At least one embodiment of the present inventive technology focuses on a vaneless diffuser adapted for establishment extra-radially of a centrifugal fan, wherein the diffuser may effect an optimal transformation of velocity pressure into static pressure of a fluid (e.g., air) impelled by a centrifug
At least one embodiment of the present inventive technology focuses on a vaneless diffuser adapted for establishment extra-radially of a centrifugal fan, wherein the diffuser may effect an optimal transformation of velocity pressure into static pressure of a fluid (e.g., air) impelled by a centrifugal fan by decreasing that fluid's tangential velocity as it travels through the diffuser, without causing recirculation of air output from the diffuser back into the diffuser. Such diffuser may effect such a decrease in tangential velocity by radially extending the interface through which impelled air is output from the diffuser to a downflow fluid handling environment such as, e.g., a scroll and/or a plenum. The diffuser may converge in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation of the centrifugal fan to avoid fluid recirculation and/or may incorporate acoustical material so as to reduce the amount of material necessary for effective noise reduction as compared with convention noise reduction methods.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. An air handling method comprising the steps of: accepting air into a centrifugal fan having a centrifugal fan impeller element; rotationally impelling said air through use of said centrifugal fan impeller element; imparting a centrifugal force to said air; discharging said im
What is claimed is: 1. An air handling method comprising the steps of: accepting air into a centrifugal fan having a centrifugal fan impeller element; rotationally impelling said air through use of said centrifugal fan impeller element; imparting a centrifugal force to said air; discharging said impelled air into a diffuser element; transforming tangential velocity pressure of said discharged, impelled air to static pressure without using vanes and by decreasing tangential velocity of said discharged, impelled air; increasing static pressure of said discharged, impelled air as a result of said step of decreasing tangential velocity of said discharged, impelled air; outputting said discharged, impelled air to a flow turning element that outputs to a plenum; and controlling radial velocity of said discharged, impelled air so as to avoid recirculation back into said flow turning element of said discharged, impelled air that is output to said plenum, wherein said step of transforming tangential velocity pressure comprises the step of radially extending an interface through which said discharged, impelled air is output to said plenum, and wherein said step of controlling radial velocity of discharged, impelled air comprises the step of axially converging said discharged, impelled air. 2. An air handling method as described in claim 1 wherein said step of outputting said discharged, impelled air to a flow turning element comprises the step of outputting said discharged, impelled air to a flow turning element that forms part of said diffuser element. 3. An air handling method as described in claim 1 wherein said diffuser element has a diffuser outlet having a diffuser outlet area and a diffuser inlet having a diffuser inlet area, and said diffuser outlet area and said diffuser inlet area are approximately equal. 4. An air handling method as described in claim 1 wherein said step of transforming tangential velocity pressure to static pressure has an efficiency selected from the group of efficiencies consisting of: at least 70%, at least 80%, and at least 85%. 5. An air handling method as described in claim 1 wherein said step of transforming tangential velocity pressure to static pressure comprises the step of transforming tangential velocity pressure to effect at least 90% of the total increase in static pressure observed as said discharged, impelled air travels through said diffuser element. 6. An air handling method as described in claim 1 wherein said step of outputting said discharged, impelled air to a flow turning element comprises the step of outputting said discharged, impelled air to said flow turning element with a zero net velocity. 7. An air handling method as described in claim 1 further comprising the step of selecting a fan blade outlet angle of said centrifugal fan impeller element to enhance said increase in static pressure of said discharged, impelled air. 8. An air handling method as described in claim 1 further comprising the step of establishing acoustical material outside of and substantially contiguously with said diffuser element. 9. An air handling method as described in claim 1 wherein said step of increasing static pressure comprises the step of increasing said static pressure less than 30 inches water. 10. An air handling method as described in claim 1 wherein said step of controlling radial velocity comprises the step of controlling radial velocity at a diffuser outlet. 11. An air handling method as described in claim 1 wherein said step of controlling radial velocity comprises the step of increasing radial velocity only by that amount necessary to avoid said recirculation and by axially converging said discharged, impelled air. 12. An air handling method as described in claim 1 wherein said step of controlling radial velocity comprises the step of causing radial velocity to remain substantially the same. 13. An air handling method as described in claim 1 wherein said step of controlling radial velocity comprises the step of keeping radial velocity above a critical limit at which said recirculation starts. 14. An air handling method as described in claim 8 further comprising the step of perforating said diffuser element. 15. An air handling method as described in claim 1 wherein said centrifugal fan does not impel air in an axial direction. 16. An air handling method as described in claim 1 wherein said diffuser element is made at least in part from acoustical material. 17. An air handling method as described in claim 1 further comprising the step of axially moving at least one of two oppositely established forms of said diffuser element toward the other of said forms to at least partially obstruct flow of said discharged, impelled air. 18. An air handling method as described in claim 1 wherein said step of imparting a centrifugal force is accomplished through use of forwardly curved impeller blades. 19. A fluid handling method comprising the steps of: accepting fluid into a centrifugal fan having a centrifugal fan axis of rotation and a centrifugal fan impeller element; rotationally impelling said fluid through use of a centrifugal fan impeller element; imparting a centrifugal force to said fluid; discharging said impelled fluid into a diffuser element; axially converging said discharged, impelled fluid as a radial distance from said centrifugal axis of rotation increases; transforming tangential velocity pressure of said discharged, impelled fluid to static pressure; increasing static pressure of said discharged, impelled fluid; outputting said discharged, impelled fluid to a a flow turning element that outputs to a plenum; and outputting said discharged, impelled fluid to a plenum. 20. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of transforming tangential velocity pressure of said discharged, impelled fluid to static pressure comprises the step of radially extending an interface through which said discharged, impelled fluid is output to said flow turning element. 21. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein an outlet area of said diffuser element and an inlet area of said diffuser element are approximately equal in size. 22. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of outputting said discharged, impelled fluid to a flow turning element comprises the step of outputting said discharged, impelled fluid to a flow turning element that forms part of a diffuser element. 23. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 further comprising the step of selecting a fan blade outlet angle of said centrifugal fan impeller element to enhance said increase in static pressure of said discharge, impelled fluid. 24. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of transforming tangential velocity pressure to static pressure has an efficiency selected from the group of efficiencies consisting of: greater than 70%, greater than 80%, and greater than 85%. 25. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of transforming tangential velocity pressure to static pressure comprises the step of transforming tangential velocity pressure to effect at least 90% of the total increase in static pressure observed as said discharged, impelled air travels through said diffuser element. 26. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of transforming tangential velocity pressure to static pressure comprises the step of decreasing tangential velocity. 27. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 further comprising the step of establishing acoustical material outside of and substantially contiguously with said diffuser element. 28. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of accepting fluid into a centrifugal fan comprises the step of accepting air into a centrifugal fan. 29. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein rotationally impelling said fluid through use of a centrifugal fan impeller element comprises the step of rotationally impelling said fluid without substantially compressing said fluid. 30. A fluid handling method as described in claim 29 wherein said step of rotationally impelling said fluid without substantially compressing said fluid comprises the step of increasing the static pressure of said fluid by an amount less than 30 inches water. 31. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of transforming tangential velocity pressure to static pressure comprises the step of optimally transforming tangential velocity pressure. 32. A fluid handling method as described in claim 31 wherein said step of optimally transforming tangential velocity pressure comprises the step of decreasing tangential velocity, and the step of increasing radial velocity in the vicinity of an outlet of said diffuser element only by that amount necessary to just avoid recirculation, wherein said step of increasing radial velocity in the vicinity of an outlet of said diffuser element is accomplished by performing said step of axially converging. 33. A fluid handling method as described in claim 31 wherein said step of optimally transforming tangential velocity pressure comprises the step of decreasing tangential velocity and, by performing said step of axially converging said discharged, impelled fluid, causing said discharged, impelled fluid to exit said diffuser element with a radial velocity that is just greater than that radial velocity at which recirculation start. 34. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of axially converging said discharged, impelled fluid comprises the step of increasing radial velocity in the vicinity of an outlet of said diffuser element. 35. A fluid handling method as described in claim 34 wherein said step of increasing radial velocity comprises the step of increasing radial velocity only substantially by that amount just necessary to avoid recirculation. 36. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of axially converging said discharged, impelled fluid comprises the step of keeping radial velocity at exit from said diffuser element above a critical limit at which recirculation starts. 37. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of axially converging said discharged, impelled fluid comprises the step of causing radial velocity to remain substantially the same throughout said diffuser element. 38. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of transforming velocity pressure of said impelled fluid to static pressure is performed without vanes. 39. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of axially converging said discharged, impelled fluid comprises the step of continuously axially converge said discharged, impelled fluid along substantially the entire radial length of said diffuser element. 40. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of outputting said impelled fluid to a flow turning element comprises the step of outputting said impelled fluid said flow turning element with a zero net velocity. 41. A fluid handling method as described in claim 27 further comprising the step of perforating said diffuser element. 42. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said diffuser element is made at least in part from acoustical material. 43. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 further comprising the step of axially moving at least one of two oppositely established forms of said diffuser element toward the other of said forms to at least partially obstruct flow of said discharged, impelled air. 44. A fluid handling method as described in claim 19 wherein said step of imparting a centrifugal force to said fluid is accomplished through the use of forwardly curved impeller blades. 45. An impelled fluid output diffusion method comprising the steps of: receiving through a diffuser inlet of a diffuser element a fluid impelled by a centrifugal fan and having a tangential velocity and a radial velocity; decreasing said tangential velocity of said impelled fluid; increasing static pressure of said impelled fluid as a result of said step of decreasing said tangential velocity; controlling radial velocity of said impelled fluid; and outputting said impelled fluid to a flow turning element; and outputting said impelled fluid to a plenum, wherein said step of controlling radial velocity of said fluid impelled by a centrifugal fan comprises the step of controlling radial velocity of said impelled fluid so as to avoid recirculation of said impelled fluid output to said plenum back into a space defined by said flow turning element. 46. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of controlling radial velocity of said impelled fluid comprises the step of actively keeping said radial velocity above a critical limit at which said recirculation begins. 47. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of controlling radial velocity of said fluid impelled by said centrifugal fan so as to avoid recirculation of said impelled fluid output to said plenum comprises the step of controlling radial velocity of said fluid impelled by said centrifugal fan so as to just avoid recirculation of said impelled fluid output to said plenum. 48. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of decreasing said tangential velocity comprises the step of radially extending an interface through which impelled fluid is output to said flow turning element. 49. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of outputting said impelled fluid to a scroll to a flow turning element comprises the step of outputting said impelled fluid to a flow turning element that forms part of said diffuser. 50. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 further comprising the step of selecting a fan blade outlet angle to enhance said increase in static pressure of said impelled fluid. 51. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 further comprising the step of establishing acoustical material to reduce noise. 52. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 51 wherein said step of establishing acoustical material to reduce noise comprises the step of establishing acoustical material outside of and substantially contiguously with said diffuser element. 53. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of receiving through a diffuser inlet of a diffuser element a fluid impelled by a centrifugal fan comprises the step of receiving air. 54. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of receiving through a diffuser inlet of a diffuser element a fluid impelled by a centrifugal fan comprises the step of receiving a fluid substantially uncompressed by said centrifugal fan. 55. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 54 wherein said step of receiving a fluid substantially uncompressed by said centrifugal fan comprises the step of receiving fluid whose static pressure is increase less than 30 inches of water. 56. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of controlling radial velocity of said impelled fluid comprises the step of controlling radial velocity of said impelled fluid at an outlet of said diffuser element. 57. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of controlling radial velocity of said impelled fluid comprises the step of increasing radial velocity of said impelled fluid in the vicinity of an outlet of said diffuser. 58. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of controlling radial velocity of said impelled fluid comprises the step of causing radial velocity of said impelled fluid to remain substantially unchanged. 59. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of controlling radial velocity of said impelled fluid comprises the step of causing radial velocity of said impelled fluid at an outlet of said diffuser to be above a critical limit at which recirculation starts. 60. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of decreasing said tangential velocity of said fluid impelled by a centrifugal fan and said step of controlling radial velocity of said fluid impelled by a centrifugal fan are each performed without vanes. 61. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of controlling radial velocity of said impelled fluid is accomplished by axially converging said impelled fluid. 62. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 61 wherein an area of said diffuser inlet and an area of an outlet of said diffuser are substantially equal in size. 63. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of outputting said fluid impelled by a centrifugal fan to a flow turning element comprises the step of outputting said fluid impelled by a centrifugal fan with a zero net velocity. 64. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein an area of said diffuser inlet and an area of an outlet of said diffuser are substantially equal in size. 65. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 51 further comprising the step of perforating said diffuser element. 66. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said centrifugal fan does not impel air in an axial direction. 67. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 51 wherein said step of establishing acoustical material to reduce noise comprises the step of establishing acoustical material as at least part of said diffuser element. 68. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of decreasing said tangential velocity of said impelled fluid and increasing static pressure of said impelled fluid are related by a transformation efficiency selected from the group of efficiencies consisting of: at least 70%, at least 80%, and at least 85%. 69. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said step of increasing static pressure of said impelled fluid comprises the step of effecting an increase of at least 90% of the total increase in static pressure observed as said impelled fluid travels through said diffuser element. 70. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 further comprising the step of axially moving at least one of two oppositely established forms of said diffuser element toward the other of said forms to at least partially obstruct flow of said impelled air. 71. An impelled fluid output diffusion method as described in claim 45 wherein said centrifugal fan has forwardly curved impeller blades. 72. An air handling method comprising the steps of: accepting air into a centrifugal fan having a centrifugal fan impeller element; rotationally impelling said air through use of said centrifugal fan impeller element; imparting a centrifugal force to said air; discharging said impelled air into a diffuser element; transforming tangential velocity pressure of said discharged, impelled air to static pressure without using vanes and by decreasing tangential velocity; increasing static pressure of said discharged, impelled air; sufficiently controlling radial velocity of said impelled air so as to avoid recirculation of said discharged, impelled air; turning said impelled air with a flow turning element; outputting said discharged, impelled air to a plenum; and establishing acoustical material substantially outside of and contiguously with said diffuser element, wherein said step of transforming tangential velocity pressure of said discharged, impelled air comprises the step of radially extending an interface at which said discharged, impelled air enters said flow turning element. wherein said step of sufficiently controlling radial velocity of discharged, impelled air comprises the step of axially converging said discharged, impelled air, and wherein said recirculation is recirculation of said discharged impelled air output to said plenum back into as space defined by said flow turning element. 73. An air handling method as described in claim 72 wherein said output impelled air has a zero net velocity. 74. An air handling method as described in claim 72 wherein said step of turning said impelled air with a flow turning element comprises the step of turning said impelled air with a flow turning element that forms part of said diffuser element. 75. An air handling method as described in claim 72 wherein said step of increasing static pressure of said discharged, impelled air comprises the step of increasing by at least 90% of the total increase in static pressure observed as said discharged, impelled air passes through said diffuser element. 76. An air handling method as described in claim 72 further comprising the step of selecting a fan blade outlet angle of said centrifugal fan impeller element to enhance said increase in static pressure of said discharged, impelled air. 77. An air handling method as described in claim 72 wherein said centrifugal fan does not impel air in an axial direction. 78. An air handling method as described in claim 72 wherein said diffuser element is non-rotatable. 79. An air handling method as described in claim 72 further comprising the step of axially moving at least one of two oppositely established forms of said diffuser element toward the other of said forms to at least partially obstruct flow of said discharged, impelled air. 80. An air handling method as described in claim 72 wherein said step of transforming tangential velocity pressure to static pressure has an efficiency selected from the group of efficiencies consisting of: at least 70%, at least 80%, and at least 85%. 81. An air handling method as described in claim 72 wherein said step of transforming tangential velocity pressure of said discharged, impelled air to static pressure effects an increase of at least 90% of the total increase in static pressure observed as said impelled fluid travels through said diffuser element. 82. An air handling method as described in claim 72 wherein an area of an outlet of said diffuser element is substantially equal to an area of an inlet of said diffuser element. 83. An air handling method as described in claim 72 wherein said step of imparting a centrifugal force is accomplished though use of forwardly curved impeller blades. 84. A fluid handling method comprising the steps of: accepting fluid into a centrifugal fan having a centrifugal fan axis of rotation and a centrifugal fan impeller element; rotationally impelling said fluid through use of a centrifugal fan impeller element; imparting a centrifugal force to said fluid; discharging said impelled fluid into a diffuser element; transforming tangential velocity pressure of said discharged, impelled fluid to static pressure with a regain efficiency of at least 70%; increasing static pressure of said discharged, impelled fluid as a result of said step of transforming tangential velocity pressure of said discharged, impelled fluid to static pressure; and turning said discharged, impelled fluid with a flow turning element; outputting said discharged, impelled fluid to a plenum, wherein said step of transforming tangential velocity pressure to static pressure comprises the step of transforming tangential velocity pressure to effect at least 90% of the total increase in static pressure observed as said discharged, impelled air travels through said diffuser element. 85. A fluid handling method as described in claim 84 further comprising the step of axially converging said discharged, impelled fluid as a radial distance from said centrifugal axis of rotation increases. 86. A fluid handling method as described in claim 84 wherein said step of imparting a centrifugal force to said fluid is accomplished through use of forwardly curved impeller blades. 87. A fluid handling method as described in claim 84 wherein said step of turning said discharged, impelled fluid with a flow turning element comprises the step of turning said discharged, impelled fluid with a flow turning element that forms part of said diffuser element. 88. A fluid handling method as described in claim 84 further comprising the step of selecting a fan blade outlet angle of said centrifugal fan impeller element to enhance said increase in static pressure of said discharged, impeller air.
Wulf James B. (Williamsville NY) Craig Timothy D. (Buffalo NY) Evans Alfred P. (Orchard Park NY) Sentz Ross H. (Williamsville NY), Centrifugal compressor having hybrid diffuser and excess area diffusing volute.
Benstein Eli H. (Toledo OH) Stringham Gerald D. (Sylvania OH) Holbrook Michael R. (Lambertville MI), Vortex controlled radial diffuser for centrifugal compressor.
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