COMPRESSOR HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE DIFFUSER WALL AND METHOD THEREFOR

摘要

A compressor (10) with an adjustable diffuser (30) and an associated method are provided. The diffuser (30) includes an adjustable diffuser wall (36) that can be adjusted relative to an inner surface (34) of the diffuser (30) to change the cross-sectional flow area of the diffuser (30). The adjustable diffuser wall (36) fluidly communicates with a fluid port (40) so that the adjustable diffuser wall (36) is adjusted according to a pressure of control fluid supplied via the port (40). For example, the fluid port (40) can be configured to selectively receive a fluid from a volute (26) of the compressor (10) or an ambient gas.