Abstract: A tapered polygon coupling for an impeller and shaft. The shaft has a tapered bore having a polygonal cross-section. The impeller includes a corresponding tapered polygon plug configured to be placed in the bore of the shaft. A fastener is provided for securing the impeller to the shaft. The fastener passes through a passage in the plug of the impeller. The plug of the impeller is split so that when the fastener is inserted into the passage the plug expands to contact the bore and create an interference fit between the shaft and the impeller. Additionally, the impeller may include the tapered bore having a polygonal cross-section, and the shaft may include the tapered polygon plug configured to be placed in the bore of the impeller.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a multi-stage air compressor. The heat exchanger includes several cooling chambers. Each cooling chamber is configured to receive compressed air from one of the compressor stages. A cooling tube is positioned to carry cooling fluid through each of the cooling chamber sequentially. The cooling chambers are also positioned in series so that heated fluid leaving the outlet of a first cooling chamber enters the inlet of a second cooling chamber after passing through an additional compressor stage.

Abstract: A compressor rotor assembly including an impeller including an impeller stem, the stem including a first coupling end having a first face and at least one arcuate coupling tab along the first face; the impeller stem further comprising a bore that extends inwardly from the first face, the bore having an interior wall that is tapered. The rotor assembly further comprising a pinion shaft having a second coupling end with a second face and at least one arcuate coupling slot along the second face; and a hub extending outwardly from the second face, the hub including a tapered outer wall; the first and second coupling means and the hub and bore are adapted to be mated when the impeller and pinion shaft are assembled to prevent relative displacement of the stem and shaft.

Abstract: A tapered polygon coupling for an impeller and shaft. The shaft has a tapered bore having a polygonal cross-section. The impeller includes a corresponding tapered polygon plug configured to be placed in the bore of the shaft. A fastener is provided for securing the impeller to the shaft. The fastener passes through a passage in the plug of the impeller. The plug of the impeller is split so that when the fastener is inserted into the passage the plug expands to contact the bore and create an interference fit between the shaft and the impeller. Additionally, the impeller may include the tapered bore having a polygonal cross-section, and the shaft may include the tapered polygon plug configured to be placed in the bore of the impeller.

Abstract: A tapered polygon coupling for an impeller and pinion. The pinion has a tapered bore having a polygonal cross-section. The impeller includes a corresponding tapered polygon plug configured to be placed in the bore of the pinion. A fastener is provided for securing the impeller to the pinion. The fastener passes through a passage in the plug of the impeller. The plug of the impeller is split so that when the fastener is inserted into the passage the plug expands to contact the bore and create an interference fit between the pinion and the impeller.

Abstract: A compressor rotor assembly including an impeller including an impeller stem, the stem including a first coupling end having a first face and at least one arcuate coupling tab along the first face; the impeller stem further comprising a bore that extends inwardly from the first face, the bore having an interior wall that is tapered. The rotor assembly further comprising a pinion shaft having a second coupling end with a second face and at least one arcuate coupling slot along the second face; and a hub extending outwardly from the second face, the hub including a tapered outer wall; the first and second coupling means and the hub and bore are adapted to be mated when the impeller and pinion shaft are assembled to prevent relative displacement of the stem and shaft.

Abstract: A compressor rotor assembly including an impeller including an impeller stem, the stem including a first coupling end having a first face and at least one arcuate coupling tab along the first face; the impeller stem further comprising a bore that extends inwardly from the first face, the bore having an interior wall that is tapered. The rotor assembly further comprising a pinion shaft having a second coupling end with a second face and at least one arcuate coupling slot along the second face; and a hub extending outwardly from the second face, the hub including a tapered outer wall; the first and second coupling means and the hub and bore are adapted to be mated when the impeller and pinion shaft are assembled to prevent relative displacement of the stem and shaft.

Abstract: A method for controlling working fluid surge in a centrifugal compressor. According to the method, surge detection is accomplished by calculating the change in the compressible fluid mass flow rate that accompanies surge in a compressor, the compressor having means for sensing a first fluid temperature, means for sensing a first pressure, means for sensing a second pressure, and means for measuring current drawn by a compressor prime mover, the method comprising the steps of: calculating the time rate of change of the first fluid temperature; calculating the time rate of change of the first fluid pressure; calculating the time rate of change of the second fluid pressure; calculating the time rate of change of current drawn by the compressor prime mover; calculating the mass flow rate by combining the calculated rates of change; and comparing the calculated mass flow rate to a predetermined acceptable mass flow rate to determine if surge is present.

Abstract: An apparatus achieves passive damping of flow disturbances to control centrifugal compressor surge. The apparatus includes a centrifugal compressor for compressing a low pressure fluid. The centrifugal compressor has an impeller, an inlet which communicates with an atmosphere and a discharge through which compressed air is supplied to a compressed air system. A fluid flow control is flow connected with the inlet for controlling the flow of a low pressure fluid to the compressor. A check valve is flow connected with the discharge for preventing high pressure fluid from back flowing to the compressor. A vane diffuser assembly fluidly communicates with the impeller. A spring-mass-damper system is coupled to any one or all of the fluid flow control, check valve or vane diffuser to dampen low amplitude flow disturbances of the compressible fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus achieves passive damping of flow disturbances to control centrifugal compressor surge. The apparatus includes a centrifugal compressor for compressing a low pressure fluid. The centrifugal compressor has an impeller, an inlet which communicates with an atmosphere and a discharge through which compressed air is supplied to a compressed air system. A fluid flow control is flow connected with the inlet for controlling the flow of a low pressure fluid to the compressor. A check valve is flow connected with the discharge for preventing high pressure fluid from back flowing to the compressor. A vane diffuser assembly fluidly communicates with the impeller. A spring-mass-damper system is coupled to any one or all of the fluid flow control, check valve or vane diffuser to dampen low amplitude flow disturbances of the compressible fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus achieves passive damping of flow disturbances to control centrifugal compressor surge. The apparatus includes a centrifugal compressor for compressing a low pressure fluid. The centrifugal compressor has an impeller, an inlet which communicates with an atmosphere and a discharge through which compressed air is supplied to a compressed air system. A fluid flow control is flow connected with the inlet for controlling the flow of a low pressure fluid to the compressor. A check valve is flow connected with the discharge for preventing high pressure fluid from back flowing to the compressor. A vane diffuser assembly fluidly communicates with the impeller. A spring-mass-damper system is coupled to any one or all of the fluid flow control, check valve or vane diffuser to dampen low amplitude flow disturbances of the compressible fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus achieves passive damping of flow disturbances to control centrifugal compressor surge. The apparatus includes be a centrifugal compressor for compressing a low pressure fluid, the centrifugal compressor has an impeller, an inlet which communicates with an atmosphere, and a discharge through which compressed air is supplied to a compressed air system. A vane diffuser assembly fluidly communicates with the impeller. The diffuser assembly has at least one vane connected to passive elements so as to damp low amplitude flow disturbances of the compressible fluid. The diffuser assembly forms an annular-shaped plenum which communicates with high static pressure fluid. The apparatus also includes a diaphragm integrally mounted within the annular-shaped plenum. The diaphragm is for damping low amplitude flow disturbances of the compressible fluid.

Abstract: An improved journal bearing includes a first groove, in the direction of journal rotation, formed in the inner surface of the journal bearing. The first groove extends axially along the length of the bearing and has opposed, open groove ends. A second groove, in the direction of journal rotation, is formed in the inner surface of the journal bearing. The second groove extends axially along the length of the bearing and has opposed, closed ends. An orifice is provided for supplying a lubricant to the inner surface of the journal bearing. The lubricant supply orifice is disposed substantially centrally along the bearing length and intermediate the first and second grooves.

Abstract: An improved journal bearing includes a first groove, in the direction of journal rotation, formed in the inner surface of the journal bearing. The first groove extends axially along the length of the bearing and has opposed, open groove ends. A second groove, in the direction of journal rotation, is formed in the inner surface of the journal bearing. The second groove extends axially along the length of the bearing and has opposed, closed ends. An orifice is provided for supplying a lubricant to the inner surface of the journal bearing. The lubricant supply orifice is disposed substantially centrally along the bearing length and intermediate the first and second grooves.

Abstract: The compressor, as evidenced in the several embodiments presented herein, comprises, in its essentials, a self-contained gear housing which, centrally thereof, receives a power input shaft for driving a bull gear. The bull gear drives either one or a plurality of other gears which, in turn, are coupled to one or a complementary plurality of gas compressing impellers. Integral with the outer wall of one side of the gear housing is defined one or a same plurality of gas handling structures within which the impeller(s) are confined. The gas handling structures comprise inlet pipes, compression chambers, diffusers and open-ended plenum chambers. According to the requirements of the user, domed enclosures are replaceably bolted to the gas handling structure either directly, or through intervening inter- or after-cooler heat exchangers, and with inter-stage ducting, to define of the gas compressor either a single compressing stage, a plurality of independent stages, or successive, series-coupled compressing stages.

Abstract: The compressor, as evidenced in the several embodiments presented herein, comprises, in its essentials, a self-contained gear housing which, centrally thereof, receives a power input shaft for driving a bull gear. The bull gear drives either one or a plurality of other gears which, in turn, are coupled to one or a complementary plurality of gas compressing impellers. Integral with the outer wall of one side of the gear housing is defined one or a same plurality of gas handling structures within which the impeller(s) are confined. The gas handling structures comprise inlet pipes, compression chambers, diffusers and open-ended plenum chambers. According to the requirements of the user, domed enclosures are replaceably bolted to the gas handling structure either directly, or through intervening inter- or after-cooler heat exchangers, and with inter-stage ducting, to define of the gas compressor either a single compressing stage, a plurality of independent stages, or successive, series-coupled compressing stages.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a desiccant type drying chamber for drying compressed gas which is coupled to a novel ejector-valve device through which air is admitted for direct conduct through the chamber for gas drying purposes, or through which air is admitted for conduct through the chamber in a counter flow direction for regeneration of the desiccant, and the ejector-valve device serves the function of evacuating the chamber to effect desiccant regeneration.