Compressor arrangement

Abstract

Comprehensive compressor arrangement, comprising: a compressor housing (32) with an inlet opening (36) configured to receive intake air at ambient pressure, an outlet opening (38) configured to discharge compressed air, and a hollow cylindrical section (60) with an inner radial surface (59) and an outer radial surface (69), wherein the inner radial surface (59) of the hollow cylindrical section (60) defines the inlet opening (36) of the compressor housing (32); and a pipe (52) for positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) configured to allow airflow between a crankcase (22) of a machine (12) and the inlet port (36) of the compressor housing (32), wherein the PCV pipe (52) extends through the hollow cylindrical section (60) of the compressor housing (32) and beyond the inner radial surface (59) of the hollow cylindrical section (60), wherein the PCV pipe (52) is formed separately from and connected to the compressor housing (32), wherein: the PCV tube (52) has a first end that is arranged inside the inlet opening (36) of the compressor housing (32) and a second end that is arranged outside the compressor housing (32); and the PCV tube (52) comprises a rib (82) which rests against the outer radial surface (69) of the compressor housing (32) and thereby limits the extent to which the PCV tube (52) can be inserted into the compressor housing (32).

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally setting forth the context of the disclosure. The work of the presently named inventors, to the extent described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art to the present disclosure.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to centrifugal compressors having a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) tube extending through a compressor housing to avoid high crankcase pressure.

[0003] Some engine systems include a centrifugal compressor, which increases the pressure of intake air delivered to an engine's intake manifold. A centrifugal compressor typically includes an inlet, an impeller, a diffuser, and a collector. The inlet receives ambient air and is typically defined by a tube. The impeller typically includes a rotating set of blades that draw air through the inlet and send air radially outward. In a turbocharged engine, the impeller is driven by a turbine powered by exhaust gas generated by the engine. In a supercharged engine, the impeller is driven by an engine crankshaft or by an electric motor. The diffuser reduces the velocity of the air discharged from the impeller. The collector collects air discharged by the diffuser and delivers the air to a downstream tube.The inlet and collector are typically formed by a compressor housing.

[0004] A positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system delivers blow-by gases from an engine's crankcase to an engine's combustion chamber. Gases in a crankcase include blow-by gases that escape from the combustion chamber and have been passed through piston rings. PCV systems typically include a PCV tube, a PCV valve, and a vacuum source, such as an engine's intake manifold. The PCV tube provides a passageway for gases to flow from the crankcase to the vacuum source. In engine systems that do not include a centrifugal compressor, the PCV tube typically extends into an engine's intake manifold. In engine systems that do include a centrifugal compressor, the PCV tube typically extends into the compressor housing. The PCV valve controls the flow of gases from the crankcase to the vacuum source. The vacuum source draws the gases from the crankcase.

[0005] US 9 670 881 B2 discloses an internal combustion engine with a turbocharger, wherein the turbocharger is driven by recirculated exhaust gas (EGR) of the internal combustion engine. The EGR gas and a blow-by gas are introduced into an intake system of the internal combustion engine, in particular into a centrifugal compressor, in such a way that accumulation of oil deposits from the blow-by gas within the centrifugal compressor can be prevented. US 10 508 627 B2 discloses an anti-icing device for an intake manifold that can prevent a gas inlet from being blocked due to blow-by gas escaping from a crankcase of an engine and flowing through the gas inlet into a plenum of an intake manifold freezing. DE 100 29 808 C1 relates to an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine.

[0006] It is the object of the present invention to provide a compressor arrangement in which turbulence in the inlet opening of the compressor arrangement and excessive crankcase pressure can be avoided.

[0007] This object is achieved by a compressor arrangement having the features of claim 1. SUMMARY

[0008] A compressor assembly according to the present disclosure includes a compressor housing and a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) tube. The compressor housing has an inlet port configured to receive intake air at ambient pressure, an outlet port configured to discharge pressurized air, and a hollow cylindrical portion having an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface. The inner radial surface of the hollow cylindrical portion defines the inlet port of the compressor housing. The PCV tube is configured to allow airflow between a crankcase of an engine and the inlet port of the compressor housing. The PCV tube extends through the hollow cylindrical portion of the compressor housing and beyond the inner radial surface of the hollow cylindrical portion.

[0009] In one aspect, the PCV tube extends beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing by an amount that is within a range of one twenty-fifth (1 / 25) of a diameter of the inlet port to one fifth (1 / 5) of the diameter of the inlet port.

[0010] In one aspect, the PCV tube extends beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing by an amount that is within a range of one-tenth (1 / 10) of an inlet opening diameter to three-twentieths (3 / 20) of the inlet opening diameter.

[0011] In one aspect, the PCV tube extends beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing by an amount within a range of 2 millimeters (mm) to 9 mm.

[0012] In one aspect, the PCV tube extends beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing by an amount within a range of 4 mm to 7 mm.

[0013] According to the invention, the PCV pipe is formed separately from the compressor housing and connected to the compressor housing.

[0014] In one aspect, the compressor housing includes a cylindrical channel extending radially through the hollow cylindrical portion of the compressor housing and receiving the PCV tube, the cylindrical channel has a length extending from the inner radial surface of the hollow cylindrical portion to the outer radial surface of the hollow cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical channel has a diameter that is constant along its entire length.

[0015] According to the invention, the PCV tube has a first end disposed within the inlet opening of the compressor housing and a second end disposed outside the compressor housing, and the PCV tube includes a rib that bears against the outer radial surface of the compressor housing and thereby limits the extent to which the PCV tube can be inserted into the compressor housing.

[0016] In one aspect, the compressor housing further comprises a hollow toroidal portion defining a compressor header configured to collect compressed air flowing radially outward and send the compressed air toward the outlet port of the compressor housing.

[0017] In one aspect, the hollow cylindrical portion has a first end defining an entrance into the inlet opening and a second end opposite the first end, and the hollow toroidal portion is connected to the hollow cylindrical portion adjacent the second end thereof.

[0018] In a non-claimed aspect, the compressor housing further comprises a curved tubular portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of the curved tubular portion is connected to both the hollow cylindrical portion and the hollow toroidal portion, and the second end of the curved tubular portion forms the outlet opening of the compressor housing.

[0019] An unclaimed engine system according to the present disclosure includes a crankcase, a centrifugal compressor, a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) tube, and a PCV conduit. The centrifugal compressor includes a compressor housing having an inlet port configured to receive intake air at ambient pressure, an outlet port configured to discharge pressurized air, and a hollow cylindrical portion having an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface. The inner radial surface of the hollow cylindrical portion defines the inlet port of the compressor housing. The PCV tube extends through the hollow cylindrical portion of the compressor housing and beyond the inner radial surface of the hollow cylindrical portion.The PCV line connects the crankcase to the PCV tube to allow airflow between the crankcase and the compressor housing intake port.

[0020] In an unclaimed aspect, a positive pressure layer forms near the inner radial surface of the compressor housing when operating conditions of the centrifugal compressor are near pressure surge conditions and the PCV tube extends beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing and past the positive pressure layer.

[0021] In an unclaimed aspect, a reverse flow layer forms near the inner radial surface of the compressor housing when operating conditions of the centrifugal compressor are near pressure surge conditions and the PCV tube extends beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing and past the reverse flow layer.

[0022] In one aspect, the hollow cylindrical portion has a first end defining an entrance to the inlet opening and a second end opposite the first end. In a central region, the inlet opening directs air in a first direction from the first end of the hollow cylindrical portion to the second end of the hollow cylindrical portion. In the reverse flow layer, air flows in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0023] In a non-claimed aspect, the compressor housing further comprises a hollow toroidal portion connected to the hollow cylindrical portion adjacent the second end thereof. The hollow toroidal portion defines a compressor header configured to collect compressed air flowing radially outward and direct the compressed air toward the discharge port of the compressor housing.

[0024] In one aspect, the PCV tube extends beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing by an amount that is within one of one twenty-fifth (1 / 25) of a diameter of the inlet port to one fifth (1 / 5) of the diameter of the inlet port.

[0025] In one aspect, the PCV tube extends beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing by an amount that is within a range of one-tenth (1 / 10) of a diameter of the inlet port to three-twentieths (3 / 20) of the diameter of the inlet port.

[0026] In one aspect, the PCV tube extends beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing by an amount that is within a range of 2 mm to 9 mm.

[0027] In one aspect, the PCV tube extends beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing by an amount that is within a range of 4 mm to 7 mm.

[0028] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of a machine system according to the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a compressor housing and a PCV tube according to the present disclosure; and Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the compressor housing and the PCV tube; Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the pressure of air flowing through the compressor housing and the PCV tube; and Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the direction in which air flows through the compressor housing and the PCV tube.

[0030] Reference symbols may be reused in the drawings to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] As explained above, in engine systems including a centrifugal compressor, a PCV tube typically extends into the compressor housing to allow gases to flow from a crankcase of an engine to an intake manifold of the engine. In one example, the compressor housing includes a hollow cylindrical portion that forms the inlet of the compressor. The hollow cylindrical portion has an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface. When the PCV tube is mounted to the compressor housing, the PCV tube extends through the outer radial surface of the compressor housing. However, the PCV tube does not extend radially inward beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing and into the inlet port.

[0032] The reason for preventing the PCV tube from extending into the intake port is to avoid creating turbulence in the intake port. However, when the compressor is operating near its surge limit (i.e., when the compressor's operating conditions are close to pressure surge conditions), a positive pressure layer can form near the inner radial surface of the compressor housing. This can lead to high crankcase pressure.

[0033] To address this problem, a compressor assembly according to the present disclosure includes a PCV tube that extends radially through the compressor housing and beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing. The amount the PCV tube extends beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing balances avoiding turbulence in the intake port and avoiding high crankcase pressure. In one example, the PCV tube extends beyond the inner radial surface of the compressor housing by an amount within a range of one twenty-fifth (1 / 25) of the diameter of the intake port to one fifth (1 / 5) of the diameter of the intake port.

[0034] Referring now to Fig. 1, an engine system 10 includes an engine 12, a turbocharger 14, an intercooler 16, and a PCV system 17. The engine 12 includes an engine block 18, an intake manifold 20, and a crankcase 22. The engine block 18 defines one or more cylinders (not shown). The intake manifold 20 provides intake air to the cylinder. One or more fuel injectors (not shown) can inject fuel that is mixed with the intake air to form an air / fuel mixture, and the air / fuel mixture is combusted within the cylinder. The combustion of the air / fuel mixture causes pistons (not shown) to reciprocate within the cylinder, which rotates a crankshaft (not shown) and produces drive torque. The crankcase 22 houses the crankshaft.

[0035] The turbocharger 14 includes a centrifugal compressor 24, a turbine 26, and a shaft 28 connecting the compressor 24 to the turbine 26. The compressor 24 pressurizes intake air, and an intake air line 30 delivers the pressurized intake air to the intake manifold 20. The compressor 24 includes a compressor housing 32 and an impeller 34 disposed within the compressor housing 32. The compressor housing 32 defines an inlet port 36, an outlet port 38, and a compressor plenum 40. As the impeller 34 rotates, the impeller 34 draws air at ambient pressure through the inlet port 36 and sends pressurized air radially outward to the plenum 40. The plenum 40 collects the pressurized air flowing radially outward and sends the pressurized air to the outlet port 38, which discharges the pressurized air into the intake air line 30.

[0036] The turbine 26 drives the compressor 24 using exhaust gas generated by the engine 12. The turbine 26 includes a turbine housing 42 and an impeller 44 disposed within the turbine housing 42. The turbine housing 42 defines an inlet port 46, an outlet port 48, and a volute 50. Exhaust gas from the engine 12 enters the turbine housing 42 through the inlet port 46, flows through the volute 50 and past the impeller 44, and exits the turbine housing 42 through the outlet port 48. As the exhaust gas flows past the impeller 44, the exhaust gas causes the impeller 44 to rotate. The shaft 28 connects the impeller 34 of the compressor 24 to the impeller 44 of the turbine 26. Thus, the impeller 34 of the compressor 24 rotates with the impeller 44 of the turbine 26.Although the compressor 24 is described herein as part of a turbocharger and driven by a turbine, the compressor 24 may instead be driven by the crankshaft of the engine 12 or by an electric motor (not shown).

[0037] The charge air cooler 16 is disposed in the intake air line 30 and cools pressurized air passing through the intake air line 30. The PCV system 17 includes a PCV tube 52 and a PCV line 54 extending from the crankcase 22 to the PCV tube 52. The PCV line 54 delivers gases from the crankcase 22 to the PCV tube 52. The PCV tube 52 has an inlet 56 that receives crankcase gases from the PCV line 54 and an outlet 58 that discharges the crankcase gases into the inlet port 36 of the compressor 24. The PCV tube 52 extends completely through the compressor housing 32 and projects radially inward from an inner radial surface 59 of the compressor housing 32 into the inlet port 36 of the compressor 24. Thus, the outlet 58 of the PCV tube 52 is arranged in the inlet opening 36.The PCV tube 52 protrudes from the inner radial surface 59 of the compressor housing 32 by an amount that ensures that the outlet 58 of the PCV tube 52 is within a negative pressure layer of the inlet port 36 under all operating conditions of the compressor 24. In the example shown, the PCV tube 52 is formed separately from the compressor housing 32 and connected to the compressor housing 32. However, the PCV tube 52 may be formed (e.g., cast) with the compressor housing 32 as a single piece.

[0038] Referring now to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the compressor housing 32 includes a hollow cylindrical portion 60, a hollow toroidal portion 62, and a curved tubular portion 64. The hollow cylindrical portion 60 has a first end 66 forming an entrance into the inlet port 36, and a second end 68 opposite the first end 66. The hollow cylindrical portion 60 also includes the inner radial surface 59 and an outer radial surface 69. The inner radial surface 59 of the hollow cylindrical portion 60 defines a diameter 70 of the inlet port 36. A distance 71 between the inner and outer radial surfaces 59, 69 is equal to the wall thickness of the hollow cylindrical portion 60. In the example shown, the hollow cylindrical portion 60 tapers inwardly from its second end 68 to its first end 66.Thus, the wall thickness of the hollow cylindrical portion 60 decreases in the direction from its second end 58 to its first end 66.

[0039] The hollow cylindrical portion 60 defines a cylindrical channel 72 extending radially therethrough and receiving the PCV tube 52. The cylindrical channel 72 has a length extending from the inner radial surface 59 of the hollow cylindrical portion 60 to the outer radial surface 69 of the hollow cylindrical portion 60. Thus, the length of the cylindrical channel 72 is equal to the wall thickness of the hollow cylindrical portion 60 adjacent the cylindrical channel 72. The cylindrical channel 72 has a diameter that is constant along its entire length. The diameter of the cylindrical channel 72 may be slightly larger than the diameter of the PCV tube 52.Since the cylindrical channel 72 has a constant diameter along its entire length, which is slightly larger than the diameter of the PCV tube 52, the PCV tube 52 can be inserted completely through the cylindrical channel 72 with a good fit therebetween.

[0040] In the example shown, the hollow cylindrical portion 60 also defines a recirculation passage 74. The recirculation passage 74 allows pressurized air to flow from the discharge side of the compressor 24 to the inlet port 36 thereof. The air flow through the recirculation passage 74 may be regulated by a recirculation valve (not shown). The recirculation valve may be open to prevent the compressor 24 from experiencing pressure surge when the inlet pressure and airflow drop rapidly while the turbocharger speed is still high, as may occur when a vehicle accelerates and changes gears. Thus, recirculated air allows the compressor 24 to avoid the surge line on the compressor map.

[0041] The hollow toroidal portion 62 is connected to the hollow cylindrical portion 60 adjacent (or at) the second end 58 thereof. The hollow toroidal portion 62 defines the compressor manifold 40. The manifold 40 collects compressed air sent outward by the impeller 34 ( Fig. 1), and sends the compressed air toward the outlet port 38 of the compressor housing 32 through the curved tubular portion 64. The blades of the impeller 34 may be disposed in the inlet port 36 adjacent the second end 68 and extend within an annular passage 75 that allows air to flow radially outward from the inlet port 36 to the accumulator 40. The annular passage 75 is formed by the hollow cylindrical portion 60 and / or the hollow toroidal portion 62.

[0042] The curved tubular portion 64 has a first end 76 and a second end 78 opposite the first end 76. The first end 76 of the curved tubular portion 64 is connected to both the hollow cylindrical portion 60 and the hollow toroidal portion 62. The second end 78 of the curved tubular portion 64 forms the outlet opening 38 of the compressor housing 32. In the example shown, the hollow cylindrical portion 60, the hollow toroidal portion 62, and the curved tubular portion 64 are formed together as a single piece (e.g., cast).

[0043] The PCV tube 52 includes a hollow cylindrical body 80, a first rib 82, and a second rib 84. The first and second ribs 82 and 84 protrude radially outward from the hollow cylindrical body 80. The first rib 82 abuts the outer radial surface 69 of the compressor housing 32, thereby limiting the extent to which the PCV tube 52 can be inserted into the compressor housing 32. Similarly, the second rib 84 can abut the PCV conduit 54, thereby limiting the extent to which the PCV tube 52 can be inserted into the PCV conduit 54.

[0044] The PCV tube 52 extends radially inward through the hollow cylindrical portion 60 of the compressor housing 32 and beyond the inner radial surface 59 of the hollow cylindrical portion 60. The PCV tube 52 extends radially inward beyond the inner radial surface 59 of the hollow cylindrical portion 60 by a distance 86 that balances avoiding turbulence in the intake port 36 and avoiding high crankcase pressure. In one example, the distance 86 is within a range of one twenty-fifth (1 / 25) of the diameter 70 of the intake port 36 to one fifth (1 / 5) of the diameter of the intake port 70. Thus, if the intake port diameter 70 is 45 millimeters (mm), the distance 86 may be within a range of 2 mm to 9 mm.In another example, the inlet opening diameter 70 is within a range of one-tenth (1 / 10) of the inlet opening 70 to three-twentieths (3 / 20) of the diameter of the inlet opening 70. Thus, if the inlet opening diameter 70 is 45 mm, the distance 86 may be within a range of 4 mm to 7 mm.

[0045] Referring now to Fig. 4, air flowing through the compressor housing 32 and the PCV tube 52 passes through pressure layers (or zones) when the compressor 24 is operating near its surge limit. The pressure layers include a pressure layer 88, a pressure layer 90, a pressure layer 92, a pressure layer 94, a pressure layer 96, and a pressure layer 98. In one example, air in the pressure layer 88 is at a pressure within a range of -5 kilopascals (kPa) to -2 kPa, air in the pressure layer 90 is at a pressure within a range of -2 kPa to 1 kPa, air in the pressure layer 92 is at a pressure within a range of 1 kPa to 4 kPa, air in the pressure layer 94 is at a pressure within a range of 4 kPa to 7 kPa, air in the pressure layer 96 is at a pressure within a range of 7 kPa to 9 kPa, and air in the pressure layer 98 is at a pressure within a range of 9 kPa to 10 kPa. Thus, a positive pressure layer (i.e., the second pressure layer 90) near the inner radial surface 59 of the compressor housing 32 when the compressor 24 is operating near its surge limit.

[0046] The PCV tube 52 extends radially inward beyond the inner radial surface 59 of the compressor housing 32 and past the second pressure layer 90 (i.e., a positive pressure layer) to the first pressure layer 88 (i.e., a negative pressure layer). Thus, air flowing through the PCV tube 52 is at a negative pressure, and the crankcase pressure is also negative. When the PCV tube 52 extends radially inward past the second pressure layer 90, the pressurized air flowing through the PCV tube 52 may be at a positive pressure, and the crankcase pressure may also be positive.

[0047] Referring now to Fig. 5, arrows indicate the direction of air flow through the compressor housing 32 and the PCV tube 52 when the compressor 24 is operating near its surge limit. Air in the PCV tube 52 generally flows toward the inlet opening 36 of the compressor housing 32. Air in a central region 100 of the inlet opening 36 generally flows in a first direction 102 from the first end 66 of the hollow cylindrical portion 60 to the second end 68 of the hollow cylindrical portion 60. At the second end 68 of the compressor housing 32, air flows generally radially outward through the annular passage 75 and into the accumulator 40. While air in a central region 100 of the inlet opening 36 generally flows in the first direction 102, air in a reverse flow layer 103 adjacent the inner radial surface 59 of the hollow cylindrical portion 60 generally flows in a second direction 104 opposite the first direction 102.The central region 100 is the region between the dashed lines in . Fig. 5. The reverse flow layer 103 is the layer extending radially outward from the dashed lines in Fig. 5 is arranged.

[0048] The reverse flow layer 103 forms when the compressor 24 operates near its surge limit. The PCV tube 52 extends radially inward beyond the inner radial surface 59 of the compressor housing 32 and past the reverse flow layer 103. Thus, air flowing through the PCV tube 52 combines with air flowing through the inlet port 36 in a sliding manner. If the PCV tube 52 does not extend radially inward past the reverse flow layer 103, airflow through the PCV tube 52 may be blocked by reversed airflow near the inner radial surface 59 of the hollow cylindrical portion 60.

[0049] The foregoing description is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure may be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited, since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. It is to be understood that one or more steps within a method may be performed in a different order (or concurrently) without altering the principles of the present disclosure.Although each of the embodiments described above is described as having certain features, each or more of these described features may be implemented and / or combined with features of one of the other embodiments with respect to one embodiment of the disclosure, even if this combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations of one or more embodiments remain within the scope of this disclosure.

[0050] When an element or layer is described as being "on," "engaging," "connected," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaging, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intermediate elements or layers may be present between the first and second elements. In contrast, when a first element is described as being "directly on," "directly engaging," "directly connected," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intermediate elements or layers between the first and second elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between the elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.).

[0051] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may only be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms, when used herein, do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0052] Spatially relative terms such as "inside," "outside," "down," "beneath," "under," "lower," "above," "above," and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to one or more other elements or features, as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to capture different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation of the device illustrated in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as being "below" or "under" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "down" can encompass both a top and bottom orientation.The device may be oriented differently (rotated by 90 degrees or in other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used here may be interpreted accordingly.

[0053] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" should be construed to mean a logical combination (A OR B OR C) using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."

Claims

[1] Compressor arrangement comprising: a compressor housing (32) having an inlet opening (36) configured to receive intake air at ambient pressure, an outlet opening (38) configured to discharge compressed air, and a hollow cylindrical portion (60) having an inner radial surface (59) and an outer radial surface (69), the inner radial surface (59) of the hollow cylindrical portion (60) defining the inlet opening (36) of the compressor housing (32); and a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) tube (52) configured to allow airflow between a crankcase (22) of an engine (12) and the inlet port (36) of the compressor housing (32), the PCV tube (52) extending through the hollow cylindrical portion (60) of the compressor housing (32) and beyond the inner radial surface (59) of the hollow cylindrical portion (60), the PCV tube (52) being formed separately from the compressor housing (32) and connected to the compressor housing (32), wherein: the PCV tube (52) has a first end disposed within the inlet opening (36) of the compressor housing (32) and a second end disposed outside the compressor housing (32); and the PCV tube (52) includes a rib (82) that bears against the outer radial surface (69) of the compressor housing (32) and thereby limits the extent to which the PCV tube (52) can be inserted into the compressor housing (32). [2] The compressor assembly of claim 1, wherein the PCV tube (52) extends beyond the inner radial surface (59) of the compressor housing (32) by an amount within a range of one twenty-fifth (1 / 25) of a diameter of the inlet opening (36) to one fifth (1 / 5) of the diameter of the inlet opening (36). [3] The compressor assembly of claim 2, wherein the PCV tube (52) extends beyond the inner radial surface (59) of the compressor housing (32) by an amount within a range of one-tenth (1 / 10) of a diameter of the inlet opening (36) to three-twentieths (3 / 20) of the diameter of the inlet opening (36). [4] The compressor assembly of claim 1, wherein the PCV tube (52) extends beyond the inner radial surface (59) of the compressor housing (32) by an amount within a range of 2 millimeters (mm) to 9 mm. [5] A compressor assembly according to claim 4, wherein the PCV tube (52) extends beyond the inner radial surface (59) of the compressor housing (32) by an amount within a range of 4 mm to 7 mm. [6] Compressor assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the compressor housing (32) has a cylindrical channel (72) extending radially through the hollow cylindrical portion (60) of the compressor housing (32) and receiving the PCV tube (52); the cylindrical channel (72) has a length extending from the inner radial surface (59) of the hollow cylindrical portion (60) to the outer radial surface (69) of the hollow cylindrical portion (60); and the cylindrical channel (72) has a diameter that is constant along its entire length. [7] The compressor assembly of claim 1, wherein the compressor housing (32) further comprises a hollow toroidal portion (62) defining a compressor header (40) configured to collect compressed air flowing radially outward and send the compressed air toward the outlet port (38) of the compressor housing (32). [8] Compressor arrangement according to claim 7, wherein: the hollow cylindrical portion (60) has a first end (66) defining an entrance into the inlet opening (36) and a second end (68) opposite the first end (66), and the hollow toroidal portion (62) is connected to the hollow cylindrical portion (60) adjacent the second end (68) thereof.

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