Investigation of the independent lubrication system of modern turbocharged vehicles

Abstract

It was revealed that in modern operating conditions turbocharger failures account for up to 27% of the total number of failures of internal combustion engines (ICE). Such a high failure rate is due to difficult operating conditions, heavy-duty operation, and limited load-bearing capacity of oils and structural materials. To solve the problem of improving the reliability of a turbocharger (TC), it is proposed to introduce an independent lubrication system with an installed hydraulic accumulator. For this purpose, a test bench with systems for monitoring and evaluating the output parameters of oil was developed. The following parameters were monitored: TC rotor speed, oil pressure in front of the bearing of the TC without a hydraulic accumulator and with fluid makeup using a hydraulic accumulator, oil consumption, oil temperature, oil effusion time, oil pressure reduction time. As a result of experimental studies, we established the limits of TC bearings' performance with constant fluid makeup from the hydraulic accumulator. We also investigated the discharge characteristics of the hydraulic accumulator at oil operating temperatures. Experimental results for different clearances in TC bearings were obtained. The results of the study can be used by auto manufacturers, industrial enterprises, as well as educational institutions in the analysis and modification of modern TC assemblies.