Wheel lock, centering and drive means and turbocharger impeller combination

Patent 5163816 Issued on November 17, 1992. Estimated Expiration Date:

July 12, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

1358430

1496319

1920880

2960939

3061342

Turbocharger planetary drive
Patent #: 4719818
Issued on: 01/19/1988
Inventor: McCreary

Runner with mechanical coupling Patent #: 4915589
Issued on: 04/10/1990
Inventor: Gessler, et al.

Inventors

Assignee

General Motors Corporation

Application

No. 729260 filed on 07/12/1991

US Classes:

416/204A, Turbo machine403/2, INCLUDING FRANGIBLE COMPONENT403/259, Between rod shoulder and terminal nut403/261, Coaxial collar or shoulder or rod is clamp element403/356, Axially extending403/359.5, Including a lock or retainer416/244ATurbo machine

Examiners

Primary: Look, Edward K.
Assistant: Verdier, Christopher

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Outland; Robert J.

Foreign Patent References

0435822 DE 10/13/2012
2302251 DE 08/13/1973
0309159 SU 09/13/1971
0522166 GB 06/13/2012

International Class

F01D 005/26

Abstract

A turbocharger impeller has a lock ring that is flexed in assembly to clampingly center and lock an impeller wheel on its drive shaft. The lock ring is also applicable to other driving or driven shaft and wheel combinations. The lock ring is made part of a two-piece spacer for the illustrated rotor applications but is not limited to that arrangement. Alternative impeller wheel structures including drive means and locking nose cone features are included.