Variable geometry turbocharger

Abstract

A variable geometry turbocharger is provided. The turbocharger improves efficiency by controlling flow to the rotor ( 230 ) via movable vanes ( 260 ). The vanes ( 260 ) can be rotated using a pin ( 380, 480 ) and groove ( 385, 485 ) system. The vanes ( 260 ) can be multiple structures ( 710, 730 ) that are movable with respect to each other to increase the length of each of the vanes ( 260 ). The turbocharger also improves efficiency by creating a better seal in the area between the vanes ( 260 ) and the adjustment ring ( 240 ). The seal can be provided by biasing the adjustment ring ( 240 ) towards each of the vanes ( 260 ). The seal can be provided by expanding each of the vanes ( 260 ). The seal can be provided by having a movable portion ( 1150 ) of the adjustment ring ( 240 ) that is actuated by a pressure source or the like and axially moves towards the vanes ( 260 ). The plurality of vanes ( 260 ) can be low solidity vanes.

1 . A turbocharger including means for minimizing axial vane gap, comprising:
 a compressor housing ( 210 );   a compressor rotor ( 230 ) rotatably mounted in the compressor housing ( 210 );   a volute ( 250 ) for receiving a compressible fluid from compressor rotor ( 230 ); and   a vane ring assembly comprising a plurality of vanes ( 260 ), the plurality of vanes ( 260 ) being mounted for rotation to control flow of the compressible fluid in an annular vane space radially between compressor wheel and volute and axially between first and second walls, and   means for application of axial force between said vanes and at least one of said walls.   
   
   
       2 . A turbocharger as in  claim 1 , wherein said axial force is a spring force, a hydraulic force, a pneumatic force, or an electrical force. 
   
   
       3 . The turbocharger of  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of vanes ( 260 ) are mounted on an adjustment ring forming at least a part of, and wherein said means for application of axial force comprises a biasing mechanism ( 910 ) that biases the adjustment ring ( 240 ), and vanes mounted thereon, towards the wall opposite the adjusting ring. 
   
   
       4 . The turbocharger of  claim 2 , wherein said means for application of axial force comprises a biasing mechanism ( 1010 ) that biases each of the plurality of vanes ( 260 ) towards the adjustment ring ( 240 ) or towards the wall opposite the adjusting ring. 
   
   
       5 . The turbocharger of  claim 2 , wherein said means for application of axial force comprises a biasing mechanism ( 1010 ) that biases each of the walls towards each other. 
   
   
       6 . The turbocharger of  claim 1 , wherein said means for application of axial force comprises is at least one coil spring. 
   
   
       7 . The turbocharger of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of vanes ( 260 ) are connected to the turbocharger by a rotatable pin ( 265 ), wherein either the vanes ( 260 ) or the adjustment ring ( 240 ) has an adjustment pin ( 380 ,  480 ) rigidly connected thereto, wherein the other of the vanes ( 260 ) or the adjustment ring ( 240 ) has a groove ( 385 ,  485 ), wherein the adjustment pin ( 380 ,  480 ) is partially inserted into the groove ( 385 ,  485 ), and wherein rotation of the adjustment ring ( 240 ) causes rotation of the vanes ( 260 ). 
   
   
       8 . The turbocharger of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of vanes has first and second portions ( 1015 ,  1020 ) that are moveable axially with respect to each other, and wherein the biasing mechanism ( 1010 ) axially biases each of the vane portions. 
   
   
       9 . A turbocharger comprising:
 a housing ( 210 );   a rotor ( 230 ) rotatably mounted in the housing ( 210 );   a supply channel ( 250 ) for supplying a fluid to the rotor ( 230 ); and   a vane ring assembly having first and second nozzle rings ( 700 ,  720 ), the first nozzle ring ( 700 ) being fixed with respect to the turbocharger and having a plurality of first vanes ( 710 ), the second nozzle ring ( 720 ) being rotatable with respect to the turbocharger and having a plurality of second vanes ( 730 ), each of the plurality of first and second vanes ( 710 ,  730 ) being distributed in an annular vane space, each of the plurality of first and second vanes ( 710 ,  730 ) being non-rotatable with respect to the first and second nozzle rings ( 700 ,  720 ),   wherein the second nozzle ring ( 720 ) is rotatable from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the plurality of first vanes ( 710 ) are aligned with the plurality of second vanes ( 720 ), and wherein in the second position the plurality of first vanes ( 710 ) are non-aligned with the plurality of second vanes ( 720 ).   
   
   
       10 . A turbocharger as in  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of first and second vanes ( 710 ,  730 ) has first and second portions ( 1015 ,  1020 ) that are moveable with respect to each other, and wherein the biasing mechanism ( 1010 ) expands each of the plurality of first and second vanes ( 710 ,  730 )