Compressor side inlet with improved aerodynamic performance and reduced manufacturing complexity

Abstract

An air plenum is configured to direct air into a centrifugal compressor impeller in an ACM compressor. The air inlet plenum has a cylindrical outer wall, a forward circular end wall, and a rearward circular end wall. An air inlet radially extends from the cylindrical outer wall and is in flow communication therewith. An aperture in forward circular end wall is configured to seal receive about a rotating shaft. An aperture in rearward circular end wall is configured to receive the rotating shaft and allow air flow therethrough about the rotating shaft. A rectangular baffle extends radially inward from the cylindrical outer wall at a circumference thereof opposite the air inlet. The rectangular baffle may extend between the forward and rearward end walls.

1 . A compressor comprising:
 an impeller;   an air inlet plenum having a sidewall, a first end wall, and a second end wall;   said first end wall having an aperture configured to be substantially sealed about a rotatable shaft;   said second end wall having an outlet in flow communication with said impeller about said rotatable shaft;   an air inlet extending radially outward from said sidewall and being in flow communication with said air inlet plenum; and   a baffle extending radially inward from said sidewall approximately 180° from said air inlet.   
   
   
       2 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein said baffle is rectangular. 
   
   
       3 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein said baffle is solid. 
   
   
       4 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein said baffle extends between said first and said second end walls. 
   
   
       5 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein said baffle extends at least one half the distance from said sidewall to said shaft. 
   
   
       6 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein said air inlet has at least one guide vane configured to direct the flow of inlet air radially toward said shaft. 
   
   
       7 . The compressor of  claim 6  wherein said guide vane is in a plane parallel with a plane of said baffle. 
   
   
       8 . An air cycle machine compressor comprising:
 an air inlet plenum having a portion about a shaft between a gas turbine engine and an impeller;   said air inlet plenum being configured to direct the flow of inlet air radially inward to the shaft from one side of the shaft and split a portion of the flow of inlet air around the rotating shaft while simultaneously turning the flow of inlet air parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft for entry into the impeller;   said portion of said plenum about said shaft having a cylindrical outer wall;   said cylindrical outer wall of said air inlet plenum having an air inlet portion extending therefrom in a radial direction from the shaft; and   a rectangular baffle extending radially inward from said cylindrical outer wall of said plenum toward the shaft, said baffle being on an opposite side of said cylindrical outer wall than said air inlet portion and extending said cylindrical outer wall in a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shaft.   
   
   
       9 . The air cycle machine compressor of  claim 8  further comprising a guide vane in said air inlet portion configured to direct inflowing air radially toward said shaft. 
   
   
       10 . The air cycle machine compressor of  claim 8  wherein said portion about said shaft has sidewalls radially extending inward from said cylindrical outer wall toward said shaft, said rectangular baffle extends between said sidewalls. 
   
   
       11 . The air cycle machine compressor of  claim 8  wherein said baffle extends at least one half the distance from said cylindrical outer wall to said shaft. 
   
   
       12 . The air cycle machine compressor of  claim 8  wherein said portion of said plenum is configured to provide a substantially uniform flow rate of air about the circumference of said shaft for entry into said impeller. 
   
   
       13 . An air plenum configured to direct air into a compressor impeller comprising:
 a cylindrical outer wall;   a first rounded end wall;   a second rounded end wall;   an air inlet radially extending from said cylindrical outer wall and being in flow communication therewith;   an aperture in said first rounded end wall configured to sealing receive a rotating shaft;   an aperture in said second rounded end wall configured to receive the rotating shaft and allow air flow between said second rounded end wall and the rotating shaft; and   a baffle extending radially inward from said cylindrical outer wall at a circumference thereof opposite said air inlet, said rectangular baffle extending between said first and second end walls.   
   
   
       14 . The air plenum of  claim 13  wherein said baffle extends at least one half the distance from said cylindrical outer wall to said aperture in said first circular end wall. 
   
   
       15 . The air plenum of  claim 13  wherein said air inlet has at least one rectangular guide vane in a plane parallel with a plane of said baffle. 
   
   
       16 . The air plenum of  claim 13  being configured to intake air from said air inlet and supply air to said aperture in said second circular end wall with a substantial even distribution of air flow about a circumference of said aperture in said second side wall. 
   
   
       17 . The air plenum of  claim 13  wherein said air inlet has a tapered portion radially extending from said cylindrical outer wall and a cylindrical portion extending radially outward from said tapered portion.