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| Fig. 3-7 Typical axial flow compressors. |
THE AXIAL FLOW COMPRESSOR
13. An axial flow compressor (fig. 3-7 and fig. 3-8 consists of one or more rotor assemblies that carry blades of airfoil section. These assemblies are mounted between bearings in the casings which incorporate the stator vanes. The compressor is a multi-stage unit as the amount of pressure increase by each stage is small; a stage consists of a row of rotating blades followed by a row of stator vanes. Where several stages of compression operate in series on one shaft it becomes necessary to vary the stator vane angle to enable the compressor to operate effectively at speeds below the design condition. As the pressure ratio is increased the incorporation of variable stator vanes ensures that the airflow is directed onto the succeeding stage of rotor blades at an acceptable angle, ref. para. 30, Airflow Control.
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| Fig. 3-8 Typical triple spool compressor. |

