US3860360A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Diffuser for a centrifugal compressor
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1973-09-04
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A diffuser for a centrifugal compressor has a body defining diffusing passages extending tangentially and radially from an annular space around the circumference of the compressor impeller. These passages diverge in the direction of flow and trend smoothly in cross-section from rectangular at the inlet to circular at the outlet in the preferred case. The cross-section of the passage follows the relation X/A S + Y/b s 1, WHERE X AND Y ARE COORDINATES, A AND B ARE WIDTH AND DEPTH PARAMETERS, AND S IS A SHAPE FACTOR WHICH VARIES PROGRESSIVELY ALONG THE DIFFUSING PASSAGE FROM NEAR INFINITY AT THE INLET TO PREFERABLY 2 AT THE OUTLET.
Inventors
- 👤 Mason K Yu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:35
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D29/00; F04D29/40; F04D29/42; F04D29/44; F04D29/441
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A diffuser for a centrifugal compressor comprising a body defining a central space of circular cross-section to receive a centrifugal impeller and defining an annular array of diffusing passages extending generally radially and tangentially from the periphery of the central space, the passages being substantially rectangular at the inlets and substantially elliptical at the outlets and having cross-sections trending consistently from the inlet to the outlet according to the relation that the absolute value of the quantity x/a raised to power s plus the absolute value of the quantity y/b raised to power s equals unity, where x and y are the coordinates of the boundary of a cross-section of the passage, a is half the width of the passage radially of the diffuser and b is half the depth of the passage axially of the diffuser at the cross-section, and the exponent s is a shape factor varying progressively in value from a large value at the inlet to substantially two at the outlet, and the ratio of a to b converging toward unity toward the outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A diffuser for a centrifugal compressor comprising a body defining a central space of circular cross-section to receive a centrifugal impeller and defining an annular array of diffusing passages extending generally radially and tangentially from the periphery of the central space, the passages being substantially rectangular at the inlets and substantially elliptical at the outlets and having cross-sections trending consistently from the inlet to the outlet according to the relation that the absolute value of the quantity x/a raised to power s plus the absolute value of the quantity y/b raised to power s equals unity, where x and y are the coordinates of the boundary of a cross-section of the passage, a is half the width of the passage radially of the diffuser and b is half the depth of the passage axially of the diffuser at the cross-section, and the exponent s is a shape factor varying progressively in value from a large value at the inlet to substantially two at the outlet, and the ratio of a to b converging toward unity toward the outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
213 words
A diffuser for a centrifugal compressor comprising a body defining a central space of circular cross-section to receive a centrifugal impeller and defining an annular array of diffusing passages extending generally radially and tangentially from the periphery of the central space, the passages being rectangular at the inlets and substantially elliptical at the outlets and having cross-sections trending consistently from the inlet to the outlet according to the relation that the absolute value of the quantity x/a raised to power s plus the absolute value of the quantity y/b raised to power s equals unity, where x and y are the coordinates of the boundary of a cross-section of the passage, a is half the width of the passage radially of the diffuser and b is half the depth of the passage axially of the diffuser at the cross-section, and the exponEnt s is a shape factor varying progressively in value from a large value at the inlet to near two at the outlet, the values of a and b varying smoothly from the inlet to the outlet, the values of a, b, and s varying so that the passages vary smoothly in area from the inlet to the outlet, and the ratio of a to b being near unity at the outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
213 words
A diffuser for a centrifugal compressor comprising a body defining a central space of circular cross-section to receive a centrifugal impeller and defining an annular array of diffusing passages extending generally radially and tangentially from the periphery of the central space, the passages being rectangular at the inlets and substantially elliptical at the outlets and having cross-sections trending consistently from the inlet to the outlet according to the relation that the absolute value of the quantity x/a raised to power s plus the absolute value of the quantity y/b raised to power s equals unity, where x and y are the coordinates of the boundary of a cross-section of the passage, a is half the width of the passage radially of the diffuser and b is half the depth of the passage axially of the diffuser at the cross-section, and the exponEnt s is a shape factor varying progressively in value from a large value at the inlet to near two at the outlet, the values of a and b varying smoothly from the inlet to the outlet, the values of a, b, and s varying so that the passages vary smoothly in area from the inlet to the outlet, and the ratio of a to b being near unity at the outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
213 words
A diffuser for a centrifugal compressor comprising a body defining a central space of circular cross-section to receive a centrifugal impeller and defining an annular array of diffusing passages extending generally radially and tangentially from the periphery of the central space, the passages being rectangular at the inlets and substantially elliptical at the outlets and having cross-sections trending consistently from the inlet to the outlet according to the relation that the absolute value of the quantity x/a raised to power s plus the absolute value of the quantity y/b raised to power s equals unity, where x and y are the coordinates of the boundary of a cross-section of the passage, a is half the width of the passage radially of the diffuser and b is half the depth of the passage axially of the diffuser at the cross-section, and the exponent s is a shape factor varying progressively in value from a large value at the inlet to near two at the outlet, the values of a and b increasing smoothly from a throat to the outlet, the values of a, b, and s varying so that the passages increase progressively in area from the throat to the outlet, and the ratio of aa to b being near unity at the outlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
213 words
A diffuser for a centrifugal compressor comprising a body defining a central space of circular cross-section to receive a centrifugal impeller and defining an annular array of diffusing passages extending generally radially and tangentially from the periphery of the central space, the passages being rectangular at the inlets and substantially elliptical at the outlets and having cross-sections trending consistently from the inlet to the outlet according to the relation that the absolute value of the quantity x/a raised to power s plus the absolute value of the quantity y/b raised to power s equals unity, where x and y are the coordinates of the boundary of a cross-section of the passage, a is half the width of the passage radially of the diffuser and b is half the depth of the passage axially of the diffuser at the cross-section, and the exponent s is a shape factor varying progressively in value from a large value at the inlet to near two at the outlet, the values of a and b increasing smoothly from a throat to the outlet, the values of a, b, and s varying so that the passages increase progressively in area from the throat to the outlet, and the ratio of aa to b being near unity at the outlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
213 words
A diffuser for a centrifugal compressor comprising a body defining a central space of circular cross-section to receive a centrifugal impeller and defining an annular array of diffusing passages extending generally radially and tangentially from the periphery of the central space, the passages being rectangular at the inlets and substantially elliptical at the outlets and having cross-sections trending consistently from the inlet to the outlet according to the relation that the absolute value of the quantity x/a raised to power s plus the absolute value of the quantity y/b raised to power s equals unity, where x and y are the coordinates of the boundary of a cross-section of the passage, a is half the width of the passage radially of the diffuser and b is half the depth of the passage axially of the diffuser at the cross-section, and the exponent s is a shape factor varying progressively in value from a large value at the inlet to near two at the outlet, the values of a and b increasing smoothly from the inlet to the outlet, the values of a, b, and s varying so that the passages increase progressively in area from the inlet to the outlet, and the ratio of a to b being near unity at the outlet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
213 words
A diffuser for a centrifugal compressor comprising a body defining a central space of circular cross-section to receive a centrifugal impeller and defining an annular array of diffusing passages extending generally radially and tangentially from the periphery of the central space, the passages being rectangular at the inlets and substantially elliptical at the outlets and having cross-sections trending consistently from the inlet to the outlet according to the relation that the absolute value of the quantity x/a raised to power s plus the absolute value of the quantity y/b raised to power s equals unity, where x and y are the coordinates of the boundary of a cross-section of the passage, a is half the width of the passage radially of the diffuser and b is half the depth of the passage axially of the diffuser at the cross-section, and the exponent s is a shape factor varying progressively in value from a large value at the inlet to near two at the outlet, the values of a and b increasing smoothly from the inlet to the outlet, the values of a, b, and s varying so that the passages increase progressively in area from the inlet to the outlet, and the ratio of a to b being near unity at the outlet.
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) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |