US3841790A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compressor flow fence
Assignee: Avco Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-19
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1993-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A pair of split overlapping rings are received in an annular compressor inlet and have free ends displaceable relative to one another to vary the inner diameter of the rings and prevent compressor surge. A series of links connected to the free ends of the split rings are guided for movement through a predetermined path. Additionally, the midpoint of the split rings is guided for radial movement only so that the inner diameter of the split rings remains substantially concentric between their fully expanded and fully contracted positions. A control system senses various engine parameters and modulates the opening of the rings to achieve optimum engine performance while preventing compressor surge.
Inventors
- 👤 W Stein
- 👤 S Straniti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:21
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D27/00; F04D27/02; F04D27/0246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A flow control system for the annular inlet housing of a compressor, said system comprising: at least one split ring received in a circumferential recess in said housing, said ring having adjacent free ends and a circular reference diameter; means connected between said housing and actuation points adjacent each of the free ends of said ring for displacing said free ends toward and away from one another through a predetermined path thereby varying the reference diameter of said ring; and guide means connected between said housing and said ring at a point midway between the actuation points on said rings, said guide means preventing circumferential movement and permitting radial movement whereby the reference diameter of said ring is maintained substantially concentric relative to said inlet housing irrespective of the variation in said reference diameter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A flow control system for the annular inlet housing of a compressor, said system comprising: at least one split ring received in a circumferential recess in said housing, said ring having adjacent free ends and a circular reference diameter; means connected between said housing and actuation points adjacent each of the free ends of said ring for displacing said free ends toward and away from one another through a predetermined path thereby varying the reference diameter of said ring; and guide means connected between said housing and said ring at a point midway between the actuation points on said rings, said guide means preventing circumferential movement and permitting radial movement whereby the reference diameter of said ring is maintained substantially concentric relative to said inlet housing irrespective of the variation in said reference diameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A flow control system as in claim 1 wherein said displacing means comprises means for guiding the actuation points of said ring through said predetermined path so that the displacement of said actuation points relative to one another defines the magnitude of said reference diameter and the displacement of said actuation points relative to the center of said housing defines the concentricity of said ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A flow control system as in claim 2 wherein said displacement means comprises links having right angle output pins at one end and wherein said housing has arcuate slots receiving said output pins for guiding the actuation points through said predetermined path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A flow control system as in claim 3 wherein: the actuation points on said ring comprise tabs adjacent its free ends, said tabs having holes therethrough; said pins extend through said holes and into said slots.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
A flow control system as in claim 4 wherein said displacing means comprises: input pins extending at right angles to said links at the other end of said links; a generally cylindrical element journaled for rotation in said housing about an axis and having a pair of holes eccentric with respect to said axis, said input pins being received in said eccenTric holes; an arm extending radially from said cylindrical element to the exterior of said housing whereby pivoting of said arm rotates said cylindrical element and displaces the free ends of said ring relative to one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
A flow control system as in claim 5 wherein said cylindrical element is journaled in a cylindrical bore in said housing, said housing having a slot extending through a portion of the circumference of said cylindrical bore and wherein said system further comprises a relatively thick sleeve telescoped over said radial arm, said sleeve having a diameter relative to the width of said slot that maintains the axial position of said cylindrical element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A flow control system as in claim 1 wherein said guide means comprises: a guide pin fixed to said housing at a point midway between the points of said rings; and a forked element extending from said ring on both sides of said pin whereby said pin forms a guide for radial movement only of said ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A flow control system as in claim 1 having a pair of split rings, each displaced by said displacing means and guided for movement by said guide means, each of said rings having the distance between one of the free ends and the respective actuating point greater than that for the other free end so that the free ends of said rings overlap one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A flow control system as in claim 8 comprising a pair of identical rings each having the same relationship between their free ends and said actuating points, said rings being positioned against one another so that the free ends having the larger of the said distances overlap one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flow control system as in claim 1 wherein said ring has a radial width which is a maximum at its midpoint and tapers to a minimum at its free ends.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A flow control system as in claim 1 wherein said circumferential recess is inward facing and said reference diameter is the inner diameter of said split ring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
A flow control system as in claim 1 wherein said displacing means comprises: a pair of tabs extending radially from said ring at said actuation points; and a pair of sector gears meshing with one another and each having radial arms connected to said tabs so that rotation of one sector gear rotates both for uniform displacement of free ends of said ring relative to one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A flow control system as in claim 12 wherein said tabs have pins extending therefrom and said sector gears have forked sections at the ends of said arms, said forked sections being received around said pins.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A flow control system as in claim 13 further comprising pins fixed in said housing adjacent the free ends of said ring, said tabs having slots therein for guiding the free ends of said ring through said predetermined path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
A flow control system as in claim 14 wherein said guide means comprises a pin fixed to said housing at a point midway between said tabs and a forked extension extending radially from said ring and received around said pin for permitting radial movement only of said ring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A flow control system as in claim 15 wherein said ring has overlapping free ends.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |