Variable inlet guide vane apparatus combined with compressor end cap

A compressor comprising:

• a compressor housing comprising a main body and an end cap, the end cap comprising an annular sidewall defining a recess, an annular flange extending radially outward from the annular sidewall and connected to an end of the main body, the annular sidewall is at least partially disposed within the main body when the annular flange is connected to the end of the main body, and an interior wall extending axially within the recess, the end cap defining an inlet of the compressor housing;
• a driveshaft rotatably supported within the compressor housing;
• an impeller connected to the driveshaft and operable to impart kinetic energy to a fluid flow entering the inlet upon rotation of the driveshaft;
• an inlet guide vane apparatus combined with the end cap of the compressor housing, the inlet guide vane apparatus comprising:
• a housing portion connected to and positioned axially downstream from the interior wall of the end cap, wherein the interior wall and the housing portion cooperatively define a fluid flow passageway and guide vane openings extending into the fluid flow passageway, wherein the connection between the interior wall and the housing portion is disposed within the main body when the annular flange is connected to the main body when the annular flange is connected to the main body;
• a ring gear rotatable relative to at least one of the housing portion and the end cap, wherein the ring gear is at least partially disposed within the main body of the compressor when the annular flange is connected to the main body;
• and
• guide vanes connected to the housing portion and the end cap, each guide vane of the guide vanes extending through one of the guide vane openings, each guide vane comprising:
• a vane gear operably connected to the ring gear and disposed at an exterior of the housing portion, wherein the vane gears are at least partially disposed within the main body of the compressor when the annular flange is connected to the main body;
• and
• a vane disposed within the fluid flow passageway, wherein each of the guide vanes is rotatable relative to the housing portion such that an orientation of the vane within the fluid flow passageway is selectively adjustable.

A method of assembling a compressor that includes a compressor housing having a main body and an end cap connected to an end of the main body, and an inlet guide vane apparatus combined with the end cap, the apparatus including a housing portion and guide vanes, wherein each guide vane of the guide vanes includes a vane gear and a vane, the method comprising:

• assembling the inlet guide vane apparatus by:
• rotatably connecting a ring gear to one of the housing portion and the end cap;
• connecting the housing portion to an interior wall of the end cap such that the housing portion and the interior wall cooperatively define a fluid flow passageway and guide vane openings extending into the fluid flow passageway;
• positioning the guide vanes relative to the other one of the housing portion and the end cap such that, when the housing portion and the end cap are connected, each guide vane extends through one of the guide vane openings and the vane of each vane gear is disposed in the fluid flow passageway;
• and
• operably connecting the vane gear of each guide vane to the ring gear;
• positioning at least a portion of the inlet guide vane apparatus within the main body of the compressor housing;
• connecting an annular flange of the end cap to an end of the main body, wherein the annular flange extends radially outward from an annular sidewall that is at least partially disposed within the main body of the compressor when the annular flange is connected to the end of the main body, the annular sidewall defining a recess, the interior wall extending within the recess, and wherein the end cap defines an inlet of the compressor housing that is fluidly connected with the fluid flow passageway, wherein at least a portion of the guide vanes and the connection between the housing and the end cap are disposed within the main body of the compressor when the annular flange is connected to the main body;
• removing the vane gear from one of the guide vanes without disconnecting the end cap and the housing portion;
• and
• connecting a second vane gear to the one of the guide vanes.