Borgwarner Inc.

Spx Corporation

Gsle Development Corporation

Kendro Laboratory Products Gmbh

Allan Douglas Kelly

Augustine Cavagnaro

Timothy Mark House

Paul Diemer

Chuan Weng

Charles J Kurle

Paul Matthew Steinhoff

Daniel N Ward

Zachary Ashton

Robert Thomas Race

Kurt Henderson

Michael Sean Ward

E Perry Ellwood

Jeremy Saunders

Kevin Reid

Daniel Ward

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a turbocharger having a rolling element bearing (REB) assembly contained within a bearing housing includes an axial damper configured to dampen and limit axial displacement of the REB assembly. The axial damper can include different embodiments, including an elastomeric axial damper, wire mesh, or oil film, for interrupting contact between the bearing assembly and a displacement limit when an axial displacement force exceeds a preload force. Further, the axial damper can include an apparatus having at least two axially compressible rings, where one of the axially compressible rings includes a displacement limit feature.

Axial damper and displacement limit for turbomachine with rolling element bearings

A method for reducing stress concentration on a rotor sleeve during balance cutting comprising: providing an axial protrusion to an outer diameter of a first end cap and a second end cap of a rotor assembly; and radially cutting at least one of the sleeve or the axial protrusion to balance the rotor assembly.

Retention sleeve and balance strategy for a high speed permanent magnet rotor

A turbocharger rotating assembly () includes a shaft () rotatably supported in a bearing housing () via bearings (), a compressor impeller () mounted on the shaft (), and an oil flinger () disposed on the shaft () between the bearings () and the compressor impeller (). The turbocharger () further includes an insert () disposed in the shaft-receiving axial bore () so as to surround the oil flinger (), and a purge seal () operatively positioned in an interface () between the insert () and the oil flinger (), whereby the purge seal () is configured to minimize oil passage from the bearing housing () into the interface (). An annular cavity () encircles the radially outward-facing surface () of the insert (), the cavity () forming a portion of a fluid path configured to deliver pressurized fluid to the interface ().

Turbocharger purge seal including axisymmetric supply cavity

A turbocharger shaft is sealed with respect to the bore of the bearing housing at the turbine wheel end by one or more shaft seal rings. Conventionally these rings are seated in annular grooves provided in the shaft behind the turbine wheel. Problems can arise with this conventional shaft seal arrangement, particularly where the turbocharged engine has an engine brake valve located downstream of the turbine, and the back pressure in the exhaust line, and thus in the turbine wheel housing, can reach 7 bar. The inventive shaft seal design avoids grooves, and makes it possible to assemble a seal with ring seals with higher wear resistance and thus to maintain the seal's effectiveness over heavy use.

Modular turbocharger clearance seal

Vented bearing retainer and roller bearings for turbomachines, such as compressors and turbines. Axial openings in, or adjacent to, the inner circumferential surface of the bearing retainer member equalize pressure differentials on the roller bearings. Axial grooves in the inner circumferential surface can be provided. Damper members on the OD of the retainer member can minimize rigid vibration modes and accommodate thermal growth and misalignment.

Vented bearing retainer for turbomachines

A number of variations may include a product for use with a turbocharger system may include an electric motor with a rotor rotating about an axis. The rotor may operate through a bending critical mode. A magnet may be disposed in the rotor. The rotor may be provided with a selected amount of compliance to tune the bending critical mode to occur at a selected rotational speed.

Magnet decoupling device for electric assist turbocharger

To solve both axial and rotational constraint problems in turbochargers with rolling element bearings (REBs), a REB cartridge is mounted to the bearing housing in a way that is not rigid, thus allowing for an oil damping film. At the same time, the REB cartridge is held both axially and rotationally, so that the outer race does not rotate relative to the bearing housing. This dual purpose is achieved using a special dual-mode sliding clip with at least one anti-rotation feature for engaging the bearing housing and at least one anti-rotation feature for engaging the REB cartridge, thereby axially locating the REB cartridge and preventing rotation of the outer race.

Sliding clip method for anti-rotation and thrust constraint of a rolling element bearing cartridge

To solve both axial and rotational constraint problems in turbochargers with rolling element bearings (REBs), a REB cartridge is mounted to the bearing housing in a way that is not rigid, thus allowing for an oil damping film. At the same time, the REB cartridge is held both axially and rotationally, so that the outer race does not rotate relative to the bearing housing. This dual purpose is achieved using a special dual-mode spring clip with at least one anti-rotation feature for engaging the bearing housing and at least one anti-rotation feature for engaging the REB cartridge, thereby axially locating the REB cartridge and preventing rotation of the outer race.

Spring clip method for anti-rotation and thrust constraint of a rolling element bearing cartridge

To solve heat soak and reduced heat rejection capability problems in turbochargers with rolling element bearings (REBs), the REB cartridge is mounted to the bearing housing in a way that is not rigid, thus allows for an oil damping film, but, at the same time, the REB cartridge is held both axially, to transfer thrust loads to the bearing housing, and rotationally, so that the REB cartridge does not rotate relative to the bearing housing, using male or female features in the REB and corresponding female or male features associated with the bearing bore or the turbine face of the bearing housing closure.

Anti-rotation method for a rolling element bearing cartridge

A turbocharger using a high speed rolling element bearing system is improved in desired speed and life by providing an insulating spacer, with a thermal conductivity lower than that of the material in the inner race of the REB, between the turbine-end of the inner race of the bearing system and the compressor-end face of the piston ring boss to impede the flow of heat from the turbine wheel to the inner race of the rolling element bearing.

Insulating spacer for ball bearing cartridge

A turbocharger uses a high speed rolling element bearing system. An exemplary rolling element bearing system includes a polymer sleeve to impede the flow of heat from the bearing housing into the outer race of the rolling element bearing system. In a second embodiment of the invention, the sleeve is supported by an oil film. In a third embodiment of the invention, the bearing cartridge is damped by a damping medium which also connects the bearing cartridge to the bearing housing.

Insulating and damping sleeve for a rolling element bearing cartridge

A turbocharger thrust bearing assembly, which maintains a constant relationship between the thrust faces, for example by use of gimbal or spherical segment geometry. Spherical geometry, while more difficult to manufacture than that of a flat thrust bearing, provides a more constant relationship between the thrust pads and thrust washers than is possible with a typical flat thrust bearing. As a consequence of this more constant relationship the thrust bearing operates with less oil flow, which ultimately may reduce vehicle emissions.

Spherical thrust bearing system for turbochargers

Methods and apparatus for a two chamber freezer whereby both chambers can be maintained at a substantially constant ultra-low temperature, such as within the range of about &minus;40&deg; C. to &minus;80&deg; C. Short term items may be stored in and accessed by the upper door from an upper chamber while long term items may be stored in and accessed by the lower door in the lower chamber. The upper and lower chambers are thermodynamically independent of each other thereby reducing the power usage of the freezer.

Dual independent chamber ultra-low temperature freezer

Methods and apparatus for non-hydrocarbon design of ultra-low temperature refrigeration systems, which are particularly suited a non-hydrocarbon ultra-low temperature refrigeration system that can safely be transported and applied in the field as needed without the risks associated with hydrocarbon ultra-low temperature refrigeration system are disclosed. An application of the non-hydrocarbon design of ultra-low temperature refrigeration system method and apparatus to freezers and the like is also disclosed.

Non-hydrocarbon ultra-low temperature system for a refrigeration system

The present invention provides a latch device and method for securing a panel such as a door panel to a frame. The latch device has a housing mounted to the door panel with a catch having a contact portion pivotally mounted in the housing for rotation about a first axis while a handle assembly is mounted in the housing for rotation about a second axis. A strike is mounted on the frame such that the strike can receive the catch. The handle assembly is moveable between a first position where the contact portion of the catch is urged into contact against the strike and second position where the catch is retracted from the strike. A link is pivotally mounted to the catch at one point and to the handle assembly at a second point. An adjustment device is provided. The latch device also has a compliance element that absorbs forces resulting from the engagement of the latch assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Hendersonville, NC, United States of America

Allan Douglas Kelly