Turbomachine exhaust diffuser

Abstract

Various embodiments include a turbomachine exhaust diffuser. In some embodiments, the turbomachine diffuser includes an inlet, an outlet opposing the inlet along a primary axis of the turbomachine diffuser, and a diffuser region between the inlet and the outlet. The diffuser region can include: a radially outer wall and a radially inner wall opposing the radially outer wall. The radially inner wall can include: a first section including a substantially uniform slope, and a second section continuous with the first section, the second section having a non-uniform slope.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A turbomachine diffuser comprising:
 an inlet;   an outlet opposing the inlet along a primary axis of the turbomachine diffuser; and   a diffuser region between the inlet and the outlet, the diffuser region including:
 a radially outer wall; and 
 a radially inner wall opposing the radially outer wall, the radially inner wall having:
 a first section including a substantially uniform slope; and 
 a second section continuous with the first section, the second section having a non-uniform slope. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The turbomachine diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the second section includes a first subsection with a positive slope relative to the primary axis of the turbomachine, and a second subsection connected with the first subsection, the second subsection having a negative slope relative to the primary axis of the turbomachine. 
     
     
         3 . The turbomachine diffuser of  claim 2 , wherein the second subsection is located proximate the inlet. 
     
     
         4 . The turbomachine diffuser of  claim 3 , wherein the first subsection and the second subjection meet at an apex. 
     
     
         5 . The turbomachine diffuser of  claim 3 , wherein the first subsection and the second subsection are separated at an angle of approximately 150 to approximately 179 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The turbomachine diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the second section forms a recess in the radially inner wall. 
     
     
         7 . The turbomachine diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially uniform slope of the first section is positive relative to the primary axis of the turbomachine. 
     
     
         8 . A turbomachine system comprising:
 a turbomachine having a low pressure (LP) section; and   a turbomachine diffuser fluidly connected with an exhaust of the LP section, the diffuser including:
 an inlet; 
 an outlet opposing the inlet along a primary axis of the turbomachine diffuser; and 
 a diffuser region between the inlet and the outlet, the diffuser region including:
 a radially outer wall; and 
 a radially inner wall opposing the radially outer wall, the radially inner wall having:
 a first section including a substantially uniform slope; and 
 a second section continuous with the first section, the second section having a non-uniform slope. 
 
 
   
     
     
         9 . The turbomachine system of  claim 8 , wherein the second section includes a first subsection with a positive slope relative to the primary axis of the turbomachine, and a second subsection connected with the first subsection, the second subsection having a negative slope relative to the primary axis of the turbomachine. 
     
     
         10 . The turbomachine system of  claim 9 , wherein the first subsection and the second subjection meet at an apex. 
     
     
         11 . The turbomachine system of  claim 9 , wherein the first subsection and the second subsection are separated at an angle of approximately 150 to approximately 179 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The turbomachine system of  claim 8 , wherein the second section forms a recess in the radially inner wall. 
     
     
         13 . The turbomachine system of  claim 8 , wherein the substantially uniform slope of the first section is positive relative to the primary axis of the turbomachine. 
     
     
         14 . A power plant system comprising:
 a dynamoelectric machine; and   a turbomachine system operably connected with the dynamoelectric machine, the turbomachine system including:
 a turbomachine having a low pressure (LP) section; and 
 a turbomachine diffuser fluidly connected with an exhaust of the LP section, the diffuser including:
 an inlet; 
 an outlet opposing the inlet along a primary axis of the turbomachine diffuser; and 
 a diffuser region between the inlet and the outlet, the diffuser region including:
 a radially outer wall; and 
 a radially inner wall opposing the radially outer wall, the radially inner wall having: 
  a first section including a substantially uniform slope; and 
  a second section continuous with the first section, the second section having a non-uniform slope. 
 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The power plant system of  claim 14 , wherein the second section includes a first subsection with a positive slope relative to the primary axis of the turbomachine, and a second subsection connected with the first subsection, the second subsection having a negative slope relative to the primary axis of the turbomachine. 
     
     
         16 . The power plant system of  claim 15 , wherein the second subsection is located proximate the inlet. 
     
     
         17 . The power plant system of  claim 15 , wherein the first subsection and the second subjection meet at an apex. 
     
     
         18 . The power plant system of  claim 15 , wherein the first subsection and the second subsection are separated at an angle of approximately 150 to approximately 179 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The power plant system of  claim 14 , wherein the second section forms a recess in the radially inner wall. 
     
     
         20 . The power plant system of  claim 14 , wherein the substantially uniform slope of the first section is positive relative to the primary axis of the turbomachine.