Spherical thrust bearing system for turbochargers

摘要

A turbocharger rotating assembly comprising:
a compressor wheel (111),
a turbine wheel (110),
a shaft (101) connecting the turbine wheel to the compressor wheel,
at least one journal bearing (52) for radially locating the shaft, and
at least one thrust bearing (85) for axially locating the shaft,
wherein said thrust bearing defines a pivot point along said shaft allowing the shaft ends to describe reciprocal orbits.
The turbocharger thrust bearing assembly maintains a constant relationship between the thrust faces, for example by use of gimbal or spherical segment geometry. Spherical geometry, while more difficult to manufacture than that of a flat thrust bearing, provides a more constant relationship between the thrust pads and thrust washers than is possible with a typical flat thrust bearing. As a consequence of this more constant relationship the thrust bearing operates with less oil flow, which ultimately may reduce vehicle emissions.