US 2025/0052257 A1 · TURBOCHARGER HAVING COMPRESSOR WITH LIQUID-COOLED BACKPLATE

Abstract

A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine or fuel cell includes a compressor having a liquid-cooled backplate through which a liquid coolant is circulated. The backplate reduces compressor outlet temperature, thereby reducing the cooling load on the intercooler for the engine, and enabling a reduction in charge air temperature entering the engine air inlet manifold. The compressor can include a serial two-stage compressor, in which case the backplate serves as a divider between the two impellers. In another variation, a turboexpander is combined on the same shaft with a single-stage compressor having the liquid-cooled backplate. Pressurized air from the compressor drives the turbine wheel of the turboexpander, expanding and reducing the temperature of the air before being fed to the engine.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A compressor for a turbocharger, comprising:

a compressor wheel and a compressor housing, the compressor wheel being affixed to a shaft and being disposed in the compressor housing, the compressor wheel comprising a first impeller having a first back disk, the compressor housing defining a first air inlet for leading air into the first impeller, a first volute surrounding the first impeller and configured for receiving pressurized air from the first impeller, and a first diffuser leading from the first impeller into the first volute;
the compressor housing including a backplate, the backplate having a first face opposing the first back disk, the backplate defining a coolant inlet, a coolant passage for circulating a liquid coolant through the backplate, and a coolant outlet;
a turboexpander comprising an air-driven turbine wheel mounted in a turbine housing, and a connecting conduit leading pressurized air from the first volute into the air-driven turbine wheel, the turboexpander expanding and cooling the pressurized air;
and
a liquid-cooled heat exchanger disposed in heat-transfer communication with the turboexpander.

2 more elements

A turbocharger, comprising:

a compressor comprising a compressor wheel and a compressor housing, the compressor wheel being affixed to a shaft and being disposed in the compressor housing, the compressor wheel comprising a first impeller having a first back disk, the compressor housing defining a first air inlet for leading air into the first impeller, a first volute surrounding the first impeller and configured for receiving pressurized air from the first impeller, and a first diffuser leading from the first impeller into the first volute;
the compressor housing including a backplate, the backplate having a first face opposing the first back disk, the backplate defining a coolant inlet, a coolant passage for circulating a liquid coolant through the backplate, and a coolant outlet;
and
an exhaust gas-driven turbine comprising a turbine wheel enclosed in a turbine housing, the turbine wheel being mounted on the shaft of the compressor wheel, the turbine housing defining a turbine volute for receiving exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine and feeding the exhaust gases into the turbine wheel;
and
a turboexpander comprising an air-driven turbine wheel mounted in a turboexpander housing, and a connecting conduit leading pressurized air from the first volute into the air-driven turbine wheel, the turboexpander expanding and reducing temperature of the pressurized air.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Turbocharger having compressor with liquid-cooled backplate

Life of this patent

Turbocharger having compressor with liquid-cooled backplate

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17