Valve regulation for turbocharger

Abstract

The present invention provides a two-stage turbocharger unit having a valve that will help to create a smooth transition of exhaust gas energy from the high-pressure turbine (HP) turbine to the low-pressure (LP) turbine. The LP and HP turbines are positioned such that the valve can be in one position to force all of the exhaust gas to flow through the HP turbine and when in another position to force all of the exhaust gas through the LP turbine. When the valve is placed in an intermediary position, the exhaust gas can be variably directed to flow through both turbines, with the percentage of exhaust gas flowing through each turbine being dependent on the position of the valve.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow comprising:
 two or more outlets;   at least one inlet; and   a valve member having a first valve plate and a second valve plate operably connected together and facing in substantially opposite directions;   a common pin connecting said first valve plate to said second valve plate; and   a valve stem operably connected to said valve member, wherein said valve stem is rotatable to cause said first valve and said second valve to control flow between said two or more outlets and said at least one inlet.   
   
   
       22 . The valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow of  claim 21 , further comprising a hinge assembly operably connected with said valve stem such that said valve stem is pivotable about said hinge assembly. 
   
   
       23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 . The valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow of  claim 21 , further comprising a lever selectively engageable for selectively moving said valve member to control flow between said two or more outlets and said at least one inlet. 
   
   
       25 . The valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow of  claim 24 , further comprising a rotatable connector connected to said lever for pivotally transferring force to said lever to move said valve member. 
   
   
       26 . The valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow of  claim 25 , further comprising an actuator connected to said rotatable connector, wherein said valve member is held in position by an actuator selected from the group consisting of an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       27 . The valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow of  claim 21 , further comprising;
 a first contact surface associated with one of said two or more outlets; and   a second contact surface associated with the other of said two or more outlets, wherein the flow of fluid is blocked through one of said two or more outlet ports when said first valve plate is in contact with said first contact surface, the flow of fluid is blocked through said other of said two or more outlet ports when said second valve plate is in contact with said second contact surface, and fluid flows through said two or more outlet ports when said first valve plate is not in contact with said first contact surface and said second valve plate is not in contact with said second contact surface.   
   
   
       28 . A valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow comprising:
 a first outlet port having an associated first contact surface;   a second outlet port having an associated second contact surface, wherein said first contact surface is arranged substantially perpendicular to said second contact surface;   at least one inlet port;   a valve member having a first valve plate a second valve plate, said valve member is rotatable so that said first valve plate selectively contacts said first contact surface when said valve member is rotated to a first position and said second valve plate selectively contacts said second contact surface when said valve member is rotated to a second position, wherein said first valve plate and said second valve plate are each connected to a common pin and face in substantially opposite directions.   
   
   
       29 . The valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow of  claim 28 , further comprising a hinge assembly operably associated with said valve member such that said valve member is pivotable about said hinge assembly. 
   
   
       30 . (canceled) 
   
   
       31 . The valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow of  claim 28 , further comprising a rotatable connector operably connected to said valve member for pivotally transferring force to said valve member. 
   
   
       32 . The valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow of  claim 31 , further comprising a lever selectively engageable to said rotatable connector, wherein said lever selectively moves said valve member between said first position and said second position. 
   
   
       33 . The valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow of  claim 32 , further comprising an actuator connected to said rotatable connector, wherein said valve is held in position by an actuator selected from the group consisting of an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       34 . A valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow comprising:
 a first outlet port having an associated first contact surface;   a second outlet port having an associated second contact surface, wherein said first contact surface is positioned substantially perpendicular to said second contact surface;   an inlet port for receiving exhaust gas from either or both of said first outlet port or said second outlet port;   a first valve plate operably mounted on a valve stem;   a second valve plate operably mounted to said valve stem, wherein said first valve plate and said second valve plate are operably mounted to said valve stem so that said first valve plate faces opposite said second valve plate;   a common pin connecting said first valve plate to said second valve plate;   a hinge assembly connected to said valve stem, wherein said valve stem is pivotable about said hinge assembly; and   a lever connected to said hinge assembly such that as said lever is pivoted about said hinge assembly, said valve stem will also pivot about said hinge assembly, placing said first valve plate in contact with said first contact surface, said second valve plate in contact with said second contact surface, or any position therebetween, and fluid flow through said first outlet port will bias said first valve plate away from said first contact surface, and fluid flow through said second outlet port will bias said second valve plate away from said second contact surface.   
   
   
       35 . The valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 a rotatable connector connected to an end of said lever; and   an actuator connected to said rotatable connector such that said actuator pivots said lever about said hinge assembly and place said first valve plate in contact with said first contact surface, said second valve plate in contact with said second contact surface, or any position therebetween.   
   
   
       36 . The valve assembly for receiving and controlling fluid flow of  claim 34 , said actuator is selected from the group consisting of an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and combinations thereof.