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.

Abstract: A turbo-machine includes a housing (1); a rotor (3) of a centripetally flow-through expansion turbine stage (4) overhung on the one end of the rotor shaft; a rotor of a radially flow-through compressor stage (6) overhung on the other end of the rotor shaft; a measuring system (7) for directly detecting an axial thrust of the rotor shaft (2) supported in roller bearings (8); and at least two pressure control valves (10, 11), which are installed in control lines (12, 13) and controlled by a controller (9). Via the control lines (12, 13), a rotor piston surface (14), which is sealed against the housing (1) and located on the rear side of one of the rotors, for example the compressor rotor (5), can be acted upon by the pressure (p1) prevailing on the inlet into the compressor stage, and the pressure (p2) on the outlet of the compressor stage (6).

Abstract: In an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas turbine arranged in an exhaust gas line, and a compressor arranged in an in-take duct and connected to the turbine by way of a shaft, the compressor includes a compressor wheel forming at the same time a rotor of an electric motor.

Abstract: In an exhaust turbocharger for an internal combustion engine including a turbine and a compressor, which is driven by the turbine, wherein the compressor comprises a compressor impeller in a flow duct, a transfer component with flow passages extends radially around the compressor impeller in the axial direction of the impeller and provides for communication with the flow duct. To provide for variable adjustment of the effective flow cross-section of the transfer duct, a transfer ring is provided which comprises two component rings, which are rotatable relative to one another.

Abstract: An exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a turbine wheel and a compressor impeller, disposed on a common shaft which is rotatably supported by friction bearings, to which lubricating oil is supplied by an oil supply means, a turbine speed detection device being provided with a pressure modulating structure, which is disposed on the shaft for modulating the oil pressure in the oil supply means, in accordance with the speed of the shaft, and an oil pressure sensor arranged in the oil supply means for sensing the oil pressure modulations for determining the speed of the turbocharger.

Abstract: A hydraulic turbine drive with a multi-material turbine wheel. The turbine wheel is mounted on a shaft defining a shaft material. The blades and a portion of the turbine wheel are comprised of a high strength thermoplastic material having a thermal expansion coefficient substantially higher than the thermal expansion coefficient of the shaft material. The thermoplastic portion of the wheel is radially at least partially contained in a first containing wheel having a thermal expansion coefficient higher than that of the plastic material and lower than that of the shaft. The first containing wheel may also be radially contained in one or more additional containing wheels each having a thermal expansion coefficient higher than that of the first containing wheel. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are the drive wheels for supercharger systems for internal combustion systems. In a particular preferred embodiment the drive wheel is a part of a single shaft hybrid supercharger system.

Abstract: A turbo-machine includes a housing (1); a rotor (3) of a centripetally flow-through expansion turbine stage (4) overhung on the one end of the rotor shaft; a rotor of a radially flow-through compressor stage (6) overhung on the other end of the rotor shaft; a measuring system (7) for directly detecting an axial thrust of the rotor shaft (2) supported in roller bearings (8); and at least two pressure control valves (10, 11), which are installed in control lines (12, 13) and controlled by a controller (9). Via the control lines (12, 13), a rotor piston surface (14), which is sealed against the housing (1) and located on the rear side of one of the rotors, for example the compressor rotor (5), can be acted upon by the pressure (p1) prevailing on the inlet into the compressor stage, and the pressure (p2) on the outlet of the compressor stage (6).

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, in which a bearing having excellent abrasion resistance without generating a black corrosion product in a high-temperature oil environment is provided. As bearing materials of a turbocharger, a copper alloy material containing, as main components, Cu, Zn, Al, Mn, and Si is employed. The elongating direction of an Mn—Si compound crystallized in the alloy material is set to the axial direction of a rotary shaft with respect to a radial bearing and is set to the direction perpendicular to the rotary shaft with respect to a thrust bearing.

Abstract: A bladeless turbocharger is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a drive shaft engaged with a bearing assembly that has a turbine driven by the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine at one end and a blower driven by the turbine at the other. The turbine and blower have flat disks spaced at a critical distance apart with open circular centers that have spokes mounting them to the drive shaft. The critical distance between the turbine disks promotes the boundary layer drag effect of the exhaust gas against the turbine disks. The blower transfers rotational energy to air entering the critical distance between the blower disks by boundary layer drag effect of the air against the blower disks only. The energy transfer increases the mass per unit volume of the air that exits the blower through a blower outlet.

Abstract: A turbocharger rotor includes a turbine wheel, a compressor wheel, a shaft extending between the turbine and compressor wheels for rotation together about an axis, and connecting means including two pairs of non-locking cones. In a preferred embodiment, the cones include external cones on the turbine and compressor wheels and internal cones on the ends of the shaft. The non-locking cones are centered on the axis with the external and internal cones drivingly engaging one another to align and connect the wheels with the shaft. A long bolt fastener extends through the compressor wheel and the shaft to engage the turbine wheel and hold the rotor components in assembly. An alternative embodiment includes engaging radial surfaces outward of the cones. The radial surfaces share the transmission of torque through the connecting means and assist in stabilizing the joints between the shaft and the connected wheels. Additional features are disclosed.

Abstract: Improved vanes of this invention are constructed for use within a variable geometry turbocharger assembly. Each vane comprises an inner airfoil surface oriented adjacent a turbine wheel, and an outer airfoil surface oriented opposite the inner airfoil surface. The inner and outer airfoil surfaces define a vane airfoil thickness. Each vane includes a leading edge positioned along a first inner and outer airfoil surface junction, a trailing edge positioned along a second inner and outer surface junction, a hole disposed within a first axial vane surface substantially parallel to an outer nozzle wall for receiving a respective post therein, and an actuation tab extending from a second axial vane surface opposite from the first vane surface. A key feature of improved vanes of this invention is that they have an airfoil thickness that is greater than 0.16 times a length of the vane as measured between the vane leading and trailing edges.

Abstract: A compressor wheel is re-designed to permit die inserts (20), which occupy the air passage and define the blades (4, 5) during a process of forming a wax pattern (21) of a compressor wheel, to be pulled without being impeded by the blades. This modified blade design enables the automated production of wax patterns (21) using simplified tooling. These wax patterns (21) can be used in a large-scale investment casting process, and produce an economical cast titanium compressor wheel which performs aerodynamically at high boost pressure/RPM. The compressor wheel improves low cycle fatigue, withstands high temperatures and temperature changes, and permits operation at high boost pressure ratio while, on the other hand, having low weight, low inertial drag, and high responsiveness.

Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger includes a gear-type transmission for drivingly connecting the impeller to the engine. The transmission includes an impeller shaft supporting the impeller and being fixed relative to one of the gears of the transmission. The preferred impeller shaft and gear fixed thereto are integrally formed of cast iron so as to dampen propagation of sound waves to the impeller, thereby reducing the amplification of transmission noise by the impeller. Depending upon the desired horsepower gains provided by the supercharger, the impeller shaft preferably has a minimum shaft diameter.

Abstract: An improved turbocharger for railway locomotive sized engines includes, in a preferred embodiment, first and second axially spaced ball bearings supporting a rotor with the first bearing being a hybrid ceramic ball bearing mounted to accept both radial and axial loads acting on the shaft at the compressor end. The first bearing is mounted on a reduced diameter portion of the shaft, providing reduced bearing diameter to acceptably limit centrifugal loading of ceramic balls in the bearing against a surrounding bearing race. The first bearing has dual rows of ceramic ball bearings mounted to share all axial thrust loads on the shaft. The second bearing is also a ball bearing. Lubrication of the bearings is preferably by direct impingement on the inner race to minimize oil churning causing heating and power loss. Additional features and advantages are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved turbocharger for railway locomotive sized engines includes, in a preferred embodiment, first and second axially spaced ball bearings supporting a rotor with the first bearing being a hybrid ceramic ball bearing mounted to accept both radial and axial loads acting on the shaft at the compressor end. The first bearing is mounted on a reduced diameter portion of the shaft, providing reduced bearing diameter to acceptably limit centrifugal loading of ceramic balls in the bearing against a surrounding bearing race. The first bearing has dual rows of ceramic ball bearings mounted to share all axial thrust loads on the shaft. The second bearing is also a ball bearing. Lubrication of the bearings is preferably by direct impingement on the inner race to minimize oil churning causing heating and power loss. Additional features and advantages are disclosed.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine has an exhaust-gas turbine in the exhaust tract and a compressor in the intake tract, the exhaust-gas turbine and the compressor being connected via a shaft which is supported in a casing of the exhaust-gas turbocharger via at least one bearing. In order to improve the efficiency of the turbocharger, the bearing has a non-contact design, in that, when the exhaust-gas turbocharger is in operation, the shaft is held at a distance from, and so as to be virtually free of friction with, a bearing receptacle fixed to the casing.

Abstract: A turbocharger having an electric motor for assisting spin up of the rotor employs a shaft carrying the turbine and compressor impeller with a unitary pinned semi-floating bearing supporting the shaft and a spacer collar carrying the electric motor magnet. The unitary bearing has integral thrust faces engaging a hub of the turbine wheel and the spacer collar. A reduced diameter of the shaft received in the spacer collar allows the collar to engage a greater diameter bearing land allowing the attachment of the compressor impeller with a nut on the shaft extending through a bore in the impeller to firmly engage the impeller, spacer collar and bearing land of the shaft to fix the rotor length. The pinned semi-floating bearing with integral thrust faces provides enhanced reaction moments for negative spring forces created by the electric motor in operation and the additional length of the rotor created by the motor.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine has a compressor operable as a single stage or multi-stage compressor. A first compressor stage includes a first compressor wheel carried by a shaft, an axially extending first inlet and a radially extending first outlet. A second compressor stage includes a second compressor wheel carried by the shaft and axially extending second inlet and a radially extending second outlet. An interstage duct fluidly connects in series the first outlet of the first compressor with the second inlet of the second compressor. The interstage duct includes a bypass opening includes in communication with an ambient environment. A valve is positioned within the interstage duct. The valve is moveable to and between a first position to close the interstage duct and a second position to close the bypass opening.

Abstract: The invention provides a pit pump having a submersible hydraulic drive motor, a pump, and a bearing block assembly. The pump has a body, a fluid inlet in the body, a fluid outlet in the body, and an impeller operatively positioned in the body, whereby fluid can be pumped between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The bearing block assembly operatively connects the hydraulic drive motor to the impeller of the pump, whereby the submersible hydraulic drive motor is spaced apart from the pump. The bearing block assembly preferably includes a housing and a drive shaft operatively positioned for rotational movement within the housing, whereby rotational movement can be transferred from the hydraulic drive motor to the impeller of the pump. The bearing block assembly preferably has at least one grease nipple and at least one bleeder nipple for maintaining grease lubrication within the bearing block assembly.

Abstract: A throttle device for liquid or gaseous media including a turbine which drives a compressor, a pump or a generator, and in which throttling of liquid or gaseous flow occurs by modifying the turbine load state.

Abstract: A vane and post arrangement for a variable geometry turbocharger employs vanes having a hole in a first end surface receiving a post extending from a surface of the nozzle in the turbine housing. A second end surface on each vane incorporates an extending tab which is received in a respective slot in a unison ring for rotation of the vanes on the posts upon movement of the unison ring.

Abstract: An enhanced bearing system for turbochargers incorporates a thrust collar centrally mounted on the rotating shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor and a thrust bearing centrally located within the center housing to constrain the thrust collar. Central placement of the thrust collar allows journal bearings and journal seals to be placed immediately adjacent the turbine and compressor wheel attachment points on the shaft enhancing the shaft motion characteristics and sealing capability.

Abstract: A vane and post arrangement for a variable geometry turbocharger employs vanes having a hole in a first end surface receiving a post extending from a surface of the nozzle in the turbine housing. A second end surface on each vane incorporates an extending tab which is received in a respective slot in a unison ring for rotation of the vanes on the posts upon movement of the unison ring.

Abstract: In an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine including an exhaust gas turbine and a compressor connected to the turbine so as to be operated thereby, the turbine includes a housing consisting of an inner and an outer shell formed from steel sheets and being arranged in spaced relationship so as to form therebetween an intermediate space.

Abstract: A nozzle drive mechanism is provided for a link plate 112, which can operate all nozzle vanes smoothly and synchronously. The nozzle vanes 104 supported in such a way that the nozzle vanes are free to rotate between open and closed positions on nozzle shafts. The nozzle vanes are connected to levers which correspond to the nozzle shafts so as to rotate along with the levers. Each boss at the end of each lever 114 functions as a shaft which is parallel to the nozzle shaft. The shafts (bosses) in the nozzle vanes engage in oblong holes in the link plate in such a way that they are free to swing, and are thereby connected to the link plate. A declined straight or curved centerline which runs through the oblong hole to the oblong direction, extends at a given angle with respect to the radius of the link plate.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine is of the type having an impeller mounted on a shaft carried by a bearing supplied with lubricating oil, the shaft being located in a bore and having an oil and air seal between the bearing and the impeller hub. The seal is a floating ring seal mounted in the bore and extending radially into a circumferential recess in the impeller hub. In use, the ring seal experiences a pressure differential across it which urges it to slide axially along the bore so that it forms a sealing interface with a side face of the recess. The shaft rotates relative to the ring seal, which is therefore subject to wear against the side face of the recess. Hence, a shoulder is provided in the bore to limit excessive axial sliding of the ring seal due to wearing away of the ring seal against the side face of the recess.

Abstract: A bladeless turbocharger is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a drive shaft engaged with a bearing assembly that has a turbine driven by the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine at one end and a blower driven by the turbine at the other. The turbine and blower have flat disks spaced at a critical distance apart with open circular centers that have spokes mounting them to the drive shaft. The critical distance between the turbine disks promotes the boundary layer drag effect of the exhaust gas against the turbine disks. The blower transfers rotational energy to air entering the critical distance between the blower disks by boundary layer drag effect of the air against the blower disks only. The energy transfer increases the mass per unit volume of the air that exits the blower through a blower outlet.

Abstract: A turbocharger in which a drive shaft supports at one end a turbine driven by exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The end of the drive shaft remote from the turbine supports a drive connection which is coupled to an output shaft of the driving engine. The shaft is supported in a housing by a first bearing adjacent the turbine and a second bearing adjacent the drive coupling. The first and second bearings each define an inner bearing surface relative to which the shaft rotates and an outer bearing surface which rotates relative to the housing. The first and second bearings are mechanically coupled together such that they rotate relative to the housing at the same speed. Coupling the two bearings together ensures that directional forces applied to the bearing at the end adjacent the drive connection which might cause that bearing to seize are resisted by torque delivered from the bearing at the other end of the shaft.

Abstract: In an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine having an air intake duct and an exhaust duct and wherein the turbocharger includes a compressor arranged in the air intake duct and a turbine arranged in the exhaust duct and a shaft carrying the turbine wheel and the compressor impeller, an electric motor is provided which includes a rotor provided with an air mover disposed in the inlet area of the compressor and being controllable for rotation independently of the rotation of the turbine.

Abstract: In an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas turbine arranged in an exhaust gas line, and a compressor arranged in an intake duct and connected to the turbine by way of a shaft, the compressor includes a compressor wheel forming at the same time a rotor of an electric motor.

Abstract: A bladeless turbocharger is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a drive shaft engaged with a bearing assembly that has a turbine driven by the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine at one end and a blower driven by the turbine at the other. The turbine and blower have flat disks spaced at a critical distance apart with open circular centers that have spokes mounting them to the drive shaft. The critical distance between the turbine disks promotes the boundary layer drag effect of the exhaust gas against the turbine disks. The blower transfers rotational energy to air entering the critical distance between the blower disks by boundary layer drag effect of the air against the blower disks only. The energy transfer increases the mass per unit volume of the air that exits the blower through a blower outlet.

Abstract: A device for reversing and modifying air flow created by a suction device. The device has a housing, two fans, two pairs of inlet holes and a dividing wall. The fans are connected by a shaft, so that when the first fan rotates, the second fan rotates in the same direction. The fans are alike but have opposite blade orientations, so that though the fans rotate in the same direction, they output air flow in opposing directions. The fans and air regions they manipulate are separated by the dividing wall. The first pair of air inlet holes provides air to the first fan and then to the suction device. The second pair of air inlet holes provide air to the second fan, which expels that air through a nozzle. The nozzle restricts and directs the expelled air for a specific use such as an air pump or blower. The device for modifying air flow can be fitted with a cowl that collects and directs air particles, disturbed by the nozzle expelled air, through the first pair of inlet holes and to the suction device.

Abstract: A seal system for a four cycle engine turbocharger includes dual phase seals for limiting leakage from lubricated rotor support bearings to a turbine and/or compressor wheel of a rotor operational over an extended speed range. The dual phase seal combines features of a labyrinth seal, effective in a higher portion of the turbocharger rotor speed range, with features of an auger seal, found to be effective in a lower portion of the rotor speed range. The dual phase seals each include an outer cylinder on the rotor between a bearing and an associated wheel, an inner cylinder carried by a rotor support and surrounding the outer cylinder with close clearance, auger seal grooving formed in one of the cylinders on a portion thereof toward the bearing, labyrinth seal grooving formed in one of the cylinders on a portion thereof toward the wheel, and a pressure air supply to the labyrinth seal at a pressure which is reduced at rotor speeds in a lower portion of the speed range.

Abstract: In turbocharger, particularly an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine with a turbine wheel and an impeller disposed on a common shaft which is rotatably supported by friction bearings to which lubricating oil is supplied by an oil supply, a turbine speed detection device is provided comprising a pressure modulating structure disposed on the shaft for modulating the oil pressure in the oil supply in accordance with the speed of the shaft and an oil pressure sensor is arranged in the oil supply for sensing the oil pressure modulations for determining the speed of the turbocharger

Abstract: An axial-type supercharger has a impeller with multiple impeller blades adapted to be rotatably mounted in the intake manifold, a motor with a shaft extending into an axial channel in the impeller to rotate the impeller; and a bracket adapted to be mounted on an end face of the intake manifold between the motor and the impeller. The supercharger further has an air filter directly mounted on the intake manifold upstream from the motor to filter out the pollutants in the air.

Abstract: An internal combustion has an exhaust gas line, an exhaust gas heat exchanger through which exhaust gas withdrawn through the exhaust gas line passes so as to take heat energy, a heating heat exchanger to which the withdrawn heat energy is made available and which is connected to a cooling fluid circuit of the internal combustion engine, an exhaust gas turbocharger provided with a turbine housing and a turbine wheel rotatable in the latter, the exhaust gas turbocharger being arranged in the exhaust gas line, the exhaust gas heat exchanger being connected heat conductively with the turbine housing of the exhaust gas turbocharger for withdrawing of heat from the exhaust gas which passes through the turbine wheel.

Abstract: An engine turbocharger includes a thermal isolation connection between a rotor and compressor section support and an exhaust section including an exhaust duct attached to the rotor support. The connection includes spring biased wear pads allowing sliding motion at one or more interfaces between the exhaust duct and the rotor support to accommodate relative radial thermal growth. Radial key and slot guides between the exhaust duct and rotor support maintain axial alignment of the connected components during relative radial motion at the connecting interfaces.

Abstract: A turbine impeller to be driven for rotation by exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is fixed to a turbine shaft. The turbine shaft is supported by a radial bearing in radial directions and mounted to a bearing housing. The turbine shaft includes a stepped part which is formed between the turbine impeller and the radial bearing so that the outer diameter of the turbine shaft is greater at the turbine impeller side than at the radial bearing side. The bearing housing includes an oil drain for discharging oil which has lubricated the radial bearing. The distance L from a side face of the radial bearing to the stepped part is set to a value at which oil moving from an end of the radial bearing does not reach the stepped part when a turbine-revolution speed Nt is higher than that Nti which is produced by an idling operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method of configuring a compressor in a turbocharger for use in an internal combustion engine is provided with the steps of: providing a multi-stage compressor including a first compressor wheel carried by a shaft, an axially extending first inlet and a radially extending first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel, a second compressor wheel carried by the shaft, an axially extending second inlet and a radially extending second outlet associated with the second compressor wheel; fluidly interconnecting in series the first outlet with the second inlet using an interstage duct; selecting a total pressure ratio to be provided by the multi-stage compressor; ascertaining a first pressure ratio provided by the first compressor wheel at an operating speed; sizing the second compressor wheel to provide a second pressure ratio, dependent upon the total pressure ratio and the first pressure ratio; determining a stress on the second compressor wheel at the operating speed; determining a temperature within

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure booster includes a housing having a pump portion, a shaft portion and a turbine portion. The pump portion has a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The turbine portion has a turbine inlet and a turbine outlet. The turbine portion and pump portion are fluidically separated by the shaft portion. A shaft is supported by a bearing within the shaft support portion. The shaft extends between the pump portion and turbine portion and has a pump impeller and a turbine impeller located in its respective portion. The shaft defines an axis of the housing. A thrust load reducer is provided within the turbine portion to reduce axial thrust toward the thrust bearing.

Abstract: Lubricating oil leakage in a turbocharger is reduced through the use of a gland seal having multiple channels in the gland face formed by ribs extending radially in a spiral or herringbone pattern for enhanced maximum pumping effect and minimized hoop stress related fatigue failures.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine has an exhaust-gas turbine in the exhaust tract and a compressor in the intake tract, the exhaust-gas turbine and the compressor being connected via a shaft which is supported in a casing of the exhaust-gas turbocharger via at least one bearing. In order to improve the efficiency of the turbocharger, the bearing has a non-contact design, in that, when the exhaust-gas turbocharger is in operation, the shaft is held at a distance from, and so as to be virtually free of friction with, a bearing receptacle fixed to the casing.

Abstract: A turbocharger, particularly suitable for use in an internal combustion engine, recirculates exhaust gas from the turbine to an interstage duct area between two compressor wheels of a multi-stage compressor. The turbocharger includes a rotatable shaft; a turbine including a turbine wheel carried by the shaft; and a multi-stage compressor. The multi-stage compressor includes a first compressor wheel carried by the shaft, an axially extending first inlet associated with the first compressor wheel, and a radially extending first outlet associated with the compressor wheel. A second compressor wheel carried by the shaft includes an axially extending second inlet associated with the second compressor wheel, and a radially extending second outlet associated with the second compressor wheel. An interstage duct fluidly interconnects in series the first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel and a second inlet associated with the second compressor wheel.

Abstract: A turbo-compressor having a housing and at least one rotor shaft pivotably supported in the housing, with a free shaft end and with a rotor connected with the other end of the rotor shaft. The free end of the rotor shaft facing away from the rotor projects into a pressure chamber connected with the housing, and is acted upon by a pressurized fluid whose force of pressure compensates for the force of the axial thrust acting on the rotor. Thus, the starting friction of the compressor is lower and drive motors of lower output target can be utilized.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a rotor having coaxial turbine and compressor wheels. In a preferred embodiment, a turbine inlet scroll conducts exhaust gas toward the turbine wheel and an exhaust duct carries exhaust gas away from the turbine wheel. A turbine nozzle ring coupled between the inlet scroll and the exhaust duct defines an annular passage including angled stator blades and vanes that direct gas angularly against energy converting blades of the turbine wheel. Ring seals at outer and inner edges of the nozzle ring inlet end seal the inlet end against loss of gas pressure. They may also form springs that axially bias the nozzle ring against a stop to fix the axial position of the nozzle ring. The nozzle ring is centered by radial guides at the outlet end which may include at least three radial keys on the nozzle ring engaging mating guide slots connected with the exhaust duct.

Abstract: A combination bearing supporting a shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor wheels of a turbocharger incorporates a rotating journal bearing, a squeeze film damper with a registration and retention flange, and a ball bearing assembly. The ball bearing assembly has an outer race providing a thrust shoulder and a registration receiver for the damper flange. Ball roller elements are retained by the outer race and engaged between the thrust shoulder on the outer race and an opposing thrust shoulder on the shaft.

Abstract: A thrust control system for use with a turbocompressor having gas bearings. More specifically, the system concerns an arrangement of gas bearings for use in a turbocompressor or other device where a large temperature difference between the turbine and the compressor housing could cause unacceptable performance of the turbocompressor thrust bearings if located in proximity of the turbine and compressor wheels. This danger is obviated in the system by relocating the gas thrust bearings so as to minimize the axial distance between them. This configuration affords the additional advantage that gasses of different composition may be separately used as a seal gas in cases where the process gas in the turbine and compressor are incompatible.

Abstract: A combination bearing supporting a shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor wheels of a turbocharger incorporates a dual film floating journal bearing, a squeeze film damper and ball bearing carrier, and a ball bearing assembly. An angular contact ball bearing with an outer race mounted in the carrier rolls on an inner race mounted against a should on the shaft. The squeeze film damper and ball bearing carrier is pinned to preclude axial or rotational movement. A thrust collar is sandwiched between the ball bearing inner race and the compressor wheel to carry thrust loads.

Abstract: A coating for a portion of the flowpath of a diffuser of a centrifugal compressor. The coating covers a portion of the diffuser against which flows high velocity air from the compressor blades. The coating is a smooth, tenacious, heat-resistant powder paint that reduces the aerodynamic drag of the diffuser walls on the high velocity air thus increasing the efficiency of the compressor.

Abstract: Turbochargers experience tensile loads due their high rotational speeds. These tensile loads tend to expand surface defects present about a bore portion of a compressor wheel. Expansion of these surface defects may ultimately result in failure of the compressor wheel. Removing these surface defects or imparting residual compressive stresses on the bore portion reduces failure of the compressor wheel caused by tensile loading.