Abstract: A ring valve assembly for use in a reciprocating type fluid pump with a piston cylinder and a cylinder head includes a ring valve having a fluid seal surface for selectively closing a fluid passage of a cylinder head and an annular ring retainer having a fulcrum edge and tapered top surface. The retainer is positioned beneath the ring valve and a slight clearance is designed in such that the ring valve experiences as a first stage of movement/deflection slight vertical travel. Continued operation of the fluid pump results in a second stage of deflection where the ring valve deflects into a frustoconical shape and lays against the tapered surface of the retainer, pivoting about the fulcrum edge.

Abstract: A unique air dryer for use in an air compressor system which includes an air governor, an air compressor and a storage tank is disclosed. The air dryer incorporates therein an isolation valve adjacent the inlet from the compressor which serves to isolate the compressor during the unloading cycle. Also incorporated into the housing of the air dryer is a purge valve which is simultenously opened when the isolation valve is closed, and vice versa. A check valve is also incorporated into the air dryer housing adjacent the outlet to the storage tank. Finally, a small conduit connecting the inlet port from the compressor to the outlet of the air dryer is included. A small check valve is disposed within the conduit so that air flow is only permitted to flow from the outlet to the inlet when the system is in its unloaded mode in order to maintain pressure in the pipe which connects the compressor to the air dryer.

Abstract: A ring valve assembly for use in a reciprocating type fluid pump with a piston cylinder and a cylinder head is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a ring valve having a fluid seal surface for a selectively closing a fluid passage of a cylinder head and bias means for the ring valve for urging the ring valve in a first direction. The bias means includes the outer peripheral edge region of the ring valve being secured between opposing upper and lower annular surfaces with a predetermined smaller clearance. The upper annular surface includes an outer edge and the lower annular surface includes an inner edge which defines a fulcrum radially inward of the outer edge.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a movable annular wall member of an inlet passageway of a variable geometry turbine. The inlet passageway is defined between the movable wall and a facing wall. The wall member is formed from a sheet material and is supported on a plurality of pins which extend parallel to the direction of movement of the wall member. The wall member comprises a tubular portion extending away from the facing wall and each pin supports a radial extending projection having a pair of spaced tabs. Each tab is engaged in a respective slot in the tubular portion of the wall member, the tabs being a relatively close fit in the direction of movement of the wall member and a relatively loose fit in a plane at right angles to the direction of movement.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a variable geometry turbine in which an inlet passageway to the turbine is defined between a movable annular wall member and a facing wall, the position of the movable annular wall member being adjustable to control the width of the inlet passageway. The annular wall member is supported on a pair of pins which extend parallel to and are slidable parallel to the axis of the rotation of the turbine wheel. Each pin is engaged by a respective arm of a pivotally mounted stirrup the angular position of which is controlled by an actuator. The engagement between the pins and the stirrup is such that pivotal movement of the stirrup causes axial movement of the pin.

Abstract: There is disclosed a valve assembly and a reciprocating type fluid pump having a piston cylinder and a cylinder head together which define a fluid chamber. A first ring valve having a seal surface on one side is disposed within the fluid chamber adjacent to the cylinder head to close at least one fluid intake passage. A bias means is provided for urging the first ring valve against the seat on the head by abutting the ring valve on the side opposite from the seal surface, and the bias means includes a peripheral region which is connected to the fluid pump and retains the first ring valve between the cylinder head and the bias means.

Abstract: A compressor unloaded system for use in compressed air supply systems having reciprocating type air compressor means supplied with atmospheric or turbocharged air is shown. Means are provided to block off the air intake of such compressors, and to maintain back pressure against the exhaust valve of said air compressor during an unloading cycle, thereby preventing operation of the intake and exhaust valves of such compressor, and creating an "air spring" in the cylinder of such air compressor during an unloading cycle.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a movable annular wall member of an inlet passageway of a variable geometry turbine. The inlet passageway is defined between the movable wall and a facing wall. The wall member is formed from a sheet material and is supported on a plurality of pins which extend parallel to the direction of movement of the wall member. The wall member comprises a tubular portion extending away from the facing wall and each pin supports a radial extending link. Each link is engaged in a respective slot in the tubular portion of the wall member, the links being a relatively close fit in the direction of movement of the wall member and a relatively loose fit in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine in which an inlet passageway has a movable wall the position of which is adjusted to match the turbine characteristics to the flow rate through the turbine. Nozzle vanes extend through the movable wall and are mounted on a nozzle support which is normally stationary so that the nozzles contact the facing wall of the inlet passageway. The nozzle support is arranged to move with the movable wall however when the movable wall opens the inlet passageway beyond a predetermined extent so that the nozzle vanes are at least partially retracted when the movable wall is in the fully open position.

Abstract: A turbocharger is provided with a system for varying the effective area of the turbine, as a predetermined function of engine rpm. The function comprises a maximum area first portion (I) at high rpms, a second minimum area portion (II) at lower rpms and an intermediate third portion (III). The third portion has a characteristic that the effective turbine area increases as a direct function of engine rpm preestablished to optimize selected operating parameters. A feedback device generates a signal representing the actual effective area and supplies it to a controller. The controller is responsive to the feedback signal to generate pressure pulses applied to a pressure responsive turbine area actuator for varying the effective area of the turbine.

Abstract: A pneumatic control system for the variable area turbine inlet of a turbocharger of an internal combustion engine. The variable turbine inlet is actuated by a pneumatic actuator having a first connection to compressor boost pressure and a second connection to turbine inlet pressure. The actuator increases turbine inlet area in response to an increase in pressure and a one way valve in the compressor boost connection causes the actuator pressure to be the higher of compressor boost or turbine inlet pressure. As a result, turbine pumping losses during high engine rpm low power conditions are minimized.

Abstract: The disclosure illustrates a self calibrating control system for a variable area turbocharger incorporating a pneumatic actuator having a limiting position achieved at low actuating pressure levels. The calibration takes place by monitoring the demanded actuator signal. If it stays at a level reflecting a physically limiting position of the actuator for a predetermined time air pressure to the actuator is terminated to positively maintain the actuator in the no air position. A signal reflecting the actual position of the actuator is then substituted in the control system as a new zero pressure condition. This procedure is performed periodically and is aborted if normal control inputs are demanded thus resulting in a minimum disruption to normal control inputs. In addition the system provides for fault indications if the calibration procedure fails to result in a zero pressure calibration within predetermined limits.

Abstract: The disclosure illustrates a range improvement feature for a compressor wheel in which a chamber adjacent the inlet is separated from the outer periphery of the impeller wheel vanes by a wall through which communication is established between the chamber and the impeller wheel. Communication is provided by either an annular slot or a series of radial holes. The feature may be used on single stage or multistage compressors. The area of the communication is such that at high rpm, and/or high flow, flow is from the chamber inward and at lower flows the flow is from the impeller wheel outward. This bidirectional flow improves the range over which the compressor may operate without encountering surge.

Abstract: A wastegate valve for an internal combustion engine turbocharger comprising a housing, a valve head carried by a valve stem and arranged to cooperate with a valve seat. The valve stem is mounted in a valve guide for movement between a position in which the valve head and seat cooperate to close the valve and block exhaust gas flow and a position in which the valve head is spaced from the valve seat to permit flow. A spring biases the valve into a closed position and a pressure plate is mounted to said valve stem, the spring acting on the valve stem via said pressure plate. A connection is provided in the housing on the side of the pressure plate remote from the spring to a supply of fluid under pressure whereby, in operation, to assist the exhaust gas in opening the valve. A wall extends across the housing to divide the interior of the housing into a portion containing the pressure plate and another portion connectible to the supply of fluid under pressure.

Abstract: The disclosure illustrates a wastegate valve for an internal combustion engine turbocharger comprising a valve head carried by a valve stem and arranged to cooperate with a valve seat in a bypass passage, the valve stem being mounted in a valve guide for movement between a position in which the valve head and valve seat cooperate to close the valve and a position in which the valve head is spaced from the valve seat. A shield formed from a cup shaped thin wall pressing is provided at least partly surrounding the valve stem in a region thereof exposed to heat from the exhaust gases, the shield being disposed so as to deflect hot exhaust gases away from that part of the stem surrounded by the shield. Passageways are provided for conducting a flow of cooling fluid to said valve stem in between a pair of spaced valve guide inserts in at least part of the region surrounded by the shield.

Abstract: The disclosure illustrates a turbocharger comprising a radially inward flow turbine and a vaned inlet turbine nozzle. A variable inlet area is provided by an annular control ring continuous at its inner diametrical face and having slots extending inward from its radially inner portion of the vanes. The control ring may be attached to a steel stamping which, in turn, is attached to shafts of a pair of actuators for axially displacing the control ring and thus varying flow area through said turbine nozzle. By only partially embracing the inlet canes, the possibility of sticking due to carbon build-up is minimized if not eliminated.

Abstract: An impeller for a centrifugal impeller comprising a disc portion, a coaxial hub portion having a longitudinal through-bore by which the impeller is mounted on a rotatable shaft, and a plurality of blades in any one of several forms. The tip of each blade is curved in a direction opposite to the rotation of the impeller more than the rest of the blade. The radius of the tip curve decreases uniformly toward the radially outer end of the blade. This tip treatment produces improved isentropic efficiency.

Abstract: The disclosure illustrates an exhaust brake valve positioned between a divided section exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine and the divided flow entry to a turbine wheel of a turbocharger used in conjunction with the engine. The valve comprises a closure member displaceable between two positions, the second of which provides separate but free flow from the exhaust manifold sections and the corresponding divided flow entry of the turbine. The closure member, when displaced to the first position, blocks flow to the turbine, but at the same time interconnects the sections of the exhaust manifold. In this condition the engine acts like a compressor working against a blockage to provide a retarding effect, but the manifold interconnection minimizes peak pressure pulses to prevent engine valve bounce.

Abstract: A turbocharger for a diesel engine 34, wherein combustion air is supplied under pressure to the engine's intake manifold 32 from a centrifugal compressor 20 rotated by a turbine wheel 18 driven by exhaust gas from the engine supplied to inlet volute 44. Exhaust gas from the volute impinges on the turbine wheel after passing between stationary vanes 60 in an annular inlet passage between thin wall 52 and wall 46 of turbine housing 40. In this passage is a thin wall annular flange 64 slotted to fit over the vanes. The flange is part of a thin wall ring 62 stamped from stainless steel movable across the passage to control the inlet area thereof. The ring 62 is movable by actuators 80 (only one shown) having rods 74 connected to the ring. Springs 116 act on the rods 74 to urge the flange 64 towards the wall 46 thus reducing the area of the inlet passage so exhaust gas rushes through the reduced inlet and speeds the turbine and compressor providing at manifold 32 an increased air pressure.

Abstract: The disclosure illustrates a turbocharger bearing assembly for the shaft which supports a compressor and turbine for rotation. The bearing assembly accomodates axial thrust and comprises a plate with a central aperture through which the shaft extends, the central shaft having a pair of flanges adjacent or opposite faces of the plate. Each face of the plate has a plurality of tapered lands having a low end and high end which define bearing sectors disposed in succession in an arcuate way about the aperture. Each sector, in the radially outer portion thereof adjacent the high end is retrenched along the sector towards the low end of the sector so that along the direction of rotation of the counter thrust surface relative to the sector, the outer portion of the high end terminates before a more radially inner portion of the high end. An oil supply passage feeds oil to the faces of the plate to provide an oil film over the bearing sectors.