Axial flow machine having an asymmetrical compressor inlet guide baffle

Abstract

An axial flow machine having an asymmetrical air inlet and, downstream therefrom, a compressor having an inlet guide baffle composed of guide vanes is characterized in that at least some of the guide vanes of the inlet guide baffle have a vane profile and/or an angle of attack that deviate(s) from the remaining guide vanes. The inlet flow angle of the first compressor stage is hereby evened out circumferentially symmetrically. This is accomplished in that the different inlet angles resulting at various circumferential positions of the inlet guide baffle due to the asymmetry of the air inlet, are influenced by selective profiling and/or by selectively modifying the angle of incidence of individual guide vanes in such a way that a circumferentially symmetrical outflow angle from the inlet vane ring results. In this way, the circumferential distortions caused by the asymmetrical air inlet are minimized and, thus, circumferentially symmetrical inlet conditions are passed onto the first compressor stage, which results in an improved stability and an enhanced efficiency of the compressor.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An axial flow machine comprising:
 an asymmetrical air inlet; and   a compressor downstream from the asymmetrical air inlet, the compressor having an inlet guide baffle composed of guide vanes, at least some of the guide vanes of the inlet guide baffle having a vane profile and/or an angle of attack deviating from other remaining guide vanes, a constant outflow angle being produced over an entire periphery by the inlet guide baffle.   
     
     
         10 . The axial flow machine as recited in  claim 9  wherein some or a plurality of further guide baffles downstream from the inlet guide baffle have at least some guide vanes having a vane profile and/or an angle of attack deviating from the remaining guide vanes. 
     
     
         11 . The axial flow machine as recited in  claim 9  wherein individual guide vane groups formed by the at least some of the guide vanes have the vane profile and/or angles of attack deviating from the other remaining guide vanes. 
     
     
         12 . The axial flow machine as recited in  claim 11  wherein the guide vanes of the inlet guide vane groups have vane profiles and/or angles of attack that deviate from one another. 
     
     
         13 . The axial flow machine as recited in  claim 9  wherein all of the guide vanes are differently profiled and/or have a different angle of attack. 
     
     
         14 . The axial flow machine as recited in  claim 9  wherein at least some of the guide vanes have an adjustable design. 
     
     
         15 . The axial flow machine as recited in  claim 9  wherein at least some of the guide vanes are formed on the inlet side of a fixed component and, on the outlet side, of a pivotable component. 
     
     
         16 . The axial flow machine as recited in  claim 14  further comprising one individual controller for some or all of the guide vanes having the adjustable design. 
     
     
         17 . The axial flow machine as recited in  claim 15  further comprising one individual controller for some or all of the guide vanes having the pivotable component. 
     
     
         18 . An axial flow machine comprising:
 an asymmetrical air inlet; and   a compressor downstream from the asymmetrical air inlet, the compressor having an inlet guide baffle composed of guide vanes, at least some of the guide vanes of the inlet guide baffle having a vane profile and/or an angle of attack deviating from other remaining guide vanes to provide a more constant outflow angle over an entire periphery by the inlet guide baffle, the more constant outflow angle containing residual assymetries; and   the compressor further including a further guide baffle downstream from the inlet guide baffle, the further guide baffle having at least some guide vanes having a vane profile and/or an angle of attack deviating from the remaining guide vanes of the further guide baffle to compensate for the residual assymetries.