Blowoff valve
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A blowoff valve is a pressure release system present in turbocharged engines, its purpose is to prevent compressor surge and reduce wear on the engine. Circulated back into the non-pressurized end of the intake (before the turbo) but after the mass airflow sensor.
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[edit] Definitions
A compressor bypass valve (CBV) also known as a compressor relief valve is a vacuum-actuated valve designed to release pressure in the intake system of a turbocharged or centrifugally supercharged car when the throttle is lifted or closed. This air pressure is re-circulated back into the non-pressurized end of the intake (before the turbo) but after the mass airflow sensor.
A blowoff valve, (BOV, sometimes hooter valve, dump valve) does basically the same thing, but releases the air to the atmosphere. This creates a very distinctive sound desired by many who own turbocharged sports cars. Some blowoff valves are sold with trumpet shaped exits that amplify the hissing sound, as not all blowoff valve's are the same, some make different noises and these designs are normally marketed towards the tuner crowd. For some owners this is the only reason to get a blowoff valve. Motor sports governed by the FIA have made it illegal to vent unmuffled blowoff valves to the atmosphere. In the United States, Australia and parts of Europe cars featuring unmuffled blowoff valves are illegal for street use.[citation needed]
[edit] Disadvantages
The unique sound caused by a blowoff valve (but not a compressor bypass valve) sometimes comes at a price. On a car where the blowoff valve is mounted after the mass airflow sensor, venting to atmosphere confuses the engine control unit (ECU) of the car. The ECU is told it has a specific amount of air in the intake system, and injects fuel accordingly. The amount of air released by the blowoff valve is not taken into consideration and the engine runs rich for a period of time. Engines with a manifold absolute pressure regulated ECU or where the blowoff is mounted upstream of the MAF sensor are not affected.
Typically this isn't a major issue, but sometimes it can lead to hesitation or stalling of the engine when the throttle is closed. This situation worsens with higher boost pressures. Eventually this can foul spark plugs and destroy the catalytic converter (when running rich, not all the fuel is properly burned in the cylinder which can allow unburned fuel to combust upon contact with and melt the converter or to cause incompletely combusted fuel to leave heavy carbon deposits).
One way to correct this problem is to reduce the boost going into your engine. This will cause the piston in the blow off valve to only open slightly. Another way to correct this problem would be to plumb the MAS after the BOV.
[edit] Purpose
Blowoff valves are used to prevent compressor surge. Compressor surge is a phenomenon that occurs when lifting off the throttle of a turbocharged car (with a non-existent or faulty bypass valve). When the throttle plate on a turbocharged engine running boost closes, high pressure in the intake system has nowhere to go. It is forced to travel back to the turbocharger in the form of a pressure wave. This results in the wheel rapidly decreasing speed and stalling. The driver will notice a fluttering air sound.
Some people enjoy the sound of a BOV, and there are some things you can do that will make it louder. You can position the blow off valve outside of the engine bay in order to make a louder sound. If you can't get your BOV on the outside of the engine bay you can plumb a tube to the outside of your car. You can also change out the form of the horn to allow a certain sound.
[edit] Operation
A blow-off-valve is connected by a vacuum hose to the intake manifold after the throttle plate. When the throttle is closed, manifold vacuum without pressure develops in the intake manifold after the throttle plate and "sucks" the blowoff valve open. The excess pressure from the turbocharger is vented into the atmosphere or recirculated into the intake upstream of the compressor inlet.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Allard, Alan. Turbocharging and Supercharging. Cambridge, England: Patrick Stevens Limited, 1982.
- Gorla, Rama, and Khan, Aijaz. Turbomachinery Design and Theory. New York, New York: Marcel Dekker, 2003.
- Society of Automotive Engineers. Turbochargers and Turbocharged Engines. Warrendale, PA, 1979.
- Watson, N, and Janota, N. Turbocharging the Internal Combustion Engine. London, England: Macmillian Press Ltd, 1982.
