US3741677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow control apparatus for a centrifugal compressor
Assignee: Barodyne Inc
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Filing: 1971-10-12
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A control apparatus used for controlling a centrifugal compressor during low flow and overload conditions is disclosed. A manifold disposed in the inlet to the compressor includes passageways which allow fluid such as air from a higher stage of compression to be directed in a direction generally opposed to prevailing flow direction in the inlet thereby throttling the inlet flow. The manifold defines a sonic nozzle which throttles the inlet air during overload conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 D Silvern
- 👤 S Minton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:58
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D17/00; F04D17/08; F04D17/10; F04D17/12; F04D17/122; F04D27/00; F04D27/02; F04D27/0207; F04D27/0215; F04D27/0238; F04D29/00; F04D29/40; F04D29/42; F04D29/44; F04D29/441; F04D29/66; F04D29/68; F04D29/681; F04D29/684; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S415/00; Y10S415/914
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
In a centrifugal fluid compressor which includes an inlet to a stage of compression, an improvement in flow control means disposed in the inlet to said stage of compression comprising: a nozzle means defining said inlet, including a first section adjacent to said inlet said first section defining a sonic nozzle and a second section adjacent to said stage of compression, said second section defining a diffuser such that fluid entering said stage of compression first passes through said sonic nozzle and thereafter passes through said diffuser before entering said stage of compression, whereby said nozzle means provides overload control means for said centrifugal compressor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a centrifugal fluid compressor which includes an inlet to a stage of compression, an improvement in flow control means disposed in the inlet to said stage of compression comprising: a nozzle means defining said inlet, including a first section adjacent to said inlet said first section defining a sonic nozzle and a second section adjacent to said stage of compression, said second section defining a diffuser such that fluid entering said stage of compression first passes through said sonic nozzle and thereafter passes through said diffuser before entering said stage of compression, whereby said nozzle means provides overload control means for said centrifugal compressor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said nozzle means defines a continuous surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein said diffuser is a conical diffuser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein said nozzle means includes a manifold disposed in said inlet, said manifold having an inlet coupled to a higher stage of compression for receiving fluid from said higher stage of compression and a plurality of passageways disposed through said manifold such that said manifold inlet communicates with said inlet to said stage of compression such that fluid from said higher stage of compression may be injected into said inlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improvement defined in claim 4 wherein said passageways are disposed in said manifold such that they from an acute angle with the prevailing flow in said inlet such that fluid flowing through said passageways generally opposes the flow of fluid through such inlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a centrifugal fluid compressor which includes at least one stage of compression comprising an inlet, rotor and diffuser and at least one higher stage of compression, flow control means comprising: a line coupled at one end to said higher stage of compression; a manifold disposed in said inlet and defining a sonic nozzle in said inlet, said manifold including a manifold inlet coupled to the other end of said line and a plurality of passageways which communicate with said manifold inlet and said inlet of said one stage of compression, said passageways being disposed such that they form an acute angle with the prevailing flow in said inlet such that fluid flowing through said line into said inlet generally opposes the flow of fluid through such inlet into said one stage of compression.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a centrifugal fluid compressor which includes at least one stage of compression comprising an inlet, rotor and diffuser and at least one higher stage of compression, flow control means comprising: a line coupled at one end to said higher stage of compression; a manifold disposed in said inlet and defining a sonic nozzle in said inlet, said manifold including a manifold inlet coupled to the other end of said line and a plurality of passageways which communicate with said manifold inlet and said inlet of said one stage of compression, said passageways being disposed such that they form an acute angle with the prevailing flow in said inlet such that fluid flowing through said line into said inlet generally opposes the flow of fluid through such inlet into said one stage of compression.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The flow control means defined in claim 6 wherein the end of said manifold adjacent to said rotor of said one stage of compression defines a conical diffuser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flow control means defined in claim 7 including control means for controlling the flow of fluid through said line into said manifold.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |