High speed hydraulic turbine driven superchargers provide a unique option for supercharging naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines. Typical characteristics of the hydro-supercharging system are: compactness, high power level, high efficiency and durability. Hydraulic controls allow for adjustment of turbine speed and power level to match the engine requirements. A typical system utilizes commercially available hydraulic gear pump driving a miniature hydraulic turbine attached to the compressor. Varying the hydraulic flow, allows one to “custom tailor” air flow and boost.
When used with a turbodiesel, the hydro-supercharger can produce almost constant engine torque from idle to full speed while increasing the Lambda factor by 50%. A typical 300 to 400 HP modern turbodiesels requires on average 15 HP compressor supercharging power to produce high torque from idle until the turbocharger becomes self sufficient.
Test simulations show that hydraulic bypass control is not needed until approaching the unloading point when turbocharger becomes self sufficient, and the hydraulic pump is essentially unloaded.
Vehicle tests demonstrate that hydro-supercharging of a naturally aspirated diesel eliminates visible exhaust smoke and increases acceleration under a heavy load.
Multi-stage natural gas compression package employing standard KE5 hydro-superchargers can provide very compact gas supply system for a 1000 kW turbocharged natural gas engine.