For more effective work Your vehicle, car manufacturers often resort to turbocharging systems. But is it positive? new type turbocharger will affect engine performance? To fuel consumption the car has become much smaller, manufacturers often use one key solution - reducing the volume power unit. But above all, in order to keep the performance of such engines at a decent level, turbochargers are usually installed that are controlled by the exhaust and have a delay, which is better known as "turbo lag".
Cars have been subjected to this problem for many years in a row, which was accompanied by constant complaints and dissatisfaction from the owners. It seemed that a panacea was found - the simultaneous installation of two turbines, which minimized the effect of the turbo pit. But this, alas, did not become a key decision.
History of the electric turbine
The electric turbine, after a long development time, is already ready for mass application. The company was the first to announce Controlled Power Technologies (CPT) from Britain. The electric turbocharger, according to them, is already ready for mass production. CPT management has already signed an agreement with Switched Reluctance Drives Limited to develop an OEM module based on this technology base.
Switched Reluctance Drives will take care of serial production electric compressors. British developers, meanwhile, have already succeeded in creating real electric compressors for engines. internal combustion. The CPT turbocharger will be installed on any engine: naturally aspirated, turbocharged diesel or gasoline.
Controlled Power Technologies has been developing the electric turbine for almost eight years, and work on it began at the beginning of the 21st century. The creators of the electric turbine claim that it can operate from the on-board 12-volt power supply, and using it will save the engine from the turbo-lag effect, and also activate the supercharger even at low speeds. The peculiarity of this technology is the use of regenerative energy. The back pressure that was previously released through the blow-off bypass valve when the accelerator is released is now directed to spin the flywheel turbine blades to generate power and recharge the battery.
A prototype machine with an electric turbine developed German company AVL List. The electric supercharger has been adapted to the two-liter gasoline engine with direct fuel injection. Such a power unit, which was installed on the Vokswagen Passat, pollutes the atmosphere very delicately, so to speak, only 159 grams per kilometer, which is as much as 20 percent less than a similar traditional 2.0 TFSI with the same power, and less, than a 170-horsepower turbodiesel with the same volume.
The developers claim that this technology helps automotive manufacturers invest in established environmental regulations which came into force this year. Controlled Power Technologies has created a starter-generator speed start with a belt drive, which is used to operate the Start \ Stop system, which turns off the engine at short stops, which will definitely save money in traffic jams around the city.
But along with researchers from Britain, German developers have created an affordable idea for blowing air at minimal cost, which has become recognized throughout Europe. Significantly effective way to improve air injection in the engine is a mini-turbine from KAMANN, which is mounted in the intake system. The KAMANN electric turbocharger is a miniature turbine that acts as an electric air injection system installed in engine compartment. This installation of an electric turbine increases the torque of the motor, in turn helping to reduce fuel consumption. It improves the quality exhaust gases, reducing carbon dioxide levels and prolonging the life of catalysts, which improves overall speed characteristics car.
The principle of operation of an electric turbine
The principle of operation of an electric turbine differs from a classic turbocharger only due to the design of the axis that connects the impellers of the classic. When the turbocharger reaches maximum speed, the controller turns on Electrical engine in generator mode. This prevents the engine from exceeding the peak speed. In cases of too rare a decrease in speed, couplings allow the impellers to rotate independently of each other, in turn reducing the load on the bearings.
Pros and cons of an electric turbine
The more power, the less exhaust
Many conventional engines internal combustion engines are equipped with turbines in order to get more power and better acceleration. They expend less fuel and consequently pollute the atmosphere. exhaust gases also much less compared to similar units without compressor and supercharger. All this, of course, makes an excellent impression in theoretical terms, but practice shows different results. High torque is often found only in a narrow range of engine speeds. Often, some turbo diesel engines can be observed bad indicator acceleration, at the moment of changing the position of the accelerator pedal, the motor needs some time to increase power for the necessary acceleration. This phenomenon has already been referred to in this article as the turbo pit.
Savings and fast response
By analyzing the market modern cars, KAMANN claims that by 2020 the proportion of vehicles that will be equipped with electric turbines, will be 50-60% of the total number of cars that left the assembly line. They have also developed a device that helps to respond faster to changes in the accelerator pedal and at the same time remain economical. These requirements are very difficult to implement in an engine with conventional system turbocharging. Such a turbo system is effective only within a certain range of engine speeds.
The undeniable advantage of electric turbines is the efficient air injection throughout the entire speed range of the car's engine, even at the time of engine start, because the injected air is already in intake manifold. At the moment of air injection, when the engine starts, the electric turbine instantly responds to pressing the accelerator even at low speed. Even by pumping air at the moment of switching gears, you will continuously receive additional energy in order to move and accelerate.
Turbo supercharger as an addition to the turbo system
Efficient operation of most turbines only starts above 3000 rpm., which means that the torque below this figure no longer increases, which does not give your car dynamism, but the engine power. Therefore, classical turbines are a thing of the past. The installation of an electric turbine allows the engine, already at 1200 rpm immediately after pressing the gas pedal, to receive more clean air without spending the necessary energy. At this point, the nomes jump by 12% compared to the classics!
Power increase equals savings
The main advantage of installing an electric turbine is to give the engine a continuous and much faster acceleration of the car. Kamann Autosport compared cars with gasoline engine volume 1.4 with an installed electric turbine and a similar car but with a volume of 1.6 and without a turbine. The result was as follows: both cars produced approximately the same power and torque at the same fuel consumption. Therefore, these two engines are equally powerful, but the first consumes 10% less fuel! And this means that along with the increased power, fuel consumption will not increase at all!
The electric turbine is deprived of all the shortcomings conventional turbine and is much smaller in size. In addition to the obvious advantages, of course, there are also disadvantages. The electric turbine module, depending on the manufacturer, is quite gluttonous, which requires the installation of additional equipment.
What is good electric turbocharging
What is the concept of electric turbocharging, which is increasingly found in latest news auto industry? Let's figure it out. In an effort to make cars as fuel efficient as possible, automakers are increasingly downsizing engines by equipping them with turbocharging technology. Indeed, in order for a compact engine to remain powerful, it is necessary to “help” it by forcing air into the cylinders, under pressure.
“Shortening the size of the engine is one of the main ways to reduce the fuel consumption of a car,” says a spokesman for the French supplier Valeo. automotive components. "To subcompact engine could develop more power, manufacturers usually use turbines powered by exhaust gases. However, unfortunately, turbocharged engines are characterized by poor responsiveness to low revs, called the "turbo lag effect" or "turbo lag".
This "failure" in the set of revolutions, caused by the inertia of the turbine, became the "Achilles heel" of the turbo engine. In part, the problem was solved by using a twin-scroll turbine with variable geometry, or using a second small turbine to help the first one. In both cases, the turbines operate in a wider range of engine speeds, however, it was still not possible to completely eliminate the “turbolag”. Alas, it is very difficult for turbocharged units to provide an instant response to pressing the gas pedal, natural for atmospheric engines.
And now come to the rescue the new kind turbocharging - electric. What is this "beast" and can electric turbocharging be a "game changer"?
While studying how electric vehicles work, automakers have found that electric motors are characterized by instantaneous responsiveness. Today, it is still unrealistic for everyone to switch to electric transport. The motors and batteries of electric vehicles are expensive due to their large size, and the limited range of electric vehicles on a single battery charge will not suit everyone.
But why not use a small electric motor to power the compressor turbocharged engine? After all, then it will be possible to force air into the engine without the help of exhaust gases! This is precisely the principle of operation of an electric supercharger.
idea to use electric turbocharging is not new - companies such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Ferrari have already reported on developments in this area several years ago. But perhaps more than others electric blower got interested Volkswagen concern– the VW Group is currently investing heavily in the development of electric turbocharging technology or electric turbocharging.
Marc Gilles, who is involved in the development of technological communications in the North American division of Volkswagen, calls the main advantage of electric turbocharging “that it provides acceleration at low revs, while conventional exhaust gas turbines create the right pressure air at a minimum of 1500 rpm.”
“The electric motor is able to respond to the gas pedal instantly (within 250 milliseconds),” Valeo says, adding that by using an electric turbo, “fuel consumption can be reduced by 7 to 20 percent.”
Audi, part of the group Volkswagen Group, recently demonstrated its recent achievements in the field of electric turbocharging using the example of the Clubsport TT Turbo concept. four-wheel drive vehicle develops a power of 600 hp. and a torque of 649 Nm thanks to the fact that its 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine was equipped with two turbines - traditional and electric.
The electric compressor is powered by a 48-volt subsystem installed in the trunk and, unlike a conventional turbine, provides torque “on demand”. As a result, the Clubsport TT Turbo accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds.
“An electrically powered compressor has significant benefits,” says Brad Stertz, powertrain manager at Audi North America. “It spins up to maximum quickly without any perceptible delay and continues to build up air pressure when the traditional turbine lacks exhaust energy.”
“This principle of operation allows us to create traditional turbochargers, specially “sharpened” for supplying more than high pressure and therefore provide more engine power, while the electric compressor will be responsible for instant response and powerful jerks from low revs at any time,” adds Sterz.
By the way, the Clubsport TT Turbo concept is not Audi's first attempt at experimenting with an electric supercharger. Last year, the German manufacturer supplied an electric compressor to a 3.0-liter diesel engine by adding it to the traditional turbine. This design was installed on sports coupe RS5. The output turned out to be a car capable of “exchanging the first hundred” in 4 seconds, while consuming only 5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. That is, the electrically supercharged RS5 turned out to be both faster and twice as economical as its “normal” counterpart.
So when should electric turbocharging be expected at the masses? Already next year! According to the manufacturer of the electric supercharger Valeo, the first production car, which will be implemented new technology, will be the Audi SQ7 sports SUV, where the electric turbocharger will receive a V8 diesel engine with a volume of about 4 liters. The power of this power unit, presumably, will be more than 400 hp, and acceleration from standstill to 100 km / h is 5.5 seconds. The SQ7 will go on sale in 2016.
Interest in electric turbocharging has also been shown by companies such as Volvo, Hyundai, Kia and American manufacturer honeywell.
So, perhaps soon electric turbocharging will become the norm, and owners of turbocharged cars will forget about “turbo lag”, enjoying excellent traction almost from idling and modest fuel consumption figures.
What is turbocharging is known to those who like to cram one part into another, that is, we are with you. More recently, electric versions of the turbine and supercharger have appeared with mechanical drive(or supercharger). What are the electric versions of these compressors and how do they work?
Before we get into the discussion, let's brush up on our knowledge of how turbos and superchargers work. Essentially, both of these devices increase the density air-fuel mixture, which enters the internal combustion engine, where the compression and combustion of the mixture occurs. The higher the density of the air-fuel mixture, the more powerful the piston stroke and engine operation will be, even without increasing the physical volume of the engine cylinders.
That is why small engines turbocharged are more powerful than their larger counterparts: the engine receives more power from each stroke of the piston. How can this density be increased? By compressing the incoming air with a blower. If the supercharger is belt-driven, it is a mechanically driven supercharger. If from a turbine that extracts energy from the exhaust gas stream, then this is.
The disadvantage of a turbocharger is that the engine needs some time to produce enough exhaust gases. This annoying hitch is called turbo lag. The supercharger does not have such a delay, but the engine also needs time to spin the turbine, which affects its efficiency.
It can be assumed that if an “electrical” function was added to these systems, then these disadvantages would no longer exist. And it will be true.
In fact, I want to talk about three mechanisms: electric mechanical supercharging, electric turbocharging, and that nonsense that is sold on the Internet. We immediately get rid of what is offered on the Internet. And what exactly they offer, for example, on eBay can be viewed at the link.
I must say right away that this is not an option to make your PT Cruiser even more powerful. This is a way to attach a useless exhaust pump or fan from a computer to an air intake for some unknown purpose. You still won't see any changes. All this stuff that connects to your 12 volt electrical system to run the "compressor" is complete rubbish.
IN best case, these marvels of technology will be connected to the generator to start a useless fan, which still does not have enough power for normal compression. On the contrary, you will most likely lose some power due to the limited flow of forced air. As the saying goes, don't be fooled.
So real electric mechanical superchargers nevertheless exist and in fact, these are the same superchargers as those to which we are accustomed. They also spin up the compressor to increase air density, but instead of being belt driven, they are powered by an electric motor.
But the electric motor isn't the same 12-volt dummy on eBay. This will require at least a 48-volt system. Air compression consumes a lot of energy, so it is difficult to develop electrical systems.
Most batteries and traditional electrical systems in cars simply can't deliver that much power fast enough to power an electric supercharger. For this reason, electrical superchargers usually come with supercapacitors. large capacity, which can store energy and then release electrical energy very quickly. Such capacitors can also be recharged, as electrical and hybrid cars on the principle of regenerative braking.
For example, Mazda already uses a supercapacitor in its i-eLoop system. And while it's not an electric supercharger, it's still a fairly large capacitor that's already being made and installed in cars. This gives us hope that this technology will soon become ubiquitous.
Electric turbos are confusing and make us think they are different from electric superchargers. In fact, there is not much from electric turbocharging in them. They are simply small electric superchargers connected to a conventional exhaust gas turbocharger.
Even by definition, a turbocharger draws its energy from exhaust gases, so the well-loved term "electric turbocharger" simply doesn't make any sense.
By by and large, the main task electric turbocharger- get rid of the turbo lag and help the conventional turbocharger until the engine speed reaches the point where the turbine is at its most efficient. To do this, an electric one (which can be located in the same place as a conventional turbocharger or separately, but powered by the same impeller) spins the compressor at the start and at low speeds, and when the volume of exhaust gases is sufficient, it transfers work to a conventional turbocharger.
Today I want to raise an interesting topic, in principle, this is a logical continuation of the article,. If we jump ahead a little on the topic, it turns out that now all turbocharged engines use mechanical air compressors, this approach has many pluses and many minuses. But recently, many companies began to think about electric turbines that will not use the exhaust gases of a car, and also will not have mechanical connections and drives, and an electric motor will pump air, which will be “powered” by onboard system …
The idea is good! After all, many disadvantages of mechanical systems can be avoided, especially turbines that operate from exhaust gases, such as:
2) Turbine cooling
3) Engine oil lubrication
4) Oil consumption
5) Well, and of course the resource
If you draw a line, you can understand that mechanical systems are far from ideal. Of course they will be more reliable. However, they also have disadvantages, this is the same drive that uses a conventional belt for operation, which wears out over time.
In general, the developers thought and realized that mechanics can be replaced with electrics! Or not?
Structure principle
It should be noted that now some German manufacturers have such superchargers in the structure of their engines. And they are placed, as you understand, in the air intake system. The first to use such superchargers Mercedes, BMW and AUDI.
The principle here is simple - a powerful "fan" is installed, which creates a pressure of about 0.5 atmospheres (and possibly more). powered by electrical systems car, it pumps additional oxygen into the engine needed to increase power. With fuel supply settings, you can achieve a significant increase - about 20 - 30%.
An electric turbine should also be tuned to a certain speed, for example, at idle it should work more slowly, and at high revs correspondingly faster. It turns out almost the perfect system! But what's the catch, where are the cons? And you know they are.
Cons of the electric option
Many of my readers think that it is very easy to make such a system, you need to take some kind of cooler and insert it into the air intake pipe, and here it is happiness! Such “miracle coolers” are usually sold in Chinese online stores, we will talk about such types below.
However, the guys here are not so simple. In normal (idle) mode, naturally aspirated engine 1.6 liters consumes approximately 300 - 400 liters of air per hour of operation. And at high speeds, let's say at 4000 - 5000, we multiply this figure by 4 - 5, that is, 1200 - 1600 liters. Just imagine this volume! If you calculate the minute consumption 300/60 = 5 liters per minute, or 20 at high speeds.
So - the electric turbine should increase this figure, and not slow it down! If you put weak engine, it will not build up the necessary pressure, but will create the effect of " airlock”, that is, with its blades it will slow down the flow of air into the engine - interfere with the normal passage.
Now imagine what kind of electric version of the engine is needed to pump such a volume! I repeat, to increase performance, you need at least 6 - 7 liters of air at idle, and 25 at high, and this is for the 1.6 liter version, more is needed for large volumes.
If we draw an analogy with German manufacturers, then at least a brushless 0.5 kW electric motor is used there, which rotates at a frantic speed, can reach up to 20,000 and its pressure capacity is from 1 to 5 atmospheres.
For more powerful cars, apply more powerful engines up to 0.7 kW.
As it becomes clear, a standard generator may not be able to handle such electricity consumption, so it is replaced with a more powerful one, or an additional one is installed.
And as you know high consumption energy simply slows down the generators, and therefore increases the braking of the engine, which will affect its output, and the efficiency decreases.
However, the experiments carried out revealed an increase in productivity, by about 20 - 30% this is significant. But due to the complexity and high cost of devices, application on cars has not yet been mass-produced.
For example, mechanical compressors are much cheaper and more efficient. Sometimes the difference in price can reach 5 - 7 times.
A few words about Chinese electric turbines
Literally 2 years ago, the "autointernet" just exploded from electric turbines from China. A small "thing" was offered, which was installed in the gap of the air intake hose, which supposedly forced air with pressure into the engine, the promised increase in power up to - 15%! The engine itself was an incomprehensible cooler, neither electricity consumption, nor revolutions, nor pumped air - there were no indicators. If you disassemble it even visually, it becomes clear that this is a cooler similar to advanced computer ones, what can it increase? NOTHING! So just do not buy - it's a DIVORCE.
Now, of course, other electric turbines are starting to appear on the same Chinese sites, many are even made in the shape of a snail - ala mechanical compressor. But again, there are no pressure indicators, no consumption, no air pumping. Think before you buy. Let's watch an educational video.
Is it possible to make an electric version with your own hands
Hypothetically, it is possible, and many install this on their car. Personally, I also thought about installing it on my car, but the price stopped me.
You need to decide a number of points:
1) Definitely installing a powerful generator, which is already expensive for a foreign car.
2) A powerful and compact electric motor, preferably a brushless one, it gives high speed with optimal energy consumption. Personally, I have seen such compact models, however, with a power of 0.5 kW or more, it is also not cheap.
3) Impeller and housing. You also need to make yourself or buy, for maximum air injection. Also a difficult task.
4) And of course the stabilizer or inverters to power the electric motor.
The tasks are not easy, some foreign cars do not have powerful generators, so it is very difficult to do!
But many craftsmen install them in the garage on their cars, the increase in power can really be achieved up to 20 - 30%.
Moreover, many put an additional air consumption sensor in the pipe in front of the turbine, it “sees” the pumped volume and automatically regulates a large fuel supply (supplies values to the ECU), for enrichment fuel mixture. So the firmware may not be needed.
To get the most out of a car, automakers are turning to engine turbochargers, but a new kind of turbocharger is on the way that could change the game.
Reducing the size of a car engine is one of the key decisions used by automakers to reduce vehicle fuel consumption (from Audi). However, in order for a downsized engine to have high performance, auto companies usually use a turbocharger that is driven by exhaust gases (read more about how turbocharging works). The classic turbocharging scheme has one acute problem, it leads to a delay in the response of the boost. This phenomenon is commonly known as turbolag. To make it clear, let's explain it easier, you follow to overtake, press the gas pedal to the floor, turbocharging turns on, but the car jerks only after a couple of seconds due to the so-called turbolag.
This slow response has plagued turbocharged cars for years and is a common complaint. Things like twin-scroll turbos or small turbos are often used to combat this lag, but they aren't perfect either. Attempts to curb this shortcoming with the help of the so-called, which we wrote about earlier, also, unfortunately, did not lead to anything, not having passed the tests in practice. Simply put, it is very difficult to make a turbocharged engine with immediate response.
The principle of operation of electric turbocharging 
Everything will remain in place until we start using electrical components. While automakers have explored the pros and cons of all-electric power plants, they came to the conclusion that when it comes to electric motors, the response in them occurs instantly. Take for example the classic Toyota Prius, you will not find a faster response to acceleration in any car of similar parameters. Of course, electric vehicles expensive due to the size of their motors and batteries, and they are not exactly practical due to their limited range of motion. But despite this, automakers can use small electric motors and components for their own purposes. One such case is powering a turbocharger, which speeds up a car's engine without relying on exhaust gases.
The electric motor reacts instantly, within 250 milliseconds. Using this mechanism, you can reduce fuel consumption by 10 percent. Since this kind of turbocharger does not use exhaust gases, it is technically just a supercharger. To make the concept clear to consumers this mechanism, it is often referred to as electric turbocharging.
Volkswagen and related car brands are actively investing in this electric turbo technology.
Audi showcases E-Turbo
Recently Audi company presented their latest developments in the world of electric turbocharging with the Clubsport TT Turbo Concept, which provides the owner with 600 Horse power power and 479 Nm of torque thanks to a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. One turbocharger is traditional and is driven by exhaust gases, the second turbocharger works with an electric unit.
The company created a concept to demonstrate the potential of electric turbochargers, saying that the technology is ready for use in production cars. The 48-volt electrical subsystem that powers the electric turbo is located in the trunk of the car and revs the engine when needed without making it wait like a traditional turbo.
"Turbocharger with electric drive provides significant benefits,” said an Audi spokesman. “It quickly and evenly increases the speed of the engine to maximum number turnovers without any significant delays.
This principle of operation allows you to design a conventional turbocharger specifically for engines. high power- e-turbo provides instant response and powerful sprint at low engine speeds.
This isn't the first time Audi has shown its interest in electric turbocharging. Last year, the German automaker added electric turbocharging to a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 diesel engine and shoved all that mixture into the RS5. The result was defiantly fast car in the back of a coupe that picks up speed from 0 to 100 km / h in just 4 seconds. This makes it faster than the regular RS5 and cuts fuel consumption in half.
When should we expect electric turbos in production cars?
For all positive feedback With this technology, Audi is likely to be among the first automakers to use electric turbocharging in production cars, but so far the company has not announced when we will be able to see such cars at authorized dealers.
