Abstract: A gas turbine engine diffuser comprises a bowl-shaped diffuser casing and a cover nested into the bowl-shaped diffuser casing and cooperating therewith in defining a diffuser passage having a channeled entry portion in fluid flow communication with a vaned exit portion via a vaneless intermediate portion. The channeled entry portion is divided into an array of inlet flowpaths by a first set of vanes. Likewise, the vaned exit portion is divided into an array of outlet flowpaths by a second set of vanes.

Abstract: A method of machining a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores in an object, each of the bores extending generally tangentially and inwardly and being positioned in the object so as to generally asymmetrically intersect two adjacent bores, comprises the steps of: providing an object; determining a plurality of bore positions generally around a circumference of the object; machining a first bore and performing at least one subsequent machining operation on the first bore to substantially complete the first bore; machining a second bore immediately adjacent to the completed first bore, wherein the second bore is machined so as to intersect the completed first bore, and performing at least one subsequent machining operation on the second bore to substantially complete the second bore; sequentially machining a remaining plurality of bores except a final bore, wherein each said bore is machined so as to intersect an immediately adjacent completed bore; and machining the final bore immediately intermediate the

Abstract: A method of machining a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores in an object, each of the bores extending generally tangentially and inwardly and being positioned in the object so as to generally asymmetrically intersect two adjacent bores, comprises the steps of: providing an object; determining a plurality of bore positions generally around a circumference of the object; machining a first bore and performing at least one subsequent machining operation on the first bore to substantially complete the first bore; machining a second bore immediately adjacent to the completed first bore, wherein the second bore is machined so as to intersect the completed first bore, and performing at least one subsequent machining operation on the second bore to substantially complete the second bore; sequentially machining a remaining plurality of bores except a final bore, wherein each said bore is machined so as to intersect an immediately adjacent completed bore; and machining the final bore immediately intermediate the

Abstract: Airfoil blades are machined in a workpiece using a circular machining tool defining a machining ring having inner and outer circumferential surfaces. The airfoil blades are created by generating engagement movements between the rotating circular machining tool and the workpiece so as to define a concave side of an airfoil with the outer circumferential cutting surface of the machining ring and a convex side of an adjacent airfoil with the inner circumferential cutting surface of the machining ring.

Abstract: A method of machining a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores in an object, each of the bores extending generally tangentially and inwardly and being positioned in the object so as to generally asymmetrically intersect two adjacent bores, comprises the steps of: providing an object; determining a plurality of bore positions generally around a circumference of the object; machining a first bore and performing at least one subsequent machining operation on the first bore to substantially complete the first bore; machining a second bore immediately adjacent to the completed first bore, wherein the second bore is machined so as to intersect the completed first bore, and performing at least one subsequent machining operation on the second bore to substantially complete the second bore; sequentially machining a remaining plurality of bores except a final bore, wherein each said bore is machined so as to intersect an immediately adjacent completed bore; and machining the final bore immediately intermediate the

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes an impeller and a diffuser. The impeller has an inner integral hub with vanes thereon, is adapted to rotate within an outer shroud about a central longitudinal axis, and has a defined hub-to-shroud distribution of fluid exit angles. The diffuser, downstream from the impeller, comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced discrete passages at least partially defining fluid paths through the diffuser, and angled such that adjacent discrete passages intersect each other to form an annular semi-vaneless diffuser inlet space. The discrete passages downstream of the semi-vaneless space each have an inlet therefrom and an outlet with a greater cross-sectional area than the inlet. The intersection of the annular semi-vaneless space and each discrete passage defines a leading edge thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a diffuser assembly constructed of internal and external concentrically nested bowl-shaped shells for directing an outward flow of compressed air from a centrifugal compressor impeller to an axially rearward diffused annular flow. One of the shells is formed with grooves separated by seam edges and the other shell includes a smooth surface of revolution. The grooves on the one shell are closed by the other shell when the two shells are nested together and the seam edges are secured to the smooth surface by fastening means thus defining individual diffuser ducts extending from the compressor impeller to the outer shell edges. The shells can be easily manufactured from metal castings and sheet metal respectively, thereby eliminating much of the cost and the time involved in fabricating prior art diffusers of multiple formed pipes brazed to a separately machined hub.