Patent ID: 9500231
Filing Date: 2016-11-22
CPC Classification: F16C

Claim Text:
1. A cageless full-complement ball-bearing system incorporated in a turbocharger assembly, comprising: a. a fractured outer bearing race, wherein said fractured outer bearing race is fractured along an associated fracture extending across a circumferential extent of said fractured outer bearing race, and said fractured outer bearing race incorporates an outer bearing raceway capable of reacting an associated thrust force regardless of axial direction thereof; b. an inner bearing race, wherein said inner bearing race incorporates an inner bearing raceway capable of reacting said associated thrust force regardless of axial direction thereof; c. a plurality of ceramic bearing balls interposed between said inner bearing race and said fractured outer bearing race on said outer and inner bearing raceways, wherein said plurality of ceramic bearing balls provide for transferring said associated thrust force between said inner bearing race and said fractured outer bearing race, a size and number of said plurality of ceramic bearing balls is configured in cooperation with a geometry of said outer and inner bearing raceways so that said plurality of ceramic bearing balls constitute a full complement, and said fracture of said fractured outer bearing race provides for opening said fractured outer bearing race and inserting said plurality of ceramic bearing balls between said outer and inner bearing raceways; d. at least one retention ring extending around said fractured outer bearing race with a corresponding interference fit relative thereto so as to prevent said fracture from opening during operation of said cageless full-complement ball-bearing system; e. said turbocharger assembly comprising: f. a bearing retainer located in a second counterbore on said forward side of said center body, wherein said second counterbore is located forward of said first counterbore, said second counterbore is sealed to said bearing retainer so as to prevent a flow of said lubricant therebetween, and an aft surface of said bearing retainer provides for limiting a forward movement of said fractured outer bearing race within said first counterbore.