You might have heard about turbocharged engines and you might be aware of the advantages of a turbocharged engine. If you are planning to tune your turbocharged engine you should first know about the various components of the turbocharged engine. Turbochargers are a bit confusing as there are several components working together and you should know how all these components work together. Let us first understand what does a VNT actuator do? A VNT actuator controls the speed of the turbine, restraining the turbine from over speeding and also regulates the speed of the compressor. VNT actuator also keeps the turbocharger safe from wear and tear by keeping the boost pressure at a safer level. They are also known as variable geometry turbochargers and they boost the working potential of a turbo. As conditions keep on changing, the effective aspect ratio also changes a lot as far as the working condition of the turbo is concerned.
How Does the VNT Actuator Work?
Inside the VNT actuator, there is spring loaded rubber diaphragm. When the vacuum is full the rod extends to its maximum and touches a stop screw.
Benefits of VNT Actuator
VNT actuator helps the engine to deliver high torque even at slow engine speed. It also helps the engine to deliver more power. It also gives your vehicle better acceleration with the help of its clean burning and much enhanced transient response. The VNT actuator achieves this ability with the help of Exhaust Gas Recirculation which is being provided by the turbo. There is a constant source of pre-charge and pre-start cooling that is required. Because of this, there is no great amount of lag that is incurred as a part of the process.
With the emergence of VNT actuator technology, the size of the engine is getting smaller and smaller. This technology has also helped the manufacturers to build more fuel-efficient engines with much lower emission rates. These small, compact, and advanced engines match or sometimes overtake the performance delivered by their larger equivalents. VNT actuator also enhances the braking power of the vehicle. There is a membrane vacuum actuator which is used to lead to a viable aspect of the ratio for the turbocharger and the actuator to work.
History and Future of VNT Actuators
VNT actuators were first launched two decades ago by Fiat on its 1.9 L Fiat Croma engine. The technology was haven’t been successful unit 1995 when it was upgraded with a new vane design. The aerodynamics was also improved. This time it matched the power delivered by the VW-Audi 1.9L traditional direct injection engine. The second generation VNT actuators were launched in 1998 which provided more control with the help of its advanced electric actuator and advanced aerodynamics. The third generation VNT actuator was launched by BMW on its One Series. The new actuators were equipped with new cambered vanes, cartridge design, and turbine wheel. The aerodynamics was also improved. The third generation VNT actuators were 130 percent more powerful than the second-generation ones. There are different versions of the actuators that are used in racing cars, in turbine houses, in passenger cars and also in heavy-duty engines where vane rotation is mandatory.
With the current technological advancements and the versatility of VNT actuators, it is and it will remain as the best turbo technology in the coming future for diesel engines. One thing is sure that VNT actuators have a great future with constant growth that is taking place in the materials science, bearing systems and in aerodynamics.
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