Composite cross-over diffuser for a centrifugal pump, centrifugal pump comprising the same and corresponding manufacturing process

A composite cross-over diffuser for a centrifugal pump, the composite cross-over diffuser comprising:

• a casing-mounting member having an impeller shaft-receiving opening and comprising a core-supporting portion;
• and a composite diffuser core mounted to or at least partially formed integral with the core-supporting portion of the casing-mounting member;
• wherein the composite diffuser core comprises a plurality of upstream vane members;
• a core body at least partially formed in a first material and having upstream and downstream faces;
• and a vane-reinforcing assembly formed in a second material different from the first material, the vane-reinforcing assembly comprising a core body-mounting ring mounted to or formed integral with the upstream face of the core body and a plurality of reinforcing vane portions protruding outwardly from the core body-mounting ring and extending from an upstream face of the core body-mounting ring, wherein the plurality of reinforcing vane portions form proximal vane portions of the plurality of upstream vane members,
• wherein the core body has a plurality of distal upstream vane portions of the plurality of upstream vane members mounted to or formed integral with the upstream face of the core body, the plurality of distal upstream vane portions being formed in the first material and forming with the plurality of reinforcing vane portions the plurality of upstream vane members.