Turbocharger thrust bearing
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorSteven P. Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A double sided 360° thrust bearing having oppositely oriented interlocking elements each with an open segment and an elevated segment is assembled over a thrust collar on the shaft interconnecting the turbine wheel and compressor wheel of a turbocharger. Bearing pads on the front surface and rear surface of the mated interlocking elements and on the oppositely oriented elevated segments engage reaction surfaces in a channel on the thrust collar. Lubrication channels in the mating faces of the interlocking elements provide oil to the bearing pads on the front and rear surfaces of the bearing while interconnecting lubrication conduits provide oil to the bearing pads on the elevated segments.
Claims12
A 360 degree double sided thrust bearing comprising two oppositely oriented interlocking elements each having an open segment extending from a central aperture, a first side with a plurality of bearing pads and a second side with an elevated segment having at least one bearing pad, the elevated segment opposite the open segment to be received within the open segment of the other interlocking element, the central apertures of the mated elements defining a shaft bore.
A thrust bearing assembly for a turbocharger having a turbine wheel and compressor wheel interconnected by a shaft supported by a bearing in a center housing, the thrust bearing comprising:
- a first interlocking element having a first open segment extending from a first central aperture, a front surface with a plurality of bearing pads and a first mating surface with a first elevated segment having at least one bearing pad, the first elevated segment opposite the first open segment;
- a second interlocking element having a second open segment extending from a second central aperture, a rear surface with a plurality of bearing pads and a second mating surface, the second elevated segment having at least one bearing pad, the second elevated segment opposite the second open segment, the second interlocking element oppositely oriented to the first interlocking element with the first open segment receiving the second elevated segment and the first elevated segment being received within the second open segment, the first and second central apertures of the mated interlocking elements forming a central bore;
- a thrust collar received over the shaft and within the central bore, the collar having a channel engaging the bearing pads on the front and rear surfaces and first and second elevated segments of the mated first and second interlocking elements;
- and,
- means for attaching the mated interlocking elements to the center housing.
A method for assembly of a thrust bearing for a turbocharger having a turbine wheel and compressor wheel interconnected by a shaft supported by a bearing in a center housing, comprising the steps of:
- supplying a thrust collar having a channel;
- assembling over the collar a first interlocking element having a first open segment extending from a first central aperture, a front surface with a plurality of bearing pads operably engaging a first side of the collar channel and a first mating surface with a first elevated segment having at least one bearing pad, the first elevated segment opposite the first open segment;
- assembling over the collar opposite the first interlocking element, a second interlocking element having a second open segment extending from a second central aperture, a rear surface with a plurality of bearing pads operably engaging a second side of the collar channel and a second mating surface, the first elevated segment having at least one bearing pad, the second elevated segment opposite the second open segment, with the first open segment receiving the second elevated segment and the first elevated segment being received within the second open segment, the first and second mating surfaces being in contact and the first and second central apertures of the mated interlocking elements forming a central bore concentric with the collar, the first and second sides of the collar channel also operably engaging the bearing pads on first and second elevated segments of the mated first and second interlocking elements;
- and,
- attaching the mated interlocking elements to the center housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.