Abstract: A compressor for compressing a gas, the compressor comprising: a housing having an axial inlet and an annular outlet volute; an impeller wheel including a plurality of blades, the wheel being rotatably mounted within the housing between the inlet and outlet volute; the axial inlet being defined by a tubular inducer portion of the housing and the annular outlet volute being defined by an annular diffuser passage surrounding the impeller, the diffuser having an annular outlet communicating with the outlet volute; the housing having an inner wall defining a surface located in close proximity to radially outer edges of the impeller blades which sweep across the surface as the impeller wheel rotates; wherein the compressor housing incorporates at least one section comprised of a deformable, energy absorbing material arranged to deform and absorb energy generated as a result of impeller wheel failure.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine has annular inlet passageway defined between a first surface of a radial wall of a movable wall mounted within a cavity and a facing wall of the turbine housing. The radial wall defines a second surface that opposes the first surface. The moveable wall member comprises an annular flange that extends axially into the cavity and supports a radial flange defining opposing third and fourth surfaces. The radial flange seals against an annular sleeve in the cavity to define a first area within the cavity which includes the radial second and third surfaces and a second area within the cavity which includes the radial fourth surface. The first and second areas are in fluid communication with regions of the annular inlet passageway which are respectively upstream and downstream of a radial vane passage.

Abstract: A compressor for compressing a gas, the compressor comprising: a housing having an axial inlet and an annular outlet volute; an impeller wheel including a plurality of blades, the wheel being rotatably mounted within the housing between the inlet and outlet volute; the axial inlet being defined by a tubular inducer portion of the housing and the annular outlet volute being defined by an annular diffuser passage surrounding the impeller, the diffuser having an annular outlet communicating with the outlet volute; the housing having an inner wall defining a surface located in close proximity to radially outer edges of the impeller blades which sweep across the surface as the impeller wheel rotates; wherein the compressor housing incorporates at least one section comprised of a deformable, energy absorbing material arranged to deform and absorb energy generated as a result of impeller wheel failure.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine has annular inlet passageway defined between a first surface of a radial wall of a movable wall mounted within a cavity and a facing wall of the turbine housing. The radial wall defines a second surface that opposes the first surface. The moveable wall member comprises an annular flange that extends axially into the cavity and supports a radial flange defining opposing third and fourth surfaces. The radial flange seals against an annular sleeve in the cavity to define a first area within the cavity which includes the radial second and third surfaces and a second area within the cavity which includes the radial fourth surface. The first and second areas are in fluid communication with regions of the annular inlet passageway which are respectively upstream and downstream of a radial vane passage.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine comprising: a housing; a turbine wheel supported in the housing for rotation; an annular inlet passage defined between respective inlet surfaces defined by an annular nozzle ring and a facing annular shroud; the nozzle ring can vary the size of the inlet passage; a circumferential array of inlet vanes; the shroud covering the opening of a shroud cavity defined by the housing inlet passage and inboard of the shroud, and defining a circumferential array of slots, the slots and shroud cavity being configured to receive said vanes accommodating movement of the nozzle ring; wherein the annular shroud comprises an outer flange, the outer flange defining a circumferential groove for receiving a retaining ring for securing the shroud in the opening of the shroud cavity and defined on an inboard side by a flange wall; wherein an annular flange rim extends axially inboard from said flange wall.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a variable geometry turbine comprising: a turbine wheel mounted on a turbine shaft within a housing assembly for rotation about a turbine axis, the housing assembly defining a gas flow inlet passage upstream of the turbine wheel; an annular wall member defining a wall of the inlet passage and which is displaceable in a direction substantially parallel to the turbine axis to control gas flow through the inlet passage; at least one moveable rod operably connected via a first end of the rod to the annular wall member, the rod being moveable to control displacement of the annular wall member, the rod extending in a direction substantially parallel to the turbine axis; wherein the rod is provided with a region of reduced radius which extends only partly around the rod, the region of reduced radius being remote from a second end of the rod to which a component of an actuator assembly for moving the rod is connectable.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine comprising a turbine wheel supported in a housing for rotation about a turbine axis with an annular inlet passageway defined between a radial face of a nozzle ring and a facing wall of the housing. The nozzle ring is movable along the turbine axis to vary the width of the inlet passageway and of vanes that are received in corresponding slots in the facing wall. Each vane major surface such that at a predetermined axial position of the nozzle ring relative to the facing wall the recess is in axial alignment with the slot and affords an exhaust gas leakage path through the inlet passageway. The recess is configured to reduce the efficiency of the turbine at small inlet gaps appropriate to engine braking or exhaust gas heating modes.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine has a gas inlet chamber and a gas flow inlet passage downstream of the inlet chamber and upstream of said turbine wheel. The inlet passage is defined between a moveable first wall and a second wall and an actuator is operable to control displacement of the first wall in order to vary the size of the gas flow inlet passage. A piston member defining the first wall or being connected to it is received in a piston chamber and serves to move the first wall as a result of displacement of the piston member in the piston chamber. A bypass passage defined in the housing and extends between the piston chamber and a location in the turbine upstream of the inlet passage for delivering gas to the piston chamber. The bypass passage is disposed such that gas introduced through the bypass passage pressurizes the chamber and applies a force to displace the piston member in a direction that causes the first wall to move towards the second wall.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine comprising: a housing; a turbine wheel supported in the housing for rotation; an annular inlet passage defined between respective inlet surfaces defined by an annular nozzle ring and a facing annular shroud; the nozzle ring can vary the size of the inlet passage; a circumferential array of inlet vanes; the shroud covering the opening of a shroud cavity defined by the housing inlet passage and inboard of the shroud, and defining a circumferential array of slots, the slots and shroud cavity being configured to receive said vanes accommodating movement of the nozzle ring; wherein the annular shroud comprises an outer flange, the outer flange defining a circumferential groove for receiving a retaining ring for securing the shroud in the opening of the shroud cavity and defined on an inboard side by a flange wall; wherein an annular flange rim extends axially inboard from said flange wall.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine comprises a turbine wheel (9) supported in a housing (1) for rotation about an axis. A nozzle ring (5) is moveably mounted within a cavity (19) provided within the housing for adjustment of the width of an annular inlet passageway (4) extending radially inwards towards the turbine wheel (9). An array of inlet guide vanes (8) extends between a radial face of the nozzle ring (5) and an opposing wall of the inlet (4) defining a radial vane passage. A first circumferential array of apertures (25) is provided through the radial face, each of which lies substantially within the vane passage. A second circumferential array of apertures (24) is also provided in said radial face, each of lies substantially upstream or downstream of the first array (25) of apertures. The inlet (4) and cavity (19) are in fluid communication via both the first and second sets of apertures (25,24).

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine comprising a turbine wheel supported in a housing for rotation about a turbine axis with an annular inlet passageway defined between a radial face of a nozzle ring and a facing wall of the housing. The nozzle ring is movable along the turbine axis to vary the width of the inlet passageway and of vanes that are received in corresponding slots in the facing wall. Each vane major surface such that at a predetermined axial position of the nozzle ring relative to the facing wall the recess is in axial alignment with the slot and affords an exhaust gas leakage path through the inlet passageway. The recess is configured to reduce the efficiency of the turbine at small inlet gaps appropriate to engine braking or exhaust gas heating modes.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine comprises a turbine wheel supported in a housing for rotation about a turbine axis with an annular inlet passageway defined between a radial face of a nozzle ring and a facing wall of the housing. The nozzle ring is movable along the turbine axis to vary the width of the inlet passageway and of vanes that are received in corresponding slots in the facing wall. Each vane major surface such that at a predetermined axial position of the nozzle ring relative to the facing wall the recess is in axial alignment with the slot and affords an exhaust gas leakage path through the inlet passageway. The recess is configured to reduce the efficiency of the turbine at small inlet gaps appropriate to engine braking or exhaust gas heating modes.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine has a gas inlet chamber and a gas flow inlet passage downstream of the inlet chamber and upstream of said turbine wheel. The inlet passage is defined between a moveable first wall and a second wall and an actuator is operable to control displacement of the first wall in order to vary the size of the gas flow inlet passage. A piston member defining the first wall or being connected to it is received in a piston chamber and serves to move the first wall as a result of displacement of the piston member in the piston chamber. A bypass passage defined in the housing and extends between the piston chamber and a location in the turbine upstream of the inlet passage for delivering gas to the piston chamber. The bypass passage is disposed such that gas introduced through the bypass passage pressurises the chamber and applies a force to displace the piston member in a direction that causes the first wall to move towards the second wall.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine comprises a housing defining a chamber within which a turbine wheel is mounted. The chamber has an annular inlet having a width defined between side walls of the housing. An array of vanes is mounted within the inlet, each vane having a length extending across the inlet, and a chordal length defined between leading and trailing vane edges. The vanes can be pivoted to adjust the effective cross-section area of the annular inlet. Each vane is pivotable between a first position in which the area of the inlet is a minimum and a second position in which the area of the inlet is a maximum. At least one of the side walls is configured so that clearance between the side wall and at least a portion of the adjacent chordal edge of each vane varies in a predetermined manner as the vane moves.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine comprises a turbine wheel supported in a housing for rotation about a turbine axis with an annular inlet passageway defined between a radial face of a nozzle ring and a facing wall of the housing. The nozzle ring is movable along the turbine axis to vary the width of the inlet passageway and of vanes that are received in corresponding slots in the facing wall. Each vane major surface such that at a predetermined axial position of the nozzle ring relative to the facing wall the recess is in axial alignment with the slot and affords an exhaust gas leakage path through the inlet passageway. The recess is configured to reduce the efficiency of the turbine at small inlet gaps appropriate to engine braking or exhaust gas heating modes.

Abstract: A turbocharger variable geometry turbine of the type which includes nozzle vanes displaceable across the turbine inlet flow path into slots. The vanes have cut-outs which reduce the vane cord and permit peak turbine efficiency over a range of geometries.

Abstract: A turbocharger in which a drive shaft supports at one end a turbine driven by exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The end of the drive shaft remote from the turbine supports a drive connection which is coupled to an output shaft of the driving engine. The shaft is supported in a housing by a first bearing adjacent the turbine and a second bearing adjacent the drive coupling. The first and second bearings each define an inner bearing surface relative to which the shaft rotates and an outer bearing surface which rotates relative to the housing. The first and second bearings are mechanically coupled together such that they rotate relative to the housing at the same speed. Coupling the two bearings together ensures that directional forces applied to the bearing at the end adjacent the drive connection which might cause that bearing to seize are resisted by torque delivered from the bearing at the other end of the shaft.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine in which a turbine wheel is mounted to rotate about a pre-determined axis within a housing. A sidewall is displaceable relative to a surface of the housing to control the width of a gas inlet passage defined adjacent the wheel between the sidewall and the housing surface. The sidewall is supported on rods extending parallel to the wheel rotation axis, and the rods are displaced to control the displacement of the sidewall relative to the housing. The housing defines a chamber into which the rods extend such that one or more piston and cylinder arrangements are defined. The pressure within the chamber is controlled to control the axial position of the piston, the sidewall being displaced as a result of displacement of the piston.

Abstract: A turbocharger variable geometry turbine of the type which includes nozzle vanes displaceable across the turbine inlet flow path into slots. The vanes have cut-outs which reduce the vane cord and permit peak turbine efficiency over a range of geometries.

Abstract: A turbocharger variable geometry turbine of the type which includes nozzle vanes displaceable across the turbine inlet flow path into slots. The vanes have cut-outs which reduce the vane cord and permit peak turbine efficiency over a range of geometries.