초록 ▼

A turbocharger having a sliding piston assembly comprising a tubular piston disposed in the bore of the turbine housing such that the piston is axially slidable relative to the turbine housing. The piston assembly further comprises a tubular carrier inserted axially into the bore of the turbine hous

A turbocharger having a sliding piston assembly comprising a tubular piston disposed in the bore of the turbine housing such that the piston is axially slidable relative to the turbine housing. The piston assembly further comprises a tubular carrier inserted axially into the bore of the turbine housing surrounding the piston and fixed against axial movement relative to the turbine housing, a radially outer surface of the carrier engaging an inner surface of the bore and a radially inner surface of the carrier being slidably engaged by a radially outer surface of the piston. The carrier defines an axial split extending a length of the carrier, and the carrier is resiliently flexible. Accordingly, the axial split allows the carrier to expand and contract in diameter.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A turbocharger comprising: a center housing containing a bearing assembly and a rotary shaft mounted in the bearing assembly; a compressor wheel affixed to one end of the shaft; a turbine wheel affixed to an opposite end of the shaft and disposed in an axial bore of a turbine

What is claimed is: 1. A turbocharger comprising: a center housing containing a bearing assembly and a rotary shaft mounted in the bearing assembly; a compressor wheel affixed to one end of the shaft; a turbine wheel affixed to an opposite end of the shaft and disposed in an axial bore of a turbine housing coupled to an opposite side of the center housing, the turbine housing defining a chamber surrounding the turbine wheel for receiving exhaust gas to be directed into the turbine wheel, and defining a nozzle leading from the chamber to the turbine wheel; and a sliding piston assembly comprising: a tubular piston disposed in the bore of the turbine housing such that the piston is axially slidable relative to the turbine housing between a closed position and an open position, the piston in the closed position substantially blocking exhaust gas from passing through the nozzle to the turbine wheel, the piston progressively unblocking the nozzle as the piston travels toward the open position; and a tubular carrier inserted axially into the bore of the turbine housing surrounding the piston and fixed against axial movement relative to the turbine housing, a radially outer surface of the carrier engaging an inner surface of the bore and a radially inner surface of the carrier being slidably engaged by a radially outer surface of the piston, the carrier defining an axial split extending a length of the carrier, and the carrier being resiliently flexible, such that the axial split allows the carrier to expand and contract in diameter. 2. The turbocharger of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the bore of the turbine housing defines a step surface and the carrier defines a radially outwardly projecting protuberance that engages the step surface for fixing the carrier against axial movement and for providing sealing between the carrier and turbine housing. 3. The turbocharger of claim 2, further comprising a snap ring engaging a groove in the turbine housing, the snap ring engaging the carrier and pressing the carrier against the step surface. 4. The turbocharger of claim 1, wherein the length of the carrier is approximately equal to that of the piston. 5. The turbocharger of claim 1, wherein the carrier defines a plurality of apertures extending through a side wall of the carrier and circumferentially spaced about the carrier, the apertures being axially elongated. 6. The turbocharger of claim 5, further comprising a piston actuating linkage disposed adjacent the outer surface of the carrier and having piston-engaging members that extend through the apertures in the carrier and connect to the piston. 7. The turbocharger of claim 6, wherein the piston actuating linkage comprises a fork-shaped swing arm, the piston-engaging members comprising two arms of the swing arm, the arms having distal ends that extend through the apertures in the carrier and connect to the piston at diametrically opposite locations thereof, the swing arm being pivotable about a transverse axis so as to cause the arms to axially move the piston within the carrier. 8. The turbocharger of claim 7, wherein an axially intermediate portion of the bore of the turbine housing has an enlarged diameter for accommodating the swing arm. 9. The turbocharger of claim 1, wherein the bore of the turbine housing and the carrier are structured and arranged such that the carrier is insertable axially into the bore from one end of the bore. 10. A sliding piston assembly for a turbine of a turbocharger, the turbine comprising a turbine housing defining an axial bore in which a turbine wheel is disposed and defining a chamber surrounding the turbine wheel for receiving exhaust gas to be directed into the turbine wheel, and defining a nozzle leading from the chamber to the turbine wheel, the sliding piston assembly comprising: a tubular piston structured and arranged to be disposed in the bore of the turbine housing such that the piston is axially slidable relative to the turbine housing between a closed position and an open position, the piston in the closed position substantially blocking exhaust gas from passing through the nozzle to the turbine wheel, the piston progressively unblocking the nozzle as the piston travels toward the open position; and a tubular carrier structured and arranged to be inserted axially into the bore of the turbine housing surrounding the piston and fixed against axial movement relative to the turbine housing, the carrier comprising a radially outer surface for engaging an inner surface of the bore and a radially inner surface of the carrier slidably engaged by a radially outer surface of the piston, the carrier defining an axial split extending a length of the carrier, and the carrier being resiliently flexible, such that the axial split allows the carrier to expand and contract in diameter. 11. The sliding piston assembly of claim 10, wherein the carrier defines a radially outwardly projecting protuberance for engaging a step surface of the turbine housing for fixing the carrier against axial movement and for providing sealing between the carrier and turbine housing. 12. The sliding piston assembly of claim 10, wherein the length of the carrier is approximately equal to that of the piston. 13. The sliding piston assembly of claim 10, wherein the carrier defines a plurality of apertures extending through a side wall of the carrier and circumferentially spaced about the carrier, the apertures being axially elongated. 14. The sliding piston assembly of claim 13, further comprising a piston actuating linkage disposed adjacent the outer surface of the carrier and having piston-engaging members that extend through the apertures in the carrier and connect to the piston. 15. The sliding piston assembly of claim 14, wherein the piston actuating linkage comprises a fork-shaped swing arm, the piston-engaging members comprising two arms of the swing arm, the arms having distal ends that extend through the apertures in the carrier and connect to the piston at diametrically opposite locations thereof, the swing arm being pivotable about a transverse axis so as to cause the arms to axially move the piston within the carrier.