Turbocharging the Single-Cylinder Diesel Engine

There is a real need for technology that can provide more power for minimal cost. This research is developing a single cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that could have a broad impact on equipment such as tractors, light vehicles, generators, and water pumps used widely in India.

Turbocharging is not conventionally used with single cylinder engines due to the timing mismatch between when the turbo is powered and when it can deliver air to the cylinder. The proposed solution involves a fixed, pressurized volume (air capacitor) on the intake side of the engine between the turbocharger and intake valves. The capacitor acts as a buffer and would be implemented as a larger volume intake manifold. The optimal size for the capacitor was found to be four to five times the engine capacity. For a capacitor sized for a one-liter engine, the time to reach operating pressure was found to be approximately two seconds, and the achievable air mass density increase varies from 50-80% depending on operating assumptions. These increases in density are proportional to the anticipated power increases.

There is a strong correlation in multiple Indian provinces between available farm power and yield. The goal is to increase the power of a single cylinder diesel engine by turbocharging it, and thereby increase the productivity of the user.