Rotordynamic performance measurements of an oil-free turbocharger supported on gas foil bearings and their comparisons to floating ring bearings

This paper presents the rotordynamic performance measurement of oil-free turbocharger (TC) supported on gas foil bearings (GFBs) for 2 liter class diesel vehicles and comparison to floating ring bearings (FRBs). Oil-free TC was designed and developed via the rotordynamic analyses using dynamic force coefficients from GFB analyses. The rotordynamics and performance of the oil-free TC was measured up to 85 krpm while being driven by a diesel vehicle engine, and compared to a commercial oil-lubricated TC supported on FRBs. The test results showed that the GFBs increased the rotor speed by ~ 20% at engine speeds of 1,500 rpm and 1,750 rpm, yielding the reduction of turbine input energy by more than 400 W. Incidentally, an external shock test on the oil-free TC casing was conducted at the rotor speed of 60 krpm, and showed a good capability of vibration damping due to the well-known dry friction mechanism of the GFBs.