Abstract: Turbine engine systems for interstage particle separation in multistage radial compressors are disclosed. The multistage radial compressor system includes an interstage region positioned between a first stage radial compressor and a second stage radial compressor. The interstage region includes a radially-outward oriented section, a longitudinally-oriented section, and a radially-inward oriented section. The radially-outward oriented section transitions to the longitudinally-oriented section at a first approximately 90-degree bend, and the longitudinally-oriented section transitions to the radially-inward oriented section at a second approximately 90-degree bend. The multistage radial compressor system further includes a particle separation system including an extraction slot and an aspiration slot located downstream from the extraction slot. The particle separation system is positioned along the interstage region outside of the air flow path.

Abstract: A method for scavenging small particles from a turbine engine includes directing compressed air through a flowpath, downstream of a compressor, which causes a reduction in a radial flow component and the introduction of or an increase in an axial flow component of the compressed air, removing a portion of the compressed air from the flowpath and directing the portion into a scavenge plenum, the scavenge plenum being positioned adjacent to and radially outward from the flowpath, and returning the portion of the compressed air from the plenum to the flowpath while maintaining a majority of the small particles that were present in the portion within the scavenge plenum. Further, the method includes removing the majority of small particles from the plenum. The step of removing occurs intermittently during engine operation, during engine shutdown, or while the engine is not in operation, but does not occur continuously during engine operation.

Abstract: Turbine engine systems for interstage particle separation in multistage radial compressors are disclosed. The multistage radial compressor system includes an interstage region positioned between a first stage radial compressor and a second stage radial compressor. The interstage region includes a radially-outward oriented section, a longitudinally-oriented section, and a radially-inward oriented section. The radially-outward oriented section transitions to the longitudinally-oriented section at a first approximately 90-degree bend, and the longitudinally-oriented section transitions to the radially-inward oriented section at a second approximately 90-degree bend. The multistage radial compressor system further includes a particle separation system including an extraction slot and an aspiration slot located downstream from the extraction slot. The particle separation system is positioned along the interstage region outside of the air flow path.

Abstract: A turbine engine incorporating a fine particle separation means. The turbine engine includes: a compressor, a diffuser, and a flow path positioned downstream from the diffuser, wherein the flow path comprises an outer annular wall and an inner annular wall between which the compressed air flows, and wherein the flow path comprises an arc that redirects the compressed air from flowing in a substantially radial flow direction to a substantially axial flow direction. The turbine engine further includes an extraction slot in the outer annular wall that fluidly connects with a scavenge plenum, the extraction slot also being positioned downstream axially along the flow path from the arc. The turbine engine further includes an aspiration slot, downstream from the extraction slot, that allows air from the plenum to recirculate back into the flow path.

Abstract: A method for scavenging small particles from a turbine engine includes directing compressed air through a flowpath, downstream of a compressor, which causes a reduction in a radial flow component and the introduction of or an increase in an axial flow component of the compressed air, removing a portion of the compressed air from the flowpath and directing the portion into a scavenge plenum, the scavenge plenum being positioned adjacent to and radially outward from the flow path, and returning the portion of the compressed air from the plenum to the flowpath while maintaining a majority of the small particles that were present in the portion within the scavenge plenum. Further, the method includes removing the majority of small particles from the plenum. The step of removing occurs intermittently during engine operation, during engine shutdown, or while the engine is not operation, but does not occur continuously during engine operation.

Abstract: A turbine engine incorporating a fine particle separation means. The turbine engine includes: a compressor, a diffuser, and a flow path positioned downstream from the diffuser, wherein the flow path comprises an outer annular wall and an inner annular wall between which the compressed air flows, and wherein the flow path comprises an arc that redirects the compressed air from flowing in a substantially radial flow direction to a substantially axial flow direction. The turbine engine further includes an extraction slot in the outer annular wall that fluidly connects with a scavenge plenum, the extraction slot also being positioned downstream axially along the flow path from the arc. The turbine engine further includes an aspiration slot, downstream from the extraction slot, that allows air from the plenum to recirculate back into the flow path.

Abstract: Provided is a radial diffuser that includes a housing, a plurality of diffuser vanes, and a plurality of deswirl vanes and at least one vane extension providing a service routing. Each of the vane extensions is disposed after a radial section and may extend into or through a transition and into the deswirl cascade. At least a portion of the vane extensions include a service passage extending therethrough. Each service passage is configured to allow a service conduit to extend therethrough without adversely crossing either a diffusion flow passage or a transition flow passage.

Abstract: A turbine engine incorporating a fine particle separation means includes a radial compressor that rotates about a longitudinal axis, a radially-oriented diffuser located downstream and radially outward, with respect to the longitudinal axis, from the radial compressor, and a flow path positioned downstream and radially outward, with respect to the longitudinal axis, from the diffuser, wherein the flow path comprises an outer annular wall and an inner annular wall between which the compressed air flows, and wherein the flow path comprises an arc the redirects the compressed air from flowing in a substantially radial flow direction to a substantially axial flow direction. The turbine engine further includes an extraction slot in the outer annular wall that fluidly connects with a scavenge plenum, the scavenge plenum being positioned adjacent to and radially outward from the outer annular wall at a position downstream axially along the flow path from the arc.

Abstract: A method for scavenging small particles from a turbine engine includes directing compressed air through a flowpath, downstream of a compressor, which causes a reduction in a radial flow component and the introduction of or an increase in an axial flow component of the compressed air, removing a portion of the compressed air from the flowpath and directing the portion into a scavenge plenum, the scavenge plenum being positioned adjacent to and radially outward from the flow path, and returning the portion of the compressed air from the plenum to the flowpath while maintaining a majority of the small particles that were present in the portion within the scavenge plenum. Further, the method includes removing the majority of small particles from the plenum. The step of removing occurs intermittently during engine operation, during engine shutdown, or while the engine is not operation, but does not occur continuously during engine operation.

Abstract: Provided is a radial diffuser that includes a housing, a plurality of diffuser vanes, and a plurality of deswirl vanes and at least one vane extension providing a service routing. Each of the vane extensions is disposed after a radial section and may extend into or through a transition and into the deswirl cascade. At least a portion of the vane extensions include a service passage extending therethrough. Each service passage is configured to allow a service conduit to extend therethrough without adversely crossing either a diffusion flow passage or a transition flow passage.

Abstract: A turbine engine incorporating a fine particle separation means includes a radial compressor that rotates about a longitudinal axis, a radially-oriented diffuser located downstream and radially outward, with respect to the longitudinal axis, from the radial compressor, and a flow path positioned downstream and radially outward, with respect to the longitudinal axis, from the diffuser, wherein the flow path comprises an outer annular wall and an inner annular wall between which the compressed air flows, and wherein the flow path comprises an arc the redirects the compressed air from flowing in a substantially radial flow direction to a substantially axial flow direction. The turbine engine further includes an extraction slot in the outer annular wall that fluidly connects with a scavenge plenum, the scavenge plenum being positioned adjacent to and radially outward from the outer annular wall at a position downstream axially along the flow path from the arc.

Abstract: Embodiments of a turbomachine, having a longitudinal axis and a flowpath are provided. The turbomachine includes an impeller circumferentially disposed around the longitudinal axis, and an impeller shroud that surrounds a portion of the impeller. At least one opening formed through the impeller shroud surface provides fluid communication between the flowpath and a dead-headed plenum.

Abstract: Embodiments of a turbomachine, having a longitudinal axis and a flowpath are provided. The turbomachine includes an impeller circumferentially disposed around the longitudinal axis, and an impeller shroud that surrounds a portion of the impeller. At least one opening formed through the impeller shroud surface provides fluid communication between the flowpath and a dead-headed plenum.