Multi-segment turbocharger bearing housing and methods therefor

A method for enclosing a rotating assembly (114, 214, 314) of a turbocharger (102, 202, 302), the method comprising:

• providing at least two bearing housing segments (189, 190;
• 289, 290;
• 389, 390) which together form a bearing housing (160, 260, 360) including a bearing bore (177, 178) and an insert bore (179);
• machining complementary mating faces (196, 197) of the segments, wherein the complementary mating faces (196, 197) of the segments are parallel with an axis of the bearing bore;
• machining the bearing bore (177, 178) and the insert bore (179);
• machining oil feed passages (181-183) and oil drain features (145, 187) into at least one segment, wherein at least one oil feed bore (181, 182) is drilled from a radially inner surface of the corresponding bearing housing segment;
• balancing a rotating assembly (114, 214, 314) including a shaft (112), a rotor (147) of an electric motor, and a compressor wheel (120) and a turbine wheel (110) disposed on opposite ends of the shaft (112);
• installing the rotating assembly (114, 214, 314) into at least one of the bearing housing segments (189, 190;
• 289, 290;
• 389, 390);
• and
• joining the segments together to enclose the rotating assembly (114, 214, 314).