US 12,435,646 B1
Spiral grooved thrust generator on turbine wheel back plate
Ashraf Mohamed, Torrance, CA (US); Kevin Zhang, Torrance, CA (US); Matthew S. Oakes, Torrance, CA (US); and Chris Meade, Torrance, CA (US)
Assigned to Garrett Transportation I Inc., Torrance, CA (US)
Filed by Garrett Transportation I Inc., Torrance, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 9, 2025, as Appl. No. 19/014,972.
Int. Cl. F01D 25/24 (2006.01); F02B 37/00 (2006.01); F02B 37/12 (2006.01)
CPC F01D 25/24 (2013.01) [F02B 37/00 (2013.01); F02B 2037/122 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A turbocharger comprising:
a shaft having a rotational axis;
a turbine housing;
a compressor housing;
a center housing connecting the turbine housing and compressor housing, with the shaft extending within the center housing;
a turbine wheel disposed in the turbine housing and operatively connected to the shaft; and
a compressor wheel disposed in the compressor housing and operatively connected to the shaft;
further comprising a turbine backplate structure having one or more grooves adapted to generate an axial force along the rotational axis of the shaft.