Abstract: A vaned diffuser is provided. The diffuser comprises a housing having a first and second flow wall defining a flow path for the exit flow from an impeller. Twisted vanes are mounted on a movable structure capable of travel inside a chamber adjacent the first flow wall. The twisted vanes extend through rotatable structures rotatably retained in the flow walls such that the twisted vanes are slidably disposed across the flow path. Lateral movement of the movable structure moves the twisted vanes through the exit flow thus varying the stagger angle of the vane depending on which section of the twisted vane is in the exit flow. The rotatable structures have twisted openings that match the vane cross-section and twist so that the rotatable structures readily rotate as the twisted vanes are moved through them.

Abstract: A multi-row rib diffuser is provided which comprises a first row of low ribs with relatively small height extending into regions of very low flow angle and a row of high ribs located behind the leading edge of the first row of ribs. The high ribs extend further into the region of the low flow angle and accept the connected flow from the low ribs as well as additional low angle flow not corrected by the low ribs.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal which reduces the inlet swirl and circumferential flow of fluid within the sealing cavity of a rotating shaft system in order to eliminate the destabilizing influence of the labyrinth seal, has a plurality of primary flow bypass passageways which extend from the high pressure face of the seal to the space between a first set and a second set of labyrinth teeth. The plurality of primary flow bypass passageways are equally spaced around the circumference of the seal and are preferably inclined such that the fluid is introduced into the seal cavity at a desired orientation. Each of the primary flow bypass passageways can be a passageway which is inclined at an acute angle to the shaft axis or a combination of an axial passageway and a radial passageway. The primary flow bypass passageways can be in the form of a plurality of generally radial passageways which intersect a common annular opening in the high pressure face of the seal.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal is disclosed which reduces the inlet swirl and circumferential flow of fluid within the sealing cavity of a rotating shaft system. The primary purpose is to eliminate the destabilizing influence of the labyrinth seal which can induce rotor instability. This is accomplished by the addition of flow bypass passageways which extend from the high pressure face of the seal to the space between the first and second set of labyrinth teeth. The flow bypass passageways are equally spaced around the circumference of the seal and are inclined such that the fluid is introduced into the seal cavity at a desired orientation. Multiple sets of flow bypass passageways are also positioned at predetermined locations downstream from the first set of passages and function in a similar manner. Annular grooves are provided in the outer surface of the seal to connect each adjacent set of flow bypass passageways which straddle each set of labyrinth teeth.

Abstract: An improved diffuser is provided for centrifugal compressors and the like. The diffuser has a movable wall to which is attached a plurality of ribbed vanes.

Abstract: The improved diffuser includes pinching a portion of a diffuser flow passageway that has ribs therein extending partially across the diffuser passageway and that have their leading edges located away from the inlet of the diffuser passageway. The diffuser passageway is pinched from the diffuser inlet to the leading edge of the ribs to provide improved flow angle alignment and the leading edges of the ribs been moved away from the impeller to avoid buffeting and noise as the compressed gas leaves the impeller and enters the annular diffuser passageway.