Variable inlet guide vane apparatus

An inlet guide vane apparatus for use in combination with a compressor housing, the inlet guide vane apparatus configured to impart a pre-swirl motion to a fluid flow entering an inlet of the compressor housing, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing including an inlet, an outlet, and an inner surface defining a fluid flow passageway extending between the inlet and outlet along a fluid flow direction, the housing further defining guide vane openings extending into the fluid flow passageway, wherein the inner surface includes an inlet portion extending axially from the inlet to an axial end upstream from the guide vane openings, wherein the inlet portion of the inner surface includes an inwardly tapered portion that tapers radially inward as the inner surface extends along the fluid flow direction, and wherein the inner surface further includes an outwardly tapered portion positioned downstream from the inwardly tapered portion that tapers radially outwards as the inner surface extends along the fluid flow direction;
• a ring gear rotatable relative to the housing;
• and
• guide vanes connected to the housing, each guide vane of the guide vanes extending through one of the guide vane openings, each guide vane comprising:
• a vane gear operably connectable with the ring gear;
• and
• a vane disposed within the fluid flow passageway, wherein each of the guide vanes is rotatable relative to the housing such that an orientation of the vane within the fluid flow passageway is selectively adjustable.