Caterpillar Inc.

Williams International Co., L.l.c.

Thomas J Williams

Richard E Annati

Mark E Suchezky

Jeffrey W McCormack

Gary W Powers

Tristan M Fletcher

Craig Miller

Gregg Williams

Exhaust gases from an engine, input to turbo-compounder, drive a bladed turbine rotor therein, which drives a multi-phase AC generator, the output of which is used to electrically drive a multi-phase induction motor, the rotor of which is mechanically coupled to the engine, so as to provide for recovering power to the engine. The multi-phase AC generator may be coupled to the engine either by closure of a contactor, engagement of an electrically-controlled clutch, or by control of either a solid-state switching or control system or an AC excitation signal, when the frequency (f) of the multi-phase AC generator meets or exceeds that (f) of the multi-phase induction motor.

Turbo-electric turbo-compounding method

Turbo-electric turbo-compounding system

Exhaust gases () from an engine ('), input to turbo-compounder (), drive a bladed turbine rotor () therein, which drives a generator (&#x2033;), the output of which is used to electrically drive an induction motor (&#x2032;), the rotor () of which is mechanically coupled to the engine (&#x2032;) so as to provide for recovering power to the engine (&#x2032;). The turbo-compounder () also incorporates a wastegate valve (&#x2032;) to provide for the exhaust gases () to bypass the bladed turbine rotor (). Upon startup the wastegate valve (&#x2032;) is opened, and the generator may be decoupled from the engine (&#x2032;). The generator (&#x2033;) may be coupled to the engine (&#x2032;) either by closure of a contactor (&#x2032;), engagement of an electrically-controlled clutch (), or by control of either a solid-state switching () or control system or an AC excitation signal (), when the frequency (f) of the generator (&#x2033;) meets or exceeds that (f) of the induction motor (&#x2032;). Wastegate valve (&#x2032;) closure provides for the generator (&#x2033;) to recover power from the exhaust gases ().

A turbocharger is provided that includes a turbine, a compressor and a bearing housing disposed and connected between the turbine and the compressor. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the bearing housing and extending into the turbine and the compressor. A bearing arrangement is disposed between the shaft and the bearing housing and includes a inner bearing race element and an outer bearing race element. The compressor wheel includes a hub having a collar portion with a bore therein for receiving an end of the shaft. An end portion of the inner bearing race element is arranged to engage an outer circumferential surface of the collar portion.

Turbocharger with bearing piloted compressor wheel

A housing for a turbocharger includes a first outer surface, a second outer surface opposite the first outer surface, and a mounting hole extending between the first outer surface and the second outer surface. The mounting hole includes a first end opposite a second end and a counterbore formed at the first end. The counterbore includes threads that are configured to engage with threads on a shank of a lifting device. The mounting hole also includes a throughbore extending from the counterbore to the second end and configured to receive a fastener for mounting the turbocharger housing. The counterbore forms a first opening through the first outer surface of the turbocharger housing, and the throughbore forms a second opening through the second outer surface of the turbocharger housing. The mounting hole is configured to receive only one fastener or shank at a time.

Turbocharger with dual-use mounting holes

A turbocharger includes a turbine, a compressor, and a bearing housing forming a bearing bore. A bearing arrangement is disposed between a shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor wheels, and the bearing housing. The bearing arrangement includes an outer bearing race element and an inner bearing race element rotatably disposed within the outer bearing race element. The inner bearing race element forms a hollow extension extending up to the compressor wheel, the extension having a hollow cylindrical shape that surrounds a portion of the shaft that is connected on one end to the compressor wheel and at another end is disposed adjacent to a seat formed on the extension portion around the shaft, and a nut engaged on the shaft and disposed within the extension at an offset distance from the seat.

Turbocharger and method

A turbocharger includes a turbine, a compressor, and a bearing housing forming a bearing bore. A bearing arrangement is disposed between a shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor wheels, and the bearing housing. The bearing arrangement includes first and second bearings formed between an outer bearing race element disposed within the bearing bore an inner bearing race element disposed within the outer bearing race element and between the outer bearing race element and the shaft. The inner bearing race element includes a flared portion extending radially outwardly to provide torsional and bending rigidity to the shaft.

A turbocharger includes a turbine, a compressor, and a bearing housing forming a bearing bore. A bearing arrangement is disposed between a shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor wheels, and the bearing housing. The bearing arrangement includes first and second bearings formed between an outer bearing race element disposed within the bearing bore an inner bearing race element disposed within the outer bearing race element and between the outer bearing race element and the shaft. The inner bearing race element rotates with the shaft and forms an extension segment having an open channel that, together with an annular surface on an inner side of a back of the compressor wheel, forms a U-shaped channel into which a ring seal is disposed. The ring seal sealably engages the inner bearing race element and also slidably and sealably engages the inner bore of the bearing retainer.

An aftwardly-extending internally-threaded boss of a boreless-hub compressor rotor of a turbocharger engages a corresponding externally-threaded forward end portion of an associated rotor shaft of the turbocharger, wherein an internal surface of an inner race of an associated rolling-element bearing of the turbocharger is in engagement with both an external surface of the rotor shaft and an external surface of the internally-threaded boss of the boreless-hub compressor rotor, wherein the rotor shaft extends through the inner race of the rolling-element bearing.

Turbocharger compressor rotor alignment system

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.

Growing community of inventors

Milford Township, MI, United States of America

Thomas J Williams