Generator arrangement

Abstract

A generator arrangement comprises a turbocharger having a compressor configured to be placed in fluid flow communication with an engine inlet, and a first turbine having a first turbine wheel, a first inducer portion upstream, in use, of the first turbine wheel and configured to be placed in fluid flow communication with an engine outlet, and a first exducer portion downstream, in use, of the first turbine wheel; and an electrical generator having a second turbine having a second turbine wheel, a second inducer portion upstream, in use, of the second turbine wheel and configured to be placed in fluid flow communication with the engine outlet, and a second exducer portion downstream, in use, of the second turbine wheel. The first and second turbines are arranged in parallel to one another; and the first inducer portion and second inducer portion, and/or the first exducer portion and second exducer portion are contiguous.

1 . A generator arrangement comprising:
 a turbocharger having   a compressor configured to be placed in fluid flow communication with an engine inlet, and   a first turbine having a first turbine wheel, a first inducer portion upstream, in use, of the first turbine wheel and configured to be placed in fluid flow communication with an engine outlet, and a first exducer portion downstream, in use, of the first turbine wheel; and   an electrical generator having a second turbine having a second turbine wheel, a second inducer portion upstream, in use, of the second turbine wheel and configured to be placed in fluid flow communication with the engine outlet, and a second exducer portion downstream, in use, of the second turbine wheel;   wherein the first and second turbines are arranged in parallel to one another; and   wherein the first inducer portion and second inducer portion, and/or the first exducer portion and second exducer portion are contiguous.   
     
     
         2 . A generator arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the generator arrangement comprises a housing which defines at least a portion of a first turbine housing of the first turbine and at least portion of a second turbine housing of the second turbine, wherein the portion of the of the first turbine housing defines at least part of the first exducer portion, at least part of the first inducer portion or at least part of a first turbine chamber within which the first turbine wheel is located, and wherein the portion of the of the second turbine housing defines at least part of the second exducer portion, at least part the second inducer portion or at least part of a second turbine chamber within which the second turbine wheel is located. 
     
     
         3 . A generator according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing is of unitary construction. 
     
     
         4 . A generator arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the second turbine is a radial inflow turbine. 
     
     
         5 . A generator arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the first turbine and/or second turbine are variable geometry turbines. 
     
     
         6 . A generator arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the second turbine comprises a flow control device which is configured to control the flow of fluid from the engine outlet to the second turbine. 
     
     
         7 . A generator arrangement according to  claim 6 , wherein the flow control device is a valve. 
     
     
         8 . A generator arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the first turbine wheel, in use, rotates about a first axis, and the second turbine wheel, in use, rotates about a second axis, the first and second axes being substantially parallel. 
     
     
         9 . A generator arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the first inducer portion comprises an inducer port to which the second inducer portion is connected, and/or wherein the first exducer portion comprises a exducer port to which the second exducer portion is connected. 
     
     
         10 . A generator arrangement according to  claim 9 , wherein, the first inducer portion comprises an inducer port to which the second inducer portion is connected, and wherein, in use, the angle subtended between the general flow direction of fluid within a portion of the first inducer portion upstream of the inducer port and the general flow direction of fluid within a portion of the second inducer portion downstream of the inducer port is less than about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . A generator arrangement according to  claim 9 , wherein, the first exducer portion comprises an exducer port to which the second exducer portion is connected, and wherein, in use, the angle subtended between the general flow direction of fluid within a portion of the second exducer portion upstream of the exducer port and the general flow direction of fluid within a portion of the first exducer portion downstream of the exducer port is less than about 90 degrees.