Patent ID: 6951450

Claim:
A variable geometry turbocharger comprising: a center housing having a center bore carrying a bearing assembly; a turbine wheel attached to a shaft extending through the center bore and supported by the bearing assembly; a cartridge comprising a base having an inner nozzle wall, an insert having an outer nozzle wall spaced from said inner nozzle wall, a plurality of vanes rotatably mounted between said inner nozzle wall and said outer nozzle wall, and an exhaust outlet with aerodynamic contours substantially matching the turbine wheel, with said cartridge being fixed to the center housing; means for rotating said vanes; a compressor impeller attached to said shaft distally with respect to said turbine wheel; a compressor housing attached to said center housing opposite said cartridge and enclosing the compressor impeller, said compressor housing having a compressed air inlet and a compressed air outlet; and an exhaust housing attached to said cartridge opposite from said center housing solely by circumferential fixation to the exterior of said cartridge by a V-band clamp securing a rim comprising a portion of said exhaust housing and a portion of said cartridge, said exhaust housing having an inlet and an outlet for exhaust gas.