An example centrifugal compressor includes a housing that defines an inlet chamber and includes first and second openings that define a recirculation passage in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. An impeller is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to draw fluid into the inlet chamber. The first and second openings are at different axial locations along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of inlet guide vanes are rotatable and situated in the inlet chamber. The centrifugal compressor includes a ring and a controller for moving the ring along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position when rotating the inlet guide vanes. The ring obstructs at least one of the first and second openings more in the second position than in the first position.

An example centrifugal compressor includes a housing that defines an inlet chamber and includes first and second openings that define a recirculation passage in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. An impeller is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to draw fluid into the inlet chamber. The first and second openings are at different axial locations along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of inlet guide vanes are rotatable and situated in the inlet chamber. The centrifugal compressor includes a ring and a controller for moving the ring along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position when rotating the inlet guide vanes. The ring obstructs at least one of the first and second openings more in the second position than in the first position.

An example centrifugal compressor includes a housing that defines an inlet chamber and includes first and second openings that define a recirculation passage in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. An impeller is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to draw fluid into the inlet chamber. The first and second openings are at different axial locations along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of inlet guide vanes are rotatable and situated in the inlet chamber. The centrifugal compressor includes a ring and a controller for moving the ring along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position when rotating the inlet guide vanes. The ring obstructs at least one of the first and second openings more in the second position than in the first position.

An example centrifugal compressor includes a housing that defines an inlet chamber and includes first and second openings that define a recirculation passage in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. An impeller is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to draw fluid into the inlet chamber. The first and second openings are at different axial locations along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of inlet guide vanes are rotatable and situated in the inlet chamber. The centrifugal compressor includes a ring and a controller for moving the ring along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position when rotating the inlet guide vanes. The ring obstructs at least one of the first and second openings more in the second position than in the first position.

An example centrifugal compressor includes a housing that defines an inlet chamber and includes first and second openings that define a recirculation passage in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. An impeller is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to draw fluid into the inlet chamber. The first and second openings are at different axial locations along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of inlet guide vanes are rotatable and situated in the inlet chamber. The centrifugal compressor includes a ring and a controller for moving the ring along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position when rotating the inlet guide vanes. The ring obstructs at least one of the first and second openings more in the second position than in the first position.

Method for controlling a plural stage compressor comprising at least a first stage (10), a second stage (20) and a first inter-stage line (12) between the first stage (10) and the second stage (20), comprising the steps of: a—measuring the temperature at the inlet of the compressor, b—measuring the ratio between the outlet pressure (Pout) and the inlet pressure (Pin) of the first stage (10) of the compressor, c—calculating a coefficient (ψ) based at least on the value of the inlet temperature (Tin) and on the measured pressure ratio (Pout/Pin), d—if the calculated coefficient (ψ) is in a predetermined range, acting on a control valve (70; 76; 92) mounted in a line (4; 8) supplying the inlet of the first stage (10) of the compressor or in a gas recycle line (74) which opens into the first inter-stage line (12).

An example centrifugal compressor includes a housing that defines an inlet chamber and includes first and second openings that define a recirculation passage in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. An impeller is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to draw fluid into the inlet chamber. The first and second openings are at different axial locations along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of inlet guide vanes are rotatable and situated in the inlet chamber. The centrifugal compressor includes a ring and a controller for moving the ring along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position when rotating the inlet guide vanes. The ring obstructs at least one of the first and second openings more in the second position than in the first position.

An example centrifugal compressor includes a housing that defines an inlet chamber and includes first and second openings that define a recirculation passage in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. An impeller is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to draw fluid into the inlet chamber. The first and second openings are at different axial locations along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of inlet guide vanes are rotatable and situated in the inlet chamber. The centrifugal compressor includes a ring and a controller for moving the ring along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position when rotating the inlet guide vanes. The ring obstructs at least one of the first and second openings more in the second position than in the first position.

Method for controlling a plural stage compressor comprising at least a first stage (10), a second stage (20) and a first inter-stage line (12) between the first stage (10) and the second stage (20), comprising the steps of: a—measuring the temperature at the inlet of the compressor, b—measuring the ratio between the outlet pressure (Pout) and the inlet pressure (Pin) of the first stage (10) of the compressor, c—calculating a coefficient (ψ) based at least on the value of the inlet temperature (Tin) and on the measured pressure ratio (Pout/Pin), d—if the calculated coefficient (ψ)is in a predetermined range, acting on a control valve (70; 76; 92) mounted in a line (4; 8) supplying the inlet of the first stage (10) of the compressor or in a gas recycle line (74) which opens into the first inter-stage line (12).

A turbocharger including a pivoting vane (50) aligned with a volute slot (25) of the housing (10) and located proximal a downstream end (57) of a tongue (15) defining an initial inlet throat area (11) of the housing. When the vane is in its fully closed position (60), inlet exhaust gas is prevented from flowing into the volute slot and, therefore, the turbine wheel, until the inlet exhaust gas passes a downstream end (57) of the vane. The vane effectively extends the inlet throat area to define a revised inlet throat area (12). The A/R ratio of the housing progressively varies as the vane pivots between the fully opened and fully closed positions.