Abstract: A diffuser for converting high velocity fluid into high pressure fluid. The diffuser includes a pair of spaced opposing walls between which extend a plurality of blades. Each of the blades has a pressure side and a suction side, wherein the pressure side of one of the blades is adjacent the suction side of another one of the blades. Each pair of adjacent blades and spaced walls define a channel that extends from an inlet end to an outlet end with a generally increasing cross-sectional area. The suction side of each blade has a height greater than the pressure side of the adjacent blade defining the channel whereby the fluid is less likely to stall due to separation from the suction side. Each blade has a leading edge positioned at a 10° angle further minimizing the incidence of stall and increasing the operating range of the diffuser.

Abstract: A diffuser for converting high velocity fluid into high pressure fluid. The diffuser includes a pair of spaced opposing walls between which extend a plurality of blades. Each of the blades has a pressure side and a suction side, wherein the pressure side of one of the blades is adjacent the suction side of another one of the blades. Each pair of adjacent blades and spaced walls define a channel that extends from an inlet end to an outlet end with a generally increasing cross-sectional area. The suction side of each blade has a height greater than the pressure side of the adjacent blade defining the channel whereby the fluid is less likely to stall due to separation from the suction side. Each blade has a leading edge positioned at a 10° angle further minimizing the incidence of stall and increasing the operating range of the diffuser.

Abstract: An inducer having a hub and a plurality of blades is provided. In one embodiment, the thickness of the blades is defined such that during the operation of the inducer each of the blades is positioned underneath a cavitation vapor line so as to improve the performance of the inducer. In another embodiment, the hub is contoured or ramped according to a fifth order polynomial to provide improved performance. In another embodiment, the flow passage area of the inducer, as taken normal to the flow of fluid, is varied according to a fifth order polynomial to provide improved performance.

Abstract: An annular fluid film bearing is formed of a stator ring and a rotatable element concentrically mounted within the stator ring such that an annular clearance is defined between the inner surface of the stator ring and the outer surface of the rotatable element. Fluid flows through the annular clearance, and hydrostatic pressure of the fluid in the clearance provides radial support to the rotatable element and stiffness and damping for the bearing. A diffuser and inlet flow guide is mounted adjacent the inlet end of the annular bearing clearance. The diffuser and inlet flow guide comprises a ring having a plurality of flow passages formed in its inner surface facing the rotatable element. The flow passages are configured to turn the fluid approaching the inlet of the annular bearing clearance such that the fluid entering the annular clearance has a tangential velocity opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotatable element.