Turbocharger with air journal bearing and thrust bearing

Abstract

A turbomachine such as a turbocharger with an air journal bearing and an air thrust bearing arrangement with a fixed air journal bearing connected in series with a floating air journal bearing connected by a hollow spring to supply compressed air from the fixed air journal bearing to the floating air journal bearing, and a forward air thrust bearing and an aft air thrust bearing connected in parallel to a source of compressed air. An air vent cavity is formed between the forward bearing and the aft bearing in which compressed air from all four bearings can be collected and discharged from a housing. Some of the compressed air from the forward thrust bearing is discharged with a compressor outlet, and some of the compressed air from the aft thrust bearing is discharged into a turbine inlet.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.