U.S. patent application number 15/526413 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-26 for a turbocharger flange.
This patent application is currently assigned to VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Peter TENNEVALL.
Application Number | 20170306797 15/526413 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52014012 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170306797 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TENNEVALL; Peter |
October 26, 2017 |
A TURBOCHARGER FLANGE
Abstract
A turbocharger flange includes a mounting face for attaching a
turbocharger to a manifold, wherein the mounting face includes a
guiding structure for guiding the flange to an operative position
in relation to the manifold.
Inventors: |
TENNEVALL; Peter; (Malmo,
SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION |
S-405 08 Goteborg |
|
SE |
|
|
Assignee: |
VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
S-405 08 Goteborg
SE
|
Family ID: |
52014012 |
Appl. No.: |
15/526413 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
November 14, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2014/025016 |
371 Date: |
May 12, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01D 25/243 20130101;
F02B 37/00 20130101; F01N 13/1805 20130101; F16L 23/032 20130101;
Y02T 10/12 20130101; F01N 2340/06 20130101; F02B 67/10 20130101;
F02B 39/00 20130101; F01N 13/1855 20130101; F01N 13/10 20130101;
Y02T 10/144 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F01D 25/24 20060101
F01D025/24; F01N 13/10 20100101 F01N013/10; F01N 13/18 20100101
F01N013/18; F01N 13/18 20100101 F01N013/18 |
Claims
1. A turbocharger flange comprising a mounting face for attaching a
turbocharger to a manifold, the mounting face comprises a guiding
structure for guiding the flange to an operative position in
relation to the manifold, wherein the guiding structure is
configured to retain the flange in the operative position in a
self-supported manner.
2. The flange according to claim 1, wherein the mounting face
comprises a mounting structure for attaching the flange to the
manifold, wherein the mounting structure extends in a direction
perpendicular to a mounting direction being defined by the guiding
structure.
3. The flange according to claim 2, wherein the mounting face
surrounds a piping of the flange.
4. The flange according to claim 3, wherein a normal of the
mounting face is parallel to the axial direction of the piping.
5. The flange according to claim 2, wherein the mounting structure
comprises a projection extending from the outer periphery of the
mounting face.
6. The flange according to claim 5, wherein the projection extends
in a direction being parallel to a normal of the mounting face.
7. The flange according to claim 5, wherein the projection
comprises at least one bore for receiving a bolt.
8. The flange according to claim 7, wherein the at least one bore
extends in the mounting direction.
9. The flange according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the
bores is provided with internal threads.
10. The flange according to claim 1, wherein the guiding structure
has a tapering shape in the mounting direction.
11. The flange according to claim 1, wherein the guiding structure
comprises a step.
12. The flange according to claim 11, wherein the step forms an
undercut.
13. The flange according to claim 1, wherein the guiding structure
extends along at least half a height of the mounting face in the
mounting direction and preferably along the complete height of the
mounting face in the mounting direction.
14. The flange according to claim 1, wherein the guiding structure
comprises a central portion and two lateral portions arranged on
two opposite sides of the central portion, wherein the central
portion is displaced relative the lateral portions in a direction
perpendicular to the mounting direction.
15. The flange according to claim 14, wherein the central portion
has a width formed by an extension in a direction towards the two
lateral portions, and a height famed by an extension in the
mounting direction, and wherein the width of the central portion
decreases along its height.
16. The flange according to claim 15, wherein the central portion
forms a projection in relation to the lateral portions.
17. The flange according to claim 16, wherein the projecting
central portion has a conical shape in a plane defining the width
and the height.
18. The flange according to claim 14, wherein the central portion
has a depth formed by an extension in the direction of which the
mounting structure extends, and wherein the width of the central
portion increases along its depth.
19. The flange according to claim 16, wherein the central portion
has a depth formed by an extension in the direction of which the
mounting structure extends, and wherein the width of the central
portion increases along its depth, and wherein the projecting
central portion has a conical shape in a plane defining the width
and the depth.
20. The flange according to claim 14, wherein a surface of each of
the two lateral portions is substantially flat.
21. The flange according to claim 20, wherein the surfaces of the
two lateral portions extend in parallel with each other.
22. The flange according to claim 21, wherein the surfaces of the
two lateral portions extend in the same plane.
23. The flange according to claim 14, wherein an engagement surface
of central portion is substantially flat.
24. The flange according to claim 23, wherein the engagement
surface of the central portion extend substantially in parallel
with the engagement surfaces of the two lateral portions.
25. The flange according to claim 1, wherein the flange is
configured for a substantially vertical mounting movement of the
turbocharger relative to the manifold.
26. A manifold flange comprising a support face for attaching a
turbocharger flange to a manifold, the support facer comprises an
engagement structure for allowing a guiding structure of a
turbocharger flange to be guided into an operative position in
relation to it the manifold flange, wherein the engagement
structure is configured to retain the turbocharger flange in the
operative position in a self-supported manner.
27. The manifold flange according to claim 26, wherein the support
face further comprises attachment means for allowing a mounting
structure of the turbocharger flange to be securely attached to the
manifold flange, wherein the attachment means extends in a
direction parallel to a mounting direction being defined by the
engagement structure.
28. The manifold flange according to claim 27, wherein the
attachment means comprises at least one threaded bore.
29. The manifold flange according to claim 26, wherein the
engagement structure comprises a central portion and two lateral
portions arranged on two opposite sides of the central portion,
wherein the central portion is displaced relative the lateral
portions in a direction perpendicular to the mounting
direction.
30. The manifold flange according to claim 29, wherein the central
portion has a width formed by an extension in a direction towards
the two lateral portions, and a height formed by an extension in
the mounting direction, and wherein the width of the central
portion increases along its height.
31. The manifold flange according to claim 30, wherein a projection
of the central portion, in a plane defining the width and the
height, has a conical shape.
32. The manifold flange according to claim 29, wherein the central
portion has a depth, and wherein the width of the central portion
decreases along its depth.
33. The manifold flange according to claim 32, wherein a projection
of the central portion, in a plane defining the width and the
depth, has a conical shape.
34. A connection system for attaching a turbocharger to a manifold,
comprises a turbocharger flange according to claim 1, and a
manifold flange according to claim 26.
35. A turbocharger turbine housing wherein it comprises a
turbocharger flange according to claim 1, wherein the flange forms
a one-piece unit with the turbocharger turbine housing.
36. A turbocharger comprising an exhaust gas inlet wherein it is
provided with a flange according to claim 1.
37. A turbocharger according to claim 36, wherein the flange forms
a one-piece unit with a turbocharger turbine housing.
38. A vehicle comprising a turbocharger according to claim 37.
39. A method for attaching a turbocharger to a vehicle component,
the method comprises: positioning a turbocharger so that a
connection flange thereof is displaced in relation to a
corresponding connection flange of the vehicle component in a
predefined mounting direction, moving the turbocharger in relation
to the vehicle component in the mounting direction while a guiding
structure of the turbocharger flange guides the flange towards an
operative position in relation to the manifold, whereby the guiding
structure retains the turbocharger flange in the operative position
in a self-supported manner.
40. A method according to claim 39, comprising: moving the
turbocharger in relation to the vehicle component in the mounting
direction, which is in a transverse direction in relation to a
normal of the mounting face of the turbocharger flange.
41. A method according to claim 39, comprising: moving the
turbocharger in relation to the vehicle component in the mounting
direction, which is in a direction perpendicular to a normal of the
mounting face of the turbocharger flange.
42. A method according to claim 39, comprising: attaching the
turbocharger flange to the manifold flange after the mounting
movement towards the operative position.
43. A method according to claim 42, comprising attaching the
turbocharger flange to the manifold flange by tightening an
engagement between the turbocharger flange and the manifold flange
so that the turbocharger is forced to its operative position.
44. A method according to claim 39, comprising moving the
turbocharger relative to the manifold substantially in a
substantially vertical direction from above in the mounting
movement.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0001] The invention relates to a turbocharger flange for attaching
a turbocharger to a manifold. The invention also relates to a
corresponding manifold flange, and to a turbocharger having such
turbocharger flange.
[0002] The invention can be applied in heavy-duty vehicles, such as
trucks, buses and construction equipment. Although the invention
will be described with respect to a truck, the invention is not
restricted to this particular vehicle, but may also be used in
other applications utilizing turbocharger units such as aero or
marine systems.
[0003] A turbocharger is a vehicle component used together with an
associated internal combustion engine, typically a diesel engine.
The turbocharger is configured to recover a part of the energy of
the exhaust gas and to use that energy to compress intake air
flowing into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion
engine. Turbochargers are commonly provided for increasing the
efficiency and power of the internal combustion engine.
[0004] A turbocharger has three main components; a turbine for
converting energy of the exhaust gas flow to a rotational movement
of the turbine, a compressor rotationally connected to the turbine
for compressing intake air, and a housing enclosing the turbine and
the compressor as well as a rotating shaft, bearings, etc.
[0005] During operation the turbocharger is mounted to the cylinder
head by connecting an exhaust gas inlet of the turbine side with a
manifold of the internal combustion engine. One such example is
shown in FR2921696, wherein the turbocharger flange is clamped
against the manifold by means of an intermediate spacer arranged on
the opposite side of the turbocharger flange. Bolts are inserted
through the manifold and engage with threaded bores of the
intermediate spacer, whereby the turbocharger flange is pressed
against the manifold upon tightening of the bolts.
[0006] The above solution requires three bolts for ensuring
sufficient attachment. Since the space available during mounting
and dismounting of the turbocharger is highly limited, the
above-described solution is undesirable. It would thus be
advantageous to provide an improved turbocharger flange that allows
for facilitated mounting and dismounting of the turbocharger from
the manifold.
[0007] It is desirable to provide a turbocharger flange overcoming
the above mentioned drawbacks of prior art units.
[0008] By providing the mounting face, i.e. the surface facing the
mating flange, with a guiding structure that guides the flange into
an operative position, mounting of the flange is greatly
facilitated. This is due to the fact that the no additional
components are required in order to guide the flange into the
operative position. Further, the guiding structure will also retain
the flange in the operative position in a self-supported manner
whereby final fixation may be performed easily.
[0009] A turbocharger flange is therefore provided. The
turbocharger flange comprises a mounting face for attaching a
turbocharger to a manifold, wherein the mounting face comprises a
guiding structure for guiding the flange to an operative position
in relation to said manifold.
[0010] In an embodiment, and the mounting face comprises a mounting
structure for attaching said flange to the manifold. The mounting
structure extends in a direction perpendicular to a mounting
direction being defined by said guiding structure.
[0011] In an embodiment the mounting face surrounds a piping of
said flange, and a normal of said mounting face is parallel to the
axial direction of said piping. The axial direction thus
corresponds to the flow direction through the piping. An even
pressure on both sides of the piping is thus achieved upon
mounting.
[0012] In an embodiment the mounting structure comprises a
projection extending from the outer periphery of said mounting face
in a direction being parallel to a normal of said mounting face.
The projection may thus be available for a through hole, forming a
bore for receiving a bolt.
[0013] The at least one bore may extend in said mounting direction,
such that tightening of the turbocharger flange is performed by
forcing the turbocharger flange in a radial direction.
[0014] At least one of said bores may be provided with internal
threads for facilitating dismounting. Hence, if a bolt is screwed
into the bore the turbocharger flange will be urged away from the
manifold in the radial direction.
[0015] The guiding structure may have a tapering shape in the
mounting direction. The taperingshape will assist in aligning the
turbocharger flange during mounting.
[0016] In an embodiment the guiding structure comprises a step, and
preferably the step forms an undercut. The undercut will form an
axial guiding structure for facilitating mounting. In cooperation
with the tapering shape of the guiding structure, axial compression
is also provided.
[0017] In an embodiment the guiding structure extends along at
least half a height of the mounting face in the mounting direction
and preferably along the complete height of the mounting face in
the mounting direction. The guiding surface will thus form a
support surface for a corresponding manifold flange.
[0018] The guiding structure may comprise a central portion and two
lateral portions arranged on two opposite sides of the central
portion, wherein the central portion is displaced relative the
lateral portions in a direction perpendicular to the mounting
direction. A tapered step may preferably be provided by configuring
the central portion to have a width formed by an extension in a
direction towards the two lateral portions, and a height formed by
an extension in the mounting direction, and wherein the width of
the central portion decreases along its height. The central portion
may form a projection in relation to the lateral portions, i.e. a
step in a plane defining the width and the height. The step may
have a conical shape.
[0019] In an embodiment the central portion has a depth formed by
an extension in the direction of which the mounting structure
extends, wherein the width of the central portion increases along
its depth. This allows for the turbocharger to be mourned from
above, wherein the dimensions of the central portion defines the
end position, i.e. the lowermost position of the turbocharger
flange relative the manifold flange.
[0020] A projection of the central portion, in a plane defining the
width and the depth, may have a conical shape forming an
undercut.
[0021] In an embodiment, a surface of each of the two lateral
portions is substantially flat, and the surfaces of the two lateral
portions may extend in parallel with each other. Preferably, the
surfaces of the two lateral portions extend in the same plane.
[0022] In a further embodiment, an engagement surface of the
central portion is substantially flat. Preferably, the engagement
surface of the central portion extend substantially in parallel
with the engagement surfaces of the two lateral portions.
[0023] In an embodiment, the flange is configured for a
substantially vertical mounting movement of the turbocharger
relative to the manifold.
[0024] A manifold flange is also provided, comprising a support
face for attaching a turbocharger flange to a manifold. The support
face comprises an engagement structure for allowing a guiding
structure of a turbocharger flange to be guided into an operative
position in relation to said manifold flange.
[0025] In an embodiment, the manifold flange further comprises
attachment means for allowing a mounting structure of the
turbocharger flange to be securely attached to the manifold flange,
wherein the attachment means extends in a direction parallel to a
mounting direction being defined by said engagement structure.
[0026] The attachment means may comprise at least one threaded bore
whereby the turbocharger flange may be secured to the manifold
flange by screwing a bolt into the threaded bore.
[0027] In an embodiment the engagement structure comprises a
central portion and two lateral portions arranged on two opposite
sides of the central portion, wherein the central portion is
displaced relative the lateral portions in a direction
perpendicular to the mounting direction.
[0028] The central portion may have a width formed by an extension
in a direction towards the two lateral portions, and a height
formed by an extension in the mounting direction, wherein the width
of the central portion increases along its height. Further to this,
a projection of the central portion, in a plane defining the width
and the height, may have a conical shape. In preferred embodiments
the central portion has a depth, and the width of the central
portion decreases along its depth. A projection of the central
portion, in a plane defining the width and the depth, may have a
conical shape.
[0029] A connection system for attaching a turbocharger to a
manifold is also provided. The connection system comprises a
turbocharger flange, and a manifold flange in accordance with the
descriptions above.
[0030] A turbocharger turbine housing is also provided, comprising
a turbocharger flange in accordance with the description above. The
flange forms a one-piece unit with the turbocharger turbine
housing.
[0031] A turbocharger is also provided comprising an exhaust gas
inlet and a turbocharger flange according to the description
above.
[0032] In an embodiment, the flange forms a one-piece unit with a
turbocharger turbine housing.
[0033] A vehicle is also provided, comprising a turbocharger
according to the description above.
[0034] A method for attaching a turbocharger to a vehicle
component, such as a manifold, is also provided. The method
comprises the steps of positioning a turbocharger so that a
connection flange thereof is displaced in relation to a
corresponding connection flange of the vehicle component in a
predefined mounting direction, and moving the turbocharger in
relation to the vehicle component in the mounting direction while a
guiding structure of the turbocharger flange guides the flange
towards an operative position in relation to said manifold.
[0035] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of
moving the turbocharger in relation to the vehicle component in the
mounting direction, which is in a transverse direction in relation
to a normal of the mounting face of the turbocharger flange.
[0036] The method may further comprise the step of moving the
turbocharger in relation to the vehicle component in the mounting
direction, which is in a direction perpendicular to a normal of the
mounting face of the turbocharger flange.
[0037] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of
attaching said turbocharger flange to the manifold flange after the
mounting movement towards the operative position.
[0038] The method may further comprise the step of attaching said
turbocharger flange to the manifold flange by tightening an
engagement between said turbocharger flange and the manifold flange
so that the turbocharger is forced to its operative position.
[0039] In an embodiment the method further comprises the step of
moving the turbocharger relative to the manifold substantially in a
substantially vertical direction from above in the mounting
movement.
[0040] Further advantages and advantageous features of the
invention are disclosed in the following description and in the
dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a
more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as
examples.
[0042] In the drawings:
[0043] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle according to an
embodiment,
[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an internal combustion engine
according to an embodiment,
[0045] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a turbocharger being attached
to a cylinder block via a turbocharger flange according to an
embodiment,
[0046] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a turbocharger flange in
cooperation with a manifold flange according to an embodiment,
[0047] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the turbocharger flange shown
in FIG. 4,
[0048] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the manifold flange shown in
FIG. 4,
[0049] FIGS. 7-8 are exploded isometric views of the turbocharger
flange and the manifold flange shown in FIG. 4,
[0050] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional isometric view of the
turbocharger flange and the manifold flange shown in FIG. 4,
[0051] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the turbocharger flange
and the manifold flange shown in FIG. 4, and
[0052] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a method according to an
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0053] Starting with FIG. 1 a vehicle 1 is shown. The vehicle 1,
which is illustrated as a truck, has an internal combustion engine
10 for driving the vehicle 1. As will be further explained below
the internal combustion engine 10 of the vehicle 1 is provided with
a turbocharger 100 according to various embodiments. The vehicle 1
may have additional propulsion units, such as electric drives etc.
as long as it has at least one engine providing a flow of exhaust
gases interacting with the turbocharger 100. Hence the vehicle 1 is
not exclusively a truck but may also represent various vehicles
such as buses, constructional equipment, etc.
[0054] In FIG. 2 an example of an internal combustion engine 10 is
shown. The internal combustion engine 10 includes a plurality of
cylinders 20 operated to combust fuel, such as diesel or gasoline,
whereby the motion of pistons reciprocating in the cylinders 20 is
transmitted to a rotation movement of a crank shaft 30. The crank
shaft 30 is further coupled to a transmission (not shown) for
providing a torque to driving elements (not shown). In case of a
heavy vehicle, such as a truck, the driving elements are wheels;
however the internal combustion engine 10 may also be used for
other equipment such as construction equipment, marine
applications, etc.
[0055] The internal combustion engine 10 further comprises an
exhaust gas system 40, which system 40 serves the purpose of
recovering at least some of the energy in the exhaust as flow to
improve the performance of the internal combustion engine 10. In
the shown example the exhaust gas exits the cylinders 20 and enters
an exhaust manifold 42 which is further connected to an exhaust
inlet 102 of a turbocharger 100. The exhaust gas flow causes a
turbine 104 arranged inside a turbine housing 106 to rotate, which
rotation is translated via a shaft 108 to a corresponding rotation
of a compressor 110 arranged inside a compressor housing 112 and
being used to compress incoming air before it is introduced in the
cylinders 20. The basic structural as well as functional
specifications of a turbocharger 100 are well known in the art and
will not be described in full details.
[0056] The turbocharger 100 comprises a turbocharger flange 200
which is attached to the manifold 42, forming part of an engine
structure, via an associated manifold flange 300. The turbocharger
flange 200 is formed as one piece, and it may be integrally formed
with the turbine housing 106.
[0057] Now turning to FIG. 3 an embodiment of a turbocharger 100 is
shown. The turbocharger 100 is attached to an internal combustion
engine 10 via the manifold 42. The turbocharger 100 comprises a
turbine 104 arranged inside a turbine housing 106, a compressor 110
arranged inside a compressor housing 112 and a shaft 108 connecting
the compressor 110 with the turbine 104 such that rotation of the
turbine 104 causes a corresponding rotation of the compressor 110.
A bearing housing 114 is provided between the turbine housing 106
and the compressor housing 112. The turbocharger 100 further
comprises an exhaust inlet 102 at the turbine housing 106 as well
as an air inlet 107 at the compressor housing 112. The bearing
housing 114 further forms a support for bearings, in order to allow
the shaft 108 to rotate with a minimum of friction and
vibration.
[0058] As can be seen in FIG. 3 the turbocharger 100 is connected
to the manifold 42 by means of flanges 200, 300. A turbocharger
flange 200 is provided at the exhaust inlet 102 of the turbocharger
100, i.e. being attached to the turbocharger turbine housing 106.
In one embodiment, the turbocharger flange 200 is integrally formed
with the turbocharger turbine housing 106. In an alternative
embodiment, the turbocharger flange 200 is formed as a separate
component, being securely attached to the turbine housing 106 e.g.
by means of bolts or similar.
[0059] A manifold flange 300 is provided at the exhaust manifold
42. In one embodiment, the manifold flange 300 is integrally formed
with the manifold 42. In an alternative embodiment, the manifold
flange 300 is formed as a separate component, being securely
attached to the manifold 42 e.g. by means of bolts or similar.
[0060] The flanges 200, 300 are attached to each other by means of
one or more bolts 246, extending through a bore of the turbocharger
flange 200 and cooperating with internal threads of a corresponding
bore of the manifold flange 300.
[0061] The flanges 200, 300 engage with each other in a vertical
plane. Hence, the turbocharger 100 may during mounting be guided
from vertically above the manifold 42, and pre-attached to the
manifold when it slide into the correct vertical position. Final
attachment is achieved by tightening the bolt 246, whereby a
vertical, i.e. radial fixation is provided as well as an axial,
i.e. horizontal fixation.
[0062] The flanges 200, 300 are shown in FIGS. 4-10. Starting in
FIGS. 4-6, each flange 200, 300 surrounds a piping 202, 302 for
guiding exhaust gases from the manifold 42 to the turbocharger 100.
The piping 202, 302 is shown to have a rectangular cross-section,
however other shapes are also possible. The turbocharger flange 200
has a mounting face 210 facing the manifold flange 300 and having a
guiding structure 220 for guiding the flange 200 to an operative
position in relation to said manifold 42. The guiding structure 220
is integrally formed with the flange 200. Further to this, the
turbocharger flange 100 has a mounting structure 240 for attaching
the flange 200 to the manifold 42, wherein the mounting structure
240 extends in a direction perpendicular to a mounting direction
being defined by said guiding structure 220.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 5, a normal of the mounting face 210 is
parallel to the axial direction of the piping 202. A projection 242
is further extending from the outer periphery of the mounting face
210 in a direction being parallel to a normal of the mounting face
210. The projection 242 comprises one or more bores 244, 245, each
of which being configured to receive a bolt 246. The bores 244, 245
extend in a radial direction, i.e. in the mounting direction. At
least one of the bores 245 is provided with internal threads, thus
forming a jacking hole for allowing removal of the turbocharger 100
from the manifold 42.
[0064] The guiding structure 220 comprises a central portion 222
and two lateral portions 224 arranged on two opposite sides of the
central portion 222. The central portion 222 is displaced relative
the lateral portions 224 in a direction perpendicular to the
mounting direction such that the guiding structure 220 comprises a
step.
[0065] The central portion 222 has a width formed by an extension
in a direction towards the two lateral portions 224, and a height
formed by an extension in the mounting direction. The width of the
central portion 222 decreases along its height such that the
guiding structure 220 has a tapering shape in the mounting
direction. As can be seen in FIG. 5, a projection of the central
portion 222, in a plane defining the width and the height, has a
conical shape. The guiding structure 220 extends along the complete
height of the mounting face in the mounting direction. However, the
guiding structure 220 may have a less extension, such as half the
height of the mounting face.
[0066] Further to this the central portion 222 has a depth formed
by an extension in the direction of which the mounting structure
240 extends, i.e. in an axial direction towards the manifold flange
300, and the width of the central portion 222 increases along its
depth. A projection of the central portion 222, in a plane defining
the width and the depth, has preferably a conical shape. Hence, the
step formed by the central portion projection forms an
undercut.
[0067] The manifold flange 300, shown in more detail in FIG. 6, has
a structure for engagement with the turbocharger flange 200. The
manifold flange 300 has a support face 310 for mating with the
turbocharger flange 200. The support face 310 comprises an
engagement structure 320 for allowing the guiding structure 220 of
the turbocharger flange 200 to be guided into an operative position
in relation to the manifold flange 300. Further, the manifold
flange 300 has attachment means 340 for allowing the mounting
structure 240 of the turbocharger flange 200 to be securely
attached to the manifold flange 300. The attachment means 340
extends in a direction parallel to a mounting direction being
defined by the engagement structure 320, i.e. in a radial
direction.
[0068] The attachment means 340 comprises at least one threaded
bore 342 such that a bolt may be screwed into the bore 342. In
addition to this, the engagement structure 320 has a central
portion 322 and two lateral portions 324 arranged on two opposite
sides of the central portion 322. The central portion 322 is
displaced away from the turbocharger flange 200 relative the
lateral portions 324 in a direction perpendicular to the mounting
direction, i.e. in the axial direction.
[0069] The central portion 322 has a width formed by an extension
in a direction towards the two lateral portions 324, and a height
formed by an extension in the mounting direction. The width of the
central portion 322 increases along its height, such that the
central portion 322 is tapered. The tapered shape may be conical.
Further to this the central portion 322 may form an undercut
profile, i.e. the central portion 322 has a depth, and the width of
the central portion 322 decreases along its depth. The undercut may
have a conical shape.
[0070] The turbocharger flange 200 and the manifold flange 300
forms a connection system, suitable for attaching a turbocharger
100 to a manifold 42.
[0071] Now turning to FIGS. 7-10, mounting of the turbocharger 100
to the manifold will be described. In FIGS. 7-8 the flanges 200,
300 are shown. The manifold flange 200 is assumed to be connected
to a manifold (not shown), while the turbocharger flange 200 is
assumed to be securely attached to a turbine housing of a
turbocharger (not shown). The turbocharger 100 is horizontally
aligned with the manifold 42, such that the turbocharger flange 200
is arranged vertically above the manifold flange 300 as is shown in
FIG. 8. When lowering the turbocharger 100 towards the manifold
flange 300 the central portion 220 of the turbocharger flange 200
will be inserted into the groove formed by the central portion 320
of the manifold flange 300. Since the lower part of the central
portion 220 is smaller than the upper part of the central portion
320, radial alignment will be fairly easy.
[0072] Upon further lowering of the turbocharger flange 200, the
undercut profile of the central portions 220, 320 will prevent
axial displacement of the turbocharger flange 200. Hence, a
pre-mounting is achieved. Further to this the intrinsic weight of
the turbocharger 100 will urge the flange 200 downwards, into
further engagement with the manifold flange 300. The person
actually mounting the turbocharger 100 will consequently allow the
turbocharger 100 to rest by its own in order to prepare and perform
secure attachment.
[0073] For this, a bolt 246 is inserted into the bore 244 of the
turbocharger flange 200. As the bolt 246 is screwed, the threads of
the bolt 246 will engage with the internal threads of the bore 342
of the manifold flange 300, thus urging the turbocharger flange 200
further downwards. The tapered profiles of the central portions
220, 320, both in radial and axial direction, will then provide
secure attachment both in axial and radial directions.
[0074] In FIG. 9 the connection system is shown, where the bolt 246
has been used to urge the turbocharger flange 200 into full
engagement with the manifold flange 300. The projection 240 will
not form a stop for the radial positioning of the flange 200, but
such radial end position is instead provided by the fact that the
central portion 222 of the guiding structure 220 comes into contact
with the central portion 322 of the engagement structure 320,
preventing the turbocharger flange 200 to move further down.
[0075] The interaction between the central portions 220, 320 is
shown in FIG. 9. A gap is preferably provided between the lateral
portions 224, 324 such that full contact is ensured between the
central portions 220, 320 in radial and axial direction.
[0076] When the turbocharger 100 is to be dismounted from the
engine, bolts are inserted and screwed into the jacking holes 245
of the turbocharger flange 200. As they protrude downwards, they
will urge the turbocharger flange 200 upwards as long as the bolt
246 is unscrewed. When the turbocharger flange 200 reaches a
specific height, manual lifting will remove the turbocharger 200
from the manifold 42.
[0077] Now turning to FIG. 11 a method 400 for attaching a
turbocharger to a vehicle component, such as a manifold, will be
described. The method 400 comprises a first step 402 of providing
an exhaust gas inlet of said turbocharger with a flange, and a
second step 404 of guiding said flange into an engagement position
relative said vehicle component by moving the turbocharger in a
first direction, i.e. a vertical direction. The first direction is
perpendicular to a normal of a mounting face of the flange. A step
406 is thereafter performed in which the flange is secured to the
vehicle component by tightening the position of the turbocharger in
said first direction, i.e. in the vertical direction.
[0078] In the description so far two mating flanges 200, 300 have
been described. Although the flange 200 has been described as being
attached to a turbocharger, while the flange 300 has been described
as being attached to a manifold, the respective position of the
flanges 200, 300 could be modified such that the flange 300 is in
fact attached to the turbocharger, thus forming turbocharger
flange, while the flange 200 is attached to the manifold, thus
forming a manifold flange.
[0079] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the
drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many
changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *