Abstract Disclosed is a method and system utilizing two turbochargers (gas driven compressor) for providing compressed air at relatively cool ambient temperature to an internal combustion engine. Interposed between the two turbochargers is an air-to-air intercooler. The first turbocharger is driven by the exhaust gases from the engine to provide compressed heated fresh air to the turbine side of the second turbocharger. The intercooler acts to lower the temperature prior to entrance into the second turbocharger and the remaining heat loss occurs by turbine expansion of this air across the turbine wheel, thus providing cool fresh compressed intake air into the engine. Cooling air for the intercooler is provided by the compressor or fan portion of the second turbocharger combination through the suction of the intake air to that compressor being placed across the intercooler.
A method of treating intake air for an internal combustion engine comprising first compressing ambient air to a first pressure ratio which results in a first high temperature of the compressed air, cooling said compressed air by passing it through an air to air intercooler to a second temperature significantly lower than said first temperature while retaining approximately the first pressure ratio, expanding said compressed air to a final pressure ratio considerably lower than said first pressure ratio to bring its temperature to a third temperature significantly lower than said second temperature, utilizing the energy of said expansion to the said final pressure ratio to draw ambient air through said intercooler, without heating the ambient air prior to its passage through the intercooler, transmitting said expanded air to the engine intake.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of treating intake air for an internal combustion engine comprising first compressing ambient air to a first pressure ratio which results in a first high temperature of the compressed air, cooling said compressed air by passing it through an air to air intercooler to a second temperature significantly lower than said first temperature while retaining approximately the first pressure ratio, expanding said compressed air to a final pressure ratio considerably lower than said first pressure ratio to bring its temperature to a third temperature significantly lower than said second temperature, utilizing the energy of said expansion to the said final pressure ratio to draw ambient air through said intercooler, without heating the ambient air prior to its passage through the intercooler, transmitting said expanded air to the engine intake.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of treating intake air for an internal combustion engine comprising first compressing ambient air to a first pressure ratio which results in a first high temperature of the compressed air, cooling said compressed air by passing it through an air to air intercooler to a second temperature significantly lower than said first temperature while retaining approximately the first pressure ratio, expanding said compressed air to a final pressure ratio considerably lower than said first pressure ratio to bring its temperature to a third temperature significantly lower than said second temperature, utilizing the energy of said expansion to the said final pressure ratio to draw ambient air through said intercooler, without heating the ambient air prior to its passage through the intercooler, transmitting said expanded air to the engine intake.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of treating intake air for an internal combustion engine comprising first compressing ambient air to a first pressure ratio which results in a first high temperature of the compressed air, cooling said compressed air by passing it through an air to air intercooler to a second temperature significantly lower than said first temperature while retaining approximately the first pressure ratio, expanding said compressed air to a final pressure ratio considerably lower than said first pressure ratio to bring its temperature to a third temperature significantly lower than said second temperature, utilizing the energy of said expansion to the said final pressure ratio to draw ambient air through said intercooler, without heating the ambient air prior to its passage through the intercooler, transmitting said expanded air to the engine intake.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as called for in claim 1 wherein said air is first compressed to a first pressure ratio in the range of 3.2 to 4.5.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as called for in claim 1 wherein said final pressure ratio is within the range of 2.0 to 3.0 and said final temperature is approximately 100*F.