US 12,404,873 B2
Variable inlet guide vane apparatus and compressor including same
Cody N. Kahan, Marysville, OH (US); and Cyril A. Duffala, Washington Township, OH (US)
Assigned to Copeland LP, Sidney, OH (US)
Filed by Copeland LP, Sidney, OH (US)
Filed on Aug. 15, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/806,303.
Application 18/806,303 is a continuation of application No. 17/656,260, filed on Mar. 24, 2022, granted, now 12,180,974.
Prior Publication US 2024/0401608 A1, Dec. 5, 2024
Int. Cl. F04D 29/46 (2006.01); F04D 17/10 (2006.01); F04D 29/056 (2006.01); F04D 29/063 (2006.01); F04D 29/42 (2006.01); F04D 29/62 (2006.01)
CPC F04D 29/462 (2013.01) [F04D 17/10 (2013.01); F04D 29/056 (2013.01); F04D 29/063 (2013.01); F04D 29/4206 (2013.01); F04D 29/624 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An inlet guide vane apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
a housing assembly defining a fluid flow passageway, the housing assembly comprising:
a first housing portion; and
a second housing portion connected to and positioned axially upstream of the first housing portion, wherein the first and second housing portions cooperatively define a plurality of guide vane openings extending radially through the housing assembly and into the fluid flow passageway, wherein at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion defines at least one slot, the slot extending from a first stop surface to a second stop surface;
a ring gear rotatable relative to the housing assembly; and
a plurality of guide vanes connected to the housing assembly, each guide vane comprising:
a stem extending from a first end to a second end, wherein at least a portion of the stem is disposed within one of the guide vane openings, wherein at least one of the guide vanes includes a stop extending from the stem and being sized and shaped to be received in the slot;
a vane gear disposed at the first end of the stem and operably connected to the ring gear; and
a vane disposed at the second end of the stem and within the fluid flow passageway of the housing assembly, wherein each of the guide vanes is rotatable relative to the housing assembly such that an orientation of the vane within the fluid flow passageway is selectively adjustable.