may be applied in any other applications where a turbocharged IC engine is used.
[039]
The method for preventing compressor surge during throttle closure condition firstly includes detecting a throttle closure command by an electronic control unit (ECU). Upon 30 detection of the throttle closure command, a fuel injection unit may be operated by the ECU to cut-off fuel supply to the IC engine so as to cut-off power supply to the engine. Further, the ECU operates a turbocharger assembly to an open position so as to regulate i.e., control the flow of exhaust gases to the turbocharger assembly and therefore restrict transfer of energy to
8
the turbocharger assembly, thereby restrict rotation of the turbine of the turbocharger assembly.
Thereafter, the start of actuation of the turbocharger assembly to closed position from the open position is delayed by the ECU by at least a pre-defined time from the time of detection of the throttle closure command. With the method of the present disclosure, the rotation of the turbine blades because of inertia may be prevented and thereby the compressor surge is prevented. The 5 engine system includes an IC engine, throttle valve, turbocharger assembly and ECU associated with the IC engine to carry out the steps of the method described above.
[040]
The method and engine system of the present disclosure will be elucidated in conjunction to corresponding figures in the forthcoming paragraphs. 10
[041]
The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Fig. 1 to 4. In the figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs. With general reference to the drawings, method, and system in accordance with the teachings of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. 15 Features and elements of the method and system is depicted by respective reference numeral [see list of reference numerals] in the corresponding figures and the same will be used corresponding to respective features henceforth.
[042]
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to 20 limit application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or summary or the following detailed description. It is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices or components illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the 25 following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments that may be disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be descried referring to the accompanying drawings. While some specific terms directed to a 30 specific direction will be used, the purpose of usage of these terms or words is merely to facilitate understanding of the present invention referring to the drawings. Accordingly, it should be noted that the meaning of these terms or words should not improperly limit the technical scope of the present invention.
9
[043] Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for description and should not be regarded as limiting. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, applications, conditions, or parameters described and/or shown herein and that the terminology used herein is to describe embodiments by way of example and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Hereinafter in the 5 following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are outlined to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. Henceforth, the 10 system and method are elucidated in detail referring to Fig. 1 to 4.
[044] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an engine system (100). The engine system (100) of the present disclosure is configured to prevent compressor surge during throttle closure condition. In an embodiment, the engine system (100) may be deployed in a vehicle. The vehicle may 15 refer to heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and buses, or four-wheeler passenger vehicles but not limited to the same. The present disclosure is not limited to engine system (100) of the vehicle but could be extended to other applications where a turbocharged internal combustion engine may be used such as but not limited to power generation systems.
20
[045] As shown in Fig. 1, the engine system (100) includes an internal combustion (IC) engine (110). Hereinafter, the IC engine and engine may be used alternatively without any change in the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the IC engine (110) may be a spark ignited (SI) IC engine. The engine system (100) includes a fuel injection unit (104) that is configured to supply fuel to the IC engine (110). The fuel may be in the form of gas or liquid 25 or a mixture of gas and liquid. In an embodiment, the fuel used in the engine system (100) may be Hydrogen (H2) and therefore the engine may in general be referred to as Hydrogen IC engine. However, the type of fuel should not be considered as a limitation of the present disclosure as other types of fuel such as natural gas or a hybrid of Hydrogen and natural gas may be used without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, 30 the engine system (100) also includes a fuel storage system (108) to store the fuel and the same could be used by the fuel injection unit (104) to supply the fuel to the IC engine (110).
10
[046] The engine system (100) includes a throttle valve (106) that may be used to regulate the flow of air to the IC engine (110). The engine system (100) further comprises a turbocharger assembly (200) which in turn includes a turbine (202) and a compressor (208). In an embodiment, the turbine (202) may be a variable geometry (VG) turbine (202). The turbocharger assembly (200) includes an actuator (204) to actuate the turbine, in Fig. 1, 5 specifically the VG turbine (202) between an open position and a closed position. The engine system (100) has an electronic control unit (ECU) associated with the IC engine (110) and operably coupled to the turbocharger assembly (200) and the throttle valve (106) as shown in Fig. 1. The engine system (100) further includes other components such as but not limited to exhaust unit (112), a plurality of sensors (114) and an air filter (116). 10
[047] The engine system (100) of the present disclosure is configured to prevent compressor surge during throttle closure condition. In an embodiment, the throttle closure condition may be a snap throttle condition. The snap throttle condition may be a condition that occurs due to sudden drop of power of the IC engine (110) to minimum by actuating the throttle valve (106) 15 to close condition. For instance, in a vehicle, the snap throttle condition may occur during instant change of gears or when the vehicle is to be halted instantly. The trigger for the throttle closure condition may be detected by the ECU (102) through a throttle closure command. In an embodiment, the throttle closure command may be a snap throttle command which may be for instance detected by the ECU (102) in the vehicle as soon as vehicle is halted or when there 20 is instant change of gears. With the same example of vehicle, the entire condition of vehicle halting may be referred to as snap throttle condition and the instance or moment when the occurrence of halting of the vehicle starts is when the snap throttle command is detected by the ECU (102). Upon detection of the throttle closure command or snap throttle command, the ECU (102) operates the fuel injection unit (104) to cut-off fuel supply to the IC engine (110) 25 so as to minimize the power of the IC engine (110). Further, the turbocharger assembly (200) is operated to an open position by the ECU (102). Firstly, as soon as the throttle closure command is detected, the ECU (102) operates the actuator (204) of the turbocharger assembly (200) to actuate the VG turbine (202) to fully open position. In an embodiment, fully open position refers to the position of the VG turbine (202) that significantly reduces the 30 turbocharger boost. In an embodiment, the fully open position of the VG turbine (202) doesn’t necessarily mean 100% open, but also covers conditions of more than 80% open. Further, the start of actuation of the turbocharger assembly (200), specifically, the VG turbine (202) to the closed position from the open position is delayed by the ECU (102) by at least a pre-defined
11
time upon the detection of the throttle closure command or the snap throttle command. In an embodiment, the pre-defined time may be 1 second i.e., the start of actuation of the VG turbine (202) is delayed by at least 1 second from the time of detection of the throttle closure command. In an embodiment, operating of the turbocharger assembly (200) or the VG turbine (202) to the open position includes restricting the position of the VG turbine (202) to at least 50% open 5 position during the throttle closure condition. In an embodiment, the ECU (102) operates the actuator (204) to actuate the VG turbine (202) to fully closed position upon closing the throttle valve (106) of the engine (100). In an embodiment, the ECU (102) regulates start time of closing of the throttle valve (106) and rate of closing the throttle valve (106).
10
[048] By actuating the VG turbine (202) to fully open position immediately after the detection of the throttle closure command and restricting the open position of the VG turbine to 50% open position during the throttle closure condition, the flow of exhaust gases to the turbocharger assembly (200) or specifically to the VG turbine (202) is significantly reduced. Thereby the rotational energy of the VG turbine (202) and in turn the compressor (208) may 15 be reduced. This helps in preventing the compressor surge or back pressure in the engine system (100).
[049] Referring now to Fig. 2, it illustrates schematic representation of the engine system (100) with the turbocharger assembly (200) comprising a waste gate (WG) turbine (202a) and 20 waste gate (WG) valve (206). The remaining layout of the engine system (100) is substantially similar to that of the layout depicted in the Fig. 1. The WG valve (206) is a by-pass valve which by passes the exhaust gases from inlet of the WG turbine (202a) to outlet of the WG turbine (202a) and thereby controlling the energy entering the WG turbine (202a). This reduces the airflow or boost pressure generated by the compressor (208). 25
[050] In comparison to the layout of the engine system (100) described with respect to Fig. 1, the engine system (100) here includes the ECU (102) associated with the WG valve (206). In an embodiment, the ECU (102) actuates the WG valve (206) to fully open position upon detection of the throttle closure command. Further, the ECU (102) actuates the WG valve (206) 30 to fully closed position upon closing the throttle valve (106). In an embodiment, operating the turbocharger assembly (200) to the open position includes restricting the position of the WG valve (206) to at least 20% open position during the throttle closure condition.
12
[051] By actuating the WG valve (206) to fully open position immediately after the detection of the throttle closure command and restricting the open position of the WG valve to 20% open position during the throttle closure condition, the flow of exhaust gases to the turbocharger assembly (200) is significantly reduced. Thereby the rotational energy of the WG turbine (202a) and in turn the compressor (208) may be reduced. This helps in preventing the 5 compressor surge or back pressure in the engine system (100).
[052]
Fig. 3 illustrates the condition of a multi-stage turbocharger assembly (200), two-stage turbocharger assembly (200) in particular. The present disclosure of preventing compressor surge during throttle closure condition may be extended to multi-stage turbocharger assembly 10 (200) as well without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Although two-stage turbocharger assembly (200) is depicted in Fig. 3, the same should not be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure as the present disclosure may be applicable to three-stage turbocharger assembly and so on.
15
[053]
Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a shaft (210) is illustrated. The turbine (202) may be coupled to the compressor (208) through the shaft (210). Thus, the rotational movement of the turbine (202) is transmitted to the compressor (208) through the shaft (210).
[054]
Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a method (300) for preventing compressor surge during 20 throttle closure condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[055]
As illustrated in Fig. 4, the method (300) includes one or more blocks for preventing compressor surge during throttle closure condition. The method (300) may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable 25 instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, units, and functions, which perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.
[056]
The order in which the method (300) is described is not intended to be construed as a 30 limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the
13
method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination
thereof.
[057]
As shown at step 301, firstly the ECU (102) detects the throttle closure command. In an embodiment, the throttle command may be a snap throttle command. In an embodiment, as 5 an example, for the vehicle application instant halt condition may lead to detection of the throttle closure command or snap throttle command.
[058]
At step 302, upon detecting the throttle closure command, the ECU (102) may be configured to operate the fuel injection unit (104) to cut-off fuel supply to the IC engine (110). 10 In an embodiment, for a Hydrogen engine system, the supply of Hydrogen stored in the fuel storage system (108) may be cut-off by the ECU (102). This will reduce the power of the IC engine (110) to minimum. In an embodiment, the Hydrogen may be stored in the fuel storage system (108) either in the form of liquid or gas.
15
[059]
At step 303, the ECU (102) operates a turbocharger assembly (200) to an open position to regulate flow rate of exhaust gases to the turbocharger assembly (200). In an embodiment, operating the turbocharger assembly (200) to the open position by the ECU (102) includes restricting the position of the VG turbine (202) to at least 50% open position during the throttle closure condition. In another embodiment, operating the turbocharger assembly (200) to the 20 open position by the ECU (102) includes restricting the position of the WG valve (206) to at least 20% open position during the throttle closure condition.
[060]
At step 304, the ECU (102) delays start of actuation of the turbocharger assembly (200) to a closed position from the open position by at least a pre-defined time upon detection of the 25 throttle closure command. In an embodiment, the pre-defined time is at least 1 second. Further, the turbocharger assembly (200) is operated to fully closed position upon closing the throttle valve (106) of the engine system (100).
[061]
In an embodiment, the engine system (100) and the method (300) of the present 30 disclosure prevents compressor surge in the IC engine (110) during throttle closure command. The present disclosure eliminates the need for a dump valve or a by-pass valve to overcome the issue of compressor surge. Therefore, with the method (300) and the engine system (100) of the present disclosure, the total cost may be reduced, and the system complexity is reduced.
14
[062]
In an embodiment, the ECU (102) may be a centralized control module, or a dedicated control module. The ECU (102) may be implemented by any computing system that is utilized to implement the features of the present disclosure. The ECU (102) includes a processing module comprising at least one data processor for executing program components for executing user or system generated requests. The processing module may be a specialized processing 5 module such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing modules, digital signal processing modules, etc. The processing module may include a microprocessor, such as AMD Athlon, Duron or Opteron, ARM’s application, embedded or secure processors, IBM PowerPC, Intel’s Core, Itanium, Xeon, Celeron or other line of processors, etc. The processing module may be implemented 10 using a mainframe, distributed processor, multi-core, parallel, grid, or other architectures. Some embodiments may utilize embedded technologies like application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.
15
[063]
It is to be understood that a person of ordinary skill in art may develop a similar system and method without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents. 20
[064]
Equivalents:
[065]
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to 25 the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
[066]
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended 30 as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an
15
intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent
is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular 5 claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an 10 introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense 15 one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would 20 understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to 25 contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be 30 limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the claims.
16
[067]
List of Reference Numerals:
Engine System
100
Electronic Control Unit (ECU)
102
Fuel injection unit
104
Throttle valve
106
Fuel storage system
108
Internal combustion (IC) engine/ Engine
110
Exhaust unit
112
Plurality of sensors
114
Air filter
116
Turbocharger assembly
200
Variable Geometry (VG) turbine
202
Waster Gate (WG) turbine
202a
Actuator
204
Waste Gate (WG) valve
206
Compressor
208
Shaft
210
Method
300
Steps in the method
301-304
We claim:
1. A method (300) for preventing compressor (208) surge in an internal combustion (IC)
engine (110) during throttle closure condition, the method (300) comprising:
detecting, by an electronic control unit (ECU) (102) associated with the IC engine (110), a throttle closure command;
operating, by the ECU (102), a fuel injection unit (104) of the IC engine (110) to cut off fuel supply to the IC engine (110) upon detection of the throttle closure command;
operating, by the ECU (102), a turbocharger assembly (200) to an open position to regulate flow rate of exhaust gases to the turbocharger assembly (200); and
delaying, by the ECU (102), start of actuation of the turbocharger assembly (200) to a closed position from the open position by at least a pre-defined time upon detection of the throttle closure command.
2. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the throttle closure condition is a snap throttle condition, and the throttle closure command is a snap throttle command.
3. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the turbocharger assembly (200) includes a variable geometry (VG) turbine (202), and the method (300) comprises actuating, by the ECU (102), an actuator (204) of the VG turbine (202) to fully open position upon detection of the throttle closure command.
4. The method (300) as claimed in claim 3 comprises operating, by the ECU (102), the actuator (204) of the VG turbine (202) to fully closed position upon closing a throttle valve (106) of the engine (100).
5. The method (300) as claimed in claim 4 comprises regulating, by the ECU (102), start time of closing of the throttle valve (106) and rate of closing the throttle valve (106).
6. The method (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 3, wherein operating the turbocharger assembly (200) to the open position includes restricting the position of the VG turbine (202) to at least 50% open position during the throttle closure condition.
7. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the turbocharger assembly (200) includes a waste gate (WG) valve (206), and the method (300) comprises actuating, by the ECU

(102), the WG valve (206) to fully open position upon detection of the throttle closure command.
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7 comprises actuating, by the ECU (102), the WG valve (206) to fully closed position upon closing the throttle valve (106).
9. The method (300) as claimed in claims 1 and 5, wherein operating the turbocharger assembly (200) to the open position includes restricting the position of the WG valve (206) to at least 20% open position during the throttle closure condition.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-defined time is 1 second.
11. An engine system (100) comprising:
an internal combustion (IC) engine (110); a throttle valve (106);
a turbocharger assembly (200); and
an electronic control unit (ECU) (102) associated with the IC engine (110) and operably coupled to the turbocharger assembly (200) and the throttle valve (106), the ECU (102) is configured to:
detect a throttle closure command;
operate a fuel injection unit (104) of the IC engine (100) to cut off fuel supply to the IC engine (100) upon detection of the throttle closure command;
operate the turbocharger assembly (200) to an open position to regulate flow rate of exhaust gases to the turbocharger assembly (200); and
delay start of actuation of the turbocharger assembly (200) to a closed position from the open position by at least a pre-defined time upon detection of the throttle closure command.
12. The engine system (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the throttle closure condition is a snap throttle condition, and the throttle closure command is a snap throttle command.
13. The engine system (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the turbocharger assembly (200) includes a variable geometry (VG) turbine (202), and the ECU (102) is configured to operate an actuator (204) of the VG turbine (202) to fully open position upon detection of the throttle closure command.

14. The engine system (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ECU (102) is configured to operate the VG turbine (202) to fully closed position upon closing the throttle valve (106).
15. The engine system (100) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the ECU (102) is configured to regulate start time of closing of the throttle valve (106) and rate of closing the throttle valve (106).
16. The engine system (100) as claimed in claims 11 and 13, wherein operating the turbocharger assembly (200) to the open position includes restricting the position of the VG turbine (202) to at least 50% open position during the throttle closure condition.
17. The engine system (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the turbocharger assembly (200) includes a waste gate (WG) valve (206), and the ECU (102) is configured to operate the WG valve (206) to fully open position upon detection of the throttle closure command.
18. The engine system (100) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the ECU (102) is configured to operate the WG valve (206) to fully closed position upon closing the throttle valve (106).
19. The engine system (100) as claimed in claims 11 and 17, wherein operating the turbocharger assembly (200) to the open position includes restricting the position of the WG valve (206) to at least 20% open position during the throttle closure condition.
20. The engine system (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pre-defined time is 1 second.
21. An engine system (100) comprising:
an internal combustion (IC) engine (110);
a throttle valve (106);
a turbocharger assembly (200) comprising a variable geometry (VG) turbine (202); and
an electronic control unit (ECU) (102) associated with the IC engine (110) and operably coupled to the turbocharger assembly (200) and the throttle valve (106), the ECU (102) is configured to:
detect a throttle closure command;

operate a fuel injection unit (104) of the IC engine (100) to cut off fuel supply to the IC engine (100) upon detection of the throttle closure command;
operate the turbocharger assembly (200) to the open position to restrict the position of the VG turbine (202) to at least 50% open position during the throttle closure condition; and
delay start of actuation of the turbocharger assembly (200) to a closed position from the open position by at least 1 second upon detection of the throttle closure command.
22. An engine system (100) comprising:
an internal combustion (IC) engine (110); a throttle valve (106);
a turbocharger assembly (200) comprising a waste gate (WG) valve (206); and an electronic control unit (ECU) (102) associated with the IC engine (110) and operably coupled to the turbocharger assembly (200) and the throttle valve (106), the ECU (102) is configured to:
detect a throttle closure command;
operate a fuel injection unit (104) of the IC engine (110) to cut off fuel supply to the IC engine (110) upon detection of the throttle closure command;
operate the turbocharger assembly (200) to an open position to restrict the position of the WG valve (206) to at least 20% open position during the throttle closure condition; and
delay start of actuation of the turbocharger assembly (200) to a closed position from the open position by at least 1 second upon detection of the throttle closure command.