# US 9,038,382 B2 · Turbocharger arrangement for an internal combustion engine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,382 B2 - Document ID: US9038382B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/867,969 - Filed: 2013-04-22 - Published: 2013-10-24 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-23 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Ludwig Stump; Bernd Schumacher; Marco Marceno; Jan Linsel; Kay Hohenboeken; Oliver Berkemeier; Jens Wojahn; Klemens Grieser - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038382B2 ## CPC - F01D 25/18: Lubricating arrangements (of machines or engines in general F01M) - F02C 6/12: Turbochargers, i.e. plants for augmenting mechanical power output of internal-combustion piston engines by increase of charge pressure - F05D 2220/40: in turbochargers - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract A turbocharger arrangement in an internal combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger arrangement includes a turbocharger housing surrounding a sealed inner space and a shaft extending through the turbocharger housing. The turbocharger arrangement further includes a turbine wheel arranged on the shaft and driving a compressor unit, a bearing arrangement mounting the shaft in the turbocharger housing, an oil supply device lubricating the bearing arrangement, and a pressure changing unit in fluidic communication with the sealed inner space configured to adjust the pressure in the sealed inner space based on engine operating conditions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for operation of a turbocharger arrangement comprising: operating the turbocharger arrangement to provide boosted air to an engine; and adjusting pressure in a sealed inner space of the turbocharger arrangement based on turbocharger speed via a pressure changing unit comprising a vacuum line, the pressure changing unit in fluidic communication with the sealed inner space, a boundary of the sealed inner space being defined by a turbocharger housing and a shaft extending through the turbocharger housing supported via a bearing arrangement. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, where adjusting the pressure in the sealed inner space includes decreasing and increasing the pressure in the sealed inner space. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, where the pressure changing unit is in fluidic communication with a vacuum source. ### Claim 4 A turbocharger arrangement in an engine, comprising: a turbocharger housing surrounding a sealed inner space; a shaft extending through the turbocharger housing; a turbine wheel arranged on the shaft and driving a compressor unit; a bearing mounting the shaft in the turbocharger housing; an oil inlet and a plurality of distributor ducts lubricating the bearing; and a pressure changing unit comprising a vacuum line, the pressure changing unit in fluidic communication with the sealed inner space to adjust pressure in the sealed inner space based on engine conditions, wherein the pressure changing unit is configured to decrease the pressure in the sealed inner space based on a turbocharger speed. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The turbocharger arrangement of claim 4, where the pressure changing unit further includes a vacuum source in fluidic communication with the sealed inner space. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The turbocharger arrangement of claim 4, where the pressure changing unit is coupled to an oil outflow line in fluidic communication with an oil sump. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The turbocharger arrangement of claim 4, where the pressure changing unit is coupled to a vacuum line opening into the sealed inner space at a position spaced away from an inlet of an oil outflow line. ### Claim 8 A turbocharger arrangement for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a turbocharger housing surrounding an inner space; a shaft extending through the turbocharger housing; a turbine wheel arranged on the shaft and driving a compressor unit; a bearing arrangement mounting the shaft in the turbocharger housing; an oil inlet and a plurality of distributor ducts lubricating the bearing arrangement; and a seal sealing off the turbocharger housing with respect to the shaft including a pressure changing unit comprising a vacuum line, the pressure changing unit in fluidic communication with the inner space and configured to adjust pressure of the inner space, wherein the turbocharger arrangement has an oil outflow line in fluidic communication with the inner space and has a check valve counteracting pressure compensation between the inner space and an oil sump. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The turbocharger arrangement of claim 8, wherein the vacuum line opens into the inner space and which cooperates with a vacuum source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The turbocharger arrangement of claim 9, wherein the pressure changing unit includes a vacuum control valve controlling the pressure in the inner space, wherein the vacuum control valve is arranged in the vacuum line. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The turbocharger arrangement of claim 9, wherein the vacuum line is in fluidic communication with the oil outflow line. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The turbocharger arrangement of claim 8, wherein the pressure changing unit is in fluidic communication with the oil outflow line. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The turbocharger arrangement of claim 9, wherein the vacuum line is in fluidic communication with the oil outflow line in a region of a crankshaft housing.