Abstract: A radial inflow turbine may include a wheel, a first set of nozzle vanes surrounding the wheel and a second set of nozzle vanes surrounding the wheel. A first circumferential spacing between two adjacent nozzle vanes of the first set may differ from a second circumferential spacing between another two of the nozzle vanes of the first set.

Abstract: A radial inflow turbine may include a wheel, a first set of nozzle vanes surrounding the wheel and a second set of nozzle vanes surrounding the wheel. A first circumferential spacing between two adjacent nozzle vanes of the first set may differ from a second circumferential spacing between another two of the nozzle vanes of the first set.

Abstract: A shaft assembly includes a shaft with magnets surrounding the shaft, and thermal conducting disks coupled to the shaft, and coupled to two ends of the magnets.

Abstract: A three journal bearing supported shaft with a link between two of the bearings may allow for longer spacing between the wheels supported by the shaft. The flexible shaft may move one bending critical speed below the minimum operating speed of the shaft and the next bending critical speed above the maximum operating speed of the shaft, thus extending the speed range significantly. A tie rod may be used as the link in the shaft.

Abstract: A vaneless compressor containment design has an inner bolt circle with more than three fasteners situated in the vaneless space to cut up tri-hub pieces to smaller pieces prior to reaching an outer bolt circle and its associated flange. This containment design may allow a thinner radial wall thickness for the outermost flange as compared to the conventional design. The thinner radial wall thickness may reduce the weight of the compressor. This weight reduction may be achieved with little or no increase in the compressor space envelope.

Abstract: A compressor ported shroud takes compressed air from the shroud of the compressor before it is completely compressed and delivers it to foil bearings. The compressed air has a lower pressure and temperature than compressed outlet air. The lower temperature of the air means that less air needs to be bled off from the compressor to cool the foil bearings. This increases the overall system efficiency due to the reduced mass flow requirements of the lower temperature air. By taking the air at a lower pressure, less work is lost compressing the bearing cooling air.

Abstract: A three journal bearing supported shaft with a link between two of the bearings may allow for longer spacing between the wheels supported by the shaft. The flexible shaft may move one bending critical speed below the minimum operating speed of the shaft and the next bending critical speed above the maximum operating speed of the shaft, thus extending the speed range significantly. A tie rod may be used as the link in the shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for predicting ice formation on and shedding from blades of an air cycle machine (“ACM”) turbine. The method comprises generating operational condition data representative of ACM turbine operating conditions using a software model of the ACM, determining an amount of ice formation on the blades of the ACM turbine, and determining an amount of ice shed from the blades of the ACM turbine. The apparatus comprises means for generating operational condition data representative of ACM turbine operating conditions using a software model of the ACM, means for determining an amount of ice formation on the blades of the ACM turbine, and means for determining an amount of ice shed from the blades of the ACM turbine. In some embodiments, the means and apparatus may also involve predicting ACM wear, based at least in part on the predicted ice formation and shedding.

Abstract: A multiple-passage turbine nozzle with desired predetermined flow properties may be provided with an adjustment member in one or more of its passages to limit the flow therethrough. Turbine nozzle flow is an important performance characteristic that may be difficult to control by conventional drilling or machining manufacturing methods. The adjustment member may protrude into a nozzle passage, thereby reducing airflow through the nozzle passage. The amount of protrusion is variable and is selected to provide a desired partial or total occlusion of an associated passage at the time of manufacture of the turbine nozzle to compensate for variations produced by the conventional manufacturing techniques. The turbine nozzle according to the present invention provides simple and convenient calibrated adjustment of the predetermined flow that may be allowed to pass through a turbine nozzle onto a turbine wheel of a turbo machine.

Abstract: A method is provided for retrofitting an existing dead-bolt assembly with an electrically operated actuator (12, 112, 212, 312, 800). The electrically operated actuator automatically operates the dead-bolt assembly while preserving manual operation of the lock. The actuator assembly has rotating means for rotation of the drive bar (18), which in turn extends or retracts the bolt (14) of the lock. The rotating means may be a lever (28, 128, 238, 328, 438, 818) attached to the drive bar (18) that is pivotable about the axis of rotation of the drive bar (18). The actuator assembly has driving means that forces the rotating means to rotate. The driving means is responsive to an electrical signal, which, for example, may be initiated from a remote-controlled transmitter (502, 602). The driving means may include a motor (20, 120, 220) for rotating a rod (22, 122, 222, 322) that in turn operates an assembly that rotates or drives the rotating means.

Abstract: A method is provided for retrofitting an existing dead-bolt assembly with an electrically operated actuator (12, 112, 212, 312, 800). The electrically operated actuator automatically operates the dead-bolt assembly while preserving manual operation of the lock. The actuator assembly has rotating means for rotation of the drive bar (18), which in turn extends or retracts the bolt (14) of the lock. The rotating means may be a lever (28,128, 238, 328, 438, 818) attached to the drive bar (18) that is pivotable about the axis of rotation of the drive bar (18). The actuator assembly has driving means that forces the rotating means to rotate. The driving means is responsive to an electrical signal, which, for example, may be initiated from a remote-controlled transmitter (502, 602). The driving means may include a motor (20, 120, 220) for rotating a rod (22, 122, 222, 322) that in turn operates an assembly that rotates or drives the rotating means.

Abstract: An electrically operated actuator (12, 112, 212, 312, 800) automatically operates dead-bolt assemblies and other locks, while preserving manual operation of the locks. The actuator assembly has rotating means for rotation of the drive bar (18), which in turn extends or retracts the bolt (14) of the lock. The rotating means may be a lever (28, 128, 238, 328, 438, 818) attached to the drive bar (18) that is pivotable about the axis of rotation of the drive bar (18). The actuator assembly has driving means that forces the rotating means to rotate. The driving means is responsive to an electrical signal, which, for example, may be initiated from a remote-controlled transmitter (502, 602). The driving means may include a motor (20, 120, 220) for rotating a rod (22, 122, 222, 322) that in turn operates an assembly that rotates or drives the rotating means.

Abstract: An electrically operated actuator (12, 112, 212, 312) automatically operates dead-bolt assemblies and other locks, while preserving manual operation of the locks. The actuator assembly has rotating means for rotation of the drive bar (18), which in turn extends or retracts the bolt (14) of the lock. The rotating means may be a lever (28, 128, 238, 328, 438) attached to the drive bar (18) that is pivotable about the axis of rotation of the drive bar (18). The actuator assembly has driving means that forces the rotating means to rotate. The driving means is responsive to an electrical signal, which, for example, may be initiated from a remote-controlled transmitter (502, 602). The driving means may include a motor (20, 120, 220) for rotating a rod (22, 122, 222, 322) that in turn operates an assembly that rotates or drives the rotating means.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator for controlling the wastegate valve of an exhaust gas driven turbocharger includes a pilot piston which is responsive to boost pressure to open only when a desired boost pressure is attained. Accordingly, premature opening of the wastegate valve is avoided because the main actuator piston is maintained at atmospheric pressure until the desired actuating pressure is attained.

Abstract: An exhaust driven turbocharger includes a wastegate valve which is operated by a pneumatic actuator mounted on the outer edge of the compressor housing. A portion of the linkage interconnecting the actuator with the wastegate valve includes a flexible cable which is routed around the edge of the turbine housing, around the center housing and over the outer edge of the turbine housing to a lever which operates the wastegate. In alternate embodiment, the axis of the actuator extends substantially parallel to the axis of the turbocharger, and the flexible cable is looped around the end of the turbocharger and extends across the center housing to engage the lever actuating the wastegate valve.

Abstract: The rotating components of an exhaust gas driven turbocharger are supported by a pair of axially separated ball bearings having an outer race and an inner race. A spacer between the bearings engages the outer race of both bearings and exerts a preload bias on the outer races of the bearings urging the outer races away from one another. Accordingly the bearings are preloaded so that centrifugal forces generated during high speed operation will not force the ball bearing away from the inner races.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes spaced apart turbine housing and compressor housing sections which are connected by a center housing section. The center housing section journals an elongate shaft carrying at opposite ends thereof a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel rotatable in the respective housing sections. The center housing section also defines a closed cavity captively receiving a material conductive of heat and which transitions between lower and upper molecular energy levels during hot soak of the turbocharger following engine shutdown to control bearing temperature at the shaft.

Abstract: An electrically responsive turbocharger control for a turbocharged internal combustion engine includes an electrically operated control device selectively energizable to engage and lock in position the actuator for a wastegate control valve. This control device provides a manner of overriding the normal actuating forces acting in the wastegate control valve.

Abstract: A single point fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine including a throttle body having first and second air intake throats corresponding to first and second intake manifold planes of the engine, the air flow through each throat being controlled by throttle plates positioned within each throat. The throttle body further includes a fuel accumulating bowl which is integrally formed with the throttle body, the bowl being enclosed by a diaphragm and cover member. Within the enclosure of the fuel bowl are positioned a pair of injectors which are adapted to inject pulsed portions of fuel through a sonic nozzle and into the air intake throat of the throttle body. The injection of pulses of fuel into the throat is timed in accordance with the sensing of the crankshaft reaching a position of 15.degree. before top dead center to enhance the distribution of fuel charge from cylinder to cylinder.

Abstract: The rotating components of an exhaust gas driven turbocharger are supported by a pair of axially separated ball bearings having an outer race and an inner race. A spacer between the bearings engages the outer race of both bearings and exerts a preload bias on the outer races of the bearings urging the outer races away from one another. Accordingly the bearings are preloaded so that centrifugal forces generated during high speed operation will not force the ball bearing away from the inner races.