Patent attributes
A variable geometry turbine comprises a turbine wheel (5) supported in a housing (1) for rotation about a turbine axis. An annular inlet passage (9) is defined between first and second radial inlet surfaces, one of said first and second inlet surfaces being defined by a moveable wall member (40). A substantially annular array of vanes (41) is provided which extend across the inlet passageway (9); each vane (41) being fixed to said first inlet surface. Each vane (41) has first and second major vane surfaces (45, 46) having a chordal length extending between a radially outer leading vane edge (47) and a radially inner trailing vane edge (48), the first major vane surface (45) facing generally away from the axis and the second major vane surface (46) facing generally towards the axis. A rib (43) extends across at least a substantial portion of the chordal length of at least one of the first and second major vane surfaces (45, 46) of one or more vanes (41) of the array.
