US008157517B2
(12) United States Patent
(10) Patent N0.2
(45) Date of Patent:
Feher et a].
(54)
BOLTLESS MULTI-PART DIAPHRAGM FOR
3,313,520 A
USE WITH A CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR
3,367,630
3,825,368
4,428,717
4,720,242
(75) Inventors: Timothy A. Feher, Belle Vernon, PA
(US); Samuel K. Kemp, StahlstoWn, PA
A
A
A
A
5,328,332 A
5 , 344,285 A *
(US); Stephen Mark Hanak,
Brownsville, PA (U S)
6,033,183 A
6,146,094 A
6,854,960 B2
(73) Assignee: Elliott Company, Jeannette, PA (U S)
6,884,037 B2
7,273,352 B2
(*)
Notice:
( 2 21 )
A
F HP1w
1P
US 8,157,517 B2
Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(1)) by 507 days.
7,338 ,251 B2
2003/0235502
A1
/
2006 0280609 A1
Apr. 17, 2012
4/1967 Ortolano et a1.
2/ 1968 Saunders
7/1974 Benjamin
1/1984 Catterfeld
1/1988 Lovisetto
7/1994 Chiang
9/1994 OSullivan et a1.
415/1992
3/2000 Genster
11/2000 Obana et a1.
2/2005 Van Dine et a1.
4/2005 Laceyetal.
9/2007
3/2008
12/2003
12/2006
Williams et a1.
R0 et a1.
Van Dine et a1.
RanZ et al.
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
M.
/
4
M2
u 0,7,
A
1 2P m
M9
(65)
DW
Prior Publication Data
US 2010/0272561A1
Oct. 28, 2010
15096571046 2 502 95302 A A 325/ 1 29 090 915
1
EO
20
* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner * David Nhu
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * The Webb LaW Firm
(51)
Int. Cl.
F04D 29/44
F04D 29/54
(52) [Link].
(200601)
(2006-01)
415/209.2; 415/199.2; 415/203;
416/215; 416/189
(58) Field of Classi?cation Search
415/209.2,
415/203, 224, 191, 199.2, 199.3; 416/185,
416/215
See application ?le for complete search history.
(56)
References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
2,625,365 A
3,300,180 A
1/1953 Moore
1/1967 Tuttle et 31.
ABSTRACT
(57)
A diaphragm assembly of a centrifugal compressor includes
a return channel Wall having a generally ring-like shape; a
vane assembly having a plurality of vanes formed integrally
With at least one ring-shaped track having a rail structure
extending therefrom; and a diaphragm Wall having a gener
ally ring-like shape and at least one groove extending around
a circumference thereof. The vane assembly is ?xedly
coupled to the return channel, thereby forming a return chan
nel assembly. The return channel assembly is coupled to the
diaphragm Wall by sliding the rail structure into the at least
one groove of the diaphragm Wall.
19 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
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Apr. 17, 2012
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FIG?
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US. Patent
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Sheet 10 0110
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US 8,157,517 B2
1
BOLTLESS MULTI-PART DIAPHRAGM FOR
USE WITH A CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR
around a circumference thereof. The vane assembly is ?xedly
coupled to the return channel, thereby forming a return chan
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
nel assembly. The return channel assembly is coupled to the
diaphragm Wall by sliding the rail structure into the at least
one groove of the diaphragm Wall.
1. Field of the Invention
The return channel Wall may be manufactured as one of a
The present invention, in general, is related to multi-stage
single piece, half segments, or quarter segments by milling,
casting, poWder metal techniques, or Waterj et techniques. The
centrifugal compressors and, more particularly, to a dia
phragm assembly for use With a multi-stage centrifugal com
vane assembly may also be manufactured as a single piece,
pressor.
half segments, or quarter segments by milling, casting, poW
2. Description of Related Art
Multi-stage centrifugal compressors are Well-knoWn in the
art. A typical multi-stage centrifugal compressor includes a
compressor casing that accommodates a series of dia
der metal techniques, or Waterj et techniques. The return chan
nel Wall may be ?xedly coupled to the vane assembly by one
of Welding, slot Welding, and braZing. The diaphragm Wall
may be manufactured by one of milling, casting, poWder
metal techniques, and Waterj et techniques.
phragms, and a rotor in the form of a shaft With impellers
installed thereon. The diaphragms include internal channels
Which, together With the impellers, form a How duct of the
The vane assembly may include tWo tracks positioned con
centrically With each other and each track may have a rail
structure extending therefrom. The rail structure may have a
compressor.
A typical diaphragm includes a return channel, a plurality
of blades or vanes, and a diaphragm Wall that are bolted
20
together. Both turbines and compressors usually include such
diaphragms. For instance, US. Pat. No. 3,330,180 to Tuttle et
The at least one groove in the diaphragm Wall may have a
cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the cross-sectional
al. discloses a diaphragm assembly for use With a turbine. The
shape of the rail structure. The at least one groove in the
diaphragm assembly includes an outer retaining ring and a
concentric, inner retaining disc. The retaining ring and disc
25
are each split along the same horizontal plane. Accordingly,
the retaining ring includes ring segments and the disc includes
diaphragm Wall may have a cross-sectional shape that is
T-shaped, L-shaped, dove-tail shaped, or any other suitable
interlocking geometric shape. The rail structure may include
a plurality of equally spaced segments, and the groove
includes a plurality of equally spaced pockets con?gured to
segments. The segments are coupled together With screWs
that extend through an oversiZed bore segment into a threaded
bore segment. The diaphragm assembly further includes
cross-sectional shape that is T-shaped, L-shaped, dove-tail
shaped, or any other suitable interlocking geometric shape.
30
receive the segments and lock the segments When the return
noZZle blade segments that extend betWeen the radial inner
channel assembly is rotated.
surface of the retaining ring and the periphery of the disc. US.
The present invention is also directed to a centrifugal com
pressor that includes a casing and a plurality of stages posi
tioned Within the casing. Each of the stages includes an impel
Pat. No. 3,367,630 to Saunder discloses a similar con?gura
tion.
HoWever, such prior art diaphragm con?gurations suffer
35
from various de?ciencies. First, such diaphragms include a
channel Wall having a generally ring-like shape; a vane
assembly having a plurality of vanes formed integrally With at
least one ring-shaped track having a rail structure extending
large number of parts that must be assembled using specialty
bolting. Accordingly, prior art diaphragm assemblies have
been expensive to manufacture due to the large number of
parts and the expensive specialty bolting required. In addi
40
therefrom; and a diaphragm Wall having a generally ring-like
shape and at least one groove extending around a circumfer
ence thereof. The vane assembly is ?xedly coupled to the
tion, such diaphragm assemblies are dif?cult to disassemble,
thereby making cleaning of the assemblies problematic.
return channel, thereby forming a return channel assembly.
The return channel assembly is coupled to the diaphragm Wall
Therefore, a need exists for a diaphragm assembly for use
With a centrifugal compressor that includes a minimum num
ber of parts that can be quickly and easily assembled Without
the use of expensive specialty bolting. In addition, a further
need exists for a diaphragm assembly that can be easily dis
ler assembly and a diaphragm assembly encompassing the
impeller assembly. The diaphragm assembly has a return
45
by sliding the rail structure into the at least one groove of the
diaphragm Wall.
The rail structure may include a cross-sectional shape that
is T-shaped, L-shaped, dove-tail shaped, or any other suitable
interlocking geometric shape. The at least one groove in the
assembled, thereby alloWing for easier cleaning of the dia
phragm assembly.
50
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
diaphragm Wall may have a cross-sectional shape that corre
sponds to the cross-sectional shape of the rail structure. The at
least one groove in the diaphragm Wall may have a cross
sectional shape that is T-shaped, L-shaped, dove-tail shaped,
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to pro
vide a diaphragm assembly for use With a centrifugal com
pressor that includes a minimum number of parts that can be
55
or any other suitable interlocking geometric shape.
Finally, the present invention is a method of manufacturing
60
a diaphragm assembly for use With a centrifugal compressor.
The method includes the steps of: a) manufacturing a vane
assembly having a plurality of vanes formed integrally With at
least one ring-shaped track having a rail structure extending
therefrom; b) manufacturing a return channel Wall having a
quickly and easily assembled Without the use of expensive
specialty bolting. In addition, another object of the present
invention is to provide a diaphragm assembly that can be
easily disassembled, thereby alloWing for easier cleaning of
the diaphragm assembly.
The present invention is directed to a diaphragm assembly
of a centrifugal compressor. The diaphragm assembly
includes a return channel Wall having a generally ring-like
shape; a vane assembly having a plurality of vanes formed
integrally With at least one ring-shaped track having a rail
structure extending therefrom; and a diaphragm Wall having a
generally ring-like shape and at least one groove extending
generally ring-like shape; c) ?xedly coupling the return chan
nel Wall to the vane assembly; d) manufacturing a diaphragm
Wall having a generally ring-like shape and at least one groove
65
extending around a circumference thereof; and e) coupling
the return channel assembly to the diaphragm Wall by sliding
the rail structure into the at least one groove of the diaphragm
Wall.
US 8,157,517 B2
3
The return channel Wall, the vane assembly, and the dia
phragm Wall may each be manufactured by one of milling,
top, bottom, lateral, longitudinal, and derivatives
thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the
casting, powder metal techniques, and Waterjet techniques.
draWing ?gures. HoWever, it is to be understood that the
The return channel Wall may be ?xedly coupled to the vane
invention may assume various alternative variations and step
assembly by one of Welding, slot Welding, and brazing.
sequences, except Where expressly speci?ed to the contrary. It
These and other features and characteristics of the present
invention, as Well as the methods of operation and functions
of the related elements of structures and the combination of
parts and economies of manufacture, Will become more
is also to be understood that the speci?c devices and processes
illustrated in the attached draWings, and described in the
folloWing speci?cation, are simply exemplary embodiments
of the invention. Hence, speci?c dimensions and other physi
cal characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed
apparent upon consideration of the following description and
the appended claims With reference to the accompanying
draWings, all of Which form a part of this speci?cation,
Wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding
parts in the various ?gures. It is to be expressly understood,
hoWever, that the draWings are for the purpose of illustration
herein are not to be considered as limiting.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a centrifugal compressor
1 includes a casing 3 and a plurality of stages 5 positioned
Within casing 3. Each of stages 5 includes an impeller assem
bly 7 and a diaphragm assembly 9 encompassing impeller
assembly 7. Each impeller assembly 7 is positioned along a
and description only and are not intended as a de?nition of the
limits of the invention. As used in the speci?cation and the
claims, the singular form of a, an, and the include
plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherWise.
20
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
shaft 11.
With reference to FIGS. 3-10 and With continued reference
to FIGS. 1 and 2, diaphragm assembly 9 includes a return
channel Wall 13, a vane assembly 15, and a diaphragm Wall
17. Return channel Wall 13, as shoWn in FIG. 4, has a gener
ally ring-like body portion 19 having an outer circumference
21 and an inner circumference 23. Body portion 19 of return
FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of a multi-stage centrifugal
compressor in partial cross-section that includes a diaphragm
assembly in accordance With the present invention;
channel Wall 13 may be manufactured as half segments or
25
nel Wall 13 is manufactured in quarter segments and each of
the quarter segments is assembled to form body portion 19
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional vieW of the centrifugal compres
sor of FIG. 1 taken along line II-II;
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective vieW of a diaphragm Wall of
the diaphragm assembly in accordance With the present
invention;
quarter segments. Desirably, body portion 19 of return chan
30
having a ring-like shape. Each segment of body portion 19
may be manufactured by milling, casting, poWder metal tech
niques, or Waterjet techniques. Body portion 19 further
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective vieW of a return channel Wall
includes a groove 25 formed around inner circumference 23
of the diaphragm assembly in accordance With the present
thereof. Groove 25 is con?gured to receive a seal 26 When
diaphragm assembly 9 is assembled in a stage 5 of compres
invention;
sor 1.
FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective vieW of a vane segment of
the diaphragm assembly in accordance With the present
35
invention;
FIG. 6 is a top perspective vieW of the vane segment of FIG.
5;
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective vieW of the return channel
Wall of FIG. 4 coupled to the vane segment of FIGS. 5 and 6
to form a return channel assembly;
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional vieW illustrating the
manner in Which the return channel assembly of FIG. 7 is
40
coupled to the diaphragm Wall of FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 is a perspective vieW of the diaphragm Wall of the
diaphragm assembly With a ?rst return channel assembly
45
T-shaped, L-shaped, or any other suitable interlocking geo
metric shape, have been envisioned.
coupled thereto;
FIG. 10 is a portion of the diaphragm assembly of FIG. 9
enlarged for magni?cation purposes;
FIG. 11 is a top perspective vieW of an alternative embodi
50
ment of a return channel assembly of the diaphragm assembly
in accordance With the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a top perspective vieW of the return channel
assembly of FIG. 11 taken from a different angle;
FIG. 13 is a top perspective vieW of a portion of an alter
or Waterjet techniques. Return channel Wall 13 is ?xedly
coupled to vane assembly 15 by Welding, slot Welding, or
55
Diaphragm Wall 17, as shoWn in FIG. 3, has a generally
an inner circumference 39, a front face 41, and a rear face 43.
assembly of FIG. 11 and the diaphragm Wall of FIG. 13; and
60
Body portion 35 of diaphragm Wall 17 may be manufactured
as half segments and each of the half segments is assembled
assembly of FIG. 11 and the diaphragm Wall of FIG. 13
to form body portion 35 having a ring-like shape. Each seg
ment of body portion 35 may be manufactured by milling,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT
INVENTION
casting, poWder metal techniques, or Waterjet techniques. At
65
upper, loWer, right, left, vertical, horizontal,
braZing to form a return channel assembly 33 as shoWn in
FIG. 7.
ring-like body portion 35 having an outer circumference 37,
FIG. 14 is a partial perspective vieW of the return channel
For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms
Vane assembly 15 may be manufactured as half segments
or quarter segments. Desirably, vane assembly 15 is manu
factured in quarter segments to correspond to return channel
Wall assembly 13. Each segment of vane assembly 15 may be
manufactured by milling, casting, poWder metal techniques,
native embodiment of the diaphragm Wall of the diaphragm
assembly in accordance With the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a full perspective vieW of the return channel
Vane assembly 15, as shoWn in FIGS. 5 and 6, includes a
plurality of vanes 27 formed integrally With at least one ring
shaped track 29. Desirably, and as shoWn in FIGS. 5 and 6,
vane assembly 15 includes tWo ring-shaped tracks 29 posi
tioned concentrically With each other. HoWever, this is not to
be construed as limiting the present invention as any suitable
number of tracks may be utiliZed. Each of tracks 29 includes
a rail structure 31 extending therefrom. Rail structure 31 may
have a dove-tail cross-sectional shape as shoWn in FIGS. 5
and 6; hoWever, this is not to be construed as limiting the
present invention as other cross-sectional shapes, such as
least one groove 45 is formed in rear face 43 of body portion
35 and extends around a circumference thereof. Desirably,
and as shoWn in FIG. 3, body portion 35 includes tWo grooves
US 8,157,517 B2
5
45 positioned concentrically With each other. However, this is
edly coupled to vane assembly 115 by Welding, slot Welding,
not to be construed as limiting the present invention as any
suitable number of grooves 45 may be utilized. The number of
or braZing to form return channel assembly 133 as shoWn in
FIGS. 11 and 12.
grooves 45 should correspond to the number of tracks 29 of
vane assembly 15. Grooves 45 may have a dove-tail cross
Diaphragm Wall 117, as shoWn in FIG. 13, has a generally
5
sectional shape as shoWn in FIG. 3 to correspond to the
cross-sectional shape of rail structures 31 of vane assembly
15; hoWever, this is not to be construed as limiting the present
invention as other cross-sectional shapes for grooves 45, such
as T-shaped, L-shaped, or any other suitable interlocking
ring-like body portion 135 having an outer circumference
137, an inner circumference 139, a front face 141, and a rear
face 143. Body portion 135 of diaphragm Wall 117 may be
manufactured as one piece or as half segments. Body portion
135 may be manufactured by milling, casting, poWder metal
techniques, or Waterjet techniques. At least one groove 145 is
formed in rear face 143 of body portion 135 and extends
geometric shape, have been envisioned. Body portion 35
further includes a second groove 47 formed around inner
around a circumference thereof. Desirably, and as shoWn in
circumference 39 thereof. Second groove 47 is con?gured to
receive a seal 49 When diaphragm assembly 9 is assembled in
FIG. 13, body portion 135 includes tWo grooves 145 posi
tioned concentrically With each other. HoWever, this is not to
be construed as limiting the present invention as any suitable
number of grooves 145 may be utiliZed. The number of
grooves 145 should correspond to the number of tracks 129 of
vane assembly 115. Each groove 145 includes a plurality of
a stage 5 of compressor 1.
With reference to FIGS. 8-10 and With continuing refer
ence to FIGS. 1-7, once return channel assembly 33 and
diaphragm Wall 17 are manufactured, they are assembled as
equally spaced pockets 146 con?gured to receive segments
folloWs: ?rst, one of the quarter segments of return channel
assembly 33 is coupled to the half segment of diaphragm Wall
17 by sliding rail structures 31 into grooves 45 of diaphragm
20
Wall 17. The travel of rail structures 31 in grooves 45 may be
anyWhere from 0 to 180 degrees per half segment of dia
phragm Wall 17. Next, another one of the quarter segments of
return channel assembly 33 is coupled to the half segment of
diaphragm Wall 17 by sliding rail structures 31 into grooves
45 of diaphragm Wall 17. This process is then repeated for the
other half segment of diaphragm Wall 17 and quarter seg
ments of return channel assembly 33. The tWo half segments
of diaphragm Wall 17 are then coupled together to form dia
25
groove 147 is con?gured to receive a seal 149 When a dia
1.
30
Accordingly, diaphragm assembly 9 includes a minimum
number of parts since each of vanes 27 is formed as part of an
35
sive specialty bolting. Diaphragm assembly 9 can also be
easily disassembled, thereby alloWing for easier and more
e?icient cleaning of diaphragm assembly 9.
onto diaphragm Wall 117 such that each segment 132 of rail
structure 131 is received Within a pocket 146 of groove 145.
Return channel assembly 133 is then rotated, such that seg
ments 132 are locked Within groove 145 underneath tab por
tions 151 formed Within groove 145. The travel of rail struc
40
?xedly coupled together by Welding, slot Welding, or braZing.
Return channel Wall 113 has a generally ring-like body
portion 119 having an outer circumference 121 and an inner
With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 and With continuing
reference to FIGS. 11-13, once return channel assembly 133
and diaphragm Wall 117 are manufactured, they are
assembled as follows: ?rst, a ?rst half segment of return
channel assembly 133 is coupled to a half segment of dia
phragm Wall 117 by loWering return channel assembly 133
integral vane assembly 15. In addition, diaphragm assembly 9
With reference to FIGS. 11-13, an alternative embodiment
of return channel assembly 133 and diaphragm Wall 117 are
illustrated. Return channel Wall assembly 133 includes a
return channel Wall 113 and a vane assembly 115 that are
sectional shape of rail structures 131 of vane assembly 115.
Body portion 135 further includes a second groove 147
formed around inner circumference 139 thereof. Second
phragm assembly 109 is assembled in a stage 5 of compressor
phragm assembly 9.
can be quickly and easily assembled Without the use of expen
132 therein. Pockets 146 are formed in groove 145 by milling,
for instance. Grooves 145 may have a T-shaped cross-sec
tional shape as shoWn in FIG. 13 to correspond to the cross
45
tures 131 in grooves 145 is approximately 12 degrees. A
possible ?xture to use during this process is a hydraulic table.
The hydraulic table Would be con?gured to raise or loWer
either return channel assembly 133 or diaphragm Wall 117
such that segments 132 of rail structure 131 are positioned
Within pockets 146 of groove 145. The hydraulic table Would
circumference 123. Body portion 119 of return channel Wall
then rotate to lock segments 132 Within groove 145 under
113 may be manufactured as one piece, half segments, or
neath tab portions 151 formed therein. This process is then
repeated for the other half segment of diaphragm Wall 117 and
return channel assembly 133. The tWo half segments of dia
phragm Wall 117 are then coupled together to form diaphragm
quarter segments. Body portion 119 may be manufactured by
milling, casting, poWder metal techniques, or Waterjet tech
niques. Body portion 119 further includes a groove 125
formed around inner circumference 123 thereof. Groove 125
is con?gured to receive a seal 26 When diaphragm assembly 9
is assembled in a stage 5 of compressor 1.
Vane assembly 115 includes a plurality of vanes 127
formed integrally With at least one ring-shaped track 129.
50
assembly 109. Alternatively, diaphragm Wall 117 and return
channel Wall 115 may be formed as a single piece and
assembled as discussed hereinabove.
55
Desirably, vane assembly 115 includes tWo ring-shaped
tracks 129 positioned concentrically With each other. HoW
ever, this is not to be construed as limiting the present inven
tion as any suitable number of tracks may be utiliZed. Each of
tracks 129 includes a rail structure 131 extending therefrom.
on the contrary, is intended to cover modi?cations and
60
Rail structure 131 includes a plurality of equally spaced seg
ments 132. Each of segments 132 have a T-shaped cross
sectional shape.
segments, or quarter segments. Vane assembly 115 may be
or Waterjet techniques. Return channel Wall 113 is then ?x
equivalent arrangements that are Within the spirit and scope of
the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that
the present invention contemplates that, to the extent pos
sible, one or more features of any embodiment can be com
bined With one or more features of any other embodiment.
Vane assembly 115 may be manufactured as one piece, half
manufactured by milling, casting, poWder metal techniques,
Although the invention has been described in detail for the
purpose of illustration based on What is currently considered
to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be
understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that
the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but,
65
The invention claimed is:
1. A diaphragm assembly of a centrifugal compressor com
prising:
US 8,157,517 B2
8
a plurality of stages positioned Within the casing,
Wherein each of the stages comprises:
an impeller assembly; and
a return channel Wall having a generally ring-like shape;
a vane assembly having a plurality of vanes formed inte
grally With at least one ring-shaped track having a rail
structure extending therefrom, the vane assembly is ?x
a diaphragm assembly encompassing the impeller
assembly, the diaphragm assembly comprising:
edly coupled to the return channel Wall, thereby forming
a return channel Wall having a generally ring-like shape;
a return channel assembly; and
a diaphragm Wall having a generally ring-like shape and at
a vane assembly having a plurality of vanes formed
least one groove extending around a circumference
integrally With at least one ring-shaped track having a
rail structure extending therefrom, the vane assembly
is ?xedly coupled to the return channel Wall, thereby
forming a return channel assembly; and
a diaphragm Wall having a generally ring-like shape and
thereof,
Wherein the return channel assembly is coupled to the
diaphragm Wall by sliding the rail structure into the at
least one groove of the diaphragm Wall.
2. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1, Wherein the return
at least one groove extending around a circumference
thereof,
channel Wall is manufactured as one of a single piece, half
segments, and quarter segments.
3. The diaphragm assembly of claim 2, Wherein the return
channel Wall is manufactured by one of milling, casting,
Wherein the return channel assembly is coupled to the
diaphragm Wall by sliding the rail structure into the at
least one groove of the diaphragm Wall.
14. The centrifugal compressor of claim 13, Wherein the
poWder metal techniques, and Waterjet techniques.
4. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1, Wherein the vane
assembly is manufactured as one of a single piece, half seg
ments, and quarter segments.
5. The diaphragm assembly of claim 4, Wherein the vane
assembly is manufactured by one of milling, casting, poWder
metal techniques, and Waterj et techniques.
6. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1, Wherein the vane
assembly includes tWo tracks positioned concentrically With
rail structure has a cross-sectional shape that is one of
20
15. The centrifugal compressor of claim 13, Wherein the at
least one groove in the diaphragm Wall has a cross-sectional
shape that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the rail
structure.
25
shape that is one of T- shaped, L-shaped, and dove-tail shaped.
17. A method of manufacturing a diaphragm assembly for
7. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1, Wherein the rail
use With a centrifugal compressor comprising the steps of:
30
L-shaped, and dove-tail shaped.
track having a rail structure extending therefrom;
b) manufacturing a return channel Wall having a generally
one groove in the diaphragm Wall has a cross-sectional shape
that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the rail struc
ring-like shape;
35
ring-like shape and at least one groove extending around
a circumference thereof; and
40
Welding, slot Welding, and braZing.
groove of the diaphragm Wall.
18. The method of claim 17, Wherein the return channel
Wall, the vane assembly, and the diaphragm Wall are each
poWder metal techniques, and Waterjet techniques.
a casing; and
e) coupling the return channel assembly to the diaphragm
Wall by sliding the rail structure into the at least one
11. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1, Wherein the dia
phragm Wall is manufactured by one of milling, casting,
12. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1, Wherein the rail
structure includes a plurality of equally spaced segments, and
the groove includes a plurality of equally spaced pockets
con?gured to receive the segments and lock the segments
When the return channel assembly is rotated.
13. A centrifugal compressor comprising:
c) ?xedly coupling the return channel Wall to the vane
assembly thereby forming a return channel assembly;
d) manufacturing a diaphragm Wall having a generally
9. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1, Wherein the at least
one groove in the diaphragm Wall has a cross-sectional shape
that is one of T-shaped, L-shaped, and dove-tail shaped.
10. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1, Wherein the return
channel Wall is ?xedly coupled to the vane assembly by one of
a) manufacturing a vane assembly having a plurality of
vanes formed integrally With at least one ring-shaped
8. The diaphragm assembly of claim 1, Wherein the at least
ture.
16. The centrifugal compressor of claim 13, Wherein the at
least one groove in the diaphragm Wall has a cross-sectional
each other and each track having a rail structure extending
therefrom.
structure has a cross-sectional shape that is one of T-shaped,
T-shaped, L-shaped, and dove-tail shaped.
45
manufactured by one of milling, casting, poWder metal tech
niques, and Waterj et techniques.
19. The method of claim 17, Wherein the return channel
Wall is ?xedly coupled to the vane assembly by one of Weld
ing, slot Welding, and braZing.
50
*
