US4100732A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Centrifugal compressor advanced dump diffuser
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1976-12-02
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Granted: 1978-07-18
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Expires: 1996-12-02
Abstract
Abstract Airflow exiting a centrifugal compressor is diffused in multiple shaped passages tangential to the compressor impeller dumped into a plenum to reduce its Mach number and then directed through deswirl vanes to the entrance of a combustor. Deswirl at reduced Mach number significantly reduces pressure losses resulting in reduced complexity and manufacturing cost for the diffuser deswirl system.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Connor Bryans
- 👤 Barry Weinstein
- 👤 Neil Roger Brookes
- 👤 John William Vdoviak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:41
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D29/00; F04D29/40; F04D29/42; F04D29/44; F04D29/441; F02; F02C; F02C3/00; F02C3/04; F02C3/08; F05; F05D; F05D2250/00; F05D2250/50; F05D2250/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A diffuser for diffusing the accelerated gas flow from a centrifugal compressor to an annular combustor comprising: an annular housing circumscribing the centrifugal compressor; a plurality of diffuser passages spaced about the circumference of the housing and extending therethrough for diffusing the flow exiting the compressor; a transition region disposed intermediate the outlet of the diffuser passages and the inlet to the combustor said transition region further including a reduced area neck portion, plenum means disposed in said transition region upstream of said neck portion for expanding the gas flow exiting the diffuser passages and correspondingly reducing the velocity of said gas flow; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced deswirl vanes in said transition region upstream of the inlet to the combustor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A diffuser for diffusing the accelerated gas flow from a centrifugal compressor to an annular combustor comprising: an annular housing circumscribing the centrifugal compressor; a plurality of diffuser passages spaced about the circumference of the housing and extending therethrough for diffusing the flow exiting the compressor; a transition region disposed intermediate the outlet of the diffuser passages and the inlet to the combustor said transition region further including a reduced area neck portion, plenum means disposed in said transition region upstream of said neck portion for expanding the gas flow exiting the diffuser passages and correspondingly reducing the velocity of said gas flow; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced deswirl vanes in said transition region upstream of the inlet to the combustor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The diffuser of claim 1 wherein said circumferentially spaced deswirl vanes are disposed in said neck portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The diffuser of claim 2, wherein the said reduced velocity of the gas flow in the plenum area permits a plurality of circumferentially spaced engine service tubes to be disposed through said plenum area without the creation of excessive turbulence in the gas flow entering the combustor.
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) | 1981-07-17 | 1982-01-16 | 1982-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-17 | 1986-01-16 | 1986-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-17 | 1990-01-16 | 1990-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |