Abstract: A variable-nozzle turbocharger includes a variable vane mechanism that has an annular nozzle ring supporting an array of rotatable vanes, an insert having a tubular portion sealingly received into a bore of the turbine housing and having a nozzle portion extending radially out from one end of the tubular portion and being axially spaced from the nozzle ring with the vanes therebetween, and a plurality of two-piece self-centering spacer assemblies connected between the nozzle portion of the insert and the nozzle ring. Each spacer assembly comprises a tubular sleeve and a separate pin that passes through the through-passage of the sleeve, end portions of the pin being secured respectively to the nozzle ring and the nozzle portion. One end of each sleeve has a conical surface and engages in a corresponding conical countersink in the adjacent face of the nozzle ring or nozzle portion.

Abstract: A variable-nozzle turbocharger includes a variable vane mechanism that has an annular nozzle ring supporting an array of rotatable vanes, an insert having a tubular portion sealingly received into a bore of the turbine housing and having a nozzle portion extending radially out from one end of the tubular portion and being axially spaced from the nozzle ring with the vanes therebetween, and a plurality of two-piece self-centering spacer assemblies connected between the nozzle portion of the insert and the nozzle ring. Each spacer assembly comprises a tubular sleeve and a separate pin that passes through the through-passage of the sleeve, end portions of the pin being secured respectively to the nozzle ring and the nozzle portion. One end of each sleeve has a conical surface and engages in a corresponding conical countersink in the adjacent face of the nozzle ring or nozzle portion.

Abstract: A turbine assembly can include a turbine wheel, a shroud component, a turbine housing, and an expansion seal that includes a lower lip, an upper lip, and a wall that extends between the lower lip and the upper lip and that is disposed between an outer seal surface of the shroud component and an inner seal surface of the turbine housing. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable nozzle for a turbocharger includes a plurality of vanes rotatably mounted on a nozzle ring and disposed in a nozzle flow path defined between the nozzle ring and an opposite nozzle wall. Either or both of the faces of the nozzle ring and nozzle wall include(s) grooves extending substantially transverse to a general flow direction of the flow through the nozzle, and there are clearances between the ends of the vanes and the adjacent faces. Leakage flow through the clearance between the end of each vane and the adjacent face having the grooves must proceed across the grooves, and thus a labyrinthine flow passage is presented to the leakage flow. The labyrinthine passage has a greater resistance to flow than would be the case without the grooves. Accordingly, leakage flow is reduced, which is beneficial to turbine efficiency.

Abstract: A variable-nozzle assembly for a turbocharger includes a generally annular nozzle ring and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes can be pivoted about their axes for regulating exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel. A unison ring engages vane arms that are affixed to axles of the vanes, such that rotation of the unison ring causes the vanes to pivot between a closed position and an open position. The vanes have proximal ends that are adjacent a face of the nozzle ring. A vane sealing member is supported on the nozzle ring and has a portion disposed between the proximal ends of the vanes and the face of the nozzle ring. The unison ring includes cams that engage cam followers. Rotational movement of the unison ring causes the cam followers to be moved axially and thereby urge the vane sealing member against the proximal ends of the vanes.

Abstract: A variable-nozzle turbocharger includes a turbine housing and a center housing, and a generally annular nozzle ring and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes can be pivoted about their axes for regulating exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel. The vanes extend between the nozzle ring and an opposite wall of the nozzle. An axially floating vane sealing ring is disposed in an annular recess formed in the face of the nozzle ring adjacent proximal ends of the vanes. The vane sealing ring is urged by exhaust gas pressure differential toward the proximal ends of the vanes, and the vanes are thus urged toward the opposite nozzle wall so that distal ends of the vanes are close to or abutting the wall, resulting in a reduction or closing of the gaps at the proximal and distal ends of the vanes.

Abstract: A variable-nozzle turbocharger includes a turbine housing and a center housing, and a generally annular nozzle ring and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes can be pivoted about their axes for regulating exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel. The vanes extend between the nozzle ring and an opposite wall of the nozzle. An axially floating vane sealing ring is disposed in an annular recess formed in the face of the nozzle ring adjacent proximal ends of the vanes. The vane sealing ring is urged by exhaust gas pressure differential toward the proximal ends of the vanes, and the vanes are thus urged toward the opposite nozzle wall so that distal ends of the vanes are close to or abutting the wall, resulting in a reduction or closing of the gaps at the proximal and distal ends of the vanes.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a variable-nozzle assembly that includes an insert having a tubular portion received into a stepped bore of a turbine housing and having a nozzle portion extending radially out from one end of the tubular portion, and a generally annular nozzle ring axially spaced from the nozzle portion and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring. Sealing of the interface between the tubular portion of the insert and the turbine housing is provided by a sealing ring formed as a generally annular body having a U- or V-shaped cross-section oriented such that an open side of the U- or V-shaped cross-section faces in a radial direction. The U- or V-shaped cross-section defines two opposing legs, one of the legs being engaged against an end face of the tubular portion of the insert and the other leg being engaged against an upstream-facing step surface of the turbine housing bore.

Abstract: A turbine assembly can include a turbine wheel, a shroud component, a turbine housing, and an expansion seal that includes a lower lip, an upper lip, and a wall that extends between the lower lip and the upper lip and that is disposed between an outer seal surface of the shroud component and an inner seal surface of the turbine housing. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A turbocharger with a variable nozzle includes a pin mounted in the center housing and extending axially therefrom and engaged in a hole in the nozzle ring to orient the nozzle ring rotationally relative to the center housing. A portion of a length of the pin has a substantially greater compliance than the remainder of the length such that the pin has a flexible tip that engages the hole in the nozzle ring. The flexible tip reduces constraint of thermal deformation of the nozzle ring. The pin portion of greater compliance can be a section of the tube that is slit and expanded. The turbocharger can also include a one-piece locator and heat shield having a locating portion abutting the center housing and the nozzle ring for radially locating the nozzle ring relative to the center housing, and having a shield portion shielding the center housing from hot exhaust gas.

Abstract: A variable-nozzle turbocharger includes a turbine housing and a center housing, and a generally annular nozzle ring and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes are rotatably adjustable for regulating exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel. An elastically deformable member is disposed between a radially inwardly facing surface of the nozzle ring and a radially outwardly facing surface of the center housing, the elastically deformable member having a radially inner surface contacting the radially outwardly facing surface of the center housing and having a radially outer surface contacting the radially inwardly facing surface of the nozzle ring so as to radially center the nozzle ring relative to the center housing.

Abstract: A variable nozzle device including an annular nozzle passage formed by a gap between two opposing wall members and at least one vane rotatably supported in the nozzle passage. The vane is formed by a strip of sheet metal contoured to have an outer aerodynamic profile, and having a hollow interior with surfaces mimicking the outer profile. The vane is affixed to a shaft having a wind-stream portion forming two contact surfaces that conformingly receive opposing portions of the interior surfaces.

Abstract: A variable nozzle for a turbocharger includes a plurality of vanes rotatably mounted on a nozzle ring and disposed in a nozzle flow path defined between the nozzle ring and an opposite nozzle wall. Either or both of the faces of the nozzle ring and nozzle wall include(s) grooves extending substantially transverse to a general flow direction of the flow through the nozzle, and there are clearances between the ends of the vanes and the adjacent faces. Leakage flow through the clearance between the end of each vane and the adjacent face having the grooves must proceed across the grooves, and thus a labyrinthine flow passage is presented to the leakage flow. The labyrinthine passage has a greater resistance to flow than would be the case without the grooves. Accordingly, leakage flow is reduced, which is beneficial to turbine efficiency.

Abstract: A variable-nozzle assembly for a turbocharger includes a generally annular nozzle ring and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes can be pivoted about their axes for regulating exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel. A unison ring engages vane arms that are affixed to axles of the vanes, such that rotation of the unison ring causes the vanes to pivot between a closed position and an open position. The vanes have proximal ends that are adjacent a face of the nozzle ring. A vane sealing member is supported on the nozzle ring and has a portion disposed between the proximal ends of the vanes and the face of the nozzle ring. The unison ring includes cams that engage cam followers. Rotational movement of the unison ring causes the cam followers to be moved axially and thereby urge the vane sealing member against the proximal ends of the vanes.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a variable-nozzle assembly that includes an insert having a tubular portion received into a stepped bore of a turbine housing and having a nozzle portion extending radially out from one end of the tubular portion, and a generally annular nozzle ring axially spaced from the nozzle portion and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring. Sealing of the interface between the tubular portion of the insert and the turbine housing is provided by a sealing ring formed as a generally annular body having a U- or V-shaped cross-section oriented such that an open side of the U- or V-shaped cross-section faces in a radial direction. The U- or V-shaped cross-section defines two opposing legs, one of the legs being engaged against an end face of the tubular portion of the insert and the other leg being engaged against an upstream-facing step surface of the turbine housing bore.

Abstract: An improved actuating rod end connector is connected with an actuating rod that extends from a turbocharger assembly actuator mechanism. The rod end connector has a body with an opening at one longitudinal end, and the actuator rod is disposed through the opening. An adjustment member is rotatably disposed within the body and has a threaded inside cavity in communication with the opening. The inside cavity is threadably engaged with a threaded outside surface of the actuator rod. The body includes an actuator rod opening disposed therethrough adjacent the adjustment member to receive a section of the actuator rod therein to facilitate contacting the actuator rod disposed within the body from outside of the rod end connector. An attachment opening is disposed through the body to facilitate attachment of the rod end connector with a linkage member, e.g., a linkage member connected with a movable member of the turbocharger.

Abstract: A variable-nozzle turbocharger includes a turbine housing and a center housing, and a generally annular nozzle ring and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes are rotatably adjustable for regulating exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel. An elastically deformable member is disposed between a radially inwardly facing surface of the nozzle ring and a radially outwardly facing surface of the center housing, the elastically deformable member having a radially inner surface contacting the radially outwardly facing surface of the center housing and having a radially outer surface contacting the radially inwardly facing surface of the nozzle ring so as to radially center the nozzle ring relative to the center housing.

Abstract: A variable-nozzle turbocharger includes a turbine housing and a center housing, and a generally annular nozzle ring and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes are rotatably adjustable for regulating exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel. An elastically deformable member is disposed between a radially inwardly facing surface of the nozzle ring and a radially outwardly facing surface of the center housing, the elastically deformable member having a radially inner surface contacting the radially outwardly facing surface of the center housing and having a radially outer surface contacting the radially inwardly facing surface of the nozzle ring so as to radially center the nozzle ring relative to the center housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are retainers for a turbocharger. In one embodiment, the retainer includes a generally annular body that defines a bore and one or more channels. The bore is generally directed along a central axis of the body and can be configured to mate with a nose of a center housing of a turbocharger. The channels can be configured to accommodate vanes associated with a cartridge assembly of the turbocharger. One or more legs may extend from the retainer body and may be configured to mate with and locate the retainer relative to a cartridge assembly for the turbocharger. The retainer can also include a concave portion disposed around a perimeter of the body. The concave portion and the body may be together configured to act as a spring when the retainer is mechanically loaded in a direction having a component parallel to the central axis. Also disclosed are corresponding turbochargers.

Abstract: A turbocharger assembly comprises a variable-vane assembly. The variable-vane assembly includes a unison ring with vane arms and/or a main-arm which adjust the setting angle of vanes. Vane arm-engaging elements and main-arm-engaging elements in the unison ring engage ends of the vane arms and the main-arm, respectively. Each vane arm-engaging element comprises an inner contact surface that engages an outer contact surface of the respective vane arm. The main-arm-engaging element comprises an inner actuation surface that engages an outer actuation surface of the main-arm. The inner contact surface and the outer contact surface and/or the inner actuation surface and the outer actuation surface may comprise conjugate curve profiles, such as involute curve profiles based on the involute of a circle. Use of conjugate curve profiles may result in rolling movement between the unison ring and vane arms and/or main arm, which may reduce friction occurring during pivoting of the vanes.