Abstract: A self-contained electrically powered and fully submersible swimming pool vacuum includes a vacuum head having a housing with an elongate vacuum mouth at a bottom end, a discharge opening at an opposite top end and a thrust channel extending therebetween. An electrically powered motor is supported within the thrust channel and drives a propeller to create a thrust through the housing from the vacuum mouth through the thrust channel and out from the discharge opening. A catch bag is removably secured to the top discharge opening for collecting debris sucked through the vacuum mouth. The vacuum includes an onboard power supply, a smart power switch for driving the motor at different speeds and for detecting and clearing motor jams, all contained within a watertight housing fixed to an outer side of the vacuum housing. In one embodiment, the onboard power supply is a lithium ion rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A radial diffuser and method for manufacturing a radial diffuser is provided, where the diffuser includes a vane positioned between a hub and a case. The hub includes a surface. The vane projects from the surface of the hub and is wedge-shaped. The vane includes a leading end extending toward a radial inner edge of the hub, a trailing end extending toward a radial outer edge of the hub, an upper surface, first and second sides extending longitudinally along the vane, and a middle region disposed between the hub and the upper surface. The vane at the upper surface has a thickness defined by a first wedge angle at the upper surface. The vane at the middle region has a thickness defined by a second wedge angle at the middle region. The second wedge angle is smaller than the first wedge angle.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump for pressurizing fluid by using centrifugal force has an impeller and a casing. The impeller is operated rotatably by an actuator. The casing houses the impeller. The impeller has blades arranged one after another in a circumferential direction of the impeller, and a passage is defined between the blades adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. The passage has a linear portion and a curved portion. The linear portion extends linearly and has a uniform cross section. The curved portion is connected to an end of the linear portion, extends as being curved to a radial-outer side of the impeller, and decreases in cross section toward the radial-outer side.

Abstract: A pump casing having a casing body is configured with a discharge formed in the casing body where a midline of the discharge is offset from a tangent line of the casing body and offset from a centerline of the casing body, such that the midline of the discharge is located along a point between the defined centerline and defined tangent line of the casing body.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a channel structure and a centrifugal fan. The channel structure includes a housing and at least a slit. The housing has an accommodating space and a flow channel adjacent to each other. The slit is extended along the flow channel. The flow channel is communicated with the outside of the housing via the slit. The centrifugal fan is disposed in the accommodating space. The centrifugal fan draws air along an axial direction and generates an airflow. The airflow flows into the flow channel along a radial direction, and flows out to the outside of the housing via the slit.

Abstract: A radial turbine includes a radial turbine wheel provided with a main pathway in which blade height progressively increases while curving toward an axial direction from a radial direction. A sub-let is formed on a shroud side of the radial turbine wheel at a position separated from the main inlet in the radial direction and the axial direction. Also, a blade shape that forms the sub-inlet is such that, in a plane orthogonal to the axial line of the radial turbine wheel, a center line of the blade is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the rotation direction with respect to the radial direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a paddle wheel mechanism for a pool cleaner. The paddle wheel mechanism includes a housing with an internal flow area, a paddle wheel shaft supported by the housing, and a paddle wheel supported by the paddle wheel shaft. The paddle wheel includes a base extending along a base width and a plurality of paddle wheel blades extending from the base within the internal flow area. The plurality of paddle wheel blades include a first-type blade with a first blade portion having a first blade width extending along the paddle wheel base from a first side of the paddle wheel base, and a second-type blade with a second blade portion having a second blade width extending along the paddle wheel base from a second side of the paddle wheel base. The first blade width and the second blade width are each less than the base width, and the first-type and second-type blades are arranged on the base in an alternating manner.

Abstract: A diffuser which straightens the flow of air issuing from a centrifugal compressor in a turbine engine is provided. The diffuser having a cylindrical shape and including a first part having the form of two substantially parallel discs extending substantially radially relative to the axis of symmetry of the diffuser, a second bent part, and a third part intended to open out into a downstream cavity, positioned downstream of the diffuser and fed with air issuing from the compressor. The first part is traversed by a plurality of channels distributed evenly over its circumference and opening out on its downstream face so as to bring the air contained in the downstream cavity into communication with a bleed cavity situated upstream of the diffuser.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric blower having a stator, a rotor, a bracket, a rotary fan, an air guide and a fan case. The air guide comprises a partition plate, a diffuser disposed around outer periphery of the rotary fan in the air guide, a partition-plate sloped portion and a guide vane. The fan case has a fan-facing portion, a fan case shoulder bent at the outermost part of the fan-facing portion, and a cylindrical portion extending cylindrically in an axial direction from the fan case shoulder. The fan case shoulder is so bent that it forms substantially a right angle.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are provided that provide water to a heat engine via a dammed water source. The water may be tapped for cooling of and/or injection into a heat engine. Further, steam from operation of the heat engine and/or directing exhaust gases of a heat engine into a water flow in an exit channel may be collected and harnessed for power generation in a steam-driven power generator, for industrial heating purposes and other industrial uses, and/or for cooling and subsequent use as potentially more pure water. Additionally, water mist may be sprayed into the exhaust gases for sound suppression purposes.

Abstract: A diffuser for a centrifugal impeller assembly of a gas turbine engine includes a diffuser case having a plurality of vanes extending therein defining a plurality of circumferentially distributed angled passages in communication with an inlet space. Each vane includes a bleed port defined in a suction surface thereof, in proximity of the leading edge. The diffuser case includes a passive fluid communication defined at least partially through each one of the vanes between each bleed port and the inlet space upstream of the leading edge, such that air bled through the bleed ports is recirculated upstream of the leading edges to the inlet space to increase a surge margin of the diffuser.

Abstract: A radial compressor, in particular for a turbo-charger, has a spiral housing and a diffuser. The diffuser is constructed such that a low-pressure region in the area of the transition between the spiral housing and the tongue is at least reduced.

Abstract: A fan assembly for creating an air current includes a nozzle mounted on a base. The base includes an outer casing, a silencing member housed within the outer casing, an impeller housing located within the outer casing, the impeller housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller located within the impeller housing and a motor for driving the impeller about an axis to create an air flow through the impeller housing. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow from the air outlet of the impeller housing and a mouth through which the air flow is emitted from the fan assembly. The silencing member is located beneath the air inlet of the impeller housing and is spaced from the air inlet along said axis by a distance in the range from 5 to 60 mm.

Abstract: An expansion turbine with a radial turbine wheel has a main path that gradually increases in height and axially discharges fluid while swirling from a main inlet located at the outer circumferential side into the main path, with a radial flow as a main component, the radial turbine wheel has a sub-path branching off from the side of a hub of the main path at a position radially inward of the main inlet and extending rearward from the main path, the sub-path has, at an outer circumferential end, a sub-inlet located at a position in the radial direction different from the main inlet and supplied with a fluid having a pressure different from the pressure of the fluid supplied through the main inlet, the main inlet and the sub-inlet are partitioned by a back plate portion, in which the gap between it and the main path or the sub-path is adjusted.

Abstract: An exhaust diffuser including an outer flow guide surface and an inner flow guide surface defining an inlet, a first collection chute having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, the first collection chute operative to diffuse a flow of a fluid, a second collection chute having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, the second collection chute operative to diffuse the flow of the fluid, and the outer flow guide surface and the inner flow guide surface are operative to guide and direct the flow of the fluid to the first collection chute and the second collection chute.

Abstract: An exhaust hood for an axial steam turbine that includes a radial channel, downstream from the normal flow pattern. The radial channel guides the exhaust steam flow in upper half of the hood in the flow momentum direction. Due to this pattern of flow direction, vortex generation in upper exhaust hood is reduced and increased flow diffusion results. The geometric arrangement can eliminate the outer casing of the exhaust hood over the axial length of the turbine inner casing, allowing the turbine inner casing to be supported directly by a foundation for the steam turbine.

Abstract: A transverse fan assembly, including for use with agricultural combine harvesters, which fan assembly includes a supplementary air feed inlet for the infill of air flow voids or deficiencies in the air flow pathway from the air inlet of the transverse fan assembly to the air inlet entryway so as to effect a desired, generally more uniform, output air flow pattern across the entire expanse of the air outlet of the transverse fan assembly, and a method of use thereof.

Abstract: An air diffuser system for an impeller for a centrifugal pump has least one channel (36) with first opening (40) through the backside (14) and a second opening (42) through the front side (38) of the impeller (12). Tubes (44) are associated with each channel (36) and extend from the backside (14) of the impeller (12). Tube ends (48) are oriented in the direction of rotation (46) of the impeller (12).

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor for compressing gas has a casing, a rotary shaft, an impeller, a diffuser, a first scroll, a second scroll, a first passage, a second passage, and a switching member. The rotary shaft is supported by the casing. The impeller is rotatably fixed to the rotary shaft, and sends the gas radially outward to a flow path downstream thereof. The diffuser is formed around the impeller. The first scroll is formed around the diffuser. The second scroll is formed between the diffuser and the impeller. The first passage is formed from the impeller to the first scroll through the diffuser. The second passage is formed from the impeller to the second scroll. The switching member switches the flow path between the first passage and the second passage by opening and closing the diffuser.

Abstract: A collecting chamber of a flow machine which expands in the direction of circumference, including at least one outer shell part and a contour insert is provided. The contour insert is provided with a groove which extends in the circumferential direction and is preferably configured as a helical spiral. The contour insert, is cut from a whole unit and is delimited at one end in the circumferential direction by a bent edge so that the flow losses are minimized during the passage from the collecting chamber into a subsequent diffuser.

Abstract: A turbocharger (10) for an internal combustion engine includes a compressor (12) having an impellor (16) disposed in a compressor chamber (18). The compressor chamber (18) receives fluid flow. A flow regulation mechanism (30) is disposed in the compressor (12) and includes a diffuser cover (32) and a recirculation gate (36). The diffuser cover (32) is moveably disposed in a diffuser passage (34) from a first position permitting fluid flow through the diffuser passage to a second position at least partially impeding the fluid flow. The recirculation gate (36) is moveably disposed in the compressor chamber (18) from a first position closing a recirculation groove (48) to a second position opening the recirculation groove to fluid communication with the compressor chamber.

Abstract: The effective efficiency of a centrifugal compressor can be improved by achieving a uniform distribution of fluid velocity across the outlet end of a fluid passage of an axial diffuser for the centrifugal compressor and a high static pressure recovery ratio Cp in the axial diffuser passage. The cross section of each axial diffuser passage is configured such that a relatively high velocity fluid flow in an upstream part of the diffuser passage is directed toward a negative pressure side of a cross section thereof. It can be accomplished by directing a minor axis of a cross section of the diffuser passage substantially perpendicularly to a direction directed from a center of the cross section of the diffuser passage to the central axial line of an impeller or directing the minor axis toward the central axial line of the impeller.

Abstract: An aero acoustic fan assembly is provided and generally includes a fan wheel, a frame, and first and second air outlet diffusing structures. The fan wheel generally, and typically includes an axial air inlet delimited by an air inlet cone, an annular air outlet, a back plate, and front plate opposite the back plate. The frame within supports the fan wheel for rotation about a central axis thereof. The first air outlet diffusing structure is supported by a portion of the frame, adjacent the back plate of the fan wheel and includes a peripheral region. The second air outlet diffusing structure is similarly supported by a portion of the frame, adjacent the front plate of the fan wheel, and also includes a peripheral region, air exiting the annular air outlet of the fan wheel passing between the peripheral regions of the diffusing structures.

Abstract: A diffusive cooling device includes a plate body, on which a cavity recessed outwardly is formed and an opening is arranged; a web plate jointed at the upper side of the plate body correspondingly; a plurality of passing openings arranged on the web plate to act as air passages; a scroll fan arranged between the plate body and the web plate in corresponding to the opening; a shell body connected to the bottom of the plate body and jointed to the web plate correspondingly to enclose and prop up the plate body therein; and, an air inlet arranged at the front side of the shell body, through which an ambient air is flowed into the shell body by the extracting and thrusting forces of the fan. During operation, airflow is generated along the cavity and extended to corresponding area of web plate to diffusively pass through the plural passing openings to achieve a cooling objective.

Abstract: A diffuser and exhaust system is provided for a turbine having an axial-radial diffuser and an exhaust hood including diffuser inner and outer flow guides that extend from an inlet to an outlet. The exhaust hood includes two throats or flow passages between the diffuser outlet and an exhaust hood side wall. The outer flow guide includes a recess, at one of the said two flow passages. The flow passage is positioned in relation to a point in the exhaust hood in the direction of the tangential flow velocity vector, where the point in the exhaust hood is farthest away from the exhaust hood outlet. The recess prevents a re-acceleration of the flow within the exhaust hood and affects an increase in the performance of the diffuser and exhaust hood system.

Abstract: A containment system comprises at least one passage obstructer extending from a housing inlet cover through a diffuser passage and into a housing back cover. The passage obstructer includes a fastener portion, such as a bolt, and an obstructing portion extending from and integral to a shaft of the fastener portion. The diameter of the obstructing portion is less than the diameter of the shaft, allowing the obstructing portion to bend upon impact with a burst impeller fragment.

Abstract: A housing for a radial flow compressor, particularly for a turbocharger, comprises a first housing part and a second housing part joined together to form at least part of the housing, each of the housing parts comprising at least one cavity, said cavities in fluid communication, when the housing parts are juxtaposed, forming a cavity system into which a fluid joining compound, such as an adhesive, thermoplastic material, etc., is introduced to form a solid joint of said both housing parts, wherein the housing parts are dimensioned such that a gap for introducing the fluid joining compound extends from a free housing surface of the housing parts when juxtaposed, along facing joining surface sections of the housing parts, and ports into the cavity system.

Abstract: An ozone generator for providing ozone enriched air that comprises a body for defining a chamber for air flow therethrough and an ultraviolet lamp disposed in said chamber for irradiating the air passing through said chamber to convert oxygen molecules to ozone molecules. The device further comprises an air inlet for introducing air and a diffuser for diffusing the introduced air about said lamp. The diffuser has an annular flange with a plurality of apertures therein, said annular flange extending inwardly from a cylindrical portion encircling the annular flange, the cylindrical portion abutting and extending from the annular wall. The device further comprises an air outlet for discharging ozone enriched air.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump or compressor with a labyrinth seal that produces an axial thrust balance when the impeller shifts in the axial direction due to fluid pressure forces acting on the impeller, and a process for reducing the axial thrust imbalance by regulating the fluid leakage from a front pressure cavity of the pump. The impeller includes a front face that forms part of a front pressure cavity in which fluid pressure acts that produces a thrust imbalance on the impeller. A labyrinth seal with a plurality of teeth is formed between the housing and the front face of the impeller near the impeller inlet. The teeth form gaps with lands formed on the impeller face, where the lands are slanted and stepped such that axial displacement of the impeller changes the gap space to regulate the fluid pressure acting in the front cavity. A self regulating fluid pressure is developed within the front cavity to produce a balancing force against the impeller.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a turbine includes an annular diffuser and a collector. The annular diffuser is positioned adjacent to a final stage of the turbine and includes a hub portion surrounding a turbine shaft and an outer cone having a substantially frusto-conical shape that is radially symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis thereof that is tilted relative to the turbine shaft. The collector has an inlet extending from the annular diffuser and an outlet. The collector is configured to include a turn that causes the collector to turn exhaust gases approximately 90° from the longitudinal axis of the turbine shaft. The outer cone of the annular diffuser is tilted in a direction of the turn of the collector.

Abstract: An acoustic viscous damper for a compressor including a porous liner located within the discharge duct, the porous liner having a plurality of holes for passage of a purge working fluid therethrough into the discharge duct.

Abstract: In a high pressure centrifugal compressor, the occurrence of rotating stall noticeable in a comparatively-low specific speed wheel stage is prevented, thereby high efficient fluid performance is obtained and reliability is improved. The centrifugal compressor has a first vaneless diffuser with a constant flow channel height on the downstream side of an impeller, and a second vaneless diffuser in which the flow channel height decreases in a flow direction from an inlet to an outlet on the downstream side of the first vaneless diffuser. These diffusers are combined with an impeller using thick blades.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes an impeller and a diffuser, the diffuser having a plurality of descrete D-shaped passages intersecting each other.

Abstract: An air diffuser system for an impeller for a centrifugal pump has least one channel (36) with first opening (40) through the backside (14) and a second opening (42) through the front side (38) of the impeller (12). Tubes (44) are associated with each channel (36) and extend from the backside (14) of the impeller (12). Tube ends (48) are oriented in the direction of rotation (46) of the impeller (12).

Abstract: The effective efficiency of a centrifugal compressor can be improved by achieving a uniform distribution of fluid velocity across the outlet end of a fluid passage of an axial diffuser for the centrifugal compressor and a high static pressure recovery ratio Cp in the axial diffuser passage. The cross section of each axial diffuser passage is configured such that a relatively high velocity fluid flow in an upstream part of the diffuser passage is directed toward a negative pressure side of a cross section thereof. It can be accomplished by directing a minor axis of a cross section of the diffuser passage substantially perpendicularly to a direction directed from a center of the cross section of the diffuser passage to the central axial line of an impeller or directing the minor axis toward the central axial line of the impeller.

Abstract: A fan includes a fan housing located on an axis. The apparatus has axially front and rear sections that together define a chamber. Air can enter the chamber through an inlet in the front section. An impeller in the chamber is configured to rotate about the axis to drive the air radially outward. A trough-shaped channel in the rear section extends circumferentially about the axis from a first end of the channel to a second end of the channel. The channel is configured to channel the air away from the first end circumferentially toward the second end. The axially extending depth of the channel increases from the first end toward the second end such that, over a 90° range, an increase in the depth is more than twice an increase in the radially extending width of the channel.

Abstract: An automotive compressor is provided having a casing defining an intake section for fluid for compression, and a delivery section for delivering the compressed fluid. An impeller is movable angularly inside the casing to increase the pressure of the fluid. A distributor is carried by the intake section of the casing to conduct the fluid for compression to the impeller. The casing and the distributor are defined by separate members connected releasably to each other.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present inventive technology focuses on a vaneless diffuser adapted for establishment extra-radially of a centrifugal fan, wherein the diffuser may effect an optimal transformation of velocity pressure into static pressure of a fluid (e.g., air) impelled by a centrifugal fan by decreasing that fluid's tangential velocity as it travels through the diffuser, without causing recirculation of air output from the diffuser back into the diffuser. Such diffuser may effect such a decrease in tangential velocity by radially extending the interface through which impelled air is output from the diffuser to a downflow fluid handling environment such as, e.g., a scroll and/or a plenum. The diffuser may converge in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation of the centrifugal fan to avoid fluid recirculation and/or may incorporate acoustical material so as to reduce the amount of material necessary for effective noise reduction as compared with convention noise reduction methods.

Abstract: A housing part, which can be firmly joined to another housing part for the formation of a housing of a radial flow compressor, in particular a turbocharger. At least one open or closed channel portion is provided in each housing part so that when the housing parts are joined a channel system is formed which runs between the two housing parts. A free-flowing and hardening compaction material, such as an adhesive or a thermoplastic polymer, is inserted into the channel system for the formation of a firm bond between the two housing parts.

Abstract: A small cooling fan includes a rotating fan body with a vane in a flat fan housing, and an air channel for backflow prevention. The air channel is provided outside of the vicinity of the tip of the vane of the rotating fan body, extends to an air outlet, and has an inner height larger than that of a fan chamber. This structure can prevent the backflow of the wind at the air outlet and reduce the loss of the static pressure, thereby increasing the airflow quantity in spite of the small size.

Abstract: In a downhole centrifugal pump, diffusers are stacked one on top of each other inside of tubular pump housing without contacting the pump drive shaft or impellers. A first compressive device applies a pre-compressive force to a stack of diffusers to prevent the diffusers from rotating inside the tubular housing of the pump with the drive shaft. A second compressive device located between the first compressive device and the stack of diffusers applies another compressive load on the stack of diffusers in the event the first compressive device ceases to apply the compressive load.

Abstract: A radial turbine with a novel inlet and a outlet is combined with a centrifugal compressor, also having novel inlet and outlet, so as to obtain a turbocompressor unit wherein the respective inlets and/or exhausts of which are improved. The combination of above improves the overall efficiency of the turbocompressor unit. In addition, the combination limits the axial bulk of such a unit at the cost of a limited increase both in the cross section and the weight and structural complexity of the turbocompressor unit. Such a turbomachine: a radial turbine with an optional centrifugal compressor can be produced using two-microelectronic dimensional machining techniques of the microelectronic type.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes an impeller and a diffuser. The impeller has an inner integral hub with vanes thereon, is adapted to rotate within an outer shroud about a central longitudinal axis, and has a defined hub-to-shroud distribution of fluid exit angles. The diffuser, downstream from the impeller, comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced discrete passages at least partially defining fluid paths through the diffuser, and angled such that adjacent discrete passages intersect each other to form an annular semi-vaneless diffuser inlet space. The discrete passages downstream of the semi-vaneless space each have an inlet therefrom and an outlet with a greater cross-sectional area than the inlet. The intersection of the annular semi-vaneless space and each discrete passage defines a leading edge thereof.

Abstract: In a diffuser arrangement for centrifugal compressors, a longitudinal center line of each passage is tangential to a reference tangent circle defined concentrically with respect to the impeller and having a smaller diameter than an outer diameter of the impeller so that a leading edge defined at an intersection between each pair of adjacent passages is brought close to an outer periphery of the impeller. Because the leading edge, in particular the side portions thereof, is brought close to the outer peripheral part of the impeller, the incidence mismatch can be minimized so that a blockage in the throat section of each passage can be avoided, and the static pressure can be recovered at a high efficiency. Also, when drilling the passages, protrusions are not formed in the inner peripheral part of the diffuser. Elimination of the need to remove such protrusions contributes to the reduction in the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: In a diffuser arrangement for centrifugal compressors, a longitudinal center line of each passage is tangential to a reference tangent circle defined concentrically with respect to the impeller and having a smaller diameter than an outer diameter of the impeller so that a leading edge defined at an intersection between each pair of adjacent passages is brought close to an outer periphery of the impeller. Because the leading edge, in particular the side portions thereof, is brought close to the outer peripheral part of the impeller, the incidence mismatch can be minimized so that a blockage in the throat section of each passage can be avoided, and the static pressure can be recovered at a high efficiency. Also, when drilling the passages, protrusions are not formed in the inner peripheral part of the diffuser. Elimination of the need to remove such protrusions contributes to the reduction in the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a driven impeller that moves working air for the vacuum cleaner. A first housing includes a first wall and a second housing includes a second wall opposite the first wall, and an outlet for the working air. The impeller rotates and draws the working air through an opening and directs the working air radially outwardly toward the first wall and then through an annular passage formed between the first wall and the second wall. The annular passage restricts the flow of working air to provide back pressure on the impeller.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor or pump has a vaneless diffuser within which a radially extending passage is formed between a fixed plate surface and a profile contoured shroud surface establishing a pinch point location of minimum passage area intermediate inlet and outlet ends of the diffuser passage. Convergent and divergent flow portions of the diffuser passage respectively extend to and from the pinch point to establish continuous convergent flow from the inlet end and divergent flow toward the outlet end for exit outflow at a flow angle less than that of a convergent inflow angle from the inlet end imposed along an initial profile segment.

Abstract: A molded through-flow motor assembly has a motor housing, including a cup portion and a flange portion. The flange portion includes a plurality of ramp surfaces extending outwardly therefrom. The cup portion has a field retaining wall and guide rib extending inwardly therefrom on opposite sides of the housing. A diffuser plate is provided having a plurality of scalloped ramp surfaces on a first side thereof adjacent to a plurality of air inlet apertures which open into air chambers on the second side thereof. The field and armature portions of a motor assembly are mounted in the motor housing and the diffuser plate is fitted to the flange portion of the housing such that the ramp surfaces abut one another to form a continuous ramp surface from each air inlet aperture into the air chambers. A rotating fan member is mounted to the armature shaft and is housed within a shroud cover fitted to the motor housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radial split diffuser with an inner casing and an outer casing joined together along a cylindrical joint. Each diffuser passage is intersected by and extends transversely across the joint. The advantages of this design include: the elimination of a transition within the initial portion of the passages where air flow speeds are supersonic and minute surface discontinuities can significantly effect performance; and the simplification of manufacturing through use of metal castings to replace sheet metal fabrications in the manufacture of diffusers. The joint in the present invention can be located downstream from the diffuser inlet a sufficient distance in a lower velocity area. The joint is located to enable access for precise machining of the critical initial portion of the passages within the inner casing, and to minimize air flow disturbance in the initial portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an impeller containment system for containing the burst of an impeller or the burst of impeller fragments from an impeller hub. The containment system utilizes a catcher extending from a shroud plate adjacent the impeller, which engages with a snagger formed as a unitary part of the impeller. The catcher and snagger cooperate to restrain a burst impeller or impeller fragments to their shortest radial distance from their point of burst. The system also includes a shroud which circumferentially surrounds the impeller and a diffuser, which circumferentially surrounds the radial tip portions of the impeller.