# US 11,994,041 B2 · Advanced aero diffusers for turbine frames and outlet guide vanes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,041 B2 - Document ID: US11994041B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/493,318 - Filed: 2021-10-04 - Published: 2023-04-06 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2021-10-04 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: General Electric Company - Inventors: Christopher R. Johnson; Thomas J. Lipinski; Eric Schroeder; Carlos Fernandez; David A. Perveiler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994041B2 ## CPC - F01D 9/041: {using blades (F01D5/148 takes precedence)} - F01D 5/22: Blade-to-blade connections, {e.g. for damping vibrations} - F01D 9/065: {Fluid supply or removal conduits traversing the working fluid flow, e.g. for lubrication-, cooling-, or sealing fluids (see also F01D25/16, F01D25/24 and F01D25/26)} - F01D 25/24: Casings (modified for heating or cooling F01D25/14); Casing parts, e.g. diaphragms, casing fastenings (casings for rotary machines or engines in general F16M {; special arrangements in stators dealing with breaking-off of part of rotor F01D21/045}) - F01D 25/28: Supporting or mounting arrangements, e.g. for turbine casing - F01D 5/145: {Means for influencing boundary layers or secondary circulations (for compressors F04D29/68)} - F05D 2240/12: Fluid guiding means, e.g. vanes - Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract Diffuser apparatus for turbine frames and outlet guide vanes are disclosed. An example diffuser is integrated into a turbine engine. The example diffuser includes a plurality of struts extending between an inner portion and an outer portion of the turbine engine; and a plurality of flowpath surfaces supported by the plurality of struts. The example plurality of flowpath surfaces extends circumferentially within the turbine engine at a plurality of radial spans to control diffusion of air flow within the turbine engine. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A turbine engine comprising: a plurality of struts arranged radially between an inner portion and an outer portion of the turbine engine; and a plurality of flowpath surfaces supported by the plurality of struts, the plurality of flowpath surfaces extending radially between the inner portion and the outer portion of the turbine engine along a circumference of the inner portion and the outer portion of the turbine engine to control diffusion of air flow in an axial direction, wherein the plurality of flowpath surfaces includes a first flowpath surface and a second flowpath surface, the first flowpath surface parallel to the second flowpath surface at a first end and diverging away from each other at an angle at a second end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of struts or the plurality of flowpath surfaces includes openings to control a boundary layer adjacent the respective at least one of the plurality of struts or the plurality of flowpath surfaces. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The turbine engine of claim 2, wherein the openings include first openings to provide suction of the boundary layer and second openings to pass cooling air. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of struts includes an airfoil. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The turbine engine of claim 4, wherein the plurality of struts includes at least one symmetric airfoil and at least one shaped airfoil. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the inner portion and the outer portion of the turbine engine form at least one of a turbine center frame, a turbine rear frame, an outlet guide vane, or an exhaust center body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of flowpath surfaces define one or more diffusion parameters for an area including the plurality of flowpath surfaces. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The turbine engine of claim 7, wherein the one or more diffusion parameters include a flow split, a flow area, or a diffusion length. ### Claim 9 A diffuser integrated into a turbine engine, the diffuser comprising: a plurality of struts extending between an inner portion and an outer portion of the turbine engine; and a plurality of flowpath surfaces supported by the plurality of struts, the plurality of flowpath surfaces extending circumferentially within the turbine engine at a plurality of radial spans to control diffusion of air flow within the turbine engine, wherein the plurality of flowpath surfaces includes a first flowpath surface and a second flowpath surface, the first flowpath surface parallel to the second flowpath surface at a first end and diverging away from each other at an angle at a second end. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The diffuser of claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of struts or the plurality of flowpath surfaces includes openings to control a boundary layer adjacent the respective at least one of the plurality of struts or the plurality of flowpath surfaces. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The diffuser of claim 10, wherein the openings include first openings to provide suction of the boundary layer and second openings to pass cooling air. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The diffuser of claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of struts is an airfoil. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The diffuser of claim 9, wherein the diffuser is integrated into at least one of a turbine center frame, a turbine rear frame, an outlet guide vane, or an exhaust center body of the turbine engine. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The diffuser of claim 9, wherein the plurality of flowpath surfaces define one or more diffusion parameters for an area including the plurality of flowpath surfaces. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The diffuser of claim 14, wherein the one or more diffusion parameters include a flow split, a flow area, or a diffusion length.