U.S. patent application number 12/564672 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for fabricated turbine housing.
Invention is credited to Michael Blackie, Robert Arthur Phillips, JR., Michael Paul Schmidt.
Application Number | 20100074744 12/564672 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42037859 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100074744 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Phillips, JR.; Robert Arthur ;
et al. |
March 25, 2010 |
Fabricated Turbine Housing
Abstract
A turbine housing is provided. The turbine housing includes a
tongue diverter to manage the interaction between exhaust gases
entering the inlet of the housing and gasses flowing within the
housing. The tongue member may also be arranged to produce a
constant ratio throughout the turbine housing between the
cross-sectional area of fluid passages and the distance between the
centroid of that area and the axis of rotation of the turbine. The
housing may comprise a pair of half shells that each form a portion
of the tongue diverter.
Inventors: |
Phillips, JR.; Robert Arthur;
(Whitmore Lake, MI) ; Schmidt; Michael Paul;
(Howell, MI) ; Blackie; Michael; (South Lyon,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCDONALD HOPKINS LLC
600 Superior Avenue, East, Suite 2100
CLEVELAND
OH
44114-2653
US
|
Family ID: |
42037859 |
Appl. No.: |
12/564672 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61192758 |
Sep 22, 2008 |
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61192759 |
Sep 22, 2008 |
|
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61206559 |
Jan 30, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
415/208.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02C 6/12 20130101; F05D
2230/52 20130101; F01D 9/026 20130101; F01D 25/24 20130101; F05D
2230/80 20130101; F05D 2220/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/208.1 |
International
Class: |
F01D 1/02 20060101
F01D001/02 |
Claims
1. A turbine housing comprising: a housing having a top portion and
a bottom portion; a turbine positioned within said housing; an
inlet at an outer end of said housing; and a tongue diverter
positioned adjacent to said inlet, wherein said tongue diverter is
formed by an engagement between said top portion and said bottom
portion.
2. The turbine housing of claim 1 wherein said tongue diverter is
capable of reducing the interaction between gasses entering the
inlet and gasses flowing within said housing.
3. The turbine housing of claim 1 further comprising a flow path
within said housing, wherein the ratio between a cross-sectional
area of said flow path and the distance between the centroid of
said cross-sectional area and the center of said turbine remains
approximately constant along a length of said flow path.
4. The turbine housing of claim 1 further comprising an outer body
at least partially surrounding said housing.
5. The turbine housing of claim 4 further comprising at least one
mesh ring disposed between said housing and said outer body.
6. The turbine housing of claim 4 wherein a mesh ring is positioned
between said outer body and said housing near said inlet.
7. The turbine housing of claim 1 further comprising a wastegate
valve connected to said housing.
8. The turbine housing of claim 7 further comprising a connecting
tube disposed between said housing and said wastegate valve.
9. The turbine housing of claim 8 further comprising a mesh ring
located attached to a portion of said connecting tube.
10. The turbine housing of claim 1 further comprising an adapter
tube positioned about said turbine.
11. The turbine housing of claim 10 further comprising an exhaust
pipe connected to said adapter tube.
12. A turbine housing comprising a first half shell having a
recessed portion; a second half shell connected to said first half
shell to form a housing; an inlet at an outer end of said housing;
and a tongue diverter positioned adjacent to said inlet, wherein
said tongue diverter is formed by an engagement between said
recessed portion said second half shell.
13. The turbine housing of claim 12 wherein said first half shell
overlaps said second half shell.
14. The turbine housing of claim 12 wherein said first half shell
is welded to said second half shell.
15. The turbine housing of claim 12 wherein said second half shell
includes a recessed portion.
16. The turbine housing of claim 15 wherein said tongue diverter is
formed by an engagement between said recessed portion in said first
half shell and said recessed portion in said second half shell.
17. The turbine housing of claim 12 further comprising a flow path
within said housing, wherein the ratio between a cross-sectional
area of said flow path and the distance between the centroid of
said cross-sectional area and the center of said housing remains
approximately constant along a length of said flow path.
18. The turbine housing of claim 12 further comprising a turbine
positioned within said housing.
19. The turbine housing of claim 18 further comprising an adapter
tube positioned about said turbine.
20. The turbine housing of claim 19 further comprising an exhaust
pipe connected to said adapter tube.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/192,758, entitled "Fabricated Turbine Housing
Tongue Diverter," filed on Sep. 22, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/192,759, entitled "Fabricated Turbine Housing
Volute," filed on Sep. 22, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/206,559, entitled "Fabricated Turbine Housing,"
filed on Jan. 30, 2009, which are hereby incorporated by reference
in their entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to turbine housings,
and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for fabricating
turbine housings.
BACKGROUND
[0003] As is known in the art, turbochargers are often used with
combustion engines to increase the power output of the engine.
Turbochargers increase power by increasing the amount of air used
to facilitate combustion in the engine. Increasing the amount to
air provided to the cylinders of the engine allows for a
proportional increase in the amount to fuel that may be burned in
the engine. This increased fuel amount leads to increased power
output.
[0004] Turbochargers utilize the engine's exhaust to spin a
turbine, which in turn spins an air pump to compress air. The
compressed air is pumped into the cylinders during combustion. The
turbine is typically positioned within a housing that includes an
inlet for the engine's exhaust. The housing has a generally volute
shape so that exhaust channeled into the housing creates rotational
flow as to spin the turbine located in the housing.
[0005] Traditional turbine housings suffer from several
deficiencies. For example, as explained in further detail below,
cross-flow of exhaust within the volute housing can cause a
decrease in turbine power. Additionally, the turbocharger system
may experience power losses due to exhaust gas leaks at slip joints
on the housing. Further, altering the size and geometry of the
turbine to maximize output often requires replacing the housing and
other housing components to fit the new turbine. Accordingly, there
is a need in the art for an improved turbine housing.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0006] A turbine housing apparatus is provided. The turbine housing
may be volute shaped and includes a tongue diverter disposed
therein. In an embodiment, the turbine housing is assembled by
joining two half-shells. A portion of a tongue diverter is formed
in each of the half-shells. When the shells are assembled, the
formed portions align to form the tongue diverter. The tongue
diverter is arranged to manage the interaction between exhaust
gases entering the inlet and exhaust gasses flowing within the
housing. The tongue member may also be arranged to produce a
constant ratio throughout the turbine housing between the
cross-sectional area of fluid passages and the distance between the
centroid of that area and the axis of rotation of the turbine. The
turbine housing further includes one or more mesh rings disposed
along the housing to reduce exhaust gas leaks. Additionally, a
formed tube interconnects the inner housing shell and the downpipe
to allow for easy changes to the size and geometry of the
turbine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Objects and advantages together with the operation of the
invention may be better understood by reference to the detailed
description taken in connection with the following illustrations,
wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a turbine housing;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a turbine housing having a
virtual plane extending therethrough;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the turbine housing of
FIG. 2 taken along the virtual plane;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a tongue member;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a turbine housing;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the tongue member of FIG.
5;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a turbine housing;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the tongue member of FIG.
7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a turbine housing having a
virtual plane extending therethrough;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the turbine housing of
FIG. 9 taken along the virtual plane;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a first detailed view of a mesh ring of FIG.
10;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a second detailed view of a mesh ring of FIG.
10;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a turbine housing having a
virtual plane extending therethrough;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the turbine housing of
FIG. 13 taken along the virtual plane;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a detailed view of the adapter tube of FIG.
14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood
that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and
functional changes may be made without departing from the
respective scope of the present invention.
[0024] The efficiency of the power generated by a turbocharged
engine may depend on the efficiency in which a turbine housing
manages and channels the flow of the engine's exhaust through the
turbine housing. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a turbine
housing 8. The turbine housing 8 includes a generally volute-shaped
inner housing 10 and an inlet 12 at the opening of the inner
housing 10. The volute shape and the position of the inlet 12
promote rotational flow within the inner housing 10. Such
rotational flow spins a turbine 14 positioned generally in the
center of the inner housing 10. As will be understood, as exhaust
gases flow along the perimeter of the inner housing 10, such
flowing gases may make more than one revolution around the
perimeter before exiting the inner housing 10. As the gases flow
around the perimeter, the gases may interact with new exhaust gases
entering the inner housing 10 through the inlet 12. Failure to
manage the interaction between the exhaust gases flowing through
the inner housing 10 and the exhaust gases newly introduced into
the inner housing 10 may prevent the power output of the engine
from realizing optimizal efficiency. As will be described in detail
below, a tongue diverter may be positioned proximate to the inlet
12 to manage the interaction between the gases flowing through the
inner housing 10 and the gases entering the inner housing 10
through the inlet 12.
[0025] One method of optimizing power output for a turbocharged
engine is to maintain certain geometric ratios within the inner
housing 10. For example as shown in FIG. 1, the cross-sectional
area A of the flow path at any point along the flow path may be
measured or otherwise determined, and the radial distance R of the
centroid of that area A to the rotational axis 16 of the turbine 14
may be measured or otherwise determined. Designing the inner
housings 10 to yield a constant value for the ratio of the
cross-sectional area to the radius A/R enhances, and potentially
optimizes, the power output of the engine.
[0026] With reference to FIGS. 2-8, a turbine housing 8 includes an
outer body 22 substantially surrounding an inner housing 10. The
inner housing 10 may be formed by a first shell 18 and a second
shell 20. The shells 18, 20 may be generally mirror images of each
other, however, the second shell 20 may include an extrude portion
24 for allowing exhaust to exit the inner housing 10. The shells
18, 20 may be connected together. For example, the shells 18, 20
may be welded, crimped, bonded, or connected by any other method
known in the art. In an embodiment, one of the shells 18 may be
slightly larger than the other shell 20 to provide an overlap
section to aid in welding or otherwise attaching the shells 18,
20.
[0027] A tongue diverter 26 may be positioned within the inner
housing 10 proximate to a tight turn in the inner housing 10 where
the inlet 12 terminates into the flow cavity. The tongue diverter
26 may be arranged to manage or reduce the interaction between the
incoming exhaust flow and the rotational or spiral flow of exhaust
gases already flowing within the inner housing 10. The tongue
diverter 26 may also be arranged and configured such that the A/R
ratio is constant throughout the housing 10.
[0028] The tongue diverter 26 may be integrally formed with the
shells 18, 20. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-8, the first
shell 18 may include a recessed portion 28 near the inlet 12. The
second shell 20 may also include a recessed portion 30 near the
inlet 12. When the shells 18, 20 are assembled to form the housing
10, the recessed portions 28, 30 align to form the tongue diverter
26. The aligned recessed portions 28, 30 act as a barrier between
the flow cavity near the inlet 12 and the inner flow cavity. In an
embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, similarly sized and shaped
recessed portions 28, 30 in the first and second shells 18, 20 abut
one another to form the tongue diverter 26. However, it will be
appreciated that the tongue diverter 26 may be formed by a single
recessed portion in either the first or second shell 18, 20. It
will be further appreciated that each recessed portion 28, 30 may
be sized and shaped independent of the other, so as to form the
tongue diverter 26.
[0029] In an embodiment, the tongue diverter 26 may include a wall
(not shown) positioned proximate to the inlet 12. The wall may be
integrally formed with either of the shells 18, 20 or may be a
unitary piece attached at the inlet 12. The wall may be formed by
two or more subcomponents. The two subcomponents may be connected
to form a barrier between the flow cavity near the inlet 12 and the
inner flow cavity.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 9-12, the turbine housing 8 may
further include one or more mesh rings 32 disposed along the inner
housing 10. The mesh rings 32 may be positioned to effectively seal
the inner housing 10 to prevent exhaust gas leaks. For example,
mesh rings 32 may be positioned at slip joints along the inner
housing 10. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a mesh ring 32 is
disposed near the inlet 12, between outer wall of the inner housing
10 and the inner wall of the outer body 22. The mesh ring 32 is
positioned to reduce exhaust leaks at the inlet joint.
[0031] The turbine housing 8 may also include a wastegate 34. The
wastegate 34 may be a valve, configured to control the speed of the
turbine 14. Specifically, at a predetermined speed or pressure, the
wastegate 34 may open to allow some exhaust entering the inner
housing 10 to bypass the turbine 14. A connecting tube 36 may
connect the wastegate 34 to the inner housing 10. In an embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 12, a mesh ring 32 is located around an outer
wall of the connecting tube 36 near the wastegate 34. The mesh ring
32 is positioned to reduce exhaust leaks at the wastegate
joint.
[0032] The inner housing 10 may be connected to a downpipe 38.
Exhaust gas exiting the inner housing 10 may flow through the
extrude portion 24 in the inner housing 10 and into the downpipe
38. The turbine 14 may be generally positioned within the extrude
portion 24. With reference to FIGS. 13-15, the turbine housing 8
may include an adapter tube 40. The adapter tube 40 may be
positioned to interconnect the extrude portion 24 and the downpipe
38. For example, a first end 42 of the adapter tube 40 may be
welded to the extrude portion 24, and a second end 44 of the
adapter tube 40 may be welded or otherwise connected to the
downpipe 38. It will be appreciated, however, that the adapter tube
40 may be connected to the extrude portion 24 and downpipe 38 by
any manner known in the art.
[0033] The adapter tube 40 may overlap the extrude portion 24 such
that the turbine 14 is positioned within the adapter tube 40. The
adapter tube 40 may thus be sized and shaped to receive to the
turbine 14. By altering the thickness and shape of the adapter tube
40, a single turbine housing 8 may adapt to a variety of turbines
14 of varying size and geometry.
[0034] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention
has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in
the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the
present invention is not to be limited to just the preferred
embodiment disclosed, but that the invention described herein is
capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions
without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter.
* * * * *