Turbocharger assembly and method

Abstract

A turbine assembly is provided. The turbine assembly includes a turbocharger drive having a first threaded portion and a turbine wheel assembly. The turbine wheel assembly includes a turbine wheel and a second threaded portion adapted to engage the first threaded portion of the turbocharger drive. The turbine assembly may be utilized in a turbocharger assembly, wherein a compressor is connected to a second end of the turbocharger drive.

1 . A turbine assembly, comprising: 
 a turbocharger drive having a first threaded portion; and    a turbine wheel assembly having a turbine wheel and a second threaded portion adapted to engage the first threaded portion of the turbocharger drive.    
   
   
       2 . The turbine assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine wheel assembly includes a turbine shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of the turbine shaft having the second threaded portion and the second end of the turbine shaft being connected to the turbine wheel.  
   
   
       3 . The turbine assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second threaded portion of the turbine wheel assembly has male threads.  
   
   
       4 . The turbine assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second threaded portion of the turbine wheel assembly has female threads.  
   
   
       5 . The turbine assembly of  claim 1 , further including a turbine housing enclosing the turbine wheel assembly.  
   
   
       6 . The turbine assembly of  claim 5 , further including at least one bearing operatively connecting the turbocharger drive to the housing.  
   
   
       7 . The turbine assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the second end of the turbine shaft is inertia welded to the turbine wheel.  
   
   
       8 . The turbine assembly of  claim 1 , further including: 
 a turbine wheel base; and    a plurality of turbine blades disposed around the outer periphery of the turbine wheel base.    
   
   
       9 . A method of assembling a turbocharger comprising: 
 inserting a turbocharger drive into a main housing, wherein the turbocharger drive includes a first end having a first threaded portion and a second end;    engaging a second threaded portion of a turbine wheel assembly with the first threaded portion of the turbocharger drive; and    connecting a compressor to the second end of the turbocharger drive.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further including: 
 pre-assembling the turbocharger drive before inserting the turbocharger drive into the main housing, wherein pre-assembling the turbocharger drive includes: 
 installing a shaft through a rotor; and  
 balancing the rotor.  
   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further including: 
 attaching a turbine housing to the main housing thereby enclosing the turbine wheel assembly; and    attaching a compressor housing to the main housing thereby enclosing the compressor.    
   
   
       12 . A turbocharger, comprising: 
 a housing assembly;    a turbocharger drive rotatingly disposed in the housing assembly, the turbocharger drive including a first end having a first threaded portion and a second end;    a turbine wheel assembly having a turbine wheel and a second threaded portion adapted to engage the first threaded portion on the turbocharger drive; and    a compressor connected to the second end of the turbocharger drive.    
   
   
       13 . The turbocharger of  claim 12 , wherein the turbine wheel assembly includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of the shaft having the second threaded portion and the second end of the shaft being connected to the turbine wheel.  
   
   
       14 . The turbocharger of  claim 12 , wherein the second threaded portion of the turbine wheel assembly has male threads.  
   
   
       15 . The turbocharger of  claim 12 , wherein the second threaded portion of the turbine wheel assembly has female threads.  
   
   
       16 . The turbocharger of  claim 12 , wherein the compressor includes a third threaded portion adapted to engage a fourth threaded portion disposed on the second end of the turbocharger drive.  
   
   
       17 . The turbocharger of  claim 13 , wherein the compressor includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of the shaft having the third threaded portion and the second end connected to the compressor.  
   
   
       18 . The turbocharger of  claim 12 , wherein the housing assembly includes: 
 a main housing enclosing the turbocharger drive;    a compressor housing enclosing the compressor; and    a turbine housing enclosing the turbine assembly.    
   
   
       19 . The turbocharger of  claim 12 , wherein the turbocharger drive includes: 
 a shaft; and    a rotor operably connected to the shaft.    
   
   
       20 . A turbocharger, comprising: 
 a housing assembly;    a turbocharger drive rotatingly disposed in the housing assembly;    a turbine wheel assembly having a turbine wheel and a means for removably connecting the turbine wheel to the turbocharger drive; and    a compressor connected to the second end.    
   
   
       21 . The turbocharger of  claim 20 , wherein the turbine wheel assembly includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of the shaft having the connecting means and the second end of the shaft being connected to the turbine wheel.