ABSTRACT
Compressors raise the pressure of a gas by transferring mechanical energy from a rotating shaft to the gas. Many ingenious methods have been devised for this purpose, but the compressors discussed herein are limited to those that are similar to the axial-flow and centrifugal units illustrated in Figures 1-4. Figure 1 is a cutaway photograph of a TFE 731 turbofan engine manufactured by the Allied Signal Corporation. Figure 2 is a drawing of the projection of the engine on a plane through the axis of rotation. The fan is a single-stage axial compressor. A four-stage axial compressor follows, and to the right is a centrifugal compressor. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a two-stage centrifugal compressor that is part of the Allied Signal TPE 331 turboprop engine.
