US 12,421,858 B1
Flow control device for axial flow turbomachines in series
Michael E. Slipper, Ridley Park, PA (US); Tristan M. Wolfe, Philadelphia, PA (US); and Kyle J. Verrinder, West Chester, PA (US)
Assigned to The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed on Feb. 27, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/588,516.
Application 18/588,516 is a continuation of application No. 18/155,930, filed on Jan. 18, 2023, granted, now 11,946,392.
Application 18/155,930 is a continuation of application No. 16/670,426, filed on Oct. 31, 2019, granted, now 11,585,227.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F04D 13/12 (2006.01); F01D 9/04 (2006.01); F04D 23/00 (2006.01)
CPC F01D 9/041 (2013.01) [F04D 23/005 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A flow control device for constraining fluid flow between high hub to tip ratio axial flow turbomachines in series comprising:
a flow constrainer having a first end and a second end, the first end having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of a drive assembly of a first high hub to tip ratio axial flow turbomachine housed in a first housing, and the second end having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of a hub of a second high hub to tip ratio axial flow turbomachine housed in a second housing, the flow constrainer being attached only to the first housing, or only to the second housing;
wherein, when the first and second housings are joined and the flow control device is situated between the first and second high hub to tip ratio axial flow turbomachines, the flow constrainer occupies a volume defined by substantially all the space extending between the drive assembly of the first high hub to tip ratio axial flow turbomachine and the hub of the second high hub to tip ratio axial flow turbomachine, and the flow control device constrains fluid flow downstream of the first high hub to tip ratio axial flow turbomachine to a plurality of blades attached to the hub of the second high hub to tip ratio axial flow turbomachine.