Turbocharger compressor cover with convertible outlet connection

Abstract

A turbocharger housing includes a discharge outlet having a tubular configuration that extends tangentially from a peripheral portion of the housing and an externally threaded section adjacent the end of the discharge outlet to allow the discharge outlet to be connected either to a hose by a hose clamp or to a flanged pipe via an internally threaded flange engaging the externally threaded section of the discharge outlet and a V-band clamp securing the flanges together.

Claims

1. A turbocharger comprising: a turbine; a compressor connected to the turbine; the compressor having a turbocharger compressor housing having a discharge outlet; the discharge outlet comprising a tubular portion extending tangentially from a peripheral portion of the turbocharger compressor housing and having an externally threaded section threadingly engaged to a flanged internally threaded fitting adjacent an end of the discharge outlet or engaged with a hose such that the external threads of the discharge outlet bite into the inside surface of the hose.

2. The turbocharger of claim 1, wherein the internally threaded flanged fitting is threadingly engaged with the externally threaded section of the discharge outlet.

3. A vehicle on which is mounted a turbocharger and an internal combustion engine, the turbocharger including: a turbine for receiving exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine and transforming kinetic energy of the exhaust gases into mechanical work; a mechanical linkage for using the mechanical work to drive a compressor wheel disposed in a compressor housing; the compressor housing comprising: a discharge outlet for conveying compressed air to an air intake of the internal combustion engine; the discharge outlet defined by a tubular portion which extends tangentially from a peripheral portion of the turbocharger compressor housing; wherein the discharge outlet has an externally threaded section threadingly engaged to a flanged internally threaded fitting adjacent an end of the discharge outlet or engaged with a hose such that the external threads of the discharge outlet bite into the inside surface of the hose.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the internally threaded flanged fitting threadingly engages the externally threaded section of the discharge outlet.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, further comprising a flanged conduit held to the discharge outlet by a V-band clamp.

6. The vehicle of claim 3, further comprising the hose held to the discharge outlet by a hose clamp disposed over an end section of the hose that is disposed over the externally threaded section of the discharge outlet such that the external threads of the discharge outlet bite into the inside surface of the hose.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a turbocharger in accordance with this disclosure.

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a turbocharged internal combustion engine in accordance with this disclosure.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a turbocharger with portions broken away to show internal components.

(4) FIG. 4 is a top view of a compressor housing component for a turbocharger in accordance with this disclosure.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a pipe clamped to a fitting threaded onto the discharge outlet of the turbocharger compressor using a V-band clamp.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a hose clamped to the discharge outlet of the turbocharger compressor using a hose clamp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) Shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle 10 having an internal combustion engine 12 mechanically linked to a transmission 13 that drives wheels 4. A turbocharger 15 is provided to increase the efficiency of and/or the power from the engine 12.

(8) A turbocharger system 20 is shown in FIG. 2. The system 20 includes turbocharger 15 which includes a compressor 16 that draws ambient air into inlet 21 and discharges compressed air from discharge outlet 22. The compressed air from discharge outlet 22 is conveyed to an air cooler inlet port 24 of an air cooler 26 via pipe 28. Air flows over fins of the cooler 26 as the vehicle moves, cooling the compressed air before it exits cooler 26 from cooler outlet port 30 and is conveyed to an air intake manifold of engine 12 via pipe 32. Combustion products exhausted from engine 12 flow to a turbine 36 via a pipe 38. The exhaust gases turn a turbine wheel 40 that is connected with a shaft 42 that drives a compressor wheel 44.

(9) Details of turbocharger 15 are shown in FIG. 3. Each of compressor 16 and turbine 36 have a housing 50 and 51, respectively, that define the inlets and outlets for air and combustion products, respectively.

(10) FIG. 4 is a top view of a cover component 52 of housing 50. The housing cover 52 defines a compressed air discharge outlet 22 that is a tubular-shaped structure that projects outwardly, generally tangentially from a peripheral portion of housing cover component 52. Adjacent the distal end 55 of discharge outlet 22 is a threaded section 60 adapted to receive a flanged, internally threaded fitting 70 having internal threads 72 adapted to engage external threads 60 on discharge outlet 22, and a flange portion 74.

(11) As shown in FIG. 5, a V-band clamp 80 can be used to secure pipe 28 to outlet 22 of compressor housing component 52 if desired. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, a hose 28′ can be secured to outlet 22 using a hose clamp 90.

(12) While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrated embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited hereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings herein will recognize additional modifications and embodiments within the scope thereof. Therefore, the present invention is limited only by the claims attached herein.