초록 ▼

A drive positioning mechanism for use in a variable pipe diffuser for a centrifugal compressor. A rotational drives means is fixedly attached to the housing of a centrifugal compressor with a pinion gear mounted thereto. A rack gear is mounted to the inner ring and adapted to engage in meshing arran

A drive positioning mechanism for use in a variable pipe diffuser for a centrifugal compressor. A rotational drives means is fixedly attached to the housing of a centrifugal compressor with a pinion gear mounted thereto. A rack gear is mounted to the inner ring and adapted to engage in meshing arrangement with the pinion gear. The rotational drive means is operable to position the inner ring between a fully open position and a partially closed position. A travel limiter is provided to positively limited the travel of the inner ring at the filly open and the partially closed positions.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In a centrifugal compressor having a casing and an impeller rotatably mounted therein for bringing a working fluid from an inlet to the entrance of an annular radially disposed split ring diffuser, the diffuser including an inner ring, the inner ring having a plurality of

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In a centrifugal compressor having a casing and an impeller rotatably mounted therein for bringing a working fluid from an inlet to the entrance of an annular radially disposed split ring diffuser, the diffuser including an inner ring, the inner ring having a plurality of first flow guide channel sections formed therein, an outer ring, the outer ring having a plurality of second flow guide channels formed therein, the each second flow guide channel section having a complementary first flow guide channel section; the compressor including a drive positioning mechanism for rotating the inner ring circumferentially within the outer ring between a first, fully open position wherein the complementary first and second flow channel sections are aligned to allow a maximum flow of fluid through the complementary channel sections, and a second, partially closed position, wherein the first and second complementary flow guide channels are misaligned to restrict flow of fluid through the complementary channel sections, the drive positioning mechanism comprising:a rotational drive means fixedly mounted to the casing having a drive end and a pinion gear mounted thereto;a rack gear fixedly mounted to the inner ring extending radially outwardly from the inner ring and adapted to engage in meshing arrangement with the pinion gear; anda travel limiter for limiting the travel of the inner ring between a first position corresponding to the fully open position and a second position corresponding to the partially closed position, said travel limiter being comprised of a pair of stop blocks disposed on the outer ring to rigidly engage the rack gear in a first position corresponding to the fully open position and to rigidly engage the rack gear in a second position corresponding to the partially closed position.