Jean B Panos

US Patent:

20020155009, Oct 24, 2002

Filed:

Apr 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/844741

Inventors:

Jean Panos - York PA, US
James Heilenbach - Riverside IL, US
Eric Duve - Riverside IL, US

International Classification:

F04B017/00
F04B035/00

US Classification:

417/407000

Abstract:

An improved turbocharger for railway locomotive sized engines includes, in a preferred embodiment, first and second axially spaced ball bearings supporting a rotor with the first bearing being a hybrid ceramic ball bearing mounted to accept both radial and axial loads acting on the shaft at the compressor end. The first bearing is mounted on a reduced diameter portion of the shaft, providing reduced bearing diameter to acceptably limit centrifugal loading of ceramic balls in the bearing against a surrounding bearing race. The first bearing has dual rows of ceramic ball bearings mounted to share all axial thrust loads on the shaft. The second bearing is also a ball bearing. Lubrication of the bearings is preferably by direct impingement on the inner race to minimize oil churning causing heating and power loss. Additional features and advantages are disclosed.