PROCESS FOR CALIBRATING A VARIABLE-NOZZLE ASSEMBLY OF A TURBOCHANGER AND A VARIABLE-NOZZLE ASSEMBLY FACILITATING SUCH PROCESS

摘要

A process for calibrating a variable-nozzle assembly (200) prior to its installation in a turbocharger. The variable-nozzle assembly facilitating such process is installed in a calibration fixture (20) having internal flowpath contours configured to replicate corresponding internal flowpath contours of a turbocharger into which the variable-nozzle assembly (200) is to be installed. The calibration fixture (20) defines a generally annular chamber (110) in fluid communication with a flow path defined in the variable-nozzle assembly (200), and a fluid supply passage (112) extending into the annular chamber. A fluid is supplied through the fluid supply passage (112), and the fluid then flows through the flow path of the variable-nozzle assembly (200). While the fluid is flowing through the variable-nozzle assembly (200), the vanes (220) are pivoted to set a predetermined flow rate. A stop member (290) is then fixed to the variable-nozzle assembly (200) so that the vanes (220) cannot be pivoted past the position corresponding to the predetermined flow rate.