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: An improved diffuser includes a plurality of vanes and an exit type throttle. The vanes maybe high solidity vanes.

Abstract: An improved vaned diffuser includes primary and secondary curved vanes. The secondary vanes are located radially outward of the leading edges of the primaries. A plurality of secondary vanes is associated with each pair of first row vanes. The camber or curvature of the two rows is opposed. The camber of the second row vanes varies in accordance to the individual vane's proximity to a pressure surface of a primary vane. Flutes may be provided in the hub and shroud walls of the diffuser.

Abstract: An improved diffuser is provided for centrifugal compressors and the like. In the improved diffuser, ribbed vanes are aligned with the log spiral core flow within the diffuser and are located radially inwardly of full vanes on a fixed or variable width diffuser.

Abstract: A spiral groove machined in the end face of a turbine rotor disc accelerates boundary layer fluid flow from the interior of the turbine rotor to the compression chamber. This flow cools the rotor disc and vanes. A transverse axial passageway may be provided beneath the vane roots. Radial extensions from this transverse passageway act to divert cool air through the rotor vanes. Abradable rings may be provided to the stator assemblies adjacent the spiral grooves which act to minimize wear between the sharp edges of the spiral grooves and the stator assemblies.

Abstract: An improved diffuser has a first row of low solidity vanes followed by a second row of low solidity vanes. The chord of the second row of vanes is greater than the chord of the first row. The second row is located radially outward from the trailing edges of the first row and circumferentially displaced to lie in the shadow of the first vane.

Abstract: An improved open impeller for centrifugal compressors or the like that includes a hub portion and a disc portion having front and rear surfaces. A plurality of circumferentially spaced blades are positioned on the front surface of the impeller disc. A plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes are located on the rear suface of the disc and generally located between adjacent ones of the blades. The vanes are elongated and have their chords disposed at an angle relative to a radius of the circle on which the vanes are disposed to generate a pressure preventing gas exiting the blades from passing behind the rear surface of the impeller. Also, the vanes may be angled relative to the rear surface to produce a thrust counteracting the thrust produced by the impeller blades. The arrangement of the vanes is such that rigidity is provided to the impeller disc reducing the vibration of the disc when rotating at high speeds.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor having a variable wall diffuser section that is controlled in response to measured system parameters in order to maintain the compressor at optimum efficiency over extended operating range.

Abstract: The efficiency of a centrifugal compressor is optomized over a wide range of flow rates by providing a diffuser which is a combination of fixed vanes and a movable wall member and which throttles the diffuser passage in accordance with compressor load.

Abstract: A diffuser control for controlling vapor flow through a diffuser passage comprising an annular recess defined by a housing of the diffuser passage and in communication therewith, and an annular control ring supported for movement within the recess and the diffuser passage between a throttling position, wherein the restriction means throttles vapor flow through the diffuser passage, and an open position for permitting a substantially free flow of vapor through the diffuser passage. The diffuser control further comprises a plurality of springs supported by the housing for urging the control ring toward the throttling position, a stop for limiting movement of the control ring at the throttling position, a low pressure conduit for connecting the annular recess to a low pressure source, and a seal for retarding vapor flow from a higher pressure side of the control ring to a lower pressure side thereof when the control ring is in the open position.