Bearing and retention mechanisms

1. A locating mechanism comprising:

a bearing outer race ( 422 ) that has a central axis (z-axis) and that comprises a turbine end, a compressor end and a slot ( 421 ), of an axial length, disposed between the turbine end and the compressor end; and

a deformable clip ( 430 ) shaped as a semi-cylindrical wall having an axial length less than the axial length of the slot,

wherein in a tension state, the deformable clip ( 430 ) comprises an inner circumference to position the deformable clip ( 430 ) with respect to the slot ( 421 ) of the bearing outer race ( 422 ),

wherein in a compression state, the deformable clip ( 430 ) comprises an inner circumference that locates the deformable clip ( 430 ) in the slot ( 421 ) of the bearing outer race ( 422 ), and

wherein upon positioning the deformable clip ( 430 ) in a bore ( 413 ) of a housing ( 410 ), the deformable clip ( 430 ) comprises an outer circumference that locates the deformable clip ( 430 ) in a slot ( 411 ) of the bore ( 413 ) of the housing ( 410 ).

2. The locating mechanism of claim 1 wherein the bearing outer race comprises a unitary outer race ( 422 ).

3. The locating mechanism of claim 1 wherein the bearing outer race ( 422 ) comprises lubricant openings ( 423 , 427 ).

4. The locating mechanism of claim 1 wherein the bearing outer race ( 422 ) comprises one or more lubricant openings ( 427 ) positioned along the axial length of the slot.

5. The locating mechanism of claim 1 wherein the deformable clip ( 430 ) comprises one or more lubricant openings ( 431 ).

6. The locating mechanism of claim 1 wherein the deformable clip ( 430 ) comprises a resin.

7. An assembly ( 400 ) comprising:

a housing ( 410 ) that comprises a bore ( 413 ) that comprises a slot ( 411 );

a bearing cartridge ( 420 ) that comprises an outer race ( 422 ) that comprises a slot ( 421 ), an inner race ( 424 ) and balls ( 425 ) disposed between the outer race ( 422 ) and the inner race ( 424 ); and

a deformable clip ( 430 ) seated partially in the slot ( 411 ) and partially in the slot ( 421 ) to thereby retain the bearing cartridge ( 420 ) in the bore ( 413 ) of the housing ( 410 ).

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the deformable clip ( 430 ) comprises a semi-cylindrical wall.

9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the deformable clip ( 430 ) comprises one or more lubricant openings ( 431 ).

10. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the deformable clip ( 430 ) comprises a resin.

11. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the housing ( 410 ) comprises a lubricant opening ( 415 ) that provides access to the deformable clip ( 430 ).

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the lubricant opening ( 415 ) provides access to the deformable clip ( 430 ) to allow for deformation of the deformable clip ( 430 ) to increase or to decrease an outer diameter of the deformable clip ( 430 ).

13. The locating mechanism of claim 12 wherein the deformable clip ( 830 ) comprises a resin.

14. A locating mechanism comprising:

a first bearing outer race ( 822 ) that comprises a first shoulder ( 821 );

a second bearing outer race ( 822 ′) that comprises a second shoulder ( 821 ′);

a deformable clip ( 830 ) shaped as a semi-cylindrical wall having an axial length that defines a spacing between the first shoulder ( 821 ) and the second shoulder ( 821 ′);

a spring ( 860 ) to bias the first bearing outer race ( 822 ) with respect to the second bearing outer race ( 822 ′); and

a shaft, inner race ( 850 ) that cooperates with the first bearing outer race ( 822 ) and the second bearing outer race ( 822 ′) and that comprises an attachment mechanism ( 854 ) for a turbine wheel.

15. An assembly ( 800 ) comprising:

a housing ( 810 ) that comprises a bore ( 813 ) that comprises a slot ( 811 );

a first bearing outer race ( 822 ) that comprises a first shoulder ( 821 );

a second bearing outer race ( 822 ′) that comprises a second shoulder ( 821 ′);

a deformable clip ( 830 ) shaped as a semi-cylindrical wall having an axial length that defines a spacing between the first shoulder ( 821 ) and the second shoulder ( 821 ′), that seats at least partially in the slot ( 811 ), that restricts at least some axial movement the first bearing outer race ( 822 ) in the bore ( 813 ) and that restricts at least some axial movement the second bearing outer race ( 822 ′) in the bore ( 813 );

a spring ( 860 ) to bias the first bearing outer race ( 822 ) with respect to the second bearing outer race ( 822 ′); and

a shaft, inner race ( 850 ) that cooperates with the first bearing outer race ( 822 ) and the second bearing outer race ( 822 ′) and that comprises an attachment mechanism ( 854 ) for a turbine wheel.

16. An assembly ( 900 ) comprising:

a first bearing outer race ( 970 ) that comprises a shoulder ( 971 );

a second bearing outer race ( 980 ) that comprises an end surface ( 981 );

a deformable clip ( 930 ) shaped as a semi-cylindrical wall having an axial length that defines a spacing between the shoulder ( 971 ) and the end surface ( 981 );

a spring ( 960 ) to bias the first bearing outer race ( 970 ) with respect to the second bearing outer race ( 980 ); and

a shaft, inner race ( 950 ) that cooperates with the first bearing outer race ( 970 ) and the second bearing outer race ( 980 ) and that comprises an attachment mechanism ( 954 ) for a turbine wheel.

17. The assembly ( 900 ) of claim 16 wherein the deformable clip ( 930 ) comprises a resin.

18. The assembly ( 900 ) of claim 16 wherein the spring ( 960 ) biases an end surface ( 977 ) of the first bearing outer race ( 970 ) and an inner surface of the second bearing outer race ( 980 ).

19. The assembly ( 900 ) of claim 16 wherein the deformable clip ( 930 ) and the spring ( 960 ) act cooperatively to absorb axial thrust forces exerted by the shaft, inner race ( 950 ) and thereby reduce noise of the assembly ( 900 ) during operation.