Pressure load compressor diffuser

Abstract

The present invention relates to a turbocharger compressor diffuser loading plate that is in contact with a vaned diffuser and that is in communication with the compressor volute. The diffuser loading plate is pressure loaded so that it moves axially in response to pressure thereby maintaining an effective seal of the open side of the vaned diffuser. The present invention minimizes a loss in compressor performance caused by movement of the compressor housing.

1 . A turbocharger compressor comprising: 
 a housing having a volute;    a backplate attached to an exterior surface of said housing;    an impeller rotatably mounted within said housing;    an annular vaned diffuser disposed in said housing between said volute and said impeller, said vaned diffuser axially facing an axially facing surface of said backplate; and    a diffuser loading plate adjacent to said vaned diffuser, said loading plate in communication with said volute via a pressure port, and said diffuser loading plate moveable in response to pressure from said volute so that said diffuser loading plate imposes an axially directed pressure load to provide a seal on an open end of said vaned diffuser.    
   
   
       2 . The compressor of  claim 1  further comprising a pressure loading cavity adjacent to said diffuser loading plate and in fluid communication with said pressure port.  
   
   
       3 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein said vaned diffuser and said diffuser loading plate are integral.  
   
   
       4 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein said vaned diffuser is located between said backplate and said diffuser loading plate.  
   
   
       5 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein said diffuser loading plate is located between said backplate and said vaned diffuser.  
   
   
       6 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein said diffuser loading plate comprises a disc.  
   
   
       7 . A compressor diffuser assembly for placement in a fluid passageway between a compressor impeller and a compressor volute, said assembly comprising: 
 an annular vaned diffuser adapted to be placed between the volute and the impeller so that said vaned diffuser axially faces an axially facing surface of a compressor backplate;    a diffuser loading plate adjacent to said vaned diffuser; and    a pressure port in communication with said volute and said diffuser loading plate;    said diffuser loading plate moveable in response to pressure from said volute so that said diffuser loading plate imposes an axially directed pressure load to provide a seal on an open end of said vaned diffuser.    
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 7  further comprising a pressure loading cavity adjacent to said diffuser loading plate and in fluid communication with said pressure port  
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 7  wherein said vaned diffuser and said diffuser loading plate are integral.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 7  wherein said diffuser loading plate comprises a disc.  
   
   
       11 . A vaned diffuser assembly for use in a turbocharger compressor, said assembly comprising a diffuser loading plate in contact with a vaned diffuser, and said assembly positionable between a housing and a backplate of the compressor.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein said diffuser loading plate and said vaned diffuser are integral.