Abstract: A diffuser for a centrifugal compressor including an annular diffuser housing having a plurality of diffuser flow passages therethrough the housing. Each passage including a throat portion and a diffusing section with upstream and downstream diffusing portions. A diffusing passage centerline includes a linear portion extending downstream through the throat portion and the upstream diffusing portion and a curved portion of the diffusing passage centerline extending downstream from the centerline linear portion through the downstream diffusing portion. The diffuser flow passages may have an equivalent cone angle varying non-linearly or more particularly curvilinearly downstream along curved portion. The downstream diffusing portion may be flared.

Abstract: A diffuser for a centrifugal compressor including an annular diffuser housing having a plurality of diffuser flow passages therethrough the housing. Each passage including a throat portion and a diffusing section with upstream and downstream diffusing portions. A diffusing passage centerline includes a linear portion extending downstream through the throat portion and the upstream diffusing portion and a curved portion of the diffusing passage centerline extending downstream from the centerline linear portion through the downstream diffusing portion. The diffuser flow passages may have an equivalent cone angle varying non-linearly or more particularly curvilinearly downstream along curved portion. The downstream diffusing portion may be flared.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor diffuser (42) includes a plurality of diffuser flow passages (22) extending through an annular diffuser housing (20) and circumferentially bounded by diffuser vanes (23) and axially bounded by forward and aft walls (101, 100). A diffuser boundary layer bleed (96) for the passages may include boundary layer bleed apertures (106) or slots (130) disposed through the forward wall (101) and a downstream facing wall (142) canted at an acute cant angle to a downstream diffuser airflow direction (103) in the passages. Diffuser bleed flow (112) is bled from a diffuser boundary layer. Boundary layer bleed apertures can be located downstream of throat sections (28) of the flow passages near pressure sides of the vanes.