Patent ID: 8414253

Claim:
A variable nozzle device for use with a wheel, comprising: an annular nozzle passage formed by a gap between two opposing wall members; and at least one vane positioned around the wheel in said annular nozzle passage and being rotatably supported by a shaft that is rotatable around a shaft axis of rotation; wherein the shaft is configured to rotate the vane through a range of vane orientations between a fully open position and a fully closed position; wherein an aerodynamic center of pressure of the vane is positioned with respect to the shaft axis of rotation such that, with the vane at the fully closed position, the aerodynamic center of pressure is radially outward with respect to the wheel from its position with the vane at the fully open position; wherein said vane is a sheet of material curved to form an outer surface in the shape of an aerodynamic profile, the vane having a first sheet portion and a second sheet portion, each sheet portion extending from a leading edge of the vane to a trailing edge of the vane on an opposite side of the vane from the other sheet portion, said vane being attached to the shaft; wherein the second sheet portion extends closer to the shaft axis of rotation than the first sheet portion; and wherein the shaft axis of rotation extends between the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion.