Abstract: A radial flow compressor includes a device (1, 34) for controlling air flow detachment from the volute tongue (3). The device (1, 34) may include a vane (1) or hole (34) in the tongue (3), and serves to redirect air over the volute tongue (3). The device (1, 34) aids in decreasing the velocity of air flow at the volute tongue (3), diminishes the vortices that develop at the volute tongue (3) from the high air velocities, and redirects air over the volute tongue (3) allowing the air to flow through the narrow passage and attach to the walls of the volute outlet (6).

Abstract: A turbocharger is disclosed. The turbocharger may comprise a turbine, and a compressor having a radial impeller. The radial impeller may include a body having a hub and a plurality of main blades extending from the hub. Each of the main blades may have a leading edge. The turbocharger may further comprise a plurality of serrations extending along the leading edge of each of the main blades, and a shaft interconnecting the compressor and the turbine. The body of the impeller may be formed by flank milling, and the serrations extending along the leading edges of the main blades may be formed by point milling.

Abstract: A turbocharger (10) includes a shaft (26) rotatably supported within a bearing housing (28), a turbine wheel (22) connected to the shaft (26), and a heat shield (150, 250) disposed between the turbine wheel (22) and the bearing housing (28). The heat shield (150, 250) includes surface features (80, 180) formed on at least one of a sidewall (57) portion thereof and a flange (63) portion thereof that locate the heat shield (150, 250) relative to the bearing housing (28) such that the heat shield (150, 250) is coaxial with the rotational axis of the shaft (26).

Abstract: A radial flow compressor includes a device (1, 34) for controlling air flow detachment from the volute tongue (3). The device (1, 34) may include a vane (1) or hole (34) in the tongue (3), and serves to redirect air over the volute tongue (3). The device (1, 34) aids in decreasing the velocity of air flow at the volute tongue (3), diminishes the vortices that develop at the volute tongue (3) from the high air velocities, and redirects air over the volute tongue (3) allowing the air to flow through the narrow passage and attach to the walls of the volute outlet (6).

Abstract: A turbocharger (10) includes a shaft (26) rotatably supported within a bearing housing (28), a turbine wheel (22) connected to the shaft (26), and a heat shield (150, 250) disposed between the turbine wheel (22) and the bearing housing (28). The heat shield (150, 250) includes surface features (80, 180) formed on at least one of a sidewall (57) portion thereof and a flange (63) portion thereof that locate the heat shield (150, 250) relative to the bearing housing (28) such that the heat shield (150, 250) is coaxial with the rotational axis of the shaft (26).

Abstract: A retractable vane diffuser system (36) for a compressor stage (12) of a turbocharger with selectively retractable vanes (38). The retractable vane diffuser system (36) includes a retractable vane (38) or a set of vanes (40) that can extend into a flow path (34) of a diffuser (18) to help control airflow and change the operating characteristics of the compressor stage (12), such as improving surge margin or improving peak stage efficiency. The vanes (38) can retract preferably with a vane ring (44) into a cavity (42) of a wall (30 or 32) of the diffuser (18) when operation as a vaneless diffuser is desired to maximize flow, such as to slow onset of diffuser stall or surge. The retractable vane diffuser system (36) combines superior pressure ratio, efficiency, and lower mass air flow operating characteristics of a diffuser having vanes with higher mass airflow capacity of a vaneless diffuser.

Abstract: The flow path of exhaust gas to the turbine wheel (70) of a turbocharger is influenced by relative motion between two rings of vanes, at least one of which being provided on a vane ring. The outer ring of vanes contains a plurality of vanes (92, 122), the inner ring of vanes contains a plurality of vanes (93, 121), and the inner and outer vanes in registry forming a single generic vane shape. The aerodynamic effect of relative displacement of the outer ring of vanes to the inner ring of vanes produces a modulate-able control of exhaust flow to the turbine wheel.

Abstract: The flow path of exhaust gas to the turbine wheel (70) of a turbocharger is influenced by relative motion between two rings of vanes, at least one of which being provided on a vane ring. The outer ring of vanes contains a plurality of vanes (92, 122), the inner ring of vanes contains a plurality of vanes (93, 121), and the inner and outer vanes in registry forming a single generic vane shape. The aerodynamic effect of relative displacement of the outer ring of vanes to the inner ring of vanes produces a modulate-able control of exhaust flow to the turbine wheel.

Abstract: A safety cap comprising a plurality of rigid plates, a foam insert, and an outer covering. The rigid plates are embedded within the foam insert, and the foam insert comprises foam joints. A safety cap comprising a plurality of cushions, a rigid shell, and an outer covering. The cushions are attached to the inside of the rigid shell, and they comprise a plurality of nozzles. A safety cap in which rigid plates and cushions are embedded within a foam insert. The cushions are positioned on the inner surface of the rigid plates and may contain air, foam, fluid or a combination thereof. The outer covering is preferably made of fabric, and the cap preferably comprises an adjustable strap. The cap optionally includes ventilation holes, ear cutouts, eye cutouts, a ponytail cutout, an eye protector and/or a face protector.