Abstract: A compressor comprises a compressor housing, a compressor wheel mounted within the housing and having compressor blades, and a bearing housing. The compressor housing comprises a cover member and a diffuser member that is connected to both the cover member and the bearing housing. The diffuser member has a radially outer portion connected to the cover member and a radially inner portion connected to the bearing housing. The diffuser member has a first weakened region defined at a first position intermediate the radially outer portion and the radially inner portion, and a first strengthened region defined at a second position intermediate the radially outer portion and the radially inner portion, said second position being radially inwards or outwards of the first weakened region.

Abstract: A turbocharger system is provided having a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel connected by a shaft; a conduit configured to deliver a flow of lubricant to a bearing which supports the shaft, the conduit being provided with a valve; a sensor configured to monitor a speed of rotation of the shaft; and a controller configured to operate the valve to substantially stop the flow of lubricant to the bearing in response to detection of deceleration of the shaft and the speed of the shaft dropping below a threshold.

Abstract: A compressor comprises a compressor housing, a compressor wheel mounted within the housing and having compressor blades, and a bearing housing. The compressor housing comprises a cover member and a diffuser member that is connected to both the cover member and the bearing housing. The diffuser member has a radially outer portion connected to the cover member and a radially inner portion connected to the bearing housing. The diffuser member has a first weakened region defined at a first position intermediate the radially outer portion and the radially inner portion, and a first strengthened region defined at a second position intermediate the radially outer portion and the radially inner portion, said second position being radially inwards or outwards of the first weakened region.

Abstract: A turbocharger system is provided comprising: a turbocharger having a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel connected by a shaft; a conduit configured to deliver a flow of lubricant to a bearing which supports the shaft, the conduit being provided with a valve; a sensor configured to monitor a speed of rotation of the shaft; and a controller configured to operate the valve to substantially stop the flow of lubricant to the bearing in response to detection of deceleration of the shaft and the speed of the shaft dropping below a threshold.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a turbocharger system and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) path. The turbocharger system comprises an inlet, an outlet and at least one turbocharger. The exhaust gas recirculation path recirculates a flow of exhaust gas to the air intake path. An EGR turbocharger has a turbine with an inlet in fluid communication with a first location in the exhaust gas path and an outlet in fluid communication with a second location in the exhaust gas path. The first and second locations being disposed such that, in use, the pressure difference of the gas between the inlet and outlet of the EGR turbine is less than the pressure difference of the gas between the inlet and outlet of the turbocharger system. The expansion ratio across the EGR turbine is therefore less than that across the turbocharger system and the EGR turbocharger is able to operate with greater efficiency.

Abstract: An engine generator set comprises an internal combustion engine having an output shaft that is coupled to an electrical generator for producing an AC electrical power output. The engine is operable to rotate the shaft at a first rotational speed so that the generator is driven to produce electrical power at a first frequency and a second rotational speed at which the generator is driven to produce electrical power at a second frequency. An exhaust gas turbocharger is operatively connected to the engine and has a compressor with a housing that defines a gas inlet. At least two guide, vane assemblies that are releasably and interchangeably connectable to the inlet to match the compressor performance with the first or second engine speed. The guide vanes of the first guide vane assembly extend in a downstream direction towards the impeller wheel at an angle relative to the inlet that is different to the corresponding angle of the guide vanes second guide vane assembly.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the supply of oil to a turbocharger fitted to an internal combustion comprises an oil supply valve (21) controlled by a controller (20) and at least one sensor (23-28) for monitoring a parameter associated with the existence or potential occurrence of a leak in the turbocharger oil supply, or of a condition potentially resulting in such a leak. The controller (20) is operable to determine the existence or possible occurrence of an oil leak in the turbocharger oil supply in response to a signal received from the sensor (23-28) and to close the oil supply control valve (21) in the event of said determination to cut off the oil supply to the turbocharger.

Abstract: An engine generator set comprises an internal combustion engine (10) having an output shaft (12) that is coupled to an electrical generator (14) for producing an AC electrical power output’. The engine is operable to rotate the shaft (12) at a first rotational speed so that the generator (14) is driven to produce electrical power at a first frequency and a second rotational speed at which the generator is driven to produce electrical power at a second frequency. An exhaust gas turbocharger (11) is operatively connected to the engine (10) and has a compressor with a housing that defines a gas inlet (22). At least two guide, vane assemblies (40, 40?) that are releasably and interchangeably connectable to the inlet (22) to match the compressor performance with the first or second engine speed.

Abstract: A turbomachine such as a turbocharger comprises a housing 3 defining a bearing cavity and a turbine wheel 4 mounted to a shaft 8 for rotation about an axis. A housing wall 3a is disposed between the bearing cavity and the turbine wheel 4, the shaft 8 extending into the bearing cavity through a shaft passage 20 provided in the housing wall 3a. The housing wall 3a comprises a first portion defining an air gap with the turbine wheel 4 and a second annular portion 3b defining the opening to the shaft passage 20 and which is axially spaced from said turbine wheel 4 by a minimum distance D. The housing wall 3a further comprises at least one third portion 32, such as an annular rib, radially spaced from the first portion 3a. The third portion is configured to bear load from a turbine wheel rotating off axis in a failure condition.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a turbocharger system and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) path. The turbocharger system comprises an inlet, an outlet and at least one turbocharger. The exhaust gas recirculation path recirculates a flow of exhaust gas to the air intake path. An EGR turbocharger has a turbine with an inlet in fluid communication with a first location in the exhaust gas path and an outlet in fluid communication with a second location in the exhaust gas path. The first and second locations being disposed such that, in use, the pressure difference of the gas between the inlet and outlet of the EGR turbine is less than the pressure difference of the gas between the inlet and outlet of the turbocharger system. The expansion ratio across the EGR turbine is therefore less than that across the turbocharger system and the EGR turbocharger is able to operate with greater efficiency.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the supply of oil to a turbocharger fitted to an internal combustion comprises an oil supply valve (21) controlled by a controller (20) and at least one sensor (23-28) for monitoring a parameter associated with the existence or potential occurrence of a leak in the turbocharger oil supply, or of a condition potentially resulting in such a leak. The controller (20) is operable to determine the existence or possible occurrence of an oil leak in the turbocharger oil supply in response to a signal received from the sensor (23-28) and to close the oil supply control valve (21) in the event of said determination to cut off the oil supply to the turbocharger.