Non-Intrusive Methodology for Estimation of Speed Fluctuations in Automotive Turbochargers under Unsteady Flow Conditions

• Published in: SAE International journal of engines Vol. 7; no. 3; pp. 1414 - 1421
• Main Authors: Ponti, Fabrizio, Ravaglioli, Vittorio, Corti, Enrico, Moro, Davide, De Cesare, Matteo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAE International 01-08-2014
• Subjects: Accelerometers; Air compressors; Angular speed; Engines; Rotation; Sensors; Superchargers; Turbines; Unsteady flow; Vibration
• ISSN: 1946-3936; 1946-3944; 1946-3944
• DOI: 10.4271/2014-01-1645

The optimization of turbocharging systems for automotive applications has become crucial in order to increase engine performance and meet the requirements for pollutant emissions and fuel consumption reduction. Unfortunately, performing an optimal turbocharging system control is very difficult, mainly due to the fact that the flow through compressor and turbine is highly unsteady, while only steady flow maps are usually provided by the manufacturer. For these reasons, one of the most important quantities to be used onboard for optimal turbocharger system control is the rotational speed fluctuation, since it provides information both on turbocharger operating point and on the energy of the unsteady flow in the intake and exhaust circuits.
This work presents a methodology that allows determining the instantaneous turbocharger rotational speed through a proper frequency processing of the signal coming from one accelerometer mounted on the turbocharger compressor. Consequently, the developed algorithm can be used to determine both rotational speed mean value and the amplitude of speed fluctuations that are caused by unsteady flows. From this last evaluated quantity, it is also possible to obtain an estimation of power delivered by the turbine, that might be used for control and diagnostic purposes.
The whole estimation algorithm has been developed and validated for a light duty turbocharged Diesel engine installed in a test cell at the University of Bologna. This paper reports the experimental layout used in this work and the accuracy obtained applying the speed fluctuations estimation procedure to the turbocharged Diesel engine under study.