Turbocharger system

Abstract

A system for controlling intake pressure of a combustion engine operably coupled to a power generation system includes a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a pressure in an intake system of the combustion engine and a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a load on the power generation system. The system further includes a turbocharger operably coupled to the intake system. The system also includes an electric machine operably coupled to the turbocharger. The electric machine is configured to supply torque to the turbocharger. The system further includes a turbocharger controller operably coupled to the electric machine. The turbocharger controller is configured to control operation of the electric machine such that the turbocharger supplies a desired intake pressure to the combustion engine based at least partially on the signal indicative of a pressure in the intake system and the signal indicative of a load on the power generation system.

1 . A system for controlling intake pressure of a combustion engine operably coupled to a power generation system, the system comprising: 
 a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a pressure in an intake system of the combustion engine;    a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a load on the power generation system;    a turbocharger operably coupled to the intake system, the turbocharger being configured to increase the intake pressure in the intake system of the combustion engine; and    a turbocharger controller operably coupled to the turbocharger,    wherein the turbocharger controller is configured to control operation of the turbocharger such that the turbocharger supplies a desired intake pressure to the combustion engine based at least partially on the signal indicative of a pressure in the intake system and the signal indicative of a load on the power generation system.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the turbocharger controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a desired output and to control operation of the turbocharger such that the turbocharger supplies a desired intake pressure to the combustion engine based partially on the signal indicative of a desired output.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , further including an electric motor operably coupled to the turbocharger, the electric motor being configured to supply torque to the turbocharger, thereby increasing the responsiveness of the turbocharger to changes in the signal indicative of a load on the power generation system.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a generator operably coupled to the turbocharger, the generator being configured to convert mechanical energy of the turbocharger into electric energy, thereby reducing the speed of the turbocharger in response to a desired decrease in intake pressure.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the turbocharger controller is configured to determine a desired intake pressure based on a signal indicative of a desired output and the signal indicative of a load on the power generation system.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the turbocharger controller includes a comparator configured to output an intake pressure error based on a difference between the desired intake pressure and the signal indicative of a pressure in the intake system.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the turbocharger controller includes a controller configured to receive the intake pressure error and output a command such that the intake pressure error is reduced.  
   
   
       8 . A power generation system comprising: 
 a combustion engine configured to produce mechanical energy, the combustion engine including an intake system;    a generator operably coupled to the combustion engine, the generator being configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy;    a turbocharger operably coupled to the intake system of the combustion engine, the turbocharger being configured to increase intake pressure in the intake system; and    a turbocharger controller operably coupled to the turbocharger, the turbocharger controller being configured to selectively vary operation of the turbocharger based on a difference between an actual intake pressure and a desired intake pressure, the desired intake pressure being based at least partially on a load placed on the power generation system.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the turbocharger controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a desired output and to control operation of the turbocharger such that the turbocharger supplies the desired intake pressure for the combustion engine based partially on the signal indicative of a desired output.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8 , further including an electric motor operably coupled to the turbocharger, the electric motor of the electric machine being configured to supply torque to the turbocharger, thereby increasing the intake pressure.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8 , further including a generator operably coupled to the turbocharger, the generator being configured to convert mechanical energy of the turbocharger into electric energy and to supply a braking torque to the turbocharger, thereby reducing speed of the turbocharger in response to a desired decrease in intake pressure.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the turbocharger controller is configured to determine a desired intake pressure based on a signal indicative of a desired output and a signal indicative of a load on the power generation system.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the turbocharger controller includes a comparator configured to output an intake pressure error based on a difference between the actual intake pressure and the desired intake pressure.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the turbocharger controller includes a controller configured to receive the intake pressure error and output a command such that the intake pressure error is reduced.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 8 , further including a fluid pump operably coupled to the combustion engine, and a fluid-driven motor operably coupled to the fluid pump, the fluid-driven motor being configured to supply torque to at least one driving member.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , further including a sensor operably coupled to at least one of the fluid pump and the fluid-driven motor, the sensor being configured to output a signal indicative of a load on the fluid-driven motor.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the turbocharger controller is configured to selectively vary operation of the turbocharger based on a difference between the actual intake pressure and the desired intake pressure, the desired intake pressure being based at least partially on the signal indicative of a load on the fluid-driven motor.  
   
   
       18 . A method of maintaining a desired air-to-fuel ratio supplied to a combustion engine operably coupled to a power generation system, the method comprising: 
 sensing a load on the power generation system;    outputting the sensed load on the power generation system to a turbocharger controller; and    controlling operation of the turbocharger via the turbocharger controller based at least partially on the sensed load on the power generation system such that the desired air-to-fuel ratio supplied to the combustion engine is substantially maintained.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the turbocharger controller is operably coupled to an electric machine, the electric machine being operably coupled to the turbocharger, and wherein controlling operation of the turbocharger includes supplying torque to the turbocharger via the electric machine.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the electric machine includes an electric motor, and controlling operation of the turbocharger includes increasing the speed of rotation of the turbocharger via torque supplied by the electric motor such that more air is supplied to the combustion engine.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the electric machine includes a generator, and controlling operation of the turbocharger includes decreasing the speed of rotation of the turbocharger via a braking torque supplied by the generator such that less air is supplied to the combustion engine.  
   
   
       22 . A vehicle comprising: 
 a power generation system including:    a combustion engine configured to produce mechanical energy, the combustion engine including an intake system;    a generator operably coupled to the combustion engine, the generator being configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy;    an electric motor operably coupled to the generator, the electric motor being configured to supply torque to at least one driving member;    a turbocharger operably coupled to the intake system of the combustion engine, the turbocharger being configured to increase intake pressure in the intake system; and    a turbocharger controller operably coupled to the turbocharger, the turbocharger controller being configured to selectively vary operation of the turbocharger based on a difference between an actual intake pressure and a desired intake pressure, the desired intake pressure being based at least partially on a load placed on the electric motor; and    at least one driving member operably coupled to the electric motor.