Radial Diffuser Vane for Centrifugal Compressors

Abstract

A turbo machine comprising a rotor assembly comprising at least one impeller, a bearing connected to the rotor assembly, wherein the bearing is configured to rotatably support the rotor assembly, and a stator comprising at least one diffuser connected to an exit portion of the at least one impeller, wherein the at least one diffuser comprises a plurality of diffuser vanes, wherein at least one of the plurality of diffuser vanes comprising a camber line defined by a function comprising an inflection point.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A turbo machine comprising:
 a rotor assembly comprising at least one impeller;   a bearing connected to the rotor assembly, wherein the bearing is configured to rotatably support the rotor assembly; and   a stator comprising at least one diffuser connected to an exit portion of the at least one impeller, wherein the at least one diffuser comprises:
 a plurality of diffuser vanes, wherein at least one of the plurality of diffuser vanes comprising a camber line defined by a function comprising an inflection point. 
   
     
     
         2 . The turbo machine of  claim 1 , wherein the function is y=ax 3 +bx 2 +cx+d, where a, b, c and d are constants. 
     
     
         3 . The turbo machine of  claim 1 , wherein the function is one of a higher order polynomial function, a Sigmoid function, a Gompertz function, and a Bezier curve. 
     
     
         4 . The turbo machine of  claim 1 , wherein the function is an exponential function. 
     
     
         5 . The turbo machine of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the at least one of the plurality of diffuser vanes disposed near a leading edge is substantially unloaded when operating at design conditions, and wherein a load gradually increases to a maximum loading towards a middle portion of the at least one of the plurality of diffuser vanes. 
     
     
         6 . The turbo machine of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of diffuser vanes is attached to one of a hub or shroud. 
     
     
         7 . The turbo machine of  claim 1 , wherein the function is a Bezier curve. 
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing a turbo machine, the method comprising:
 providing a rotor assembly comprising at least one impeller;   connecting the rotor assembly to a bearing assembly configured to rotatably support the rotor assembly; and   providing a stator assembly comprising at least one diffuser connected to an exit portion of the at least one impeller, wherein the at least one diffuser comprises:
 a plurality of diffuser vanes, wherein at least one of the plurality of diffuser vanes comprises a camber line defined by a function comprising an inflection point. 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the function is y=ax 3 +bx 2 +cx+d, where a, b, c and d are constants. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the function is one of a higher order polynomial function, a Sigmoid function, a Gompertz function, and a Bezier curve. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the function is an exponential function. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a portion of the at least one of the plurality of diffuser vanes disposed near a leading edge is substantially unloaded when operating at design conditions and wherein a load gradually increases to a maximum loading towards a middle portion of the at least one of the plurality of diffuser vanes. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 attaching each of the plurality of diffuser vanes to one of a hub or shroud.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the function is a Bezier curve. 
     
     
         15 . A diffuser comprising:
 an inner annular wall;   an outer annular wall;   a plate portion disposed between the inner annular wall and the outer annular wall; and   a plurality of diffuser vanes disposed on the plate portion, wherein at least one of the plurality of diffuser vanes comprises a camber line defined by a function comprising an inflection point.   
     
     
         16 . The diffuser of  claim 15 , wherein the function is y=ax 3 +bx 2 +cx+d, where a, b, c and d are constants. 
     
     
         17 . The diffuser of  claim 15 , wherein the function is one of a higher order polynomial function, a Sigmoid function, a Gompertz function, and a Bezier curve. 
     
     
         18 . The diffuser of  claim 15 , wherein the function is an exponential function. 
     
     
         19 . The diffuser of  claim 15 , wherein a portion of the at least one of the plurality of diffuser vanes disposed near a leading edge is substantially unloaded when operating at design conditions, and wherein a load gradually increases to a maximum loading towards a middle portion of the at least one of the plurality of diffuser vanes. 
     
     
         20 . The diffuser of  claim 15 , wherein the function is a Bezier curve.