Collector for a compressor

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a compressor includes an impeller configured to compress a working fluid, a diffuser positioned downstream of the impeller with respect to a flow path of the working fluid, where the diffuser is configured to direct the working fluid through a radial passage, and where the diffuser comprises a vaned diffuser portion disposed within the radial passage, and a collector positioned downstream of the diffuser with respect to the flow path of the working fluid, where a chamber of the collector is axially offset from the radial passage of the diffuser.

1 . A compressor, comprising:
 an impeller configured to compress a working fluid;   a diffuser positioned downstream of the impeller with respect to a flow path of the working fluid, wherein the diffuser is configured to direct the working fluid through a radial passage, and wherein the diffuser comprises a vaned diffuser portion disposed within the radial passage; and   a collector positioned downstream of the diffuser with respect to the flow path of the working fluid, wherein a chamber of the collector is axially offset from the radial passage of the diffuser.   
     
     
         2 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the diffuser comprises a variable geometry diffuser ring portion disposed within the radial passage. 
     
     
         3 . The compressor of  claim 2 , wherein the variable geometry diffuser ring portion comprises a ring configured to extend axially into the radial passage to adjust a flow of the working fluid through the radial passage. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor of  claim 3 , wherein the vaned diffuser portion is positioned downstream of the variable geometry diffuser ring portion with respect to the flow path of the working fluid, and wherein a position of the ring of the variable geometry diffuser ring portion is configured to adjust a flow angle of the working fluid directed toward the vaned diffuser portion. 
     
     
         5 . The compressor of  claim 1 , comprising an interface positioned between an outlet of the diffuser and an inlet of the collector with respect to the flow path of the working fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The compressor of  claim 5 , wherein the interface comprises a bend configured to adjust a direction of the flow path of the working fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The compressor of  claim 5 , wherein the outlet of the diffuser and the inlet of the collector are axially offset from one another. 
     
     
         8 . The compressor of  claim 5 , wherein the outlet of the diffuser and the inlet of the collector are not radially aligned with one another. 
     
     
         9 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber of the collector is defined by an axial length and a radial length, and wherein the axial length and the radial length define an aspect ratio of the chamber. 
     
     
         10 . A compressor for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) unit, comprising:
 an impeller configured to compress a refrigerant;   a diffuser positioned downstream of the impeller with respect to a flow path of the refrigerant, wherein the diffuser is configured to direct the refrigerant through a radial passage, and wherein the diffuser comprises a variable geometry diffuser ring portion and a vaned diffuser portion disposed within the radial passage; and   a collector positioned downstream of the diffuser with respect to the flow path of the refrigerant, wherein a chamber of the collector is axially offset from the radial passage of the diffuser.   
     
     
         11 . The compressor of  claim 10 , wherein the variable geometry diffuser ring portion is positioned upstream of the vaned diffuser portion with respect to the flow path of the refrigerant. 
     
     
         12 . The compressor of  claim 10 , wherein the vaned diffuser portion comprises a plurality of vanes configured to drive rotation of the vaned diffuser portion within the radial passage. 
     
     
         13 . The compressor of  claim 10 , wherein the chamber of the collector is defined by an axial length and a radial length, and wherein the axial length and the radial length define an aspect ratio of the chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The compressor of  claim 10 , wherein an outlet of the diffuser and an inlet of the collector are axially offset from one another. 
     
     
         15 . The compressor of  claim 10 , wherein an outlet of the diffuser and an inlet of the collector are not radially aligned with one another. 
     
     
         16 . A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, comprising:
 a compressor configured to circulate the refrigerant through the heat exchanger, wherein the compressor comprises:   an impeller configured to compress the refrigerant;   a diffuser positioned downstream of the impeller with respect to a flow path of the refrigerant, wherein the diffuser is configured to direct the refrigerant through a radial passage; and   a collector positioned downstream of the diffuser with respect to the flow path of the refrigerant, wherein an inlet of the collector is axially offset from an outlet of the radial passage of the diffuser.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the diffuser comprises a variable geometry diffuser ring portion and a vaned diffuser portion. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , comprising a controller configured to adjust the position of a variable geometry diffuser ring with respect to the radial passage. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust the position of the ring based on a suction pressure of the refrigerant, a discharge pressure of the refrigerant, a flow rate of the refrigerant through the compressor, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the position of the ring of the variable geometry diffuser ring is configured to direct the refrigerant toward the vaned diffuser portion at a flow angle that is substantially equal to an incidence of a leading edge of a vane of the vaned diffuser portion.