Compressor housing and manufacturing method

Abstract

Provided are a multi-layer metal plate housing assembly suitable for use in a turbocharger system and related manufacturing methods. An exemplary compressor housing includes: a first volute structure including an impeller opening; an inlet structure including an inlet opening; a second volute structure connected to the first volute structure around its perimeter and including an internal opening, the internal opening at least radially defining a first portion of the inlet structure; and a core volute structure at least defining a second portion of the inlet structure, wherein the core volute structure is connected to the second volute structure around the internal opening and connected to the inlet structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter described herein generally relates to flow control systems, and more particularly, to compressor housings used in turbocharger systems. Background Art

[0002] Turbocharger systems are often used to improve the efficiency of internal combustion engines. Although sheet metal housings have been proposed to reduce costs and the weight associated with turbocharger components, many compressor housings are manufactured using a casting process to maintain structural integrity and achieve more complex geometries for performance objectives. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a compressor housing of reduced weight and lower cost that can utilize a simple manufacturing process and achieve complex geometries and other performance objectives without compromising structural integrity. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A multi-layer sheet metal housing for use in a turbocharger system and related manufacturing methods are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for a compressor housing is provided. The compressor housing includes: a first volute structure including an impeller opening; an inlet structure including an inlet opening; a second volute structure connected about its perimeter to the first volute structure and including an internal opening that at least radially defines a first portion of the inlet structure; and a core volute structure that at least defines a second portion of the inlet structure, wherein the core volute structure is connected about the internal opening to the second volute structure and is connected to the inlet structure.

[0004] In another embodiment, a housing assembly for a rotating member is provided. The housing assembly includes: a first sheet metal structure including a base portion and an inlet portion that provides an inlet opening extending through the first sheet metal structure; a second sheet metal structure including a first spiral body portion and a first discharge portion, the first spiral body portion having a first opening for the rotating member; a third sheet metal structure including a second spiral body portion and a second discharge portion, the second spiral body portion being connected to the first spiral body portion and the second discharge portion being connected to the first discharge portion; and an annular sheet metal structure connected between the base portion of the first sheet metal structure and the third sheet metal structure. The second spiral body portion includes a second opening that defines the inlet portion of the first sheet metal structure, and the annular sheet metal structure defines the inlet portion of the first sheet metal structure.

[0005] In yet another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a compressor housing from metal sheet structures is provided. The method includes: forming a first volute portion including an impeller opening from a first metal sheet structure; forming an inlet portion including an inlet opening from a second metal sheet structure; forming a second volute portion including an internal opening from a third metal sheet structure; forming an annular core volute portion from a fourth metal sheet structure; forming a first joint between the inlet portion and the core volute portion; forming a second joint between the core volute portion and the second volute portion around the internal opening; and forming a third joint between the first volute portion and the second volute portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the joints are formed simultaneously using an in-furnace brazing process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Embodiments of the subject matter will be described below with reference to the following drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, where like reference numerals indicate like elements, and:

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary housing assembly suitable for use with a compressor in a turbocharger system in one or more exemplary embodiments;

[0008] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a plan view of the housing assembly of

[0009] Figure 3 is Figure 1 an exploded perspective view of the housing assembly of

[0010] Figures 4-5 is Figures 1-3 a perspective view of an outer volute portion of the housing assembly of

[0011] Figures 6-7 is Figures 1-3 a perspective view of an inner volute portion of the housing assembly of

[0012] Figure 8 is Figures 1-3 a perspective view of a core volute portion of the housing assembly of

[0013] Figure 9 is Figures 1-3 a perspective view of an inlet portion of the housing assembly of; and

[0014] Figure 10 is Figures 1-3 a perspective view of a support flange portion of the housing assembly of. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate to a multi-layer metal plate housing for use with a rotating member of a flow control device, such as a compressor impeller in a turbocharger system. Although in this document, in the context of the housing, the subject matter is described as being used as a compressor housing for housing an impeller or compressor wheel; however, it should be understood that the term is not intended to be limiting, and in various practical or alternative embodiments, the housing may be used to house a turbine wheel or other types of rotating elements.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment described herein, the compressor housing includes a pair of metal plate shells that cooperatively define the boundary of a volute passage that radially guides and discharges the compressed flow from the housing. The inlet metal plate structure includes a base portion that is located between the metal plate shells and is attached to one of the metal plate shells via an intermediate metal plate structure. In this regard, the intermediate structure couples the base portion of the inlet structure to one of the metal plate shells. The other of the volute metal plate shells includes an impeller opening that is opposite the inlet and that, when the housing is mounted to an assembly including an impeller, is adapted to receive or otherwise accommodate at least the nose portion of the compressor impeller. The base portion of the inlet structure is actually suspended with a clearance above the impeller blades and the opposing volute metal plate shell, and the clearance provides a void for the blades to rotate and to provide the compressed fluid flow to the volute passage. In the exemplary embodiment, the opening in the base portion is coaxially aligned with the axis of rotation of the impeller.

[0017] In the exemplary embodiment, the surface of the intermediate metal plate structure is contoured to cooperatively define at least a portion of the volute with the metal plate shells. The intermediate structure is annular and defines an inlet portion of the inlet structure that axially extends away from the impeller through the intermediate structure. The inlet portion includes a hollow cylindrical portion that is integral and concentric with the circumferential portion of the opening in the base portion. In the exemplary embodiment, the cylindrical portion axially extends away from the base portion by a distance that provides a clearance relative to the volute, and then, an integral frustoconical portion axially extends from the cylindrical portion to increase the perimeter of the inlet opening to the compressor housing.

[0018] As used herein, the term "axial" refers to a direction that is generally parallel or coincident with a rotational axis, a symmetry axis, or the centerline of one or more components. For example, in a cylinder or disk having a centerline and generally circular ends or opposing faces, the "axial" direction may refer to a direction that extends generally parallel to the centerline between the opposing ends or faces. In some instances, the term "axial" may be used with respect to non-cylindrical (or otherwise non-radially symmetric) components. For example, for a housing that contains a rotating member, the "axial" direction may be considered to be generally parallel or coincident with the rotational axis of the rotating member. Additionally, as used herein, the term "radial" may refer to a direction or relationship of a component with respect to a line extending outwardly from a shared centerline, axis, or similar reference, such as in a plane perpendicular to the centerline or axis of a cylinder or disk. In some instances, components may be considered "radially" aligned, even though one or both of the components may not be cylindrical (or otherwise not radially symmetric). Further, the terms "axial" and "radial" (and any derivatives thereof) may include directional relationships that are not strictly aligned (e.g., angled with respect to) the true axial and radial dimensions, so long as the relationship is dominant in the corresponding nominal axial or radial direction.

[0019] Additionally, for purposes of explanation, the term "inner" may be used herein to refer to an element, feature, or surface that is relatively closer or generally faces, in the axial direction, an impeller or a rotating assembly to which the compressor housing is mounted or otherwise coupled, while the term "outer" may be used herein to refer to an element, feature, or surface that is relatively farther or generally faces away from, in the axial direction, an impeller or a rotating assembly. The term "interior" may be used herein to refer to an element, feature, or surface that is relatively closer to the rotational axis associated with the impeller or generally faces a radially inner element, while the term "perimeter" may be used herein to refer to an element, feature, or surface that is relatively farther from or generally faces away from the rotational axis. It should also be understood that the drawings are illustrative only and may not be drawn to scale. Additionally, although the drawings presented herein depict examples of particular arrangements of elements, there may be additional intermediate elements, devices, features, or components in actual embodiments.

[0020] Figures 1-3 An exemplary embodiment of a multi-layer housing 100 is depicted that is adapted to be used with a rotating flow control device (such as a compressor) in a turbocharger system. For purposes of explanation, herein, in the context of housing 100, the subject matter is described as a compressor housing that is used to house an impeller or a compressor wheel; however, it should be understood that the term is not intended to be limiting and that, in various actual or alternative embodiments, housing 100 may be used with a turbine.

[0021] The compressor housing 100 includes a pair of metal housing structures 102, 104 that are joined around their perimeters and define a volute passageway that radially directs a compressed flow to be discharged. The compressed flow is discharged from the housing 100 at a discharge opening 101 defined by the housings 102, 104. For purposes of explanation, the first metal housing 102 that is remote from the impeller is referred to herein as the outer volute portion (or outer volute) of the housing 100, and the opposing metal housing 104 that is adjacent to the impeller is referred to herein as the inner volute portion (or inner volute). Each of the volute portions 102, 104 includes an internal opening having a central axis that is generally aligned or coincident with the rotational axis of the impeller. The inner volute portion 104 is joined to a support flange 106 that supports joining or mounting the compressor housing 100 to a rotating assembly that includes the impeller or compressor wheel. When the support flange 106 is mounted to the rotating assembly, the internal opening in the inner volute portion 104 at least receives the nose of the impeller when the impeller is inserted.

[0022] The opening in the outer volute portion 102 is configured to receive an inlet flange structure 108 that defines an internal inlet opening 103 having a central axis that is generally aligned or coincident with the rotational axis of the impeller for supplying an input fluid flow to the impeller. In this regard, in some embodiments, a portion of the nose of the impeller may extend into the proximal end of the inlet opening 103 within a base portion 112 of the inlet flange 108. The inlet portion of the inlet flange 108 includes a generally cylindrical portion 114 that extends axially away from the base portion 112 to provide a clearance relative to the outer volute portion 102 in a radial plane. That is, the axial dimension or extent of the cylindrical portion 114 is greater than the axial dimension or extent of the outer volute portion 102. The inlet portion of the inlet flange 108 also includes a frustoconical portion 116 that extends radially away from the cylindrical portion 114 such that the diameter of the inlet opening 103 gradually increases toward the end of the inlet opening 103 that is remote from the impeller.

[0023] The base portion 112 of the inlet flange 108 is joined to an intermediate metal plate structure 110 that in turn is joined to the outer volute portion 102 such that the base portion 112 is suspended above the impeller to provide a clearance for the impeller blades. In this regard, there is a non-zero separation distance or gap along the axial direction between a radial plane associated with the interface between the inner volute portion 104 and the support flange 106 (or alternatively, a plane that is aligned with the inner end of the opening in the inner volute portion 104 that is adjacent to the support flange 106) and the generally planar base portion 112 of the inlet flange 108. As described below in Figure 8More particularly described in the context of, the peripheral surface of the intermediate metal portion 110 is contoured to provide the internal contour of the volute, thereby supporting the radially guiding of the compressed flow from the impeller. Accordingly, in the present text, the intermediate metal structure 110 is alternatively referred to as the core volute portion (or core volute).

[0024] Figures 4-5 A plan view of the outer volute portion 102 is depicted. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer volute portion 102 is implemented as a generally spiral structure formed of a metal sheet, and thus includes a body portion 300 that spirally travels around an internal opening 301 into a discharge portion 302 that extends tangentially from the body portion 300. As Figure 5 best illustrated in, the inner surface 303 of the outer volute portion 102 is contoured or otherwise pressed to provide a generally U-shaped cross-section that defines a portion of the volute channel for radially guiding the compressed flow from the starting end 304 of the spiral to the discharge portion 302 and the discharge opening 101. In this regard, the depth or dimension of the U-shaped cross-section relative to the peripheral edge 306 gradually increases from the starting end 304 toward the discharge portion 302 to increase the flow area (or reduce the resistance), and thus guide the compressed flow out of the discharge opening 101. The body 300 of the outer volute 102 spirally extends axially away from the impeller such that the discharge portion 302 is axially inclined relative to the starting end 304, and in some embodiments, the discharge portion 302 overlaps the starting end 304 of the body portion 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the internal opening 301 is generally circular and centered on the axis of rotation of the impeller. However, in alternative embodiments, the opening 301 may be eccentric and / or non-circular. The diameter of the opening 301 defined by the spiral is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 114 of the inlet flange 108 and the open end of the frustoconical portion 116, but the perimeter of the opening 301 is less than or equal to the perimeter of the base portion 112.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the edges 306, 308, 310 of the outer volute portion 102 include or are implemented as rims, lips, or similar features, thereby providing an inner surface that is generally aligned in the radial plane for connecting the outer volute portion 102 to other volute portions 104, 110 by joints that are correspondingly aligned in a generally radial plane. As described in more detail below, the peripheral edges 306, 308 are connected to the peripheral edges of the inner volute portion 104, while the inner edge 310 is connected to the core volute portion 110.

[0026] Figures 6-7Depicts a plan view of the inner volute portion 104. Similar to the outer volute 102, the inner volute 104 is implemented as a generally spiral-shaped structure formed from a metal plate, and thus includes a body portion 500 that spirally travels around an internal opening 501 into a discharge portion 502 that extends tangentially from the body portion 500. As Figure 7 Best illustrated in, the outer surface 503 of the inner volute portion 104 facing the outer volute surface 303 is contoured or otherwise pressed to define another portion of the volute that radially guides the compressed flow from the starting end of the spiral to a generally U-shaped cross-section at the open end of the discharge portion 502. Similar to the contoured inner surface 303 of the outer volute portion 102, the contoured surface 503 gradually increases in depth or dimension relative to the perimeter edge 506 towards the discharge end to increase the flow area (or reduce resistance) and thus guide the compressed flow out of the discharge opening 101. In an exemplary embodiment, the opening 501 is generally circular and centered on the axis of rotation of the impeller. However, in alternative embodiments, the opening 501 may be eccentric and / or non-circular. In one or more embodiments, the openings 301, 501 in the volute portions 102, 104 are concentric.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the inner perimeter of the impeller opening 501 is less than or equal to the perimeter of the opening in the support flange 106, and the inner volute portion 104 and the support flange 106 are joined around the opening in the support flange 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner edge 510 of the body portion 500 that defines the impeller opening 501 includes a rim, lip, or similar feature that extends axially towards the support flange 106 to provide an inner surface that is generally aligned in the axial plane for joining the inner volute portion 104 to the corresponding feature of the support flange 106, as described in more detail below. Similar to the outer volute portion 102, the perimeter edges 506, 508 of the inner volute portion 104 include rims, lips, or similar features, thus providing an inner surface that is generally aligned in the radial plane for axially joining the inner volute portion 104 to the outer volute portion 102 at the edges 306, 308.

[0028] Now refer to Figure 8, the core volute portion 110 is implemented as a generally annular structure including a central opening 701. The core volute 110 is pressed or otherwise formed such that the outer edge portion 700 is provided with a generally flat surface that helically travels in the axial direction in a manner corresponding to the inner edge 310 of the outer volute 102 to support the connection of the outer edge 700 to the mating inner edge 310 of the outer volute 102. In this regard, the outer edge 700 includes a portion 706 that projects in the axial direction and corresponds to or otherwise mates with the starting end 304 of the helix of the outer volute. The peripheral surface 704 of the core volute 110 faces the contoured surface 303 of the outer volute 102 and is similarly contoured to define, in combination with the outer volute surface 303, the outer portion of the volute that radially guides the compressed flow. In an exemplary embodiment, the dimension of the peripheral surface 704 in the axial direction varies in a manner corresponding to the helical travel of the inner edge 310 of the outer volute 102 in the axial direction. In this regard, the dimension of the peripheral surface 704 in the axial direction gradually increases from the starting end 304 of the helix until the inner edge 310 overlaps the starting end 304 of the outer volute 102 at the interface of the discharge portion 302, where the dimension or depth of the contour in the peripheral surface 704 corresponds to the axial dimension of the core volute 110.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the outer perimeter defined by the edge portion 700 of the opening 701 is approximately equal to the inner perimeter of the opening 301, such that the outer circumferential portion of the core volute opening 701 and the inner circumferential portion of the outer volute opening 301 are concentric and symmetric. In the illustrated embodiment, the core volute opening 701 is generally circular and centered on the axis of rotation of the impeller. However, in alternative embodiments, the core volute opening 701 may be eccentric and / or non-circular. Similar to the outer volute opening 301, the perimeter or diameter of the core volute opening 701 is greater than the perimeter or diameter of the cylindrical portion 114 of the inlet flange 108.

[0030] Still referring to Figure 8 And referring to Figure 9, the inner edge portion 702 of the core volute 110 is configured to provide an edge, flange, or similar feature that extends axially from the body of the core volute 110 to support a corresponding feature 800 that couples the inner edge portion 702 to the base portion 112 of the inlet flange 108. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner perimeter of the core volute opening 701 defined by the inner edge 702 is greater than the outer perimeter and is approximately equal to the perimeter of the base portion 112. Thus, the inner edge 702 of the core volute 110 and the perimeter edge 800 of the inlet base portion 112 can be concentric and symmetric. As described above, the axially extending portions 114, 116 of the inlet flange 108 extend through the core volute opening 701 to provide sufficient clearance for the inlet opening 103 for coupling or otherwise mounting an intake pipe to the outer end of the inlet flange 108. In this regard, the outer end of the frustoconical portion 116 includes an edge, flange, or similar feature 802 that supports coupling the inlet flange 108 to an external pipe at the inlet opening 103.

[0031] Now referring to Figure 10 , the support flange 106 is generally implemented as an annular plate-like structure having a central opening 901 that is configured to receive at least the nose portion of an impeller when the support flange 106 is mounted to a rotating assembly that includes the impeller. In some embodiments, substantially all of the impeller may extend axially through the opening 901 such that the opening 901 generally defines the blades of the impeller. In this regard, the perimeter of the inner edge 900 of the support flange 106 that defines the opening 901 may be greater than the perimeter of the impeller. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner edge 900 includes or is otherwise implemented as an edge, flange, or similar feature that extends axially to engage a mating feature 510 of the inner volute 104. In this regard, the edge 900 of the support flange 106 and the inner edge 510 of the inner volute 104 can be concentric and symmetric such that the perimeter of the support flange opening 901 is approximately equal to the inner perimeter of the inner volute opening 501. The support flange 106 may also include a perimeter edge, flange, or similar feature 902 that is shaped or otherwise formed to support mounting the compressor housing 100 to the rotating assembly. That is, the physical characteristics and mounting features of the perimeter edge 902 are not closely related to the subject matter and will not be described in detail herein.

[0032] Now referring to Figures 1-10, the fabrication of the compressor housing 100 will now be described. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 is formed from a respective metal structure, i.e., each of the structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 is formed from a separate sheet of metal plate. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 is formed from a plate of the same type of metal material; however, in alternative embodiments, different metal materials may be used for the different structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, each of the structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 is formed from a metal plate having the same starting thickness, however, in alternative embodiments, different metal plate thicknesses may be used for the different structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110. According to one exemplary embodiment, each of the structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 is implemented as type 302 stainless steel formed from a plate having a substantially the same thickness, and in one or more exemplary embodiments, the thickness is in the range of about 1.0 millimeter to 1.5 millimeters. That is, in practice, different types of metal plates and their different thicknesses may be employed depending on the requirements or objectives of a particular embodiment.

[0033] Then, each of the separate metal plates is independently machined, tooled, or otherwise formed into the respective structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 described above. For example, the inlet flange 108 may be formed by metal spinning, while the volute portions 102, 104, 110 and the support flange 106 are formed by multi-stage tooling (e.g., spinning, blanking, bending, embossing, machining, stamping, etc.). In this regard, different types of tooling may be employed for the different structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 are separately formed by 3D printing using metal plates.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, after the different layers of the structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 for the housing 100 are fabricated, the structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 are assembled as Figure 3 depicted therein, and prior to furnace brazing as Figures 1-2joined using a filler metal as depicted to form a joint between mating feature portions of different structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110. For example, the filler metal is disposed at or between the interface between the inner edge 702 of the core volute 110 and the mating peripheral edge 800 of the inlet base portion 112 to form a joint between the inner edge of the core volute 110 and the outer surface of the inlet base portion 112. The filler metal is also disposed at or between the interface between the outer edge 700 of the core volute 110 and the mating inner edge 310 of the outer volute 102 to form a joint between the outer edge of the core volute 110 and the inner surface of the outer volute 102. The filler metal is disposed at or between the interface between the peripheral edges 306, 308 of the outer volute 102 and the mating peripheral edges 506, 508 of the inner volute 104 to form a joint that tightly seals the volute and discharge chamber of the housing 100 between the volute portions 102, 104, while the filler metal is disposed at or between the interface between the inner edge 510 of the inner volute 104 and the mating inner edge 900 of the support flange 106 to form a joint that receives the impeller around the opening 901.

[0035] Once the housing 100 is assembled as Figures 1-3 depicted, the housing 100 is provided or transferred to a furnace that simultaneously brazes the joints between the structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 by heating the housing 100 and thereby melting the filler metal. In an exemplary embodiment, the brazed joints tightly seal the interfaces between the structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110. That is, in alternative embodiments, the compressor housing 100 can be formed by welding the structures 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 together or otherwise using alternative metal joining techniques instead of furnace brazing.

[0036] Compared to a cast housing, the subject matter described herein allows for a lower cost and lighter weight compressor housing to be formed from a forgeable iron alloy by sheet metal forming techniques. Additionally, the resulting compressor housing can exhibit increased stiffness without sacrificing performance. For example, stainless steel sheet metal can exhibit higher stiffness and better mechanical properties relative to aluminum alloys or other materials that can be employed in cast compressor housings.

[0037] For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to compressors, turbochargers, sheet metal manufacturing, 3D printing, metal joining, and other functional aspects of the system (as well as the individual operating components of the system) may not be described in detail herein. Additionally, the various figures included herein are intended to depict example functional relationships and / or physical couplings between different elements. It should be noted that in embodiments of the subject matter, there may be many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections. Further, certain terms may be used in the following description for reference purposes only and are thus not intended to be limiting. For example, the terms "first," "second," and other such numerical terms referring to structures do not imply an order or sequence unless clearly indicated by the context. Similarly, various relational terms may be used to refer to directions in the referenced figures.

[0038] The foregoing detailed description is, to a certain extent, merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the subject matter or the embodiments of the application and the use of such embodiments. As used herein, the word "exemplary" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Further, there is no intention to be limited by any theory presented in the foregoing background, summary, or detailed description.

[0039] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that there are many variations. It should also be understood that the exemplary embodiment or embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit in any way the scope, applicability, or construction of the subject matter. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the functionality and arrangement of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the subject matter as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the details of the exemplary embodiments or other limitations described above should not be construed as precluding a clear intent to the contrary in the claims.

Claims

1. A compressor or turbine housing, comprising: A first volute structure including an impeller opening; An inlet metal plate structure including an inlet opening; A second volute structure connected around its perimeter to the first volute structure and including an internal opening, the internal opening at least radially defining a first part of the inlet metal plate structure; And A core volute metal plate structure at least defining a second part of the inlet metal plate structure, wherein the core volute metal plate structure is connected around the internal opening to the second volute structure and to the inlet metal plate structure.

2. The compressor or turbine housing according to claim 1, wherein, The core volute metal plate structure and the inlet metal plate structure are connected around the perimeter of a base part of the inlet metal plate structure.

3. The compressor or turbine housing according to claim 1, further comprising a support flange connected around the impeller opening to the first volute structure.

4. The compressor or turbine housing according to claim 1, wherein: The first volute structure includes a first metal plate structure, the first metal plate structure including a first spiral main body part and a first discharge part, and including a first formed profile surface; and The second volute structure includes a second metal plate structure, the second metal plate structure including a second spiral main body part and a second discharge part, and including a second formed profile surface facing the first formed profile surface.

5. The compressor or turbine housing according to claim 4, wherein, The core volute metal plate structure includes an annular metal plate structure having a third formed profile surface facing the second formed profile surface.

6. The compressor or turbine housing according to claim 4, wherein, The inlet metal plate structure includes: A base part connected to the core volute metal plate structure; A cylindrical part extending axially from the base part and defined by the internal opening of the core volute metal plate structure and the second volute structure; and A frustoconical part extending axially from the cylindrical part.

7. The compressor or turbine housing according to claim 6, wherein, The core volute metal plate structure includes an annular metal plate structure having a perimeter circumferential part connected around the perimeter of the base part and an internal circumferential part connected around the internal opening of the second volute structure.

8. The compressor or turbine housing according to claim 1, wherein, The first circumference of the impeller opening is greater than the circumference of the internal opening.

9. The compressor or turbine housing according to claim 1, wherein: The first volute structure includes a first discharge part; and The second volute structure includes a second discharge part connected to the first discharge part to provide a discharge opening; The first volute structure includes a first formed profile surface of the volute radially guiding fluid flow towards the discharge opening; the second volute structure includes a second formed profile surface of the volute; and The core volute metal plate structure includes a third formed profile surface of the volute.

10. A method of manufacturing a compressor or turbine housing, the method comprising: Forming a first volute part including an impeller opening from a first metal plate structure; Forming an inlet part including an inlet opening from an inlet metal plate structure; Forming a second volute part including an internal opening from a second metal plate structure; Form an annular core volute portion from a core metal plate structure; Form a first joint between an inlet portion of the inlet metal plate structure and the annular core volute portion of the core metal plate structure; Form a second joint between the annular core volute portion and the second volute portion around the internal opening; And Form a third joint between the first volute portion and the second volute portion.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: Brazing the compressor or turbine housing to simultaneously form the first joint, the second joint, and the third joint.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: Form a flange portion from a fifth metal plate structure; And Form a fourth joint between the flange portion and the first volute portion around the impeller opening.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The first joint, the second joint, the third joint, and the fourth joint comprise brazed joints formed simultaneously.

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