New Continental Turbocharger Turbine Technology...

HomeMediaNews

  2016-09-13

Information: https://goo.gl/wOaasJ

New Continental Turbocharger with Innovative RAAX™ Turbine Technology now in Production on Audi A3

  • Developed by the global technology company Continental, the new gasoline turbocharger raises the bar with a substantial improvement in response, efficiency and robust design.
  • The latest product will further strengthen Continental’s successful turbocharger business; production to begin in China in 2017 and in North America in 2018.
The new-generation engine is an example of Audi’s “rightsizing” philosophy. This approach looks beyond downsizing and downspeeding, says Dr. Rainer Wurms, Head of Gasoline Engines Pre-Development at Audi AG: “Downsizing and downspeeding must also be precisely calibrated to vehicle class, engine power and real-world efficiency requirements. Rightsizing is about striking the right balance between these factors,” says Wurms. “An application-specific turbocharger is a key part of this approach. So we are delighted that, with close cooperation and support from our development partner Continental, we have found the perfect solution on this front.”
 
As denoted in the name RAAX™ (which stands for “radial-axial”), the new Continental turbocharger’s most important innovation is its modified turbine design. Unlike the most common type of gasoline turbocharger today, the radial turbocharger, which features a radial exhaust gas inlet, the new Continental turbocharger has a radial-axial (semi-radial/semi-axial) inlet path. The associated special blade design allows a substantial reduction of approximately 40 percent in the rotational moment of inertia of the turbine wheels. This means the turbocharger responds faster to engine load changes, so boost pressure is developed more quickly and turbo lag is minimized. In addition to this significant improvement in response, RAAX™ technology also results in up to 3 percent greater efficiency in the engine relevant operating range, leading to reduced emissions.