Patent ID: 6547520
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: F04D,F05D

Abstract:
A vaned diffuser for a centrifugal compressor of the type having an impeller and a diffuser for receiving compressed gas from said impeller and converting the gas kinetic energy to higher pressure prior to its being passed on to a collector, comprising:a diffuser housing; a plurality of vanes, with each having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a longitudinal axis extending from said leading edge to a point near said trailing edge; mounting means for locating and retaining said plurality of vanes in said diffuser housing, said mounting means having associated with each of said plurality of vanes: a pivot pin mounted in said diffuser housing near said vane leading edge and acting to position said vane within said housing; an actuation mechanism engaging said vane near its trailing edge, said mechanism being operable to selectively cause said vane to rotate about an axis of its pivot pin; and a slot in said vane, extending generally along said longitudinal axis to allow for relative movement, along said longitudinal axis, between said vanes and said mounting means when said vane is rotated wherein said actuation mechanism comprises a ring which is interconnected to each of said vanes by way of actuation pins, and means for rotating said ring to move said plurality of vanes in substantial unison and further wherein said ring is rotatably mounted on an outer surface of an annular portion of said diffuser housing with no structure being immediately surrounding its radially outer edge.