Abstract: An inlet includes a nozzle inlet for receiving fluid flow, a nozzle outlet for supplying fluid flow, and an exponential cross-sectional profile configured to control fluid flow to provide a highly uniform flow distribution at the nozzle outlet. The exponential cross-sectional profile of the inlet is defined by a nozzle inlet radius, a nozzle exit radius, a nozzle length, an axial coordinate defined with respect to the nozzle inlet, and an exponential shape constant ?. The inlet can be included with a dynamic compressor that has an impeller that receives fluid flow from the inlet and dispenses high velocity fluid flow, a diffuser that receives high velocity fluid flow from the impeller and converts the high velocity fluid flow into a high pressure fluid flow, and a discharge collector that receives the high pressure fluid flow from the diffuser and discharges the high pressure fluid flow from the dynamic compressor.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor system includes a centrifugal impeller a shroud in cooperative engagement with the impeller; and a diffuser. The diffuser has a hub surface; a shroud surface; a plurality of diffuser vanes extending between the hub surface and the shroud surface; and a common splitter ring disposed between the hub surface and the shroud surface and intersecting each of the diffuser vanes along a span of each of the diffuser vanes.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor system includes a centrifugal impeller a shroud in cooperative engagement with the impeller; and a diffuser. The diffuser has a hub surface; a shroud surface; a plurality of diffuser vanes extending between the hub surface and the shroud surface; and a common splitter ring disposed between the hub surface and the shroud surface and intersecting each of the diffuser vanes along a span of each of the diffuser vanes.

Abstract: Techniques for producing composites outside of an autoclave that have smooth surface finishes are disclosed. The smooth composite surface, free of porosity, can be fabricated by curing the prepreg in a tool that includes a novel microstructure. In conventional composite manufacturing, some degree of porosity appears to originate from trapped gas bubbles that form during curing. The microstructure can provide a mechanism for the gas bubbles to escape from the tooling, thereby eliminating porosity and yielding a smooth surface finish on the out-of-autoclave composite. The microstructure can be applied to the tool surface using an inkjet process applying an acrylic resin curable with ultraviolet light.