Exhaust-gas recirculation system for a turbocharged internal combustion engine

Claim 1

Internal combustion engine having an inlet and an exhaust, an inlet duct fluidly connected to the inlet and an outlet duct fluidly connected to the exhaust, and comprising an exhaust pressure regulating means fitted in the exhaust duct and coupled to a compressor fitted in the inlet duct, an exhaust gas recirculation branch line fitted in the exhaust duct between the exhaust of the internal combustion diesel engine and the pressure regulating means, said branch line being connected via a suction line of a venturi to the inlet duct at a point between the compressor and the inlet of the internal combustion diesel engine, said branch line being the sole fluid connection line between the inlet duct and the exhaust duct, the exhaust-pressure regulating means fitted in the exhaust duct downstream of the branch line comprising a turbine with variable geometry, and a control system operatively associated to the internal combustion engine and to the turbine, said control system including means for sensing engine loadings and means for controlling the turbine geometry in response to the sensed engine loadings, whereby at higher engine loadings a change in turbine geometry aimed at increasing the pressure in the exhaust duct before the turbine and in the branch line, also increases the pressure in the inlet duct, and at the same time reduces the pressure difference between the exhaust and inlet ducts, while the compressor produces a relatively larger pumping work, thereby minimizing or eliminating a decrease in air flow through the inlet duct.