FCA US, a/k/a Ma Mopar, has recently patented a casting which includes both the cylinder head and turbocharger body.
The turbocharger itself would be serviced by replacing the internal parts as a cartridge, so turbocharger failure would not require replacing the head (or heads, on a V-engine).
The patent application was made in May 2020 and recently discovered by Peter Holderith, writing for The Drive.
FCA has already pioneered casting the exhaust manifold into the heads, as a way to save money and reduce parts counts. This patent moves further, putting the non-moving parts of the wastegate into the same casting, along with non-moving parts on the compressor side; the moving parts which may require replacement at some point are all removable. The design eliminates some gaskets, fasteners, and mating tubes.
Heat is managed by the usual water (antifreeze) jackets, but the casting is still aluminum.
Holderith noted that the patent is detailed enough to appear to be production intent, for a four-cylinder engine. He also pointed out that BMW’s turbo three-cylinder has an exhaust manifold with an integrated turbocharger housing, but the housing is a separate casting. He pointed out that heat may be an issue for the aluminum wastegate housing. The heat issue may be countered by another patent for high-heat-capable aluminum alloys.
