According to some latest media reports, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has filed a patent in the United States regarding its latest design wherein it has combined a cylinder head and turbocharger into a single unit. The primary idea behind this innovation is to reduce friction and increase efficiency as casting together these two components will do away with the additional requirements of gaskets, manifolds, studs, bolts, etc. The combination will also reduce the number of components in the entire system and make the assembly simpler by making oil lines and exhaust manifolds obsolete in the new arrangement.
The design for which the patent has been filed incorporates the cylinder head with both the turbine housing and compressor of the turbocharger moulded into one unit. A cartridge is also planned that will add the shaft and wheels to the entire assembly at a later point in time. The design also includes the innovative arrangement of a single heat shield and oil channel for the turbocharger. Further, the inclusion of Oldham coupling has been done to control the operations of the Waste Gate and the entire arrangement is complemented with the use of a worn washer that will enhance the longevity of the assembly.
Details about the assembly and the exact positioning of the components are still scarce at this moment but it is clear that doing away with many components will definitely improve the life and efficiency of the entire system. It will also be interesting to know whether this assembly arrangement will make it to production lines or remain only part of the intellectual property of the company in papers.
