RETENTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VANE RING ASSEMBLY

摘要

A variable geometry turbocharger includes a vane pack having rotatable vanes constrained by a pair of vane rings held together by a plurality of pins. A first end of each pin can be configured with a head. Each pin is received in a pair of aligned apertures in the vane rings such that the head of each pin engages one of the vane rings. A second end of each pin is deformed (e.g., by orbital riveting) such that it engages the other vane ring. Thus, a clamp load is applied to the vane rings, which can control the parallelism and distance between the vane rings so that the vanes can rotate with a minimum clearance without jamming. Also, the pins can maintain vane axle apertures in the vane rings in the correct angular position relative to each other. Such a vane pack configuration can reduce process time and cost.

主权项

1. A vane pack (50) for a variable geometry turbocharger comprising:
a first vane ring (52 or 54) having an inner surface (58 or 62) and an outer surface (56 or 60), a plurality of apertures (62 or 64) being provided in the first vane ring (52 or 54); a second vane ring (52 or 54) having an inner surface (58 or 62) and an outer surface (56 or 60), a plurality of apertures (62 or 64) being provided in the second vane ring (52 or 54), each of the plurality of apertures (62 or 64) in the first vane ring (52 or 54) being substantially aligned with a respective one of the plurality of apertures (62 or 64) in the second vane ring (52 or 54); a plurality of spacers (78) between the first and second vane rings (52, 54) to maintain a distance therebetween; and a plurality of pins (70), each pin (70) having a first end (72) and a second end (74), the first end (72) of each pin (70) having a head (76), each pin (70) being received in a respective pair of aligned apertures (64, 66) in the first and second vane rings (52, 54) such that the head (76) of each pin (70) engages the first vane ring (52 or 54), the second end (74) of each pin (70) being deformed such that it engages the second vane ring (52 or 54), whereby a clamp load is applied to the first and second vane rings (52, 54) and the plurality of spacers (78).