Centering mechanisms for turbocharger bearings

Abstract

An exemplary spring for positioning a turbocharger bearing in a housing includes a free standing inner diameter, a free standing outer diameter and a substantially sinusoidal shape to provide an inward radial bias and to provide an outward radial bias wherein the spring balances the inward radial bias with the outward radial bias to thereby position a turbocharger bearing in a housing. Various exemplary springs, bearings, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.

1 . A substantially planar spring for positioning a turbocharger bearing in a housing, the spring comprising: 
 a first end and a second end;    a free standing inner diameter;    a plurality of straight sections tangent to the free standing inner diameter and disposed between the first end and the second end to provide an inward radial bias; and    a curved section disposed between two of the straight sections to provide an outward radial bias wherein the spring balances the inward radial bias with the outward radial bias to thereby position a turbocharger bearing in a housing.    
   
   
       2 . The spring of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of straight sections comprises three straight sections.  
   
   
       3 . The spring of  claim 2  further comprising another curved section disposed between two of the straight sections to provide an outward radial bias.  
   
   
       4 . The spring of  claim 1  wherein from the first end to the second end, the spring comprises a first curved section, a first straight section, a second curved section, a second straight section, a third curved section, a third straight section and a fourth curved section.  
   
   
       5 . The spring of  claim 4  wherein the straight sections comprise straight sections tangent to the free standing inner diameter to provide an inward radial bias.  
   
   
       6 . The spring of  claim 4  wherein the curved sections provide an outward radial bias.  
   
   
       7 . The spring of  claim 4  wherein the three straight sections are tangent to the free standing inner diameter at approximately 0°, approximately 120°, and approximately 240°.  
   
   
       8 . The spring of  claim 4  wherein the three straight sections are tangent to the free standing inner diameter at approximately 0°, approximately 90° and approximately 180°.  
   
   
       9 . The spring of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first end and the second end provide an outward radial bias.  
   
   
       10 . An assembly comprising the spring of  claim 1  and a turbocharger bearing wherein the turbocharger bearing comprises an annular groove having a diameter that exceeds the free standing inner diameter of the spring.  
   
   
       11 . The spring of  claim 1  further comprising a tang.  
   
   
       12 . The spring of  claim 1  further comprising a free standing outer diameter.  
   
   
       13 . The spring of  claim 1  wherein the curved section defines in part a free standing outer diameter.  
   
   
       14 . An assembly comprising: 
 a bearing that comprises an annular end notch; and    the spring of  claim 1  seated in the annular end notch.    
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 14  further comprising a housing wherein the housing comprises a bore and an annular end notch for seating the spring.  
   
   
       16 . A substantially planar spring for positioning a turbocharger bearing in a housing, the spring comprising: 
 a free standing inner diameter;    a free standing outer diameter;    a substantially sinusoidal shape to provide an inward radial bias and to provide an outward radial bias wherein the spring balances the inward radial bias with the outward radial bias to thereby position a turbocharger bearing in a housing.    
   
   
       17 . The spring of  claim 16  further comprising one or more straight sections.  
   
   
       18 . The spring of  claim 16  wherein the sinusoidal shape comprises three or more lobes.  
   
   
       19 . An assembly comprising: 
 a bearing;    a center housing of a turbocharger that comprises a bore;    one or more mesh rings fitted to the bearing to thereby center the bearing in the bore of the center housing.    
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19  wherein the one or more mesh rings comprise wire mesh.