Composite Impeller Structure for High-Speed Multi-Stage Compressors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-stage compressors, particularly radial and diagonal compressors, are not suitable for operating at high circumferential speeds required for efficiently compressing light gases like hydrogen or helium due to their metallic design.
Innovation Solution
The impellers of the multi-stage compressors are designed with a curved inner and outer shroud and twisted blades made of fibre composite material, allowing for high-speed operation, with separate components connected via integral or mechanical means, and a rotor shaft passing through the inner shroud.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If metallic impellers are used in multi-stage compressors, then structural strength and reliability are maintained, but the compressors cannot operate at high circumferential speeds required for compressing light gases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by constructing impeller components (inner shroud, outer shroud, and impeller blades) from fibre composite materials instead of traditional metallic materials. This allows the impeller to operate at high circumferential speeds suitable for compressing light gases while maintaining structural reliability through the high strength-to-weight ratio and fatigue resistance of composite materials.
2Ease of manufacture
If impeller components are designed as separate parts, then ease of manufacture is improved, but connection strength and structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate impeller components (inner shroud, outer shroud, and impeller blades) into a single integrated impeller structure. This integration ensures structural integrity and optimal aerodynamic performance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modern composite material fabrication techniques such as mold-up processes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If impeller components are designed as a single integrated part, then structural integrity is maximized, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials that can be formed into complex three-dimensional geometries through mold-up processes. This allows the impeller to be manufactured as a single integrated component with optimized aerodynamic surfaces and internal structures, achieving both structural integrity and manufacturing feasibility through the versatility of composite material fabrication.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-stage compressor, namely a multi-stage radial compressor or a multi-stage diagonal compressor, having a compressor rotor, the compressor rotor has a rotor shaft and multiple impellers fastened to the rotor shaft which are subjected to inflow in the axial direction and impellers which are subjected to outflow in the radial direction or diagonal direction. Each impeller has a curved inner shroud, a curved outer shroud and multiple curved impeller blades arranged between the inner shroud and the outer shroud. The inner shroud, the outer shroud, and the impeller blades each consists of a fibre composite material. The rotor shaft extends through a recess in the inner shroud of the respective impeller.