Overhung From Central Support Patents (Class 417/407)
  • Patent number: 7753591
    Abstract: An exemplary bearing and locating pin system for a turbocharger includes a locating pin including a shaft, a head and an aperture and a bearing having a central axis and including an internal bore to receive a shaft extending between a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel, the internal bore including a plurality of axial grooves, the bearing including a locating pin aperture substantially equidistant from axial ends of the bearing for engaging the locating pin to prevent rotation of the bearing within a bearing case bore, the bearing further including a plurality of lubricant inlets, each inlet extending between an outer surface of the bearing and one of the axial grooves at an angle non-orthogonal to the central axis. Other exemplary technologies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Dominque Petitjean, Phillipe Arnold, Anthony Ruquart
  • Publication number: 20100172739
    Abstract: An exemplary locating mechanism includes a bearing outer race (422) that has a central axis (z-axis) and that has a turbine end, a compressor end and a slot (421), of an axial length, disposed between the turbine end and the compressor end; and a deformable clip (430) shaped as a semi-cylindrical wall having an axial length less than the axial length of the slot, where in a tension state, the clip (430) has an inner circumference to position the clip (430) with respect to the slot (421) and where in a compression state, the clip (430) has an inner circumference that locates the clip (430) in the slot (421). Various other exemplary technologies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Steven Don Arnold
  • Patent number: 7722336
    Abstract: An exemplary compressor wheel includes a proximate end, a distal end, an axis of rotation, a z-plane positioned between the proximate end and the distal end and a proximate end extension wherein the extension includes one or more pilot diameters and an engagement mechanism for engagement with an operational shaft of a turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Vaccarezza, Voytek Kanigowski
  • Patent number: 7677041
    Abstract: Bearing systems for high speed rotating shafts, such as turbocharger shafts, include a first ball bearing in one end of an elongated cylinder capable of carrying axial thrust in both directions and a second ball bearing in the opposite end of the elongated cylinder with its outer race slideably mounted in the cylinder against the biasing force of a preload spring. The second ball bearing is free to move axially with the shaft upon axial expansion of the shaft when exposed to high temperature. The inner races of the ball bearings are clamped to and rotate with the shaft as part of the rotating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: William E. Woollenweber
  • Patent number: 7634987
    Abstract: The invention concerns a fuel tank for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one venting device which is connected to a fuel vapor filter, wherein the venting device includes at least one collecting container (4) for receiving liquid fuel (21). The fuel tank is distinguished in that disposed within the collecting container (4) is a delivery pump (8) for emptying it into the delivery volume (23) of the fuel tank (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Wolfgang Gebert, Thomas Schaefer
  • Patent number: 7628580
    Abstract: A variable geometry turbine comprises a housing defining a chamber within which a turbine wheel is mounted. The chamber has an annular inlet having a width defined between side walls of the housing. An array of vanes is mounted within the inlet, each vane having a length extending across the inlet, and a chordal length defined between leading and trailing vane edges. The vanes can be pivoted to adjust the effective cross-section area of the annular inlet. Each vane is pivotable between a first position in which the area of the inlet is a minimum and a second position in which the area of the inlet is a maximum. At least one of the side walls is configured so that clearance between the side wall and at least a portion of the adjacent chordal edge of each vane varies in a predetermined manner as the vane moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Holset Engineering Company, Limited
    Inventors: John Frederick Parker, Stephen Edward Garrett
  • Patent number: 7614853
    Abstract: A turbine shaft may be used to remove a heat load from pliant bearings without requiring the use of a process fluid for cooling the turbine shaft. The turbine shaft comprises a heat conductive sleeve disposed between an outer surface of a tie rod shaft and an inner surface of a bearing journal; the heat conductive sleeve having a sleeve inner surface separated from a sleeve outer surface by a sleeve thickness; the heat conductive sleeve having a first end separated from a second end longitudinally about a center axis; the sleeve outer surface being in physical contact with the inner surface of the bearing journal; and the heat conductive sleeve having a thermal conductivity that is greater than a thermal conductivity of the bearing journal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall Saville
  • Patent number: 7600969
    Abstract: A turbocharger comprising a cartridge which is arranged in a turbine casing for variable turbine geometry; a bearing housing which is arranged between the turbine casing and a compressor housing of a compressor impeller and in which a bearing assembly is arranged for a shaft which supports the turbine wheel and the compressor impeller; and a spring washer which is arranged between the cartridge and the bearing housing, the spring washer being composed of at least two material layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk Frankenstein, Ralf Boening, Hartmut Weiss
  • Patent number: 7563079
    Abstract: An exemplary system for a turbomachine includes a bore extending from an inner end to an outer end with an inner seat proximate to the inner end and an outer seat proximate to the outer end, a rotatable shaft with an inner slot and an outer slot, an outer seal ring capable of being received by the outer slot and capable of being seated in the outer seat and an inner seal ring capable of being received by the inner slot, capable of bridging the outer seat and capable of being seated in the inner seat where an axial width of the inner seal ring exceeds an axial width of the outer seal ring. Various other exemplary devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Grover Aguilar
  • Publication number: 20090136368
    Abstract: An exemplary center housing for a turbocharger includes a compressor end and a turbine end and a through bore that includes a turbine end opening for receiving a bearing cartridge and shaft subassembly. In an assembly, a turbine end shaft portion of the subassembly can have an outer diameter approximately equal to or greater than an outer diameter of the bearing cartridge. The turbine end shaft portion can include grooves where each groove is configured to seat a seal ring. Various other exemplary devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Steven Don Arnold, Peter Davies, Baptiste Szczyrba, Damien Marsal, Thomas Deltombes
  • Patent number: 7530228
    Abstract: An exemplary center housing for a turbocharger includes a lubricant control valve that includes a stem seated at least partially in the center housing where the stem has one or more orifices for controlling lubricant flow. The exemplary center housing also includes a lubricant filter positioned adjacent the stem of the lubricant control valve. The lubricant filter is optionally replaceable, for example, being accessible by removal of the stem from the center housing. Various other exemplary devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steve P. Martin, Christopher O Meade
  • Patent number: 7530230
    Abstract: In a supercharger (10) with an electric motor in accordance with the invention, an inner side of the center housing (10) is provided with an air introduction path (38) introducing a part of a compressed air within the compressor housing (8) to the electric motor (20), and a cooling structure portion (40) cooling the air flowing through the air introduction path (38). The center housing (14) has a cooling fluid flow path (34) which is formed so as to surround the electric motor (20) and puts a cooling fluid for cooling the electric motor (20) in circulation inside. The cooling structure portion (40) is structured such as to be capable of heat exchanging between the cooling fluid and the air flowing through the air introduction path (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Shibui, Yukio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7527595
    Abstract: A diaphragm is provided in a pump case so as to define a pump chamber communicated with an external member having an air chamber. The actuator is provided in the pump chamber. An exhaust valve is provided with a valve body, formed with a slit through which air the pump chamber is exhausted, and a screw member, screwed into a first wall of the pump case to adjust an opening amount of the slit by a screwed amount thereof, thereby adjusting an exhausting rate of the air in the pump chamber. The pump case is formed with a ventilation hole communicated with the pump chamber to allow the air exhausted from the slit to pass through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Hori
  • Publication number: 20090071003
    Abstract: An exemplary method for limiting movement of an outer race of a bearing cartridge includes positioning the bearing cartridge in a substantially cylindrical bore having a longitudinal axis, an inner diameter exceeding an outer diameter of the outer race, a proximate end and a distal end; limiting axial movement of the outer race at the distal end of the cylindrical bore with a counterbore substantially coaxial to the cylindrical bore and having an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the outer race; limiting axial movement of the outer race at the proximate end of the cylindrical bore with a plate positioned substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis; and limiting rotation of the outer race with a pin positioned in a pin opening accessible via a lubricant drain. Various exemplary bearing cartridges, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL TURBO TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Peter Mavrosakis
  • Publication number: 20090016911
    Abstract: A turbocharger comprises a compressor housing for accommodating a compressor wheel drivable by an electric motor and an electric motor for driving a compressor wheel accommodated in a compressor housing, said electric motor being supplied with electric power through at least one motor plug connector. The turbocharger further comprises a turbine housing for accommodating a turbine wheel driven by exhaust gas, a center housing for accommodating a shaft and the electric motor, the shaft serving as a rotor of the electric motor and extending from the turbine wheel through a journal bearing and the electric motor to the compressor wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillipe Noelle
  • Patent number: 7476090
    Abstract: A turbocharger (300) for an internal combustion engine (500) includes a center housing (304) connected to a turbine housing (302) and a compressor housing (306). A shaft (318) is in a bore (314) of the center housing (304). An oil supply passage (328) is in fluid communication with the bore (314). An oil drain passage (310) is in fluid communication with a oil cavity (334) and the bore (314). A vent passage (330) is in fluid communication with the oil cavity (334) and an internal volume (520) of the internal combustion engine (500). Oil flow passes through the first passage (328) and the drain passage (310) during operation of the internal combustion engine (500). A first pressure of air (P1) in the oil cavity (334) is about equal to a second pressure of air (P2) in the internal volume (520) of the internal combustion engine (500).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Terry G. Wood
  • Patent number: 7461979
    Abstract: An exemplary housing for a turbocharger includes a substantially cylindrical bore having a longitudinal axis, an inner diameter, a proximate end and a distal end; a counterbore positioned at the distal end, substantially centered on the longitudinal axis and having an inner diameter; a plate attachment mechanism at the proximate end for attachment of a plate including an opening substantially centered on the longitudinal axis and having an inner diameter wherein the inner diameter of the cylindrical bore exceeds the inner diameter of the counterbore and the inner diameter of the opening of the plate; and a pin opening to the cylindrical bore positioned substantially at the inner diameter of the bore, the pin opening capable of receiving a pin. Various exemplary bearing cartridges, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Mavrosakis
  • Patent number: 7458724
    Abstract: An exemplary center housing for a turbocharger includes a bore for supporting a turbocharger shaft, a lubricant feed port, a first lubricant outlet port, a second lubricant outlet port and a valve operably disposed to provide a first path from the lubricant feed port to the first lubricant outlet port and a second path from the lubricant feed port to the second lubricant outlet port wherein the valve responds to pressure generated by axial movement of the turbocharger shaft to increase resistance of the first path or the second path. Various other exemplary mechanisms are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Groves
  • Publication number: 20080138196
    Abstract: The exhaust-gas turbine comprises a turbine casing, a shaft rotatably mounted in a bearing housing, a turbine wheel arranged on the shaft, and a heat-protection wall, the heat-protection wall defining with the turbine casing an inflow passage leading to the turbine wheel. The heat-protection wall has two seatings, the first seating resting on the bearing housing and the second seating resting on the turbine casing. If the heat-protection wall becomes hot, the two seatings are pressed against the bearing housing and the turbine casing. The turbine casing is pressed outward in the radial direction. Centering of the heat-protection wall and thus also of the turbine casing is ensured by the radially inner seating of the heat-protection wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: ABB Turbo Systems AG
    Inventors: Marcel Meier, Tobias Gwehenberger, Marcel Zehnder, Anton Meier
  • Publication number: 20080118377
    Abstract: Presented is an exhaust gas turbocharger. The turbocharger includes a compressor, a turbine, a compressor wheel mounted rotatably in the compressor, a rotatably mounted turboshaft, a device for detecting the rotational speed of the turboshaft, an element for varying a magnetic field, and a turbine wheel mounted rotatably in the turbine. The compressor wheel is mechanically connected to the turbine wheel via the turboshaft. The device for detecting the rotational speed includes the element for varying the magnetic field which is disposed on or in the turboshaft in the region between the compressor wheel and the turbine wheel. The variation of the magnetic field occurring as a function of the rotation of the turboshaft. The turbocharger further includes a sensor element, which detects the variation of the magnetic field and converts it into signals which can be evaluated electrically, arranged in proximity to the element for varying the magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Markus Gilch
  • Patent number: 7371011
    Abstract: An improved bearing system is provided for use in high speed rotating machinery such as a turbocharger, wherein a turbocharger shaft is rotatably supported at opposite ends by a pair of angular contact bearings subjected to a predetermined and substantially constant thrust pre-load. The angular contact bearings are carried respectively within a pair of generally cylindrical bearing sleeves which cooperatively define an axially split bearing carrier mounted within a turbocharger housing. A spring reacts between these bearing sleeves for applying a substantially constant axial thrust pre-load transmitted by the bearing sleeves to the angular contact bearings. The mechanical spring thrust pre-load may be supplemented by an hydraulic axial thrust load attributable to oil circulated through the split bearing carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Robert D. McKeirnan, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080101929
    Abstract: An exemplary thrust collar for a turbocharger includes a substantially annular body that includes an axis of rotation, a bore, opposing end surfaces where one of the end surfaces is substantially normal to the axis of rotation and capable of seating a back end of compressor wheel, and a surface disposed in the bore where the surface is substantially normal to the axis of rotation and capable of seating a surface of a turbocharger shaft. The axial distance between the end surface for seating a back end of a compressor wheel and the surface disposed in the bore for seating a surface of a turbocharger shaft is selected to improve balancing of a rotating assembly. Various other exemplary devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: John F. Allen, Gary R. Louthan
  • Patent number: 7360361
    Abstract: An electrically controlled turbocharger having a substantially vertically oriented shaft interconnecting a turbine and a compressor. The vertical orientation serves to eliminate the effects of gravity on the rotating components. Placing the turbine vertically above the motor and compressor and provides additional cooling through convection of heat produced by hot exhaust gas flowing through the turbine. A lubricating system utilizes scavenged air from the compressor to draw lubricating oil through internal passages of the motor housing to maintain a desirable oil sump level, ventilate the auxiliary induction motor, and provide pressure to the oil seals of the motor cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Propulsion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Prusinski, Peter Hofbauer, Jason Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7351042
    Abstract: A ratio of cross sectional area A of a scroll passage to a scroll radius R (A/R) can be increased without increasing the size of a turbine casing and with very simple construction. An exhaust turbine capacity can thus be increased, so that a variable-throat exhaust turbocharger in which the engine output can be increased results. The turbocharger has a nozzle throat area varying mechanism of which a nozzle assembly unit is composed. A plurality of nozzle vanes are supported rotatably by an annular nozzle mount and an annular nozzle plate is connected to the nozzle mount by a plurality of nozzle supports to sandwich the nozzle vanes. The nozzle plate is located in the scroll chamber by attaching the nozzle assembly unit to the turbine casing to allow the nozzle plate to form part of the inside sidewall face of the scroll chamber and a wall face of the annular flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Jinnai, Hiroshi Nakagawa, Takashi Mikogami
  • Patent number: 7344362
    Abstract: In a turbocharger (1), comprising a turbine (2) and a compressor (3) connected to the turbine (2), the turbine (2) contains a turbine wheel (4) and the compressor (3) contains a compressor wheel (7) which are connected to one another by means of a shaft (10) and are arranged in a housing (5, 9, 16). During operation, if the compressor wheel (7) separates from the shaft (10), an axial force acts on the turbine wheel (4) and the shaft (10) connected thereto. A means (22, 25) for axially locking the shaft and the turbine wheel connected thereto in the housing (5, 9, 16) is arranged on the shaft (10) connected to the turbine wheel (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: ABB Turbo Systems AG
    Inventors: Adrian Kopp, Marco Gartmann, Tobias Gwehenberger
  • Publication number: 20080034754
    Abstract: A non-positive-displacement machine (10), particularly a turbomachine for producing a mass flow, having a central housing part (11) inside which a turbine shaft is mounted. A turbine housing is mounted on the central housing part (11) on a turbine side and a compressor housing is mounted on the central housing part (11) on a compressor side. The spiral channels (17, 18) required for the compressor side and for the turbine side can be arranged in a partial area inside the covers (15, 16) and at least in one partial area inside the central housing part (11). This permits the contours, which are required for the spiral channels (17, 18) and which are geometrically complex, to be constructed in the central housing part (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Ernst Hummel, Stephen Wild, Guenter Kroeger, Norbert Poppenborg
  • Patent number: 7269950
    Abstract: A turbocharger comprising a turbine, director, and compressor. The turbine may be formed as a turbine wheel surrounded by at least two scrolls. The at least two scrolls may direct exhaust gases supplied thereto toward the turbine wheel to cause rotation thereof. The director may control distribution of the exhaust gases between the at least two scrolls to optimize circumferential velocity in the scroll or volute, and thus impingement velocity on the turbine. The compressor may be driven by the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin H. Pedersen, Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: 7267523
    Abstract: A turbine shaft may be used to remove a heat load from pliant bearings without requiring the use of a process fluid for cooling the turbine shaft. The turbine shaft comprises a heat conductive sleeve disposed between an outer surface of a tie rod shaft and an inner surface of a bearing journal; the heat conductive sleeve having a sleeve inner surface separated from a sleeve outer surface by a sleeve thickness; the heat conductive sleeve having a first end separated from a second end longitudinally about a center axis; the sleeve outer surface being in physical contact with the inner surface of the bearing journal; and the heat conductive sleeve having a thermal conductivity that is greater than a thermal conductivity of the bearing journal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall Saville
  • Publication number: 20070172365
    Abstract: An oil seal structure of a supercharger (10) has an oil shield member (21), a seal housing (25), and an annular seal member (23) arranged between the oil shield member (21) and the seal housing (25). The oil shield member (21) has a portion in which an approximately circular outer edge is formed in a vertical cross section to an axial direction, in a leading end portion in a compressor side, and the oil shield member (21) has an outer edge reduced-diameter portion (21a) which is formed in the leading end in the compressor side and in which a radius of the outer edge is smaller than the other portions of the outer edge. The seal member (23) is fitted to the outer edge reduced-diameter portion (21a). An opening through which the oil shield member (21) passes is formed in the seal housing (25), and the seal housing (25) is brought into contact with the seal member (23) in an inner edge in a radial direction forming the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: ISHIKAWAJIMA-HARIMA HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Shimizu, Yukio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7247004
    Abstract: An electronically controlled actuator for controlling a turbocharger has a motor, a speed change mechanism and a position sensor contained in a case consisting of a body and a cover. The driving force of the motor is transmitted through the speed change mechanism to an output shaft to drive the movable vanes of a turbocharger for turning. A first bearing supporting the output shaft for rotation is held on the cover, and a second bearing supporting the output shaft for rotation is held on the body. The position sensor is mounted on the output shaft of the motor. The reliability of the actuator is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Suganami, Hiroaki Saeki, Shigeki Yamada
  • Patent number: 7214037
    Abstract: An exemplary housing for a turbocharger includes a substantially cylindrical bore having a longitudinal axis, an inner diameter, a proximate end and a distal end; a counterbore positioned at the distal end, substantially centered on the longitudinal axis and having an inner diameter; a plate attachment mechanism at the proximate end for attachment of a plate including an opening substantially centered on the longitudinal axis and having an inner diameter wherein the inner diameter of the cylindrical bore exceeds the inner diameter of the counterbore and the inner diameter of the opening of the plate; and a pin opening to the cylindrical bore positioned substantially at the inner diameter of the bore, the pin opening capable of receiving a pin. Various exemplary bearing cartridges, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Mavrosakis
  • Patent number: 7150152
    Abstract: A compound turbocharger is provided, including at least one housing. A first turbocharger having an outer shaft is disposed within the housing, and a second turbocharger is provided having an inner shaft co-axial with and extending within the outer shaft. At least one displacement limiter is disposed at a selected position along the length of the outer shaft. A method of reducing vibrational amplitude in an inner shaft of a coaxial shaft assembly is further provided, including the step of operably positioning at least one displacement limiter at a selected position along a length of the outer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Paul W. Reisdorf, Eric C. Fluga, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Patent number: 7140848
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas turbocharger (1) having a housing and having a shaft (2) which is arranged so as to be capable of rotating about its longitudinal axis in the housing and on which a turbine wheel (4) and a compressor wheel (3) are seated and which is guided in radial bearings (5, 6) which are embodied as magnetic bearings and in at least one axial bearing (9), the bearings (5, 6, 9) each having a bearing plate (12, 14, 16) which is seated on the shaft (2) and at least one stator (19, 20, 21, 22, 49, 50) which lies axially opposite said axial bearing (9) on at least one side, forming a gap. In order to cool the bearings, it is proposed according to the invention that at least one flow duct (62, 65), via which at least one bearing gap can have an air stream applied to it, is formed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Jens-Wolf Jaisle
  • Patent number: 7140849
    Abstract: A variable geometry turbocharger comprises a turbine wheel (20) mounted within a turbine housing (23) on one end of a turbocharger shaft (22) for rotation about a turbocharger axis. The turbine housing (23) defines an annular turbine inlet (36) around the turbine wheel (20). A compressor wheel (21) is mounted within a compressor housing (24) on the other end of the turbocharger shaft (22). Turbocharger shaft bearing assemblies (26, 27) are located within a bearing housing (25) connected between the turbine housing (23) and the compressor housing (24). A variable geometry mechanism (35) is provided for varying the size of the annular turbine inlet (36). The variable geometry mechanism is actuated by a tubular linear electric motor comprising a fixed annular stator ring (31a, 46, 48) and an axially moveable annular forcer ring (44), arranged coaxially about the turbocharger axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Holset Engineering Company, Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey Carter
  • Patent number: 7134282
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for a combustion engine and method of installing a turbocharger system includes a turbocharger having an oil inlet and an oil outlet configured for being coupled to an oiling system. An oil pump is connected to the oil outlet of the turbocharger and is further connected to the oiling system. The turbocharger system also includes mounting hardware for mounting the turbocharger to an exhaust pipe away from the engine at or below the oil level of the oiling system. In one embodiment, the method of installing the turbocharger system includes removing an existing muffler from the vehicle and mounting the turbocharger at or near the location of the existing muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Squires Turbo Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Squires
  • Patent number: 7128061
    Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is provided. One embodiment of the supercharger comprises a two-piece housing wherein a parting area is substantially aligned with a rotational axis of a drive- or impeller shaft. Another embodiment comprises a sleeve, or intermediate member disposed substantially between the housing and a bearing assembly(s) located within the supercharger housing. Another embodiment comprises a disengagement device located between the supercharger impeller and the engine. The disengagement device allows selective disengagement of the impeller from the engine. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Vortech Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: James K. Middlebrook, Robert B. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7112036
    Abstract: A rotor and bearing system for a turbomachine. The turbomachine includes a drive shaft, an impeller positioned on the drive shaft, and a turbine positioned on the drive shaft proximate to the impeller. The bearing system comprises one gas journal bearing supporting the drive shaft between the impeller and the turbine. The area between the impeller and the turbine is an area of increased heat along the drive shaft in comparison to other locations along the drive shaft. The section of the drive shaft positioned between impeller and the turbine is also a section of the drive shaft that experiences increased stressed and load in the turbomachine. The inventive bearing machine system positions only one radial bearing in this area of increased stress and load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Capstone Turbine Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Lubell, Dennis Weissert
  • Patent number: 7108488
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes a foil bearing assembly mounted in a center housing between a compressor and a turbine of the turbocharger. The bearing assembly forms a unit installable into the center housing from one end thereof, and the center housing is a one-piece construction. The bearing assembly includes a foil thrust bearing assembly disposed between two foil journal bearings. The journals foils are mounted in annular bearing carriers fixedly mounted in the center housing. A radially inner portion of a thrust disk of the thrust bearing assembly is captured between a shaft and a shaft sleeve of the turbocharger. The center housing defines cooling air passages for supplying cooling air to the foil bearings, and optionally includes a water jacket for circulating engine coolant through the center housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Duane Larue, Sun Goo Kang, Werner Wick
  • Patent number: 7086842
    Abstract: A turbocharger having a turbine wheel mounted to a seal boss at one end of a shaft and a compressor wheel mounted to the other end of the shaft. The seal boss includes an annular face angled relative to a radial plane extending through the shaft so that as the shaft rotates oil present on the annular face is projected into an oil collecting groove in a direction radially away from the shaft and axially away from an annular passage in a housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Holset Engineering Company Limited
    Inventor: Philip Mark Wild
  • Patent number: 7066719
    Abstract: An exemplary bore for a shaft of a turbomachine includes a longitudinal axis extending generally from an inner end to an outer end of the bore, an outer seat disposed proximate to the outer end of the bore at an outer seat radius for an outer seal ring wherein the outer seat comprises an inner end, an outer end, a step at the inner end extending radially inward to a step radius, and a chamfer at the outer end extending radially inward over an outward axial distance to a chamfer plateau radius and an inner seat disposed inward the outer seat at an inner seat radius for an inner seal ring wherein the outer seat radius exceeds the inner seat radius. Various other exemplary devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Grover Aguilar
  • Patent number: 7056103
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling components associated with turbomachinery by means of one or more venturis placed in the intake flow of air into the compressor with an air inlet upstream of the venturis and an air outlet integral to at least one venturi. The partial vacuum created from the one or more venturis draws air past components that are desired to be cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald D. LaRue
  • Patent number: 7040874
    Abstract: An exemplary center housing for a turbocharger includes a filter well for receiving a lubricant filter unit. An exemplary filter unit, for attachment to a center housing of a turbocharger, includes an attachment mechanism to attach the filter unit to the center housing, a filter for filtering lubricant and a lubricant flow path where the lubricant flow path commences at a peripheral surface of the filter unit, passes through the filter and ends at a bore surface of the filter unit. Various other exemplary devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve P. Martin, Christopher O Meade
  • Patent number: 7025579
    Abstract: A bearing system for a turbocharger shaft includes an elongated bearing carrier with two anti-friction ball bearings mounted in its ends and with a radially extending flange at one end that cooperates with stationary housing portions and carries thrust loads of the rotor in both directions. The elongated bearing carrier is supported within the housing by axially spaced elastic supports which permit the rotating assembly to rotate about its mass center and provide a shock and vibration cushion. The elongated bearing carrier and housing cooperate to provide a coolant cavity which communicates with the outside periphery of the elongated bearing carrier between the axially spaced elastic supports, which also act as coolant seals between the elongated bearing cavity and the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Innovative Turbo Systems Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Woollenweber, Jon A. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7024855
    Abstract: A turbocharger having a variable geometry turbine inlet incorporates a piston movable to vary the area of the inlet nozzle into the turbine. Vanes extending from the heat shield for flow control in the nozzle are engaged by the piston in a first closed position. In a second open position, the piston is spaced from the vanes increasing the inlet nozzle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Hubert Perrin, Olivier Espasa, Marylene Ruffinoni, Alain Lombard, Philippe Joseph Muller
  • Patent number: 7021057
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine comprising a radial flow exhaust gas turbine and a compressor, which is connected to the turbine via a shaft, the turbine having a radial inflow duct and a radial inlet flow passage, which leads to the turbine wheel and in which a variable geometry vane structure for changing the cross-section of the radial inlet flow passage is supported between two support walls fixed to the turbine casing, one of the support walls projects into the inflow duct, in such a manner that the rear side of this support wall is spaced from the inner wall of the inflow duct wall so that the exhaust gas within the inflow duct is in contact also with the rear side of this support wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignees: DaimlerChysler AG, 3K-Warner Turbosystems GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Sumser, Peter Fledersbacher, Hans-Josef Hemer, Ralf Koch
  • Patent number: 7010917
    Abstract: A turbocharger comprises a compressor wheel (7) assembled to one end of a turbocharger shaft (8). A nut (17) is threaded on to the end of the shaft (8) to clamp the wheel (7) on the shaft to prevent both axial movement of the wheel (7) along the shaft (8) and rotational slippage. The torque capacity of the coupling between the compressor wheel (7) and nut (17) is increased by treating contacting surfaces of the coupling to increase their co-efficient of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Holset Engineering Company, Limited
    Inventor: Anthony Billington
  • Patent number: 7010916
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas turbocharger including a compressor wheel, the compressor wheel is cooled by at least one nozzle which is arranged in close axial proximity to the axis of rotation of the compressor wheel for spraying the backside of the compressor wheel near the center thereof with coolant whereby the coolant, utilizing the centrifugal forces of the rotating compressor wheel, is completely distributed over the entire wheel back surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: DaimleChrysler AG
    Inventors: Siegfried Sumser, Helmut Finger, Eduard Heinz, Lionel Le Clech, Wolfram Schmid
  • Patent number: 7008194
    Abstract: Turbocharger comprising a rotor shaft (5), a turbine housing (2), a compressor housing (3) connected to the turbine housing (2), and including at least one air supply channel (13?) for supplying air to be compressed and at least one discharge channel (11) for delivering compressed air. One end of the rotor shaft projects into the compressor housing and supports a compressor rotor (21). A bearing (12) in the region of the compressor rotor supports the rotor shaft, and forms a bearing gap. The bearing includes two seals (29,30) axially spaced from one another to seal the bearing gap and to leave an intermediate space (31) between them. A suction channel (33,34) is connected to a vacuum source and sucks gas out of this intermediate space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Dirk Frankenstein
  • Patent number: 7001155
    Abstract: A compressor impeller for use with a boreless turbocharger is provided in accordance with this invention. The compressor impeller comprises an integral hub projecting axially therefrom that includes a partial bore therein that extends from an open to a close bore end. The bore includes a threaded portion that is configured to accommodate threaded engagement with an end of a common shaft disposed through a turbocharger housing and attached at an opposite end to a turbine wheel. The hub is specially configured so that the threaded portion has a relatively increased wall thickness when compared to a remaining portion of the bore disposed between the threaded portion and the end of the bore. The bore is configured providing a section having a reduced wall thickness, between the threaded portion and the bore closed end, for purposes of providing a preferential stress relief mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Cabrales, Gerald Duane LaRue, John M. Wilson, Angus Lemon
  • Patent number: 6997672
    Abstract: A burst protector for a turbocharger covers a first endangered segment of the housing. The burst protector includes insulation, a first sheet, and a second sheet. As a supplement, a casing is installed around the burst protector. The safety of a turbocharger in operation is increased by the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignees: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH, Wendt SIT GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Wand, Michael Hartmann, Michael Groddeck, Wolfgang Bauer