Single-Stage Compressor Bleed System Thrust Load Alleviation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compressors are often bulky, complex, and have limited load-bearing capacity, with bearings that can contaminate the system, making them unsuitable for compact and efficient applications.
Innovation Solution
A single-stage compressor with a bleed air system that includes a turbine-less rotating group driven by an electric motor, utilizing air bearings and a bleed passage defined by the compressor wheel and housing to alleviate thrust loading, allowing for compact and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional compressors are used, then they can provide compression function, but they are bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the turbine component from the conventional two-stage compressor system, creating a turbine-less single-stage compressor. This removal of the turbine simplifies the overall structure and reduces the volume of the moving object while maintaining compression functionality through a single compressor wheel driven directly by an electric motor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the compressor into distinct functional components: a stationary housing with compressor flow path, a rotating group containing the compressor wheel, and a bleed system with separate bleed passage. This segmentation allows for optimized design of each component, reducing overall complexity while maintaining effective compression
2Reliability
If conventional bearings are used, then they can support rotation, but they are a source of contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bleed system that uses pneumatic principles to address bearing contamination. Bleed air is directed through a bleed passage that cooperatively defines the back face of the compressor wheel and an opposing surface of the housing, creating a controlled airflow that prevents contamination while supporting the bearing system
Solution Approach 2:
The bleed air acts as an intermediary substance between the compressor wheel and the bearing system. The controlled airflow through the bleed passage serves as a mediator that protects the bearing from contamination while maintaining rotation support, eliminating the need for complex sealed bearing systems
3Volume of moving object
If single-stage design is used, then compactness is achieved, but load bearing capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic thrust balancing through the bleed system. Bleed air is directed through passages that create counteracting pressure forces on the compressor wheel, balancing the thrust loads generated during compression. This allows the single-stage compact design to handle higher loads without requiring larger structural components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameters within the compressor by introducing bleed air at specific locations and controlling its flow through the bleed passage. This pressure management creates thrust load alleviation that enables the compact single-stage design to achieve higher load bearing capacity
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
The compressor achieves balanced and efficient rotation with reduced thrust loads, enabling cost-effective and long-lasting operation without compromising performance, and allows for a simpler bearing design that reduces contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
The bleed system is configured to pass bleed air from the bleed passage, thereby alleviating thrust loading of the compressor wheel on the rotating group
Implementation Method 2
an air bearing that supports rotation of the rotating group within the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
A single-stage compressor device includes a housing and a rotating group with a shaft and a compressor wheel. The compressor wheel includes a front face and a back face. The front face cooperates with the housing to define a compressor flow path. A motor drives rotation of the rotating group within the housing. Furthermore, the compressor device includes a bleed system fluidly connected to the compressor flow path and configured to receive bleed fluid from the compressor flow path. The bleed system includes a bleed passage. At least a portion of the bleed passage is cooperatively defined by the back face of the compressor wheel and an opposing surface of the housing. The bleed system is configured to pass bleed air from the bleed passage, thereby alleviating thrust loading of the compressor wheel on the rotating group.