Turbocharger having reduced noise emissions
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsPeter D. Church, Phillip B. Gordon, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Turbocharger compressor wheels rotate at high speeds resulting in noise which is emitted therefrom. To widen the performance band of turbochargers certain efficiency improvements have increased the noise emitted therefrom above the normal level of acceptability by the operator and spectators. The present device for reducing noise emitted therefrom includes a noise reduction system. The system includes a series of deflector fins forming a torturous path between the series of deflector fins associated with the turbocharger compressor inlet and form a torturous path in a secondary inlet. The series of deflector fins have a preestablished spacing therebetween to further enhance the reduction of noise emitted from the turbocharger.
Claims22
A turbocharger comprising:
- an intake housing having an outer wall defining an intake opening therein and an inner wall positioned within the outer wall;
- a primary inlet formed within the inner wall;
- an annular chamber formed between the outer wall and the inner wall;
- a means for connecting interposed the annular chamber and the primary inlet forming a secondary inlet;
- and
- a means for reducing noise emitted from the turbocharger, said means for reducing being positioned in generally axial alignment with the annular chamber.
A turbocharger housing for reducing levels of noise produced by a turbocharger, the turbocharger including a compressor wheel having a number of main blades, the compressor wheel being rotationally disposed within said turbocharger housing and defining a central axis therefor, the turbocharger housing comprising:
- an inner wall including a first inner surface and an outer surface, said first inner surface being in close proximity to and similar in contour to the compressor wheel;
- an outer wall disposed about said inner wall, said outer wall including a second inner surface spaced radially outward from said outer surface to define an annular chamber therebetween;
- a fluid passageway extending across said inner wall between said outer surface and said first inner surface, said fluid passageway fluidly coupling said annular chamber with said compressor wheel;
- a deflector assembly removably disposed in said annular chamber between second inner surface and said outer surface, said deflector assembly defining a circuitous flowpath across said annular chamber;
- and
- means for retaining said deflector assembly in said annular chamber.
A method for reducing levels of noise produced by a turbocharger, the turbocharger including a compressor wheel rotationally disposed within a turbocharger housing and defining a central axis therefor, the turbocharger housing including an inner wall in close proximity to the compressor wheel and an outer wall spaced radially outward from the inner wall to define an annular chamber therebetween, the annular chamber being in fluid communication with the compressor wheel, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing a removable deflector assembly in the annular chamber between the inner wall and the outer wall, said deflector assembly defining a circuitous flowpath across the annular chamber;
- and
- retaining the removable deflector assembly in place in the annular chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.