Diffuser for a gas turbine

Abstract

A diffuser for a gas turbine includes an inlet adapted for coupling to the gas turbine. The diffuser also includes at least one outlet located proximate a diffuser end, wherein the diffuser end is located downstream of the inlet. The diffuser further includes an outer wall and an inner barrel that extends substantially to the diffuser end.

1 . A diffuser for a gas turbine comprising:
 an inlet adapted for coupling to the gas turbine;   at least one outlet located proximate a diffuser end, wherein the diffuser end is located downstream of the inlet;   an outer wall; and   an inner barrel extending substantially to the diffuser end.   
     
     
         2 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall and the inner barrel define a varying radius along a length of the diffuser between the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The diffuser of  claim 2 , wherein the varying radius defined by the outer wall and the inner barrel is greater at the outlet than at the inlet. 
     
     
         4 . The diffuser of  claim 2 , wherein the varying radius defined by the outer wall and the inner barrel includes an outer radius location. 
     
     
         5 . The diffuser of  claim 4 , further comprising a midpoint located relatively halfway between the inlet and the outlet, an inlet portion defined by the inlet and the midpoint, and an outlet portion defined by the midpoint and the outlet, wherein the outer radius location is proximate the inlet portion. 
     
     
         6 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , in combination with an axial-flow turbine. 
     
     
         7 . The diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet is adapted for coupling to an adjacent object. 
     
     
         8 . An exhaust gas diffuser comprising:
 an inlet;   an outlet;   an inner barrel extending from substantially the inlet to substantially the outlet; and   an outer wall radially spaced apart from the inner barrel, wherein the outer wall and the inner barrel define a varying radius along a length of the diffuser between the inlet and the outlet.   
     
     
         9 . The diffuser of  claim 8 , wherein the varying radius defined by the outer wall and the inner barrel is greater at the outlet than at the inlet. 
     
     
         10 . The diffuser of  claim 8 , wherein the varying radius defined by the outer wall and the inner barrel includes an outer radius location. 
     
     
         11 . The diffuser of  claim 10 , further comprising a midpoint located relatively halfway between the inlet and the outlet, an inlet portion defined by the inlet and the midpoint, and an outlet portion defined by the midpoint and the outlet, wherein the outer radius location is proximate the inlet portion. 
     
     
         12 . The exhaust gas diffuser of  claim 8 , in combination with an axial-flow gas turbine. 
     
     
         13 . The exhaust gas diffuser of  claim 12 , wherein the inlet is adapted for coupling to the axial-flow gas turbine. 
     
     
         14 . The exhaust gas diffuser of  claim 12 , wherein the outlet is adapted for coupling to an adjacent object. 
     
     
         15 . A gas turbine comprising:
 a turbine casing that surrounds a portion of the gas turbine; and   an exhaust gas diffuser coupled to the turbine casing, the diffuser including:   an inlet adapted for coupling to the gas turbine, an outer wall, an inner barrel and a diffuser end downstream from the inlet, the inner barrel extending substantially to the diffuser end.   
     
     
         16 . The gas turbine of  claim 15 , wherein the exhaust gas diffuser further comprises an outlet located proximate the diffuser end. 
     
     
         17 . The gas turbine of  claim 16 , wherein the outer wall and the inner barrel define a varying radius along a length of the diffuser between the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
         18 . The gas turbine of  claim 17 , wherein the varying radius defined by the outer wall and the inner barrel is greater at the outlet than at the inlet. 
     
     
         19 . The gas turbine of  claim 17 , wherein the varying radius defined by the outer wall and the inner barrel includes an outer radius location. 
     
     
         20 . The gas turbine of  claim 19 , wherein the exhaust gas diffuser further comprises a midpoint located relatively halfway between the inlet and the outlet, an inlet portion defined by the inlet and the midpoint, and an outlet portion defined by the midpoint and the outlet, wherein the outer radius location is proximate the inlet portion.