Abstract: Centrifugal compressors, methods of forming centrifugal compressors, and methods of designing diffuser vanes in centrifugal compressors are provided herein. In an embodiment, a method of designing diffuser vanes includes providing an initial two-dimensional diffuser vane layout including initial diffuser vane peripheries radially spaced about an axis. The initial diffuser vane peripheries are rotated using a computer processor to produce rotated diffuser vane peripheries having offset trailing ends relative to the initial diffuser vane peripheries. The rotated diffuser vane peripheries are circumferentially shifted about the axis to produce shifted diffuser vane peripheries. Leading ends of the shifted diffuser vane peripheries are offset from the leading ends of the initial diffuser vane peripheries. Diffuser vane surfaces are generated that connect the shifted diffuser vane peripheries to the corresponding initial diffuser vane peripheries to form diffuser vanes in a twisted configuration.

Abstract: Centrifugal compressors, methods of forming centrifugal compressors, and methods of designing diffuser vanes in centrifugal compressors are provided herein. In an embodiment, a method of designing diffuser vanes includes providing an initial two-dimensional diffuser vane layout including initial diffuser vane peripheries radially spaced about an axis. The initial diffuser vane peripheries are rotated using a computer processor to produce rotated diffuser vane peripheries having offset trailing ends relative to the initial diffuser vane peripheries. The rotated diffuser vane peripheries are circumferentially shifted about the axis to produce shifted diffuser vane peripheries. Leading ends of the shifted diffuser vane peripheries are offset from the leading ends of the initial diffuser vane peripheries. Diffuser vane surfaces are generated that connect the shifted diffuser vane peripheries to the corresponding initial diffuser vane peripheries to form diffuser vanes in a twisted configuration.

Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle chassis of a stationary vehicle in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum is provided. The vehicle has an axle and a fluid suspension system. The fluid suspension system include a control device, a pressurized fluid source and an exhaust passage. The pressurized fluid source and the exhaust passage are in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid suspension members through the control device. The vehicle also includes an electronic control unit operatively associated with the control device. The method including step of providing alignment sensor supported on the chassis for outputting a signal indicative of the orientation of the chassis to the electronic control unit and acquiring a signal output by the alignment sensor. Another step includes comparing the signal from the alignment sensor to alignment data stored in the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle chassis of a stationary vehicle in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum is provided. The vehicle has an axle and a fluid suspension system. The fluid suspension system include a control device, a pressurized fluid source and an exhaust passage. The pressurized fluid source and the exhaust passage are in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid suspension members through the control device. The vehicle also includes an electronic control unit operatively associated with the control device. The method including step of providing alignment sensor supported on the chassis for outputting a signal indicative of the orientation of the chassis to the electronic control unit and acquiring a signal output by the alignment sensor. Another step includes comparing the signal from the alignment sensor to alignment data stored in the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle chassis of a stationary vehicle in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum is provided. The vehicle has an axle and a fluid suspension system. The fluid suspension system includes a control device, a pressurized fluid source and an exhaust passage. The pressurized fluid source and the exhaust passage are in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid suspension members through the control device. The vehicle also includes an electronic control unit operatively associated with the control device. The method including steps of providing an alignment sensor supported on the chassis for outputting a signal indicative of the orientation of the chassis to the electronic control unit and acquiring a signal output by the alignment sensor. Another step includes comparing the signal from the alignment sensor to alignment data stored in the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle chassis of a stationary vehicle in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum is provided. The vehicle has an axle and a fluid suspension system. The fluid suspension system includes a control device, a pressurized fluid source and an exhaust passage. The pressurized fluid source and the exhaust passage are in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid suspension members through the control device. The vehicle also includes an electronic control unit operatively associated with the control device. The method including steps of providing an alignment sensor supported on the chassis for outputting a signal indicative of the orientation of the chassis to the electronic control unit and acquiring a signal output by the alignment sensor. Another step includes comparing the signal from the alignment sensor to alignment data stored in the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle chassis of a stationary vehicle in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum is provided. The vehicle has an axle and a fluid suspension system. The fluid suspension system includes a control device, a pressurized fluid source and an exhaust passage. The pressurized fluid source and the exhaust passage are in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid suspension members through the control device. The vehicle also includes an electronic control unit operatively associated with the control device. The method including steps of providing an alignment sensor supported on the chassis for outputting a signal indicative of the orientation of the chassis to the electronic control unit and acquiring a signal output by the alignment sensor. Another step includes comparing the signal from the alignment sensor to alignment data stored in the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle chassis of a stationary vehicle in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum is provided. The vehicle has an axle and a fluid suspension system. The fluid suspension system includes a control device, a pressurized fluid source and an exhaust passage. The pressurized fluid source and the exhaust passage are in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid suspension members through the control device. The vehicle also includes an electronic control unit operatively associated with the control device. The method including steps of providing an alignment sensor supported on the chassis for outputting a signal indicative of the orientation of the chassis to the electronic control unit and acquiring a signal output by the alignment sensor. Another step includes comparing the signal from the alignment sensor to alignment data stored in the electronic control unit.