Sleeve bearing for turbocharging device
AssigneeBret J. Park
InventorBret J. Park
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A ball bearing sleeve is used in a turbocharging device. The ball bearing sleeve has one or more ball bearings that are designed to control loads that are applied to the sleeve in the x, y and z-directions. The ball bearing sleeve is designed to replace the “thrust bearing” that is typically the “weak link” in a turbocharging device, as well as the journal bearings. The sleeve is designed to include a cylindrical portion that includes one or more grooves for directing the flow of oil around the sleeve for cooling. An oil duct having access holes directs the flow of oil into the ball bearings. Sleeve device may be retro-fitted into an existing turbocharger, which originally had journal and thrust bearings.
Claims16
A turbocharger sleeve assembly comprising:
- a turbocharger housing;
- a unitary, one-piece ball bearing sleeve disposed within and non-rotatably engaged with the turbocharger housing, the sleeve comprising:
- a cylindrical portion comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and an axial dimension extending along a length of the cylindrical portion, and a radial dimension perpendicular to the axial dimension;
- a flange portion abutting the proximal end of the cylindrical portion, wherein the flange portion engages the turbocharger housing to limit movement of the sleeve along the axial dimension;
- a first set of ball bearings disposed radially inward of the sleeve;
- and
- a first set of one or more grooves disposed on an exterior surface of the cylindrical portion, the first set of one or more grooves overlapping with the first set of ball bearings along the axial dimension and outwardly disposed about the first set of ball bearings along the radial dimension, wherein each of the grooves in the first set of one or more grooves is annular in shape.
A turbocharger sleeve assembly comprising:
- a turbocharger housing;
- a unitary, one-piece ball bearing sleeve disposed within with the turbocharger housing, the sleeve having a hole for receiving a pin or rod to prevent the sleeve from rotating with respect to the turbocharger housing, the sleeve comprising:
- a cylindrical portion comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and an axial dimension extending along a length of the cylindrical portion, and a radial dimension perpendicular to the axial dimension;
- a flange portion abutting the proximal end of the cylindrical portion, wherein the flange portion engages the turbocharger housing to limit movement of the sleeve along the axial dimension;
- a first set of ball bearings disposed radially inward of the sleeve;
- and
- a first set of one or more grooves disposed on an exterior surface of the cylindrical portion, the first set of one or more grooves overlapping with the first set of ball bearings along the axial dimension and outwardly disposed about the first set of ball bearings along the radial dimension, wherein each of the grooves in the first set of one or more grooves is annular in shape.
A turbocharger sleeve assembly comprising:
- a turbocharger housing;
- a unitary, one-piece bearing sleeve disposed within and non-rotatably engaged with the turbocharger housing, the sleeve comprising:
- a cylindrical portion comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and an axial dimension extending along a length of the cylindrical portion, and a radial dimension perpendicular to the axial dimension, the cylindrical portion comprising an oil drain, the oil drain comprising an opening that is positioned on a bottom of the cylindrical portion when installed for use with an engine;
- a flange portion abutting the proximal end of the cylindrical portion, wherein the flange portion engages the turbocharger housing to limit movement of the sleeve along the axial dimension;
- and
- a first set of bearings disposed radially inward of the sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.