초록 ▼

A diffuser for an air cycle machine defines airflow both to a compressor rotor from the inlet and from the compressor rotor through a plurality of vanes that define radially extending airflow passages. The size and shape of both the inlet and the vanes of the diffuser define and tailor the character

A diffuser for an air cycle machine defines airflow both to a compressor rotor from the inlet and from the compressor rotor through a plurality of vanes that define radially extending airflow passages. The size and shape of both the inlet and the vanes of the diffuser define and tailor the character of airflow presented to and leaving the compressor rotor to provide a desired change in air flow.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A compressor diffuser comprising: a hub defining an inlet for airflow disposed about an axis;a diffuser portion extending radially outward from the hub portion, the diffuser portion including a plurality of vanes defining radial passages for communicating airflow radially outward, each of the plu

1. A compressor diffuser comprising: a hub defining an inlet for airflow disposed about an axis;a diffuser portion extending radially outward from the hub portion, the diffuser portion including a plurality of vanes defining radial passages for communicating airflow radially outward, each of the plurality of vanes including a first height at a radially innermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes and a second height at a radially outermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes, with a ratio of the second height to the first height between 1.37 and 1.48, wherein each of the plurality of vanes includes a width transverse to the axis, the width of each of the plurality of vanes continually increasing in a direction radially outward, wherein the radial passages comprise a common width beginning at the radially innermost portion to the radially outermost portion and the radial passages are continuously curved over a radial length that extends between a start angle and an end angle. 2. The compressor diffuser as recited in claim 1, wherein the innermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes is spaced a radial distance away from the axis. 3. The compressor diffuser as recited in claim 1, wherein the inlet comprises a cylindrical portion extending axially opposite the diffuser portion that includes a first diameter at an inlet and a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, where a ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is between 1.304 and 1.395. 4. The compressor diffuser as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the continuously curved radial passages are of a common radial length and begin at one of a plurality of starting points equally spaced from the axis. 5. A compressor diffuser comprising: a hub defining an inlet for airflow disposed about an axis;a diffuser portion extending radially outward from the hub portion, the diffuser portion including a plurality of vanes defining radial passages for communicating airflow radially outward, each of the plurality of vanes including a first height at a radially innermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes and a second height at a radially outermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes, with a ratio of the second height to the first height between 1.37 and 1.48, wherein each of the plurality of vanes includes a width transverse to the axis, the width of each of the plurality of vanes continually increasing in a direction radially outward, wherein the radial passages comprise a common width beginning at the radially innermost portion to the radially outermost portion, wherein the diffuser portion defines a back side opposite the plurality of vanes, the back side including a plurality of boss pads spaced circumferentially about a periphery of the diffuser portion. 6. The compressor diffuser as recited in claim 5, including a seal land extending axially from the back side for sealing against a portion of a compressor housing. 7. An air cycle machine comprising: a main shaft having a fan, a turbine rotor and a compressor rotor mounted for rotation about an axis;a housing supporting rotation of the main shaft; anda compressor diffuser secured to the housing about the compressor rotor and including a plurality of vanes defining radial passages for communicating airflow radially outward, each of the plurality of vanes including a first height at a radially innermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes and a second height at a radially outermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes, with a ratio of the second height to the first height between 1.37 and 1.48, wherein each of the plurality of vanes includes a width transverse to the axis, the width of each of the plurality of vanes continually increasing in a direction radially outward and the compressor diffuser includes a sealing land that extends axially rearward for sealing with a portion of a compressor housing, wherein the radial passages comprise a common width beginning at the radially innermost portion to the radially outermost portion. 8. The air cycle machine as recited in claim 7, wherein a radially innermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes define an open space about the axis and the compressor rotor is at least partially disposed within the radial space. 9. The air cycle machine as recited in claim 7, wherein the compressor diffuser defines a cylindrical inlet portion extending axially opposite the diffuser portion that includes a first diameter at an inlet and a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, where a ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is between 1.304 and 1.395. 10. The air cycle machine as recited in claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of vanes define a continuously curved radial passage over a radial length that extends between a start angle at the radially innermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes and an end angle at the radially outermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes. 11. The air cycle machine as recited in claim 10, wherein each of the continuously curved radial passages are of a common radial length and begin at one of a plurality of starting points equally spaced from the axis. 12. A air cycle machine comprising: a main shaft having a fan, a turbine rotor and a compressor rotor mounted for the rotation about an axis,a housing supporting rotation of the main shaft; anda compressor diffuser secured to the housing about the compressor rotor and including a plurality of vanes defining radial passages for communicating airflow radially outward, each of the plurality of vanes including a first height at a radially innermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes, with a ration of the second height to the first height between 1.37 and 1.48, the compressor diffuser includes a sealing land that extends axially rearward for sealing with a portion of a compressor housing, wherein the radial passages comprise a common width beginning at the radially innermost portion to the radially outermost portion and wherein the compressor diffuser includes a hub portion and a diffuser portion extending radially outward from the hub portion, the diffuser portion defines a back side opposite the plurality of vanes, the back side including a plurality of boss pads spaced circumferentially about a periphery of the diffuser portion and fastener extends through each of the boss pads for securing the compressor diffuser to the housing. 13. A method of installing a compressor diffuser into an air cycle machine, the method including: extending a main shaft through a bore of a thrust shaft supported within a housing;mounting a fan rotor, turbine rotor and compressor rotor to the main shaft for rotation about an axis with the thrust shaft;mounting a compressor diffuser about the axis and a periphery of the compressor rotor; anddefining a plurality of radial passages for communicating airflow radially outward from the compressor rotor with a plurality of vanes of the compressor diffuser, wherein each of the plurality of vanes include a first height at a radially innermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes and a second height at a radially outermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes, with a ratio of the second height to the first height between 1.37 and 1.48, wherein each of the plurality of vanes includes a width transverse to the axis, the width of each of the plurality of vanes continually increasing in a direction radially outward and the radial passages comprise a continuous curve between a start angle and an end angle and a common width beginning at the radially innermost portion to the radially outermost portion. 14. The method of installing a compressor diffuser for an air cycle machine as recited in claim 13, including defining an air inlet about the axis with an inlet portion of the compressor diffuser, wherein the inlet comprises a cylindrical portion extending axially opposite the diffuser portion that includes a first diameter at an inlet and a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, where a ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is between 1.304 and 1.395. 15. A method of installing a compressor diffuser into an air cycle machine, the method including: extending a main shaft through a bore of a thrust shaft supported within a housing;mounting a fan rotor, turbine rotor and compressor rotor to the main shaft for rotation about an axis with the thrust shaft;mounting a compressor diffuser about the axis and a periphery of the compressor rotor; anddefining a plurality of radial passages for communication airflow radially outward from the compressor rotor with a plurality of vanes of the compressor diffuser, wherein each of the plurality of vanes include a first height at a radially innermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes and a second height at a radially outermost portion of each of the plurality of vanes, with at ratio of the second height to the first height between 1.37 and 1.48, wherein each of the plurality of vanes includes a width transverse to the axis, the width of each of the plurality of vanes continually increasing in a direction radially outward and the radial passages comprise a common width beginning at the radially innermost portion to the radially outermost portion and wherein the compressor diffuser includes a back side opposite the plurality of vanes, the back side including a plurality of boss pads spaced circumferentially about a periphery of the diffuser portion and the compressor diffuser is mounted to the housing by fasteners extending through each of the boss pads.