Recuperative Throttling of SI Engines for Improved Fuel Economy

In this paper a novel IC engine load-control device is described which actively throttles the intake air and thereby produces electric power. The main component is a small axial turbine that replaces the conventional throttle. This turbine is connected with an electric generator and an appropriate electric load control system.

This paper describes the complete system including the turbine, the control system, and the necessary auxiliary parts. A prototype of the proposed system has been realized. The paper shows the results in electric power generation obtained with this prototype in steady-state driving conditions and in standard test cycles. Moreover, extrapolations of the expected benefits in other engine-vehicle combinations are computed using mathematical models of the main parts of the system.