Boost Your
BOOST CONTROLLER – What is it?
A Boost Controller is a device which works on the principle electrically or mechanically controlling the intake air pressure levels in the manifold of an engine which is turbocharged. It is done by changing the air pressure which is delivered to the mechanical and pneumatic waste gate actuator. A waste gate actuator is the device which safeguards or protects the engine from extreme turbocharger boost by utilizing the intake manifold pressure to open the relief valve and that slows the turbo down. The usual problem occurs with this waste gate is that it will activate early which affects the performance. A boost controller will divert the pressure of waste gate from the waste gate actuator till the required boost pressure level obtained. The boost controllers may be simple and valves can be set manually or sophistic modules run by ECU (Electronic Engine Control Unit).
Manual boost control:
A manual boost controller is a device which has simple pneumatic and mechanical control that permit some level of pressure from the actuator (waste gate) to bleed out or escape to the atmosphere or return back to the intake system. This can be done by T-fitting which is present on the boost control line with a little bleeder screw near the actuator. The screw can be operated to different degrees to permit the air to escape from the system. Thus by reducing the wastage actuator pressure the boost level will increase. Generally these devices are more popular because of its feasible cost compared to the other devices which offers same increase in power. The Manual boost controllers cant able to solve some issues like full boost/partial throttle, drivability, and lag issues. These problems can be overcome with some kind of electronic systems.
Electronic boost control:
This Electronic boost control system has a pneumatic solenoid of 3 ports. This solenoid will permit the blocking or interrupt of the boost pressure quite than bleed control type. The Electronic boost control includes a stepper motor controlled and solenoid of air controlled by an ECU (Electronic control unit). The principle used in the manual type boost controller is same as in the Electronic boost controllers. To control or maintains the air pressure in the waste gate actuator is the main function of the both boost controllers. In this electronic boost controllers some intelligent algorithms and controls are indulged which in turn increasing and refining control over the real boost pressure that is delivered to the engine.
Advantages:
- Since small positive pressure is available at the actuators of waste gate as preferred boost is attained the waste gate ruins closer to totally closed state. This will forces the exhaust gas to the turbine that will increase the energy transmitted to the turbocharger wheels.
- Once required boost is reached, the closed loop system will function by permitting high air pressure to attain the waste gate actuator to stop that will increase further the air pressure so preferred boost level can be acquired.
Applications and Availability:
Electronic boost control systems are presently available as Apex –I AVCR, Subaru WRX, AEM EMS.
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