Electric Compressor Air Bearing Flow Paths for Lower Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electric compressors experience pressure loss in the annular flow paths of the air bearings, leading to improper functioning of the air bearings.
Innovation Solution
The electric compressor incorporates a housing with a stator and rotor configuration, featuring a first and second air flow path that supply compressed air to the low-pressure and high-pressure stage air bearings, respectively, and an air flow rate adjusting device to manage the flow rate, eliminating the need for annular flow paths that store compressed air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compressed air is stored in the annular flow paths of the air bearing, then the air bearing can be supplied with compressed air, but the pressure loss increases and the air bearing does not function properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air supply system into two separate flow paths: a first air flow path for supplying compressed air to the low-pressure stage air bearing, and a second air flow path for supplying compressed air to the high-pressure stage air bearing. This segmentation eliminates the need for compressed air to be stored in annular flow paths, thereby reducing pressure loss while ensuring reliable air supply to both air bearings.
2Device complexity
If a single air flow path is used to supply compressed air to both air bearings, then the structure is simplified, but the pressure loss increases and air bearing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements two separate air flow paths instead of a single shared flow path. The first air flow path supplies compressed air to the low-pressure stage air bearing, while the second air flow path supplies compressed air to the high-pressure stage air bearing. This segmentation maintains structural simplicity while ensuring each air bearing receives adequate compressed air supply with minimal pressure loss, thereby maintaining air bearing performance.
3Ease of operation
If compressed air flow rate is not regulated, then the system operates simply, but the air bearing cannot function properly due to pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces air flow rate adjusting devices in both the first and second air flow paths to regulate the flow rate of compressed air supplied to each air bearing. By adjusting the flow rate parameters, the system ensures that each air bearing receives the appropriate amount of compressed air with sufficient pressure, thereby ensuring proper air bearing function while maintaining ease of operation through simple adjustment mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces pressure loss, ensuring proper functioning and cooling of the air bearings, thereby maintaining efficient operation and temperature control of the compressor components.
Implementation Method 1
The rotating shaft is rotatably supported on the housing by an air bearing. The air bearing includes a low-pressure stage side air bearing disposed on a low-pressure stage wheel side, and a high-pressure stage side air bearing disposed on a high-pressure stage wheel side.
Implementation Method 2
a low-pressure stage wheel fixed to one axial side of the rotating shaft; a high-pressure stage wheel fixed to the other axial side
Data Source
AI summary
This electric compressor comprises: a housing that includes a stator having a cylindrical shape; a rotating shaft that is disposed inside the housing and that has a rotor facing the stator; a low pressure wheel that is fixed to one axial side of the rotating shaft; a high pressure wheel that is fixed to the other axial side of the rotating shaft; a low pressure side air bearing that rotatably supports, in the housing, a low pressure side shaft section of the rotating shaft; a high pressure side air bearing that rotatably supports, in the housing, a high pressure side shaft section of the rotating shaft; a first air flow path that supplies compressed air from the housing to either one of the low pressure side air bearing and the high pressure side air bearing; a second air flow path that branches from the first air flow path and that supplies the compressed air to the other of the low pressure side air bearing and the high pressure side air bearing; and an air flow rate adjustment device that adjusts a flow rate of the compressed air flowing in the first air flow path and the second air flow path.