US4932835A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable vane height diffuser
Assignee: Dresser Rand Co
•
Filing: 1989-04-04
•
Granted: 1990-06-12
•
Expires: 2009-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A diffuser vane assembly for a centrifugal compressor includes movable vanes which are inserted or retracted from the diffuser passage through slots in one of the diffuser walls. The vane assembly is axially movable by an internally threaded drum and gear arrangement. A hand crank external to the compressor is effective to rotate the drum and thereby axially move the plate and attached vanes within the diffuser passage.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Sorokes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:49
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D29/00; F04D29/40; F04D29/42; F04D29/44; F04D29/46; F04D29/462; F05; F05D; F05D2250/00; F05D2250/50; F05D2250/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A centrifugal compressor equipped with diffuser vanes, comprising: an impeller for compressing a fluid; a diffuser passage defined by opposing sidewalls, one said sidewall having a plurality of slots therein; a circular plate having a plurality of diffuser vanes attached thereto, said diffuser vanes extending through respective slots of said diffuser sidewall, said plate having threads on an annular edge thereof; a drum having annular threads engagable with the threads of said plate, said drum having gear teeth, and being rotatable within a housing of said compressor; a gear mateable with the teeth of said drum; and means for driving said gear so that rotation thereof is effective to rotate said drum and laterally move said plate, whereby said vanes are laterally moved in said diffuser passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A centrifugal compressor equipped with diffuser vanes, comprising: an impeller for compressing a fluid; a diffuser passage defined by opposing sidewalls, one said sidewall having a plurality of slots therein; a circular plate having a plurality of diffuser vanes attached thereto, said diffuser vanes extending through respective slots of said diffuser sidewall, said plate having threads on an annular edge thereof; a drum having annular threads engagable with the threads of said plate, said drum having gear teeth, and being rotatable within a housing of said compressor; a gear mateable with the teeth of said drum; and means for driving said gear so that rotation thereof is effective to rotate said drum and laterally move said plate, whereby said vanes are laterally moved in said diffuser passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The centrifugal compressor of claim 1, wherein said drum includes internal threads engagable with threads on a peripheral edge of said plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The centrifugal compressor of claim 1, wherein said drum includes gear teeth on an annular end edge thereof, mateable with said gear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The centrifugal compressor of claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises a hand crank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The centrifugal compressor claim 1, wherein said drum is bearinged to said housing for rotation therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The centrifugal compressor of claim 5, wherein said housing is cylindrically shaped having plural inner annular grooves, and said drum has plural outer annular grooves, and including plural ball bearings between said inner and outer grooves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The centrifugal compressor of claim 1, wherein said vanes each have an angled edge corresponding to an angled said diffuser wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The centrifugal compressor of claim 1, wherein said plate is ring-shaped so that an impeller shaft can extend centrally therethrough.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-11 | 1993-12-11 | 1994-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-11 | 1997-12-11 | 1998-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-11 | 2001-12-11 | 2002-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |