US 11,674,409 B2
Turbocharger with vaned turbine nozzle, and method of assembling same
Stanislav Hahn, Brno (CZ); Jan Kohoutek, Brno (CZ); Jakub Kriz, Brno (CZ); and Antonin Forbelsky, Blansko (CZ)
Assigned to Garrett Transportation I Inc., Torrance, CA (US)
Filed by Garrett Transportation I Inc., Torrance, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 31, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/301,295.
Prior Publication US 2022/0316355 A1, Oct. 6, 2022
Int. Cl. F01D 17/16 (2006.01); F01D 25/14 (2006.01)
CPC F01D 17/165 (2013.01) [F01D 25/145 (2013.01); F05D 2220/40 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of assembling a turbocharger having a vaned turbine nozzle, comprising the steps of:
providing a rotor assembly comprising a center housing defining a central bore extending therethrough and having bearings housed within the bore, a shaft rotatably supported by the bearings and having a first end extending out from one end of the bore and an opposite second end extending out from an opposite end of the bore, a compressor wheel connected to the first end of the shaft, and a turbine wheel connected to the second end of the shaft, wherein the center housing defines a nose portion at said opposite end of the bore, the nose portion defining a radially outer peripheral surface and a first catch projecting radially outwardly from said radially outer peripheral surface;
providing a vane assembly comprising a generally annular nozzle ring having a first face and an opposite second face, and an array of circumferentially spaced vanes adjacent said first face of the nozzle ring, wherein the nozzle ring defines a radially inner peripheral surface and a second catch projecting radially inwardly from said radially inner peripheral surface adjacent said second face of the nozzle ring;
providing an annular heat shield having an inner periphery and an outer periphery;
forming a first snap fit between the inner periphery of the heat shield and the first catch on the nose of the center housing so as to form a captive connection of the heat shield to the center housing;
forming a second snap fit between the outer periphery of the heat shield and the second catch on the nozzle ring so as to form a captive connection of the vane assembly to the center housing, thereby forming a rotor-and-vane assembly comprising the rotor assembly coupled with the vane assembly; and
moving the rotor-and-vane assembly as a unit toward a turbine housing defining a receptacle, so as to move the turbine wheel into the receptacle in the turbine housing, and fastening the rotor-and-vane assembly to the turbine housing.