Julian Edgar, 50, has been writing about car modification and automotive technology for nearly 25 years. He has owned cars with two, three, four, five, six and eight cylinders; single turbo, twin turbo, supercharged, diesel and hybrid electric drivelines. He lists his transport interests as turbocharging, aerodynamics, suspension design and human-powered vehicles.
Turbo tech developments…
BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems has developed a new turbo speed sensor.
The eddy-current design is mounted on the compressor housing, with the end of the probe flush with the inside of the compressor cover. Designed to measure turbo rotational speeds from about 1000 rpm to 350,000 rpm, the sensor is non-contact and so wear-free.
A smart sensor that takes a 5-volt supply and includes internal electronics, the sensor body can withstand 180 degrees C and the exposed tip up to 250 degrees C. The sensor has a service life of 1.6 million kilometres.
BorgWarner suggest that a primary use of the sensor is in providing over-speed protection but the regulation of turbo speed by a feedback loop is another obvious application. As an input into the engine management system, along with temperature and ambient pressure, turbo speed measurement would allow the turbo to be run much closer to the surge line without danger. Bigger compressors and smaller turbines, allowing better low-down boost, would be the result.
Along with electric assist turbos the future of turbocharging looks bright.
on October 2nd, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Just to clarify, this is not a retro fit item is it?
Because if it is I would love to see more information
on October 2nd, 2007 at 7:18 pm
The ultimate in boost control. Technology is making such devices cheaper and more widely available every day. Bring it on!
on November 13th, 2007 at 7:59 am
Just a thought (keeping in mind I have no practical turbo experience!) that it would be better to have the wastegate after the intercooler (for boost control purposes) rather than on the turbo. Air heats up when compressed, conversely it cools when de-compressed. Pumping air at max boost through the intercooler would exchange more heat through the intercooler, then dropping the pressure to what’s required after the intercooler would drop the temperature further. The end result would be a cooler charge going into the engine.
on November 13th, 2007 at 10:23 am
Wsategate is on exhaust side of turbo not intake.
on July 9th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Julian
Ever heard of jet-assist turbo? It’s still a concept, in which the turbine is accelerated using a jet of compressed air. Much like a pinwheel. This will be a potentially cheaper alternative to the electric assist turbo. The RPM sensor would be a wonderful tool for the engine ECU. Using the RPM, boost pressure and charge temperature, the flow map of a turbo can be effectively used.