Porsche’s New Turbo Patent Features Geared Turbocharger With Clutch

A few days ago, we reported that Porsche wanted to incorporate more manual transmissions into its lineup but that the “T-Hybrid” powertrain on its 911 Turbo and GTS models would preclude that thanks to an electric motor in the PDK gearbox and a complex motorized turbocharger setup. A recent patent filing in Germany suggests, however, that the automaker might be working on a new kind of boosted powertrain that would allow it to fit manual transmissions to its hottest sports cars once again.

A Clutch And Brake… For The Turbocharger?

The design, filed September 18 with the German Patent and Trademark Office, showcases a conventional internal combustion engine with a piston and a crankshaft, but from there things get a little weird. A turbocharger with a compressor wheel and exhaust turbine seems simple enough, but a planetary gearset connects the turbo shaft with the engine’s rotating assembly, meaning there’s a direct connection between the turbo and the crank – almost like a supercharger.

Porsche

There’s also an electric motor in that planetary gearset, which could work in the same way as Porsche’s T-Hybrid turbos do, spinning up the compressor almost instantly to eliminate turbo lag. The compact motor also drives the crankshaft via a switchable clutch, and there’s even a brake that could be used to prevent turbo overboost without using a blowoff valve.

Could This Be The Stick-Shift 911 Turbo?

The hybrid powertrain Porsche uses in the 911 Carrera GTS and Turbo models incorporates a larger electric motor into the transmission to both send power to the axles and to reduce the engine’s workload in gentle driving. But since fitting a manual gearbox to the cars would require significant reengineering, Porsche likely won’t offer a Sport Classic version of the current 911 – the previous one bundled the Turbo trim’s engine with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed stick.

However, the novel electromechanical turbocharger setup described in the patent could help Porsche improve efficiency and performance right on the crankshaft – before it even hits the transmission. That would allow the company to provide its customers with cleaner emissions and faster acceleration, regardless of what gearbox is selected. By sizing the turbos and electric motors appropriately, Porsche could potentially offer Sport Classic performance in a modern package.

Porsche

Patents Don’t Always Mean Products

Of course, the mere existence of intellectual property doesn’t always mean the technology will hit production, and engineering teams from just about every automaker conceptualize new ideas that end up in the cutting room instead of the showroom. But given the Porsche’s commitment to driving involvement, such a system might allow it to blend old-school fun with all the latest internal combustion technology.

Porsche

It’s also equally likely that the novel turbocharger system will show up in another product entirely, such as the recently confirmed combustion-engine 718 Boxster and Cayman. Those models have had downsized turbo four-cylinders for several years now, and an advanced turbo setup could help them make great power while still conforming to clean-air standards all over the planet.

Source: World Intellectual Property Office