Internal Combustion Engine Having Compressor With First And Second Tributary Inlets

Abstract

An internal combustion engine ( 100 ) includes an intake manifold ( 106 ) and at least one exhaust manifold ( 108 ). A first compressor ( 120 ) that is operably associated with a first turbine ( 128 ) has a first air inlet ( 126 ) and a first air outlet ( 118 ). The first air inlet ( 126 ) is adapted to admit air into the first compressor ( 120 ), and the first air outlet ( 118 ) is fluidly connected to the intake manifold ( 106 ). The first turbine ( 128 ) fluidly communicates with a tailpipe ( 138 ). A second compressor ( 124 ) is operably associated with a second turbine ( 160 ) and has a first tributary fluid inlet ( 152 ), a second tributary fluid inlet ( 154 ), and a second fluid outlet ( 122 ). The first tributary fluid inlet ( 152 ) is fluidly connected to the tailpipe ( 138 ) at a junction ( 147 ), the second tributary fluid inlet ( 154 ) is adapted to admit air into the second compressor ( 124 ), and the second fluid outlet ( 122 ) is fluidly connected to the intake manifold ( 106 ). The second turbine ( 160 ) is fluidly connected to the tailpipe ( 138 ).

1 . An internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a crankcase that includes a plurality of cylinders, wherein each of the plurality of cylinders is connected to an intake manifold and to at least one exhaust manifold;   a first compressor operably associated with a first turbine, wherein the first compressor has a first air inlet and a first air outlet, wherein the first air inlet is adapted to admit air into the first compressor, wherein the first air outlet is fluidly connected to the intake manifold, and wherein the first turbine is fluidly connected between the at least one exhaust manifold and a tailpipe;   a second compressor operably associated with a second turbine, wherein the second compressor has a first tributary fluid inlet, a second tributary fluid inlet, and a second fluid outlet, wherein the first tributary fluid inlet is fluidly connected to the tailpipe at a junction, wherein the second tributary fluid inlet is adapted to admit air into the second compressor, wherein the second fluid outlet is fluidly connected to the intake manifold, and wherein the second turbine is in fluid communication with the tailpipe.   
     
     
         2 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 1 , further comprising a second plurality of cylinders in the crankcase, wherein the second plurality of cylinders is connected to a second exhaust manifold, and wherein the second turbine is fluidly connected between the second exhaust manifold and the tailpipe. 
     
     
         3 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve that is adapted to fluidly isolate the second tributary fluid inlet. 
     
     
         4 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of an EGR cooler and an EGR valve fluidly communicating with the first tributary fluid inlet and disposed in a gas passage that connects the first tributary fluid inlet with the junction in the tailpipe. 
     
     
         5 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 4 , further comprising a secondary charge air cooler disposed in fluid communication between the junction in the tailpipe and the first tributary fluid inlet. 
     
     
         6 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 1 , further comprising an air shutoff valve disposed in a fluid passage that connects the second fluid outlet with the intake manifold. 
     
     
         7 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 6 , further comprising an exhaust gas recirculation shutoff valve disposed in a high pressure fluid passage that connects the second fluid outlet with the intake manifold, wherein the high pressure fluid passage is adapted to bypass a charge air cooler that is disposed between the air shutoff valve and the intake manifold. 
     
     
         8 .- 20 . (canceled)