Turbine housing for a turbocharger

Abstract

The present invention relates to a turbine housing (100) for a turbocharger, comprising an impeller housing (120), an inlet (130), at least one vortex (140), and a tongue (150) projecting from a partition wall (160). The tongue (150) is configured to guide exhaust flow to a section (121) of the impeller housing (120), wherein a guide zone of the turbine impeller housed by the turbine housing (100) is located in the section (121). At least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160) is configured such that a portion of the exhaust flow can pass as a leakage flow from an upstream side of at least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160) through to a downstream side of at least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a turbine housing configured for a turbocharger and housing a turbine impeller, the turbine housing comprising: an inlet configured to introduce an exhaust flow from an engine into the turbine housing; at least one vortex defining a flow path of the exhaust flow through the turbine housing from the inlet toward an impeller housing space within the turbine housing, the turbine impeller being housed by the turbine housing; and a tongue projecting from a partition wall defining a portion of the at least one vortex and configured to guide the exhaust flow to a section of the impeller housing space, the guide zone of the turbine impeller being housed by the turbine housing being located in the section.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a turbocharger comprising a turbine housing as described above and a turbine impeller housed within the turbine housing, wherein the turbine impeller is located within an impeller housing space of the turbine housing.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for guiding the exhaust flow of an engine through the turbine section of a turbocharger, wherein the turbine section contains a turbine housing and a turbine impeller housed by the turbine housing. Background Technology

[0004] A turbocharger is a well-known device used to supply air to the intake port of an internal combustion engine at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure (boost pressure). Typically, a turbocharger includes a turbine impeller arranged and configured to be driven by the engine's exhaust flow. The turbine impeller is mounted on a rotatable shaft and housed in a turbine housing. A compressor impeller is mounted at the other end of the shaft and housed in a compressor housing. Therefore, the compressor impeller is arranged to rotate together with the turbine impeller. The compressor impeller is used to deliver compressed air to the engine intake manifold. Traditionally, the turbocharger shaft is supported by journals and a thrust bearing, including a suitable lubrication system, located in a central bearing housing situated between the turbine housing and the compressor housing.

[0005] During turbocharger operation, engine exhaust flow is introduced into the turbine housing through an inlet and flows to the turbine impeller via at least one vortex-shaped section. The turbine impeller is configured to rotate under the influence of the exhaust flow, thereby also causing the shaft and compressor impeller to rotate. In this way, the compressor impeller is able to perform the intended function of a turbocharger, namely, compressing the air to be supplied to the engine.

[0006] At least one vortex portion of the turbine casing is defined by a partition wall disposed within the turbine casing. A tongue is arranged to project from the partition wall and configured to guide the exhaust flow to the guide zone of the turbine impeller. This is practical if the tongue and the partition wall are provided as a single unit. The tongue may generally have a shape that tapers towards its end.

[0007] In a turbine casing with a double-vortex design, the clearance between the tongue and the turbine impeller has a significant impact on turbine performance. This is caused by leakage between the inlet vortex (i.e., the vortex into which the exhaust flow is introduced) and the non-inlet vortex at the clearance location. Therefore, a small clearance is desirable. However, a disadvantage of a small clearance is an increased sound pressure level for blade passage noise, i.e., the noise generated by the turbine impeller blades passing through the tongue. In this regard, it is assumed that some of the blade passage noise is caused by the separation wake region downstream of the turbine blades passing through the tongue. The small gap between the tip of the tongue and the tip of the respective turbine impeller blade exacerbates blade passage noise because the smaller gap makes the path of the turbine impeller blades through the separation wake region longer.

[0008] Given the typically high number of turbine impeller blades, the critical turbocharger speed is relatively low, ranging from 60,000 to 110,000 rpm. This relatively low turbocharger speed usually occurs under low engine load conditions, where engine noise is low, making turbocharger noise generally unmasked.

[0009] Typical examples of vehicle operation involving low engine load conditions include:

[0010] -parking

[0011] - Drive away from the parking door (open the window and wait for the receipt).

[0012] -Driving out / arriving while being watched by others

[0013] - Driving in traffic jams

[0014] - Driving indoors and / or through tunnels

[0015] In "regular" vehicles, the cabin is isolated from noise, and blade noise is (not) significant. However, blade noise is considered a key design criterion for convertibles (in terms of both open and closed roofs, due to the poorer sound insulation of convertible roofs). Blade noise is also considered a key design criterion when considering the option of having one or more windows that are always open. Summary of the Invention

[0016] The objective of this invention is to provide a turbine housing designed to reduce the level of blade noise without requiring expensive measures and without (significantly) affecting turbine performance.

[0017] Various aspects of the invention are set forth in the appended independent and dependent claims. Features in the dependent claims may be suitably combined with features in the independent claims, and not only as expressly set forth in the claims and explained in the following description.

[0018] In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a turbine housing configured for a turbocharger and housing a turbine impeller, wherein the turbine housing includes an inlet configured to introduce an exhaust flow from an engine into the turbine housing; at least one vortex defining a flow path of the exhaust flow through the turbine housing from the inlet toward an impeller housing space within the turbine housing, the turbine impeller housed by the turbine housing being located in the impeller housing space; and a tongue projecting from a partition wall defining a portion of the at least one vortex and configured to guide the exhaust flow to a section of the impeller housing space, a guide zone of the turbine impeller housed by the turbine housing being located in this section, wherein at least one of the tongue and the partition wall is configured to allow a portion of the exhaust flow to pass through as a leakage flow from an upstream side of at least one of the tongue and the partition wall to a downstream side of at least one of the tongue and the partition wall.

[0019] Based on the above general definition of the turbine housing according to the invention, the invention operates at a location where the exhaust flow flows from the upstream side of the tongue and the partition wall to the downstream side of the tongue and the partition wall. According to the invention, at least one of the tongue and the partition wall is configured such that a portion of the exhaust flow can pass through it as a leakage flow from the upstream side of at least one of the tongue and the partition wall to the downstream side of at least one of the tongue and the partition wall.

[0020] Therefore, when this invention is put into practice, typically a portion of the exhaust flow passes between the tongue and the turbine impeller, while another portion of the exhaust flow, as a leakage flow, is allowed to pass through at least one of the tongue and the partition wall. This other portion of the exhaust flow is preferably a very small portion, such that the turbocharger performance is reduced only to a minimal degree, or virtually not at all. This invention relates to a manner in which at least one of the tongue and the partition wall is configured to define the aforementioned leakage flow. For clarity, note that the terms "downstream" and "upstream" as used herein relate to the direction of the exhaust flow.

[0021] Referring to the above explanation of the background technology of the present invention, it is noted that allowing the leakage flow to pass through at least one of the tongue and the partition wall results in a reduction in the intensity / occurrence of the separation wake region downstream of the tongue. Therefore, the advantage of the present invention lies not only in reducing the level of blade passage noise, but also in reducing the level of material stress at the tips of each turbine blade, thereby improving the durability of the turbine blades.

[0022] It is practical if at least one of the tongue and the partition wall includes at least one open flow path that extends between an upstream side and a downstream side of at least one of the tongue and the partition wall. During the manufacturing process of the turbine housing, such open flow paths can be created partially or entirely in conventional steps of the manufacturing process, such as casting, or partially or entirely in additional steps, such as machining.

[0023] In embodiments of the turbine casing, at least one open flow path includes a slot located in the distal portion of the tongue, and the slot opens into a section of the impeller housing space, in which the guide zone of the turbine impeller housed by the turbine casing is located. It is advantageous, to minimize disturbance to the exhaust flow, if the bottom surface of the slot in the distal portion of the tongue extends substantially in the direction of the exhaust flow defined by at least one vortex. In this regard, at least two options are available:

[0024] - The bottom surface of the slot is concentric with the impeller housing space, wherein the radius of the axis from the bottom surface of the slot to the center of the impeller housing space is between the radius of the impeller housing space and 130% of the radius of the impeller housing space, or

[0025] - When the bottom surface of the seam is roughly extended according to the tangent, and measured within the range of 60° upstream of the end of the tongue and 20° downstream of the end of the tongue, the tangent extends in a direction with a radius of 80° to 100° to the bottom surface of the seam, it is practical.

[0026] In another embodiment of the turbine housing, at least one open flow path includes a channel extending through one of the tongue and the partition wall. For example, such a channel can be provided as an aperture in one of the tongue and the partition wall. This channel can also be referred to as a through-hole. Typically, the channel can extend through one of the tongue and the partition wall, as described above, where the channel is only accessible from the outside at its two opposing open ends, the remainder being surrounded by the material of one of the tongue and the partition wall. This can be advantageous if the channel is located in an area extending 90° upstream of the end of the tongue. For completeness, it should be noted that the degree values ​​upstream or downstream of the end of the tongue should be understood to relate to the generally circular profile of the impeller housing space.

[0027] Regardless of whether at least one open flow path includes a slot or a channel, the tongue of the turbine casing may include at least two open flow paths extending between the upstream and downstream sides of the tongue. Any suitable combination of the above-described options related to slots and channels may be applied if desired.

[0028] This invention covers turbine housings of various designs, including turbine housings with single-vortex designs and turbine housings with multi-vortex designs.

[0029] Regarding the selection of a turbine housing with a multi-vortex design, embodiments of the turbine housing are feasible, wherein the turbine housing is a twin-vortex design and includes two sets of partition walls and tongues protruding from the partition walls, wherein at least one of the tongues and partition walls is configured to allow a portion of the exhaust flow to pass through as a leakage flow from the upstream side of at least one of the tongues and partition walls in each of the two sets of partition walls and the tongues protruding from the partition walls to the downstream side of at least one of the tongues and partition walls.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a turbocharger comprising a turbine impeller and a turbine housing as described above, wherein the turbine impeller is located within an impeller housing space of the turbine housing. Referring to the above explanation of the background of the invention, it is noteworthy that during operation of the turbocharger, the turbine impeller is driven by the exhaust flow of the engine, thereby also achieving the rotation of a compressor impeller housed in the compressor housing and directly linked to the turbine impeller.

[0031] In terms of method, the present invention relates to a method for guiding the exhaust flow of an engine through the turbine section of a turbocharger, the turbine section having a turbine housing and a turbine impeller housed by the turbine housing.

[0032] The method includes the following:

[0033] - This allows the exhaust flow to travel from the turbine casing inlet toward the turbine impeller through the turbine casing, and

[0034] - The main part of the exhaust flow is able to travel along the partition wall in the turbine housing and the tongue protruding from the partition wall, and be guided by the tongue to the guide zone of the turbine impeller, while a small part of the exhaust flow is allowed to leak as a leakage flow from the upstream side of the tongue and the partition wall to the downstream side of the tongue and the partition wall under the influence of the pressure difference across at least one of the tongue and the partition wall.

[0035] In practice, at least one of the tongue and the partition wall includes at least one open flow path extending between the upstream side of at least one of the tongue and the partition wall and the downstream side of at least one of the tongue and the partition wall, and the method further includes:

[0036] - Enables a small portion of the exhaust flow to travel through at least one open flow path.

[0037] This means that, when at least one open flow path includes the aforementioned slit, the method includes enabling a small portion of the exhaust flow to travel through the slit, and when at least one open flow path includes the aforementioned channel, the method includes enabling a small portion of the exhaust flow to travel through the channel.

[0038] It is understood that various options regarding the method according to the invention may relate to the aforementioned options associated with the turbine housing according to the invention and the turbocharger according to the invention, and may involve the same features or combinations of features. Accordingly, when the invention is expressed in the form of a method, the aspects discussed and explained earlier also apply. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of the invention through exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the turbine housing of a turbocharger.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments of the turbine housing according to the present invention are merely exemplary in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection defined in the claims in any way. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternatives and equivalent embodiments of the turbine housing can be conceived and practiced without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0041] References are made using the figures in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are schematic in nature and therefore not necessarily drawn to scale. Furthermore, equal references indicate equal or similar parts. In the accompanying drawings:

[0042] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a turbine housing with a single-vortex design according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. The turbine housing is intended for use in a turbocharger.

[0043] Figure 2 A schematic side view of the turbine impeller housed in the turbine casing is shown.

[0044] Figure 3 A portion of an embodiment of a turbine housing is schematically shown, the turbine housing including a slot located in a tongue of the turbine housing;

[0045] Figure 4 The first possible design for the bottom surface of the seam is schematically shown;

[0046] Figure 5 A second possible design for the bottom surface of the seam is schematically shown;

[0047] Figure 6 A portion of an embodiment of a turbine housing is schematically shown, the turbine housing including two channels located in a tongue portion of the turbine housing; and

[0048] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a turbine housing with a twin-vortex design according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. The turbine housing is intended for use in a turbocharger. Detailed Implementation

[0049] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a turbine housing 100 with a single vortex design according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically. The turbine housing 100 is intended for use in a turbocharger. Figure 2 A schematic side view of the turbine impeller 110 housed in the turbine housing 100 is shown. The overall design of the turbine housing 100 is comparable to that of turbine housings commonly known for turbochargers and is therefore only briefly described herein.

[0050] The turbine housing 100 includes an impeller housing space 120, in which a turbine impeller 110 is housed, and also includes an inlet 130 and a vortex 140. The inlet 130 is used to introduce exhaust gas from the engine into the turbine housing 100. The vortex 140 defines a flow path for the exhaust gas through the turbine housing 100 from the inlet 130 toward the impeller housing space 120. Figure 1 In the diagram, the direction of the exhaust flow defined by the vortex section 140 is indicated by arrow F.

[0051] The turbine housing 100 also includes a tongue 150 projecting from a partition wall 160, wherein the partition wall 160 defines a portion of the vortex portion 140, and wherein the tongue 150 is configured to guide exhaust flow to a section 121 of the impeller housing space 120, wherein a guide zone 111 of the turbine impeller 110 is located in section 121.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the tongue 150 is provided with a slit 171, which forms an open flow path extending between the upstream side H and the downstream side L of the tongue 150. Figure 3A portion of the turbine housing 100, including slot 171, is shown in more detail below. Slot 171 is located in the end portion 151 of the tongue 150 and leads to a section 121 of the impeller housing space 120, in which the guide zone 111 of the turbine impeller 110 is located. The bottom surface 172 of slot 171 in the end portion 151 extends generally in the direction of exhaust flow F. Due to the presence of slot 171 in the tongue 150, the tongue 150 is configured to allow a portion of the exhaust flow to pass through the tongue as a leakage flow from the upstream side H to the downstream side L. The advantage of achieving such leakage flow during the operation of a turbocharger that may include the turbine housing 100 is that a reduction in the level of blade passage noise generated by the rotation of the turbine impeller 110 can be obtained, while the leakage flow can be small enough to avoid a significant reduction in turbocharger performance. Specifically, various relevant dimensions can be selected such that in the design of the turbine casing 100, the main part of the exhaust flow is guided to the guide zone 111 of the turbine impeller 110 through the tongue 150, while the minor part of the exhaust flow, under the influence of the pressure difference across the tongue 150, flows as a leakage flow from the upstream side H of the tongue 150 through the slot 171 in the tongue 150 to the downstream side L of the tongue 150.

[0053] Figure 4 A first possible design for the bottom surface 172 of slot 171 is described. In this design, the bottom surface 172 is concentric with the impeller housing space 120. The bottom surface 172 has a radius r to the axis C located at the center of the impeller housing space 120. Depending on the actual choice, the radius r can be limited to between the radius R of the impeller housing space 120 and 130% of the radius R.

[0054] Figure 5 A second possible design for the bottom surface 172 of the seam 171 is described. In this design, the bottom surface 172 of the seam 171 extends approximately along a tangent T, which extends in a direction of 80° to 100° with a radius r to the bottom surface 172 when measured within a range of 60° upstream to 20° downstream of the end 152 of the tongue 150.

[0055] Figure 6An alternative embodiment of the turbine housing 100 is described, particularly one that allows an open flow path extending through the tongue 150 via a channel 173 instead of a slot 171. In the illustrated embodiment, the tongue 150 is provided with two channels 173 extending through the tongue 150, the channels 173 being located from the upstream side H to the downstream side L throughout. It is practical if the channels 173 are located in a region extending 90° upstream of the end 152 of the tongue 150, as is the case in the illustrated example. Generally, at least one channel 173 is configured to have the same function as at least one slot 171, namely, to allow a portion of the exhaust flow to pass as a leakage flow through at least one of the tongue 150 and the partition wall 160.

[0056] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment of the turbine housing 100 shown, the tongue 150 includes two open flow paths extending between an upstream side H and a downstream side L of the tongue 150. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, within the framework of the invention, the number of open flow paths through at least one of the tongue 150 and the partition wall 160 can be freely chosen, and when the number is chosen to be at least two, it can have only a slot 171, only a channel 173, or a suitable combination of at least one slot 171 and at least one channel 173.

[0057] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a turbine housing 200 with a twin-vortex design according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically. The turbine housing 200 is intended for use in a turbocharger.

[0058] In the twin-vortex design, the turbine housing 200 includes two vortex sections 140 separated by a partition 141. The vortex sections 140 guide exhaust flow to their respective sections 121 of the impeller housing 120, where the guide zone 111 of the turbine impeller 110 is located. In this configuration, the turbine housing 200 includes two sets of partition walls 160 and tongues 150. According to the invention, in either or both sets, preferably both sets, at least one of the tongues 150 and partition walls 160 may be provided with at least one open flow path extending therethrough. It should be understood that, as discussed above with respect to the single-vortex design of the turbine housing 100 and in… Figure 1 and 3 As described in section -6, all features or combinations of features related to the function of realizing the leakage flow of exhaust flow are equally applicable to at least one set of turbine housings 200 of the twin-vortex section design to realize this function.

[0059] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples discussed above, but can be modified and altered in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Specifically, specific features of various aspects of the invention can be combined. Aspects of the invention can be further advantageously enhanced by adding features described in relation to another aspect of the invention. While the invention has been detailed and described in the drawings and specification, such description is considered illustrative or exemplary only and not restrictive.

[0060] This invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. By studying the drawings, description, and appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that a combination of these measures cannot be beneficial. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0061] Notable aspects of the present invention are summarized below. The present invention relates to a turbine housing 100, 200 for a turbocharger, the turbine housing including an impeller housing space 120, an inlet 130, at least one vortex portion 140, and a tongue 150 projecting from a partition wall 160. The tongue 150 is configured to guide exhaust flow to a section 121 of the impeller housing space 120, where a guide region 111 of the turbine impeller 110, housed by the turbine housing 100, 200, is located. At least one of the tongue 150 and the partition wall 160 is configured such that a portion of the exhaust flow can pass through it as a leakage flow from an upstream side H of at least one of the tongue 150 and the partition wall 160 to a downstream side L of at least one of the tongue 150 and the partition wall 160.

[0062] List of reference numerals

[0063] Turbine casing with 100 single-vortex section design

[0064] 200 twin-vortex turbine casing design

[0065] 110 Turbine impeller

[0066] 111 Turbine impeller guide zone

[0067] 120 Impeller Housing Space

[0068] 121 Impeller housing section

[0069] 130 Turbine casing inlet

[0070] 140 Vortex section

[0071] 141 partition

[0072] 150 Tongue

[0073] 151 The tip of the tongue

[0074] 152 The tip of the tongue

[0075] 160 partition wall

[0076] 171 seams

[0077] 172 seams on the bottom surface

[0078] Channel 173

[0079] F. Direction of exhaust flow

[0080] r is the radius of the bottom surface of the slit.

[0081] R is the radius of the impeller's containment space.

[0082] T-tangent

[0083] The central axis of the impeller housing space.

[0084] H. Upstream side of the tongue and septum

[0085] L-shaped tongue and downstream side of the septum

Claims

1. A turbine housing (100, 200) configured for use in and housing a turbine impeller (110) in a turbocharger, the turbine housing (100, 200) comprising: - Inlet (130), configured to introduce engine exhaust flow into the turbine housing (100, 200), - At least one vortex (140) defines the flow path of the exhaust flow from the inlet (130) toward the impeller housing (120) through the turbine housing (100, 200), the impeller housing (120) being in the turbine housing (100, 200), and the turbine impeller (110) housed by the turbine housing (100, 200) being located in the impeller housing (120). - A tongue (150) protrudes from a partition wall (160) that defines a portion of the at least one vortex portion (140), and the tongue (150) is configured to guide the exhaust flow to a section (121) of the impeller housing (120), where a guide zone (111) of the turbine impeller (110) housed by the turbine housing (100, 200) is located in the section (121), wherein at least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160) is configured to allow a portion of the exhaust flow to pass through as a leakage flow from the upstream side (H) of at least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160) to the downstream side (L) of at least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160). At least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160) includes at least one open flow path (171, 173) extending between an upstream side (H) of at least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160) and a downstream side (L) of at least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160), the open flow path including an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet.

2. The turbine housing (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one open flow path (171, 173) includes a slot (171) located in the end portion (151) of the tongue (150), and the slot (171) opens to a section (121) of the impeller receiving space (120), wherein a guide zone (111) of the turbine impeller (110) received by the turbine housing (100, 200) is located in the section (121).

3. The turbine housing (100, 200) according to claim 2, wherein the bottom surface (172) of the slot (171) in the end portion (151) of the tongue (150) extends generally in the direction (F) of the exhaust flow defined by the at least one vortex (140).

4. The turbine housing (100, 200) according to claim 3, wherein the bottom surface (172) of the slot (171) is concentric with the impeller receiving space (120).

5. The turbine housing (100, 200) according to claim 4, wherein the radius (r) of the axis (C) from the bottom surface (172) of the slot (171) to the center of the impeller housing (120) is between the radius (R) of the impeller housing (120) and 130% of the radius (R) of the impeller housing (120).

6. The turbine housing (100, 200) according to claim 3, wherein the bottom surface (172) of the slot (171) extends substantially according to a tangent (T), and when measured within a range of 60° upstream of the end (152) of the tongue (150) to 20° downstream of the end (152) of the tongue (150), the tangent (T) extends in a direction at an angle of 80° to 100° to the radius (r) of the bottom surface (172) of the slot (171).

7. The turbine housing (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one open flow path (171, 173) comprises a channel (173) extending through one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160).

8. The turbine housing (100, 200) according to claim 7, wherein the channel (173) is located in a region extending 90° upstream of the end (152) of the tongue (150).

9. The turbine housing (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the tongue (150) includes at least two open flow paths (171, 173) extending between an upstream side (H) and a downstream side (L) of the tongue (150).

10. The turbine housing (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, having a single vortex design or having a multi-vortex design.

11. The turbine housing (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, having a multi-vortex design and including two sets of partition walls (160) and tongues (150) protruding from the partition walls (160), wherein at least one of the tongues (150) and the partition walls (160) is configured such that a portion of the exhaust flow can pass through as a leakage flow therethrough and reach the downstream side (L) of at least one of the tongues (150) and the partition walls (160) from the upstream side (H) of each of the two sets of partition walls (160) and the tongues (150) protruding from the partition walls (160).

12. A turbocharger comprising a turbine housing (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a turbine impeller (110) housed in the turbine housing (100, 200), wherein the turbine impeller (110) is located in an impeller housing space (120) of the turbine housing (100, 200).

13. A method for guiding exhaust flow from an engine through a turbine section of a turbocharger, the turbine section comprising a turbine housing (100, 200) and a turbine impeller (110) housed within the turbine housing (100, 200), the method comprising: - To enable the exhaust flow to travel from the inlet (130) of the turbine housing (100, 200) toward the turbine impeller (110) through the turbine housing (100, 200), and - The main portion of the exhaust flow is allowed to travel along the partition wall (160) in the turbine housing (100, 200) and the tongue (150) protruding from the partition wall (160), and guided by the tongue (150) to the guide zone (111) of the turbine impeller (110), while a small portion of the exhaust flow, under the influence of the pressure difference across at least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160), is allowed to leak as a flow from the upstream side (H) of at least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160) through at least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160) to the tongue (150) and the... The method includes the downstream side (L) of at least one of the partition walls (160), wherein the tongue (150) and at least one of the partition walls (160) include at least one open flow path (171, 173) extending between the upstream side (H) of at least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160) and the downstream side (L) of at least one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160), and wherein the method includes enabling a small portion of the exhaust flow to travel through the at least one open flow path (171, 173), the open flow path including an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one open flow path (171, 173) comprises a slit (171) located in the end portion (151) of the tongue (150) and the slit (171) opens to the guide zone (111) of the turbine impeller (110), and wherein the method comprises enabling a small portion of the exhaust flow to travel through the slit (171).

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one open flow path (171, 173) comprises a channel (173) extending through one of the tongue (150) and the partition wall (160), and wherein the method comprises enabling a small portion of the exhaust flow to travel through the channel (173).

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