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ElsevierSerrano Cruz, JR.; Olmeda González, PC.; Tiseira Izaguirre, AO.; García-Cuevas González, LM.; Lefebvre, A. (2013) AbstractThe aim of the present work is to show an approximation, through an experimental an theoretical study, to quantify the mechanical losses in a turbocharging system. These are linked to the dynamics in the turbo shaft bearings, both axial and radial. Theoretical and experimental methodologies are presented in order to develop a mechanical losses model. The experimental work consists on a measurement campaign in quasi-adiabatic operating conditions, while in the theoretical part, a mathematical model is developed taking into account the radial and axial bearings. The model uses some assumptions in order to solve the Navier-Stokes equations, leading to a simplified model which includes viscosity and the Reynolds number of the oil film formed on the bearings. The proposed model has shown a good agreement with the experimental data.

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Centrifugal compressor performance at low mass flow rates has become an issue in the latest years due to engine downsizing and the increase of low-end torque request. The principal drawback of this operating region is the appearance of the surge phenomenon, which is strongly affected by the compressor inlet geometry. This work is addressed to study the impact of different inlet geometries on the compressor performance, including compressor efficiency, noise emission and surge margin. An engine test bench is set up with a centrifugal compressor and both steady and transient (tip-out) tests are performed in order to obtain a complete view of the influence of each configuration. The results show a clear sensitivity of the compressor parameters to the variations of the geometry upstream the compressor inlet.

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During automotive urban driving conditions and future homologation cycles, automotive radial turbines experience transient conditions, whereby the same operate at very high blade speed ratios and, thus, at very low power outputs. Under those conditions, the turbine power output might not be enough to feed the mechanical power needs of the compressor. Typical fast one-dimensional full engine simulations rely on steady-state performance maps to characterize the turbocharger. Due to the restricting compressor braking power, extreme off-design measurements cannot be obtained in standard gas stands without using an external brake instead of the compressor or without using a motor attached to the turbocharger shaft. Such turbocharger assemblies cause shaft balancing issues inherent to the connection to a brake operating at high rotational speeds or need basic changes of the turbocharger geometry. This paper presents a novel approach for turbine performance map measurements at very low expansion ratio and very low mass flow without the aforementioned issues. The method uses the turbocharger compressor as a centrifugal turbine, providing mechanical power to the shaft and enabling turbine performance measurements from points of very high expansion ratio up to very low pressure ratio. It is even possible to measure at almost zero flow rate in the turbine when it consumes shaft power instead of producing it. This experimental procedure that can be applied to whatever turbocharger produces valuable information for the development and validation of turbine performance models aiming to extrapolate its behaviour at off-design conditions.