Patent ID: 6860715

Claim:
A turbocharger compressor comprising: a) a compressor housing; and b) a centrifugal compressor wheel positioned within said compressor housing, said centrifugal compressor wheel comprising: i. a compressor wheel hub; ii. a plurality of blades ( 10 ) attached to said hub along a hub line ( 16 ); each blade ( 10 ) having a shroud line ( 14 ) adapted to having a small clearance to the compressor housing; each blade ( 10 ) having a pressure side ( 18 ) and a suction side ( 20 ); each blade characterized by a point of predicted flow separation at the point of maximum adverse pressure gradient; each blade ( 10 ) having at least one slit ( 12 ) extending from said shroud line ( 14 ); and said at least one slit ( 12 ) defining an air passage between said suction side ( 20 ) and said pressure side ( 18 ) of said blade( 10 ), wherein said at least one slit ( 12 ) is provided at or near said point of predicted flow separation.