TURBOCHARGER WITH REVERSED COMPRESSOR VOLUTE OPTIONALLY INTEGRATED INTO THE CENTER HOUSING

摘要

A turbocharger includes a single-stage compressor formed by a single centrifugal compressor wheel in a compressor housing, a turbine formed by a turbine wheel in a turbine housing, and a center housing disposed between the compressor and turbine housings. The compressor includes a volute that receives pressurized air, via a diffuser, from the compressor wheel for onward delivery to an air intake of an engine. In one embodiment the compressor volute is reversed relative to a conventional location, such that the volute is displaced to the turbine side of the diffuser rather than to the compressor side. In another embodiment the compressor volute (whether reversed or not) is integrated into the center housing and accordingly the compressor housing is a simple cap having a tubular portion that defines an inlet to the compressor and a flange portion that connects to the center housing.