초록 ▼

A swirl generator for creating bulk swirl in a compressor plenum in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the compressor rotor. The generator includes a continuous flow passageway formed by an inlet duct and a compressor forming an angle in the range of about 0°-180° to one another.

A swirl generator for creating bulk swirl in a compressor plenum in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the compressor rotor. The generator includes a continuous flow passageway formed by an inlet duct and a compressor forming an angle in the range of about 0°-180° to one another. A non-uniform velocity gradient is created by forming an area of non-uniform cross-sectional area within the flow passageway. The non-uniform area may comprise a ramp with a tapered end line, a rounded line of intersection, a fillet or by lengthening one side wall of the inlet duct relative to the opposite side wall. Preferably, the non-uniform cross sectional area uniformly tapers from ones sidewall of the flow passageway to the opposite sidewall.

대표청구항 ▼

A swirl generator for creating bulk swirl in a compressor plenum in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the compressor rotor. The generator includes a continuous flow passageway formed by an inlet duct and a compressor forming an angle in the range of about 0°-180° to one another.

A swirl generator for creating bulk swirl in a compressor plenum in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the compressor rotor. The generator includes a continuous flow passageway formed by an inlet duct and a compressor forming an angle in the range of about 0°-180° to one another. A non-uniform velocity gradient is created by forming an area of non-uniform cross-sectional area within the flow passageway. The non-uniform area may comprise a ramp with a tapered end line, a rounded line of intersection, a fillet or by lengthening one side wall of the inlet duct relative to the opposite side wall. Preferably, the non-uniform cross sectional area uniformly tapers from ones sidewall of the flow passageway to the opposite sidewall. ort assemblies in said modular section and any of m load port assemblies in any additional modular section in the controlled environment. 42. A modular sorter as recited in claim 41, wherein each load port assembly has a major load axis, and the major load axes of the load port assemblies are parallel. 43. A modular sorter for processing semiconductor wafers, comprising: a first modular section having two load port assemblies, each load port assembly capable of receiving a pod containing at least one semiconductor wafer in a cassette; a second modular section having one load port assembly capable of receiving a pod containing at least one semiconductor wafer in a cassette; a frame defining an controlled environment for said first modular section and said second modular section; and a robot capable of transferring wafers to and from either load port assemblies in said first modular section and the load port assembly in said second modular section.