Caterpillar Inc.

Beth A Hinchee

John Ray Gladden

Mark D Moeckel

Frank G Gerke

A variable geometry nozzle suitable for a radial turbine in a turbocharger for an internal combustion engine. The turbine inlet, turbine outlet or both include a vane assembly having a housing and an adjustable cartridge movable in the housing. Each cartridge has vanes having a plurality of vane sections. Each vane section provides a vane geometry different than the vane geometries of the other vane sections.

Variable geometry nozzle for radial turbines

A turbocharger system for use in an internal combustion engine, and particularly suitable for use in an on-road vehicle, is provided with a turbocharger including a turbine, a compressor and a turboshaft coupling the turbine and the compressor together; mechanically coupling a first motor/generator to the turboshaft; mechanically coupling a second motor/generator to a flywheel; electrically coupling the second motor/generator to the first motor/generator; storing power in the flywheel using the second motor/generator during periods of excess turbocharger boost; and rotating the turbocharger shaft using the first motor/generator during periods of insufficient turbocharger boost. The turbocharger system provides a compact and efficient method of storing energy in the flywheel during periods of excess turbocharger boost, and retrieving energy from the flywheel during periods of insufficient turbocharger boost.

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Kiel, Germany

Beth A Hinchee