With Motor Bearing Lubrication Or Cooling Patents (Class 60/605.3)
  • Patent number: 12078078
    Abstract: A cylinder head assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a cast cylinder head, a turbocharger housing including a compressor housing and turbine housing integrally cast with the cylinder head, and a turbocharger cartridge assembly configured to be inserted into the turbocharger housing and including a shaft coupled between a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel. A compressor cover is configured to couple to the compressor housing and define a compressor inlet and at least partially define a compressor diffuser passage. The cartridge assembly includes a housing having a diffuser flange extending outwardly therefrom, the diffuser flange including a front surface and an opposite contoured volute surface. The compressor diffuser passage is at least partially defined by the compressor cover and the diffuser flange front surface. A compressor volute is at least partially defined by the diffuser flange contoured volute surface and a contoured inner surface of the compressor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Trudeau, Michael P Schmidt, Philip J Insalaco, Brian Jacobs, Phillip Bunker, Matthew T Barker
  • Patent number: 11073077
    Abstract: An electric supercharger includes a housing, a rotary shaft rotatably supported in the housing via a rolling bearing, an impeller, and an electric motor. The electric motor including a cylindrical stator around which a coil is wound. The stator having a stator core and coil ends. The rolling bearing has an inner ring, an outer ring, and a rolling element. The housing has an oil supply portion. The oil supply portion has attached thereto an oil supply member. The oil supply member has a supply passage and an injection hole. The housing has therethrough oil supply holes communicating with the oil supply portion and disposed so as to overlap with the coil ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventor: Makio Oshita
  • Patent number: 11002181
    Abstract: A rotating machine has a stationary portion, and a rotating portion. The stationary portion and the rotating portion having a fluid passage therebetween. The stationary portion comprising a first fluid channel, a well, and a second fluid channel spaced apart from the first fluid channel. The first fluid channel fluidically is coupled to receive fluid from the fluid passage. A sensor is coupled to the stationary portion and is disposed at the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: FLUID EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Eli Oklejas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10927752
    Abstract: A blow-by gas device of a supercharger-equipped engine includes a blow-by gas passage that introduces blow-by gas into an intake passage via a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve. A supercharger has a supercharger rotor provided integrally with a rotation shaft rotatably supported on a bearing part. A space communicating with the bearing part is connected to a communication passage. The communication passage guides the blow-by gas into the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Ryotaro Nishida, Tsuyoshi Goto, Mitsutaka Yamaya
  • Patent number: 10557399
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a ventilation arrangement. In one example, a system may include a compact ventilation arrangement arranged within a space between an intake manifold and a cylinder head. A pump of the ventilation arrangement arrange adjacent the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Steiner, Hans Guenter Quix, Carsten Weber, Jan Mehring
  • Patent number: 10132198
    Abstract: A support apparatus for disassembling and assembling a gas turbine engine includes an exhaust nozzle attaching and detaching device for guiding movement of an exhaust nozzle in an axis direction and including: a first guide jig detachably fixed to a casing; and a first holding tool detachably supporting the nozzle and engaged with the first guide jig, thereby enabling attaching and detaching the nozzle easily and securely while leaving the engine in a horizontal attitude. The apparatus also includes a low-pressure turbine attaching and detaching device guiding movement of a low-pressure turbine in the axis direction and including: a second guide jig detachably fixed to the casing; and a second holding tool detachably supporting the turbine and engaged with the second guide jig, thereby enabling attaching and detaching the turbine easily and securely while leaving the engine in the horizontal attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Baba, Tsuyoshi Sato, Shinichi Obara
  • Patent number: 9206733
    Abstract: A turbocharger pressurizes an airflow for delivery to an internal combustion engine having a cylinder block, a cylinder head, and an oil supply passage formed in at least one of the cylinder block and the cylinder head. The turbocharger includes a bearing housing having a mounting flange for direct mounting to one of the cylinder block and the cylinder head to thereby establish fluid communication with the oil supply passage. The bearing housing also includes a journal bearing, a thrust bearing assembly, and a rotating assembly. The mounting flange defines an oil feed opening configured to correspond to an oil supply passage in one of the cylinder block and the cylinder head and to direct oil to the journal bearing and the thrust bearing assembly when the mounting flange is attached to the engine. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Richard Lee Balsley, II
  • Patent number: 9097171
    Abstract: A thermosiphon system in an engine is provided herein. The thermosiphon system includes a coolant channel traversing a bearing housing, the bearing housing included in a bearing coupled to a shaft mechanically coupled to a turbine and a compressor in a turbocharger, a ventilation vessel in fluidic communication with at least one coolant passage traversing at least one of a cylinder head and a cylinder block in the engine, the at least one coolant passage included in a cooling circuit, and a thermosiphon coolant line having an inlet in fluidic communication with an outlet of the coolant channel and an inlet of the ventilation vessel, the inlet positioned vertically below an interface between liquid and vapor coolant in the ventilation vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Brinkmann, Jan Mehring
  • Patent number: 9062595
    Abstract: A method of operating a turbocharger apparatus on an internal combustion engine, having a first oil circuit and a second oil circuit, includes steps of sensing a plurality of engine operating parameters via a plurality of sensors associated with the internal combustion engine; providing oil to the engine from the first oil circuit at a first pressure level; controlling operation of the second oil circuit for said engine via an electronic control unit, based on the sensed engine operating parameters; and applying a variable hydraulic preload to said first and second bearing assemblies via the operation of the second oil circuit, wherein oil from the second oil circuit is provided at a second pressure level which is different from the first pressure level. A system usable for carrying out such method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Inventor: Gregg Jones
  • Patent number: 9038382
    Abstract: A turbocharger arrangement in an internal combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger arrangement includes a turbocharger housing surrounding a sealed inner space and a shaft extending through the turbocharger housing. The turbocharger arrangement further includes a turbine wheel arranged on the shaft and driving a compressor unit, a bearing arrangement mounting the shaft in the turbocharger housing, an oil supply device lubricating the bearing arrangement, and a pressure changing unit in fluidic communication with the sealed inner space configured to adjust the pressure in the sealed inner space based on engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ludwig Stump, Bernd Schumacher, Marco Marceno, Jan Linsel, Kay Hohenboeken, Oliver Berkemeier, Jens Wojahn, Klemens Grieser
  • Patent number: 9032728
    Abstract: A supercharger lubricating structure for an internal combustion engine is provided that can supply oil to a supercharger through a short oil passage without use of external piping and downsize a lubricating oil pump. A supercharger lubricating structure for an internal combustion engine can be characterized by the following: A rotating shaft can be connected to a crankshaft via a joint. A connection pipe can be insertably passed through the crankshaft and the rotating shaft to allow an intra-crankshaft oil-feed passage and an intra-rotating-shaft oil-feed passage to communicate with each other. An eccentric shaft portion can be provided on the rotating shaft. A supercharger composed of an orbiting movable scroll and front and rear fixed scrolls can be provided on the eccentric shaft portion via needle bearings. The front and rear fixed scrolls can be provided with ball bearings and the needle bearing supporting the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nakayasu, Shunsuke Muroi
  • Patent number: 9003793
    Abstract: A turbocharger assembly includes a compressor assembly, a turbine wheel, a shaft, a bearing assembly, and a cooling gas conduit. The compressor assembly includes a compressor impeller. The compressor impeller includes an outermost impeller edge and has a maximum cross-sectional dimension at the outermost impeller edge. The shaft interconnects the compressor impeller and the turbine wheel. The bearing assembly surrounds at least a portion of the shaft. The cooling gas conduit is disposed in fluid communication with the compressor assembly and the bearing assembly. At least a portion of the cooling gas conduit is disposed adjacent the outermost impeller edge such that the cooling gas conduit is configured to receive a portion of intake gases flowing along the outermost impeller edge and guide the portion of the intake gases toward the bearing assembly to cool the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Louis Begin, Brian J. Edwards, Carnell E. Williams
  • Patent number: 8997487
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, comprising a bearing housing, a rotating shaft coupled to the bearing housing, a compressor wheel mounted at one end of the rotating shaft, a compressor housing accommodating the compressor wheel and provided with an inlet and an outlet for an air stream, a turbine wheel mounted at the opposite end of the rotating shaft, and a turbine housing accommodating the turbine wheel and provided with an inlet and an outlet for an exhaust gas stream, wherein the bearing housing comprises a fastening flange suitable to be fixed to a component of the internal combustion engine, wherein the turbine housing is provided with a connecting pipe for fluidly connecting the turbine housing inlet with an exhaust manifold of the internal combustion engine, and wherein the connecting pipe includes means, for compensating axial thermal deformations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Hans H. Drangel, Lorenzo Magro, Luca Trabucchi
  • Patent number: 8991176
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a shaft, a first turbine wheel, a compressor wheel, and a second turbine wheel. The shaft includes a first end and a second end and is supported for rotation about an axis. The first turbine wheel is mounted on the shaft proximate to the first end and configured to be rotated about the axis by post-combustion gasses emitted by the engine. The compressor wheel is mounted on the shaft between the first and second ends and configured to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient for delivery to the engine. The second turbine wheel is mounted on the shaft proximate to the second end and configured to be rotated about the axis by a pressurized fluid. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Louis P. Begin, Carnell E. Williams
  • Patent number: 8991175
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing with a bearing bore and a thrust wall. The bearing housing includes a journal bearing disposed within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a shaft supported by the journal bearing for rotation about an axis within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel fixed to the shaft and configured to be rotated about the axis by the engine's post-combustion gasses. The turbocharger additionally includes a compressor wheel fixed to the shaft and configured to pressurize an ambient airflow. Furthermore, the turbocharger includes a thrust bearing assembly pressed onto the shaft and configured to transmit thrust forces developed by the turbine wheel to the thrust wall. Pressing the thrust bearing assembly onto the shaft minimizes radial motion between the thrust bearing assembly and the shaft. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Carl Eric Fonville, Louis P. Begin
  • Publication number: 20150052892
    Abstract: A seal for temporarily sealing a turbocharger compressor outlet and an engine employing the seal are disclosed. The seal may include a layer of lubricant, a cover and a layer of heat-shrink material. The seal creates a temporary water-tight seal around a turbocharger compressor outlet, preventing damage to the inside of the turbocharger while the turbocharger is not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rhett Ringenberger, Jeffrey A. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8959911
    Abstract: A powertrain assembly includes an internal combustion engine, a boost mechanism and a fluid supply mechanism. The boost mechanism is in communication with an air source and the internal combustion engine. The fluid supply mechanism includes a first accumulator in communication with a pressurized fluid supply from the internal combustion engine and the boost mechanism. The accumulator receives pressurized fluid from the internal combustion engine during engine operation and provides the pressurized fluid to the boost mechanism during an engine off condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William C. Deneszczuk, Mary T. Lapres-Bilbrey, Michael Simon, Nieyuan Hai
  • Publication number: 20150047349
    Abstract: In an aluminum turbocharger bearing housing, there is a potential for wear of the bearing housing at the interface with the journal bearing system. With a protective hard anodized surface, the wear resistance and resistance to chemical attack of the bearing housing can be improved so that an aluminum bearing housing can have the life of a cast iron bearing housing, at greatly reduced weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: John Palko, John Norton
  • Patent number: 8955318
    Abstract: A turbocharger cartridge and engine cylinder head assembly includes a turbocharger cartridge having a center housing defining a bore therethrough, bearings housed in the bore, a shaft rotatably supported in the bearings, a compressor wheel affixed to one end of the shaft, and a turbine wheel affixed to an opposite end of the shaft. The engine cylinder head defines a receptacle in which the turbocharger cartridge is disposed. The cartridge defines a cartridge oil circuit and the engine cylinder head defines an engine oil circuit. An oil circuit connector plug is removably installed in a socket in the head, the plug defining a connector passage that mates up with an oil supply conduit in the engine cylinder head and with an oil supply passage in the center housing such that oil is conducted from the oil supply conduit through the connector passage to the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Marques, Michael Ladonnet, Alain Lombard, Johann Kurtzmann
  • Publication number: 20150027117
    Abstract: A lubricant delivery system for an oil consumption-type engine utilizes an atomizer to atomize lubricant obtained from a lubricant reservoir of the engine. The lubricant from the reservoir may be used to lubricate auxiliary components prior to being atomized and consumed in the combustion chamber of the engine. The atomizer can be a turbocharging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Steven Ronald Benson
  • Patent number: 8935077
    Abstract: A procedure for startup and shutdown of an internal combustion engine with an electronically-controlled turbocharger (ECT) is disclosed. The startup and shutdown procedures are determined to provide the desired lubrication to engine and ECT components and sufficient cooling of the engine and ECT. In one embodiment, the system includes an electric oil pump that can supply oil to the oil circuit in the engine and ECT independently of an engine-driven mechanical oil pump. In another embodiment, the oil circuit is provided with an oil accumulator to provide oil for cooling after engine rotation has stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: EcoMotors, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler Garrard
  • Publication number: 20140352299
    Abstract: A turbocharger assembly includes a compressor assembly, a turbine wheel, a shaft, a bearing assembly, and a cooling gas conduit. The compressor assembly includes a compressor impeller. The compressor impeller includes an outermost impeller edge and has a maximum cross-sectional dimension at the outermost impeller edge. The shaft interconnects the compressor impeller and the turbine wheel. The bearing assembly surrounds at least a portion of the shaft. The cooling gas conduit is disposed in fluid communication with the compressor assembly and the bearing assembly. At least a portion of the cooling gas conduit is disposed adjacent the outermost impeller edge such that the cooling gas conduit is configured to receive a portion of intake gases flowing along the outermost impeller edge and guide the portion of the intake gases toward the bearing assembly to cool the bearing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Louis Begin, Brian J. Edwards, Carnell E. Williams
  • Patent number: 8857180
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing with a bearing bore and a semi-floating bearing disposed within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft is supported by the bearing for rotation about an axis within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the first end and configured to be rotated about the axis by post-combustion gasses emitted by the engine. Additionally, the turbocharger includes a compressor wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the second end and configured to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient for delivery to the engine. Furthermore, the turbocharger includes a plate secured within the bearing housing and configured to prevent rotation of the bearing about the axis. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Louis P Begin, Brian J. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20140298803
    Abstract: A lubrication system for an engine is disclosed. The lubrication system may have an oil pump configured to lubricate the engine. The lubrication system may also have a valve configured to direct oil from the oil pump to a fuel pump associated with the engine. The lubrication system may further have a controller. The controller may be configured to determine an operating speed of the engine. The controller may also be configured to adjust the valve to selectively direct the oil to the fuel pump based on the operating speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc
    Inventors: Chih L. LIU, Thomas G. GALLAGHER
  • Patent number: 8833073
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided herein. The internal combustion engine may include a turbocharger including a turbine positioned in an exhaust passage, the turbine having a turbine housing. The internal combustion engine may further include a cooling system having an engine block coolant jacket fluidly coupled to a pump, a cylinder head coolant jacket fluidly coupled to the pump, and a turbine coolant passage traversing the turbine housing and fluidly coupled to the pump and bypassing the engine block coolant jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Bernd Steiner, Jan Mehring
  • Publication number: 20140255157
    Abstract: A rotating assembly for a turbocharger can include a center housing that includes a through bore having a central axis; a bearing cartridge positioned in the through bore where the bearing cartridge includes an outer race, an inner race and rolling elements disposed between the inner race and the outer race; an anisotropic member positioned in the through bore between the outer race of the bearing cartridge and a surface of the center housing where the surface defines at least part of the through bore of the center housing; and a shaft rotatably supported in the center housing by the bearing cartridge where the inner race is mounted on the shaft and the shaft is connected at one end to a compressor wheel and at another end to a turbine wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Walter Lee Meacham, Kostandin Gjika, Mohsiul Alam, Gerald D. LaRue
  • Patent number: 8826660
    Abstract: An exhaust gas system includes a turbocharger housing and an exhaust manifold having manifold pipes and connected to the turbocharger housing. The turbocharger housing has a pipe collector extending in a direction of the exhaust manifold for connection of the manifold pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Gockel, Uwe Fischer, Ralph Naubert, Jörg Horstmann, Frank Fetscher
  • Patent number: 8826661
    Abstract: In order to reduce radiation heat from the turbine housing of a supercharger, the turbine housing is conventionally water-cooled or covered with a heat shielding material, but it is required to control heat loss due to excessive water cooling or high temperature on the outer surface of the heat shielding material. On the contrary, a solution by a cooling structure consisting of an inner thermal insulation portion of an air layer and an outer low temperature portion covering the inner thermal insulation portion has an inevitable problem of increasing number of components and upsizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Terumitsu Takahata
  • Patent number: 8813491
    Abstract: A supercharged liquid-cooled internal combustion engine is provided. In one example, a bearing of a turbocharger is cooled in response to a thermal load of the turbocharger while a flow of coolant to a ventilation vessel is controlled. In this way, a coolant flow rate to the bearing and a ventilation vessel may be provided based on cooling demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Brinkmann
  • Publication number: 20140182284
    Abstract: A turbocharger is mounted on a diesel engine (e.g., a marine diesel engine), with the turbocharger's turbine axis transverse to a crankshaft axis of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason Ozolins, Mahantesh Navalagund, Charles B. Atz, Vijayaselvan Jayakar, Senthilkumar Anandhakrishnan, Pratap Subhash Shitole
  • Publication number: 20140157773
    Abstract: A system including a turbocharger, comprising a turbocharger bearing housing supporting a turbocharger drive shaft; an oil drain including an inlet in fluidic communication with the turbocharger bearing housing and an outlet in fluidic communication with an oil sump; and a coolant jacket enveloping the oil drain. The coolant jacket envelopes the oil drain and is positioned to provide coolant to the turbocharger bearing housing and draw heat from the oil draining through the oil drain to prevent coking of hot oil within the oil drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Matthews, Robert Andrew Wade
  • Patent number: 8746404
    Abstract: Gas turbine engines systems and methods involving oil flow management are provided. In this regard, a oil pressure analysis system for a gas turbine engine is operative to: receive information corresponding to measured oil pressure and rotational speed during a start up of the engine; correlate the information into data sets, each of the data sets containing a measured oil pressure and a corresponding rotational speed; and determine whether the oil flow valve is functioning properly based on the information contained in the data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mahdy A. Allam
  • Patent number: 8739528
    Abstract: A hybrid exhaust turbine turbocharger includes which a silencer-connected to an intake system of an internal combustion engine and supported by a casing via a compressor unit is provided upstream of the compressor unit, and in which a shell housing having a recess, accommodating a generator, therein is provided in a midsection of the silencer, an oil reservoir that holds a lubricant having lubricated a bearing disposed within the generator and dripped from the generator is formed at a bottom section of the shell housing, and the lubricant accumulated in the oil reservoir is returned by gravity to an oil tank disposed downstream via a lubricant discharge tube that communicates with the oil reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8689555
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an intercooler cooling fluid circuit coupled to and in fluid communication with a turbocharger of an internal combustion engine for circulating a flow of cooling fluid to the turbocharger to cool the turbocharger. A turbocharger cooling control valve controls fluid flow between the turbocharger and an intercooler. The turbocharger cooling control valve directs the flow of the cooling fluid to the intercooler when the engine is running, directs the flow of cooling fluid to the turbocharger when the engine is not running. The vehicle uses an intercooler pump for circulating the cooling fluid to both the intercooler when the vehicle is running and the turbocharger when the vehicle is not running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Kevin C. Wong
  • Publication number: 20140090375
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a cooling structure for a bearing housing for a turbocharger, the cooling structure being configured so that the cooling structure is manufactured with improved productivity, the occurrence of heat soak-back is reduced, and the cooling structure has improved cooling performance. The cooling structure is configured to cool both a bearing housing 13 and a bearing 52 by cooling water flowing through an annular cooling water path 13f formed in the bearing housing 13, and is provided with: a water path inlet 13h for supplying the cooling water and a water path outlet 13j for discharging the cooling water, which are provided in the bearing housing 13 so as to communicate with the annular cooling water path 13f and a partial partition 14a in the bearing housing 13 to partially close a water path which forms the shortest route between the water path inlet 13h and the water path outlet 13j.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Kanzaka, Kenichiro Iwakiri, Hiroshi Ogita
  • Patent number: 8621865
    Abstract: Embodiments for cooling a turbine of an engine are provided. In one example embodiment, an internal combustion engine comprises a turbocharger including a turbine having a coolant jacket integrated in a housing of the turbine, and an oil circuit coupled to the coolant jacket of the turbine. By cooling the turbine with the oil circuit, the turbine may be constructed from less-heat resistant materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Mehring, Ludwig Stump, Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Bernd Steiner, Carsten Weber, Franz J. Brinkmann, Frank Kraemer, Jens Groeger
  • Patent number: 8615998
    Abstract: A first turbocharger comprises a first center housing and a first return passage. A second turbocharger comprises a second center housing and a second return passage. The first return passage joins the second return passage at a junction. The length of the second return passage from the second center housing to the junction is longer than that of the first return passage from the first center housing to the junction. A bellows-shaped vibration absorption portion is provided at the second return passage. The first return passage comprises a first upstream return passage and a first downstream return passage, and the first upstream and downstream return passages are connected to each other via the flexible hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Niwa, Kazuaki Nishimura, Satoshi Nishizaka, Hiroaki Deguchi
  • Patent number: 8590306
    Abstract: There are provided first and second water supply passages to supply cooling water from an engine to first and second center housings of first and second turbochargers, and first and second return passages to return the cooling water from the first and second turbochargers to the engine. A cooling-water connection portion of the first water supply is located above the level of a cooling-water connection portion of the second water supply passage. A vapor releasing passage is provided between the second turbocharger and an upper tank provided on the outside of an engine body at a position located above the connection portion of the second return passage of the second turbocharger. Accordingly, the function of vapor releasing from the first and second turbochargers can be improved, thereby increasing the layout flexibility around the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Niwa, Kazuaki Nishimura, Satoshi Nishizaka, Hiroaki Deguchi
  • Patent number: 8572963
    Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine includes a motor unit having a head and an exhaust manifold. A turbocharger assembly is fluid dynamically connected to the exhaust manifold, wherein the turbocharger assembly includes a turbine, a central body and a compressor. The turbocharger assembly includes a lubrication channel for the passage of a lubricating fluid hydraulically connected to a lubrication circuit of the motor unit of said internal combustion engine. The turbine includes a jacket, provided at least in part in a body thereof, arranged for the passage of a cooling fluid and in hydraulic communication with an inlet channel and an outlet channel hydraulically connected to a cooling circuit of the motor unit of said internal combustion engine. The inlet channel, outlet channel and lubrication channel are integrated in said turbocharger assembly in correspondence of a connection interface between said turbocharger assembly and the motor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Cuniberti, Roberto Saretto, Damiano Micelli
  • Publication number: 20130255252
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing with a bearing bore and a thrust wall. The bearing housing includes a journal bearing disposed within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a shaft supported by the journal bearing for rotation about an axis within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel fixed to the shaft and configured to be rotated about the axis by the engine's post-combustion gasses. The turbocharger additionally includes a compressor wheel fixed to the shaft and configured to pressurize an ambient airflow. Furthermore, the turbocharger includes a thrust bearing assembly pressed onto the shaft and configured to transmit thrust forces developed by the turbine wheel to the thrust wall. Pressing the thrust bearing assembly onto the shaft minimizes radial motion between the thrust bearing assembly and the shaft. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Carl Eric Fonville, Louis P. Begin
  • Publication number: 20130255253
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a shaft, a first turbine wheel, a compressor wheel, and a second turbine wheel. The shaft includes a first end and a second end and is supported for rotation about an axis. The first turbine wheel is mounted on the shaft proximate to the first end and configured to be rotated about the axis by post-combustion gasses emitted by the engine. The compressor wheel is mounted on the shaft between the first and second ends and configured to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient for delivery to the engine. The second turbine wheel is mounted on the shaft proximate to the second end and configured to be rotated about the axis by a pressurized fluid. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Louis P. Begin, Carnell E. Williams
  • Patent number: 8544268
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes a housing, a first rotor wheel, a second rotor wheel, a driveshaft, a first bearing and a second bearing. The housing defines a first region, a second region, an intake air inlet, an intake air outlet and an exhaust gas inlet. The first rotor wheel is located in the first region and the second rotor wheel is located in the second region. The first bearing is located on a first axial side of the first rotor wheel axially between the first and second rotor wheels and supports the driveshaft for rotation relative to the housing. The second bearing is located on a second axial side of the first rotor wheel and supports the first rotor wheel for rotation relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Louis P. Begin
  • Patent number: 8544453
    Abstract: A supercharger cooling system provides a path for coolant from an air/coolant heat exchanger to a supercharger intercooler and loops around a hot outlet end of a screw type supercharger and back to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be a dedicated air/coolant heat exchanger or be a vehicle radiator. The intercooler is sandwiched between the supercharger and intake manifold and cools the flow of hot compressed air from the supercharger into the intake manifold. The supercharger cooling loop circles the front rotor bearings thereby cooling the bearings and seals, the forward ends of the male and female rotors, and the male and female rotor gears. The cooling loop is preferably located in the outlet end wall between the supercharger rotors and the rotor drive gears to form a barrier to heat. A dedicated pump cycles the coolant flow and restrictions control the flow of coolant to the supercharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventors: James E. Bell, Jan-Erik Oscarsson
  • Publication number: 20130205775
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing with a bearing bore and a semi-floating bearing disposed within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft is supported by the bearing for rotation about an axis within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the first end and configured to be rotated about the axis by post-combustion gasses emitted by the engine. Additionally, the turbocharger includes a compressor wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the second end and configured to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient for delivery to the engine. Furthermore, the turbocharger includes a plate secured within the bearing housing and configured to prevent rotation of the bearing about the axis. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Louis P Begin, Brian J. Edwards
  • Patent number: 8494698
    Abstract: A hybrid system control apparatus is provided in which an intercooler is disposed upstream of the motor cooling radiator in a flow path of the ambient air flowing in an engine compartment, and/or is disposed such that at least a portion of the intercooler and a portion of the motor cooling radiator contact each other. The hybrid system control apparatus includes a warm-up portion that increases temperature of the boost air by controlling a load of the engine in cold start of a hybrid system such that the boost pressure from the forced air induction device is equal to or higher than a target boost pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Murata, Isao Matsumoto, Naofumi Magarida, Akira Yamashita, Hiroyuki Haga, Takenori Saoda
  • Patent number: 8474259
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankcase which accommodates cylinders, having at least one exhaust turbocharger and having an oil circuit containing at least one oil pump, in which engine oil is siphoned by at least one oil pump and delivered to the cylinders for lubrication, and in which the or each exhaust turbocharger is coupled to the oil circuit such that siphoned engine oil can be distributed to bearings of the respective turbocharger via an inlet line leading to the respective exhaust turbocharger and can then be expelled from the bearings of the respective exhaust turbocharger in the direction of an oil sump via an outlet line leading away from the respective exhaust turbocharger. The respective outlet line of the respective exhaust turbocharger is assigned a pressure limiting device, with the aid of which a vacuum prevailing at the bearings of the respective exhaust turbocharger can be limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bruno Kistner, Bernhard Freiermuth, Christoph Müller
  • Patent number: 8459024
    Abstract: A turbocharger, especially a turbocharger for a motor vehicle, has a turbine housing and a bearing housing. The turbine housing and the bearing housing are fitted with a common cooling device. The turbine housing includes a flange for attaching to an exhaust gas manifold. The flange is formed with a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, and an oil supply pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Achim Koch
  • Patent number: 8418458
    Abstract: A bearing housing of a rotor shaft support assembly of a turbocharger core mounts to and closes a forward end of a cavity that both receives and discharges exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. A turbine rotor operatively coupled to a rotor shaft and a compressor rotor of an associated turbocharger rotor assembly rotates within a turbine rotor shroud portion of an associated turbine nozzle cartridge assembly, wherein the rotor shaft is rotationally supported by at least one bearing within the bearing housing. The turbine nozzle cartridge assembly provides for directing exhaust gases from the cavity through a peripheral inlet leading to a plurality of vanes between forward and aft walls, through the turbine rotor shroud portion, and then through a nozzle exhaust portion incorporating an external sealing surface on an aft portion thereof that cooperates with a sealing element where the exhaust gases are discharged from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Williams International Co., L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Williams, Mark E. Suchezky
  • Publication number: 20130086903
    Abstract: A powertrain assembly includes an internal combustion engine, a boost mechanism and a fluid supply mechanism. The boost mechanism is in communication with an air source and the internal combustion engine. The fluid supply mechanism includes a first accumulator in communication with a pressurized fluid supply from the internal combustion engine and the boost mechanism. The accumulator receives pressurized fluid from the internal combustion engine during engine operation and provides the pressurized fluid to the boost mechanism during an engine off condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC.
    Inventors: WILLIAM C. DENESZCZUK, MARY T. LAPRES-BILBREY, MICHAEL SIMON, NIEYUAN HAI
  • Publication number: 20130067916
    Abstract: A turbocharger system, in certain embodiments, includes a compressor, a turbine, a shaft of common diameter coupling the compressor to the turbine, and a first fluid film bearing disposed about the shaft at a compressor end portion of the shaft. The system also includes a second fluid film fixed pad bearing disposed about the shaft at a turbine end portion of the shaft, wherein the first and second fluid film fixed pad bearings have different clearance ratios, effective lengths, or both, relative to one another. The system, in some embodiments, includes a compressor fluid film fixed pad bearing and a turbine fluid film fixed pad bearing, wherein the compressor and turbine fluid film fixed pad bearings have different clearance ratios and effective lengths, relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: General Electric Company