Variable pipe diffuser for centrifugal compressor
OwnerJoost J. Brasz, John W. Salvageinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A variable pipe diffuser for use in a centrifugal compressor. The variable pipe diffuser includes an outer ring and an inner ring which is rotatable circumferentially within the outer ring between a first, open position and a second, closed position. In an open position, complementary air channel sections of the inner and outer rings are aligned with one another to allow a maximum flow of refrigerant through the diffuser. In a closed position, the flow channels of the ring sections are misaligned and the flow of refrigerant through the diffuser is restricted. By adjusting the diffuser rings toward a closed position, surge conditions can be avoided even in the case where a high compressor pressure ratio is required.
Claims7
A centrifugal compressor having a casing and an impeller rotatably mounted therein for bringing a working fluid from an inlet to an entrance of an annular radially disposed diffuser, said diffuser including:
- a first, inner ring, said inner ring having a plurality of first flow guide channel sections formed therein;
- a second, outer ring, said outer ring having a plurality of second flow guide channels formed therein, each of said second flow guide channel sections having a complementary one of said first flow guide channel sections;
- and
- drive means for rotating said first and second rings in relation to one another between a first, open position wherein said complementary first and second flow channel sections are aligned to allow a maximum flow of said working fluid through each of said complementary channel sections, and a second, closed position, wherein said first and second complementary flow guide channels are misaligned to restrict but allow flow of fluid through each of said complementary channel sections.
A centrifugal compressor having a casing and an impeller rotatably mounted therein for bringing a working fluid from an inlet to an entrance of an annular radially disposed diffuser, said diffuser including:
- a first, inner ring, said inner ring having a plurality of first flow guide channel sections formed therein;
- a second, outer ring, said outer ring having a plurality of second flow guide channels formed therein, each one of said second flow guide channel sections having a complementary one of said first flow guide channel sections;
- and
- drive means for moving said inner and outer rings in axial relation to one another between a first, open position wherein said complementary first and second flow channel sections are aligned to allow a maximum flow of said working fluid through each of said complementary channel sections, and a second, closed position, wherein said first and second complementary flow guide channels are misaligned to restrict but allow flow of fluid through each of said complementary channel sections.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.