A system and method is provided in which a turbocharger includes a heat shield wall that is formed together with the bearing housing as a unitary structure. The wall can extend from a main body portion of the bearing housing in a generally radially outward direction. The wall can be spaced from the main body and attached by a plurality of ribs such that chambers are defined therebetween. A circumferential passage can extend through the bearing housing to permit fluid communication between the chambers and outside of the bearing housing. In this way, a fluid outlet from the chambers is provided. As a result of such an arrangement, the need for a separate heat shield is eliminated, which can facilitate the assembly process and special attachment methods associated with a separate heat shield.

A system and method is provided in which a turbocharger includes a heat shield wall that is formed together with the bearing housing as a unitary structure. The wall can extend from a main body portion of the bearing housing in a generally radially outward direction. The wall can be spaced from the main body and attached by a plurality of ribs such that chambers are defined therebetween. A circumferential passage can extend through the bearing housing to permit fluid communication between the chambers and outside of the bearing housing. In this way, a fluid outlet from the chambers is provided. As a result of such an arrangement, the need for a separate heat shield is eliminated, which can facilitate the assembly process and special attachment methods associated with a separate heat shield.

Turbochargers typically have separate hydrodynamic journal and thrust bearings. A turbocharger thrust bearing for a turbocharger is provided that merges the function of a journal bearing into a thrust bearing while maintaining the thrust bearing function to produce a turbocharger with a reduced axial space envelope. Such a thrust bearing includes a bore contoured to have a plurality of taper-land pairs distributed circumferentially about the bore. As a result, the axial length of the turbocharger bearing housing and shaft can be reduced.

Turbochargers typically have separate hydrodynamic journal and thrust bearings. A turbocharger thrust bearing for a turbocharger is provided that merges the function of a journal bearing into a thrust bearing while maintaining the thrust bearing function to produce a turbocharger with a reduced axial space envelope. Such a thrust bearing includes a bore contoured to have a plurality of taper-land pairs distributed circumferentially about the bore. As a result, the axial length of the turbocharger bearing housing and shaft can be reduced.

A turbocharger rotor shaft assembly and associated turbocharger that includes at least one turbine rotor member having a first face and an opposed second face; and a rotor shaft having a first end and an opposed second end distal from the first end, wherein the rotor shaft is connected to the at least one turbine rotor at a location proximate to the first end and projects outward therefrom, the rotor shaft having an outwardly oriented face and an interior chamber defined therein, the interior chamber having an interior chamber volume. The turbocharger rotor shaft also includes at least one thermal transfer material contained in the interior chamber of the rotor shaft that has a thermal conductivity value that is greater than the thermal conductivity value of the material of construction of the rotor shaft.

A turbocharger rotor shaft assembly and associated turbocharger that includes at least one turbine rotor member having a first face and an opposed second face; and a rotor shaft having a first end and an opposed second end distal from the first end, wherein the rotor shaft is connected to the at least one turbine rotor at a location proximate to the first end and projects outward therefrom, the rotor shaft having an outwardly oriented face and an interior chamber defined therein, the interior chamber having an interior chamber volume. The turbocharger rotor shaft also includes at least one thermal transfer material contained in the interior chamber of the rotor shaft that has a thermal conductivity value that is greater than the thermal conductivity value of the material of construction of the rotor shaft.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bearing structure of a turbocharger that can prevent generation of unusual noise and a decrease in operation efficiency and that can reduce manufacturing costs. The bearing structure of a turbocharger to accomplish such an object, includes a rotor shaft, a ball bearing, a retainer, and a housing. The rotor shaft is provided with a turbine impeller mounted on a first end and a compressor impeller mounted on a second end.

The ball bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring that are supported in relatively rotatable manner. The retainer holds the outer ring. Between the inner ring and an outer peripheral surface of the rotor shaft, oil in a film state is interposed to form an oil film damper.

A bearing housing for a turbocharger is disclosed. The bearing housing includes a first end proximate to a turbine wheel of the turbocharger and a second end proximate to a compressor wheel of the turbocharger. The bearing housing further includes a central chamber disposed between the first end and the second end and configured to house, at least, the shaft. The bearing housing further includes an oil drain disposed radially outward of the shaft and configured for directing oil out of the bearing housing and an oil core disposed radially outward of the shaft and radially inward of the oil drain, the oil core configured for communicating oil towards the oil drain and having an inner wall. The bearing housing includes one or more strakes protruding radially inward from the inner wall, the one or more strakes configured to direct oil within the oil core towards the oil drain.

There is provided a turbocharger bearing housing having no necessity to use a core and capable of achieving cost reduction. A bearing housing of a turbocharger contains a shaft connecting a turbine and a compressor and turnably supports the shaft. The bearing housing of the turbocharger is divided into a turbine-side housing disposed at a turbine side and a compressor-side housing disposed at a compressor side. The turbine-side housing and the compressor-side housing is subjected to machining to thereby form a cooling water passage for supplying cooling water and a lubricating oil passage for supplying lubricating oil.

There is provided a turbocharger bearing housing having no necessity to use a core and capable of achieving cost reduction. A bearing housing of a turbocharger contains a shaft connecting a turbine and a compressor and turnably supports the shaft. The bearing housing of the turbocharger is divided into a turbine-side housing disposed at a turbine side and a compressor-side housing disposed at a compressor side. The turbine-side housing and the compressor-side housing is subjected to machining to thereby form a cooling water passage for supplying cooling water and a lubricating oil passage for supplying lubricating oil.