초록 ▼

A diffuser is provided having a spaced apart shroud and backing plate. A diffuser vane is provided between the backing plate and shroud. The vane includes first and second sealing surfaces opposite from one another and adjacent to the backing plate and shroud. Leading and trailing surfaces are arran

A diffuser is provided having a spaced apart shroud and backing plate. A diffuser vane is provided between the backing plate and shroud. The vane includes first and second sealing surfaces opposite from one another and adjacent to the backing plate and shroud. Leading and trailing surfaces are arranged opposite from one another and adjoin the first and second sealing surfaces. The first sealing surface includes a first protrusion extending therefrom approximate to the leading surface with a gap extending from the trailing surface to the first protrusion. The second surface includes a second protrusion extending therefrom proximate to the trailing surface with a second gap extending from the leading surface to the second protrusion. The surfaces provide four corners such that the protrusions are arranged on opposite corners from one another to create a pressure differential between the first and second sealing surfaces.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A diffuser vane comprising: first and second sealing surfaces opposite from one another, leading and trailing surfaces opposite from one another and adjoining the first and second sealing surfaces, the first sealing surface including a first protrusion extending there from pr

What is claimed is: 1. A diffuser vane comprising: first and second sealing surfaces opposite from one another, leading and trailing surfaces opposite from one another and adjoining the first and second sealing surfaces, the first sealing surface including a first protrusion extending there from proximate to the leading surface with a first gap extending from the trailing surface to the first protrusion, and the second surface including a second protrusion extending there from proximate to the trailing surface with a second gap extending from the leading surface to the second protrusion. 2. The diffuser vane according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sealing surfaces and leading and trailing surfaces provide four corners, the protrusions arranged on opposite corners from one another. 3. The diffuser vane according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions extend approximately ten thousandth of an inch or greater from the sealing surfaces. 4. The diffuser vane according to claim 3, wherein the protrusions have a width of approximately forty thousandths of an inch. 5. The diffuser vane according to claim 1, wherein one of the sealing surfaces provides a high pressure side and the other of the sealing surfaces provides a low pressure side. 6. The diffuser vane according to claim 5, wherein a differential pressure between the high and low pressure sides is approximately ten to twenty pounds per square inch. 7. The diffuser vane according to claim 1, wherein the vane includes opposing inlet and outlet ends, the inlet end for providing a throat diameter, the gaps provided at the inlet end. 8. The diffuser vane according to claim 7, wherein the outlet end includes a third protrusion extending from the first sealing surface proximate to the trailing surface, and a fourth protrusion extending from the second sealing surface proximate to the leading surface, the sealing surfaces recessed relative to the protrusions. 9. The diffuser vane according to claim 8, wherein the protrusions proximate to the leading surfaces extend to the leading surfaces, and the protrusions proximate to the trailing surfaces extend to the trailing surfaces. 10. A diffuser comprising: a spaced apart shroud and backing plate; and a vane including first and second sealing surfaces spaced apart from one another and arranged adjacent to the shroud and backing plates, leading and trailing surfaces spaced from one another and adjoining the first and second sealing surfaces, the first surface including a first protrusion extending from the first sealing surface proximate to the leading surface, and the second surface including a second protrusion extending from the second sealing surface proximate to the trailing surface, and gaps adjoining the protrusions and arranged between the first and second sealing surfaces and the shroud and backing plates, respectively, providing a low pressure area at the first sealing surface and a high pressure area at the second sealing surface that is higher than the low pressure area. 11. The diffuser according to claim 10, wherein the first and second sealing surfaces and leading and trailing surfaces provide four corners, the protrusions arranged on opposite corners from one another. 12. The diffuser according to claim 11, wherein the vane includes opposing inlet and outlet ends, the inlet end for providing a throat diameter, the gaps provided at the inlet end, the outlet end includes a third protrusion extending from the first sealing surface proximate to the trailing surface, and a fourth protrusion extending from the second sealing surface proximate to the leading surface, the sealing surfaces recessed relative to the protrusions. 13. The diffuser according to claim 10, comprising multiple vanes rotatable between multiple positions about pivot pins. 14. The diffuser according to claim 10, wherein approximately two thousandths of an inch clearance is provided between the protrusions and the backing plate and shroud. 15. The diffuser according to claim 14, wherein the protrusions extend approximately ten thousandth of an inch or greater from the sealing surfaces away from the backing plate and shroud. 16. The diffuser according to claim 10, wherein the vane includes first and second spaced apart peripheries, the first protrusion arranged about the first periphery and broken by a first gap, and the second protrusion arranged about the second periphery and broken by a second gap. 17. The diffuser according to claim 16, wherein the vane includes opposing inlet and outlet ends, the inlet end for providing a throat diameter, the gaps provided at the inlet end. 18. The diffuser according to claim 10, wherein the vane moves in a direction away from the high pressure area toward the low pressure area.