Screw Compressor Chamber Timing Control for Intermediate Pressure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Screw compressors experience performance degradation when the intermediate pressure deviates from the ideal pressure due to an inability to adjust the volume ratio between compression chambers, particularly in two-stage operations requiring high compression ratios.

Innovation Solution

A screw compressor design that includes a second slide valve to adjust the timing of fully closing the second compression chamber, allowing for switching between single-stage and two-stage operations and controlling the intermediate pressure by positioning the valve in opposing and separation regions, with passages configured to manage fluid flow and reduce pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If the screw compressor operates in two-stage mode with fixed compression chamber volumes, then high compression ratio is achieved, but performance degrades when intermediate pressure deviates from ideal value

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression ratioVSAvoidperformance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the compression chamber volumes adjustable rather than fixed. The variable displacement mechanism allows the volumes of the first and second compression chambers to be dynamically changed according to operating conditions, enabling the intermediate pressure to be maintained at an ideal value across different operating states, thus preventing performance degradation while maintaining high compression ratios in two-stage mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the intermediate pressure is adjusted to match ideal pressure, then performance degradation is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the universality principle by designing a variable displacement mechanism that serves multiple functions: it adjusts the volumes of both the first compression chamber and the second compression chamber, controls the intermediate pressure, and enables optimal operation in both single-stage and two-stage modes. This multi-functional approach achieves performance stabilization without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms for each chamber, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stress or pressure

If the volume ratio between compression chambers is changed, then intermediate pressure control is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintermediate pressure controlVSAvoidvolume ratio precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing adjustable volume mechanisms for both compression chambers, allowing the volume ratio to be dynamically modified according to operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables intermediate pressure control without requiring extremely precise fixed manufacturing tolerances, as the system can adapt to variations through operational adjustment rather than relying solely on manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design enables efficient operation by adjusting intermediate pressure to an ideal value, reducing performance degradation and pressure loss, and improving efficiency under varying conditions, including high-speed operations.

Implementation Method 1

a screw rotor (40), first and second gate rotors (50, 60) which mesh the screw rotor (40), and a compression mechanism (20) having a plurality of compression chambers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a first slide valve (70) and a second slide valve (80) which are inserted in the cylindrical wall (15) radially of the screw rotor (40)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectValve control: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP4461959B1Screw compressor and refrigeration device
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4461959B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4461959B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4461959B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A screw compressor includes: a screw rotor (40); a plurality of gate rotors (50, 60); a casing (10) having a cylindrical wall (15); and an adjustment mechanism. A plurality of compression chambers are formed inside the cylindrical wall (15) by the screw rotor (40) and the gates (51, 61). The plurality of compression chambers include a first compression chamber (21) and a second compression chamber (22) to which a fluid compressed in the first compression chamber (21) is sent via an intermediate pressure space (S). The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust, in a two-stage operation, an intermediate pressure, which is a pressure of the fluid in the intermediate pressure space (S).