Abstract: A vane assembly is shown for a relatively short annular transition zone directing the discharge of the working fluid from the compressor turbine to a single stage power turbine in a gas turbine engine. The annular transition zone comprises a plurality of individual arcuate segments having a pair of stationary vanes integrally molded to inner and outer shroud members. A variable vane is disposed immediately downstream of each stationary vane for guiding the working fluid into the power turbine at an optimum angle. The variable vanes are manually adjustable from outside the turbine casing through a linkage and support mechanism that maintains a constant clearance between the variable vane and the shroud members and also accommodates variations in dimensional relationships due to temperature variations. Also, provision is made for centering the axis of the variable vanes to a precise position with respect to the stationary vane to accommodate the buildup of assembly tolerances.

Abstract: A hydraulic turbine is disclosed having wicket gate vanes which are rotatable between extreme positions to interrupt and permit the flow of water through a substantially cylindrical water passageway. In order to effectively block the flow of water through the passageway, the outer peripheral surface of the vanes must have a spherical configuration to match the circular cross-section of the cylindrical passageway. However, with this configuration, when the vanes are in an open position, a vee-shaped space is defined between the ends of the vanes and the water passageway. Baffles are provided to fill this space so that debris cannot collect therein.

Abstract: The outlet of a centrifugal compressor is provided with an annular row of movable diffuser vanes which align with the fluid flow direction to prevent a surge condition. Each movable diffuser vane has a pivot axis forward of the vane's center of pressure to cause the fluid from the impeller to move the vane such that the flow meets the diffuser vane leading edge with a near-zero incident angle. The vanes are floating or freely movable on the pivot axis except for spring bias which prevents flutter. In some embodiments, the movable vanes are upstream of primary fixed diffuser vanes, of the vane-island or of the airfoil vane type, and are movable between a closed position abutting the primary vanes to variable open positions which create auxiliary diffuser channels.