Screw Compressor Casing Cooling Paths With Horizontal Ribs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing screw compressors face inefficiencies in cooling efficiency due to the flow rate and flow velocity of cooling liquid in the delivery-side cooling flow path, which is not optimally managed.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of horizontal ribs in the male- and female-rotor-side cooling flow paths to control the inflow of cooling liquid, combined with a specific inlet and outlet configuration to enhance cooling efficiency by adjusting flow rates and reducing thermal expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the flow rate and flow velocity of cooling liquid in the delivery-side cooling flow path are increased to increase cooling efficiency, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidflow control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling flow path is segmented into multiple parallel paths (delivery-side cooling flow path, male-rotor-side cooling flow path, female-rotor-side cooling flow path, and intake-side cooling flow path), allowing independent flow control and optimization of cooling distribution without increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Horizontal ribs are selectively provided in specific locations (male-rotor-side cooling flow path and female-rotor-side cooling flow path) to create localized flow resistance and control cooling liquid distribution, rather than uniformly modifying the entire system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If horizontal ribs are provided in the cooling flow paths to control cooling liquid inflow, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The horizontal ribs are integrated directly into the casing structure as part of the cooling flow path formation, combining multiple functions (structural support, flow control, and cooling channel definition) into a single manufacturing process, thereby avoiding additional manufacturing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration increases cooling efficiency by optimizing the flow rate of cooling liquid, thereby enhancing the cooling capability around the delivery flow path and reducing thermal expansion.

Implementation Method 1

a casing cooling flow path that is formed in the casing and through which cooling liquid flows

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the delivery flow path can efficiently be cooled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4628730A1Screw compressor
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 HITACHI IND EQUIP SYST CO LTD
  • EP4628730A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4628730A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4628730A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a screw compressor capable of increasing cooling efficiency. A casing cooling flow path 12 of the screw compressor includes a delivery-side cooling flow path 13 formed on an upper side of a casing 4 and over an entire outer circumference of a delivery flow path 11, a male-rotor-side cooling flow path 14 that is formed on one side in a horizontal direction of the casing 4 and into which a cooling liquid flows from the delivery-side cooling flow path 13, a female-rotor-side cooling flow path 15 that is formed on an opposite side in the horizontal direction of the casing 4 and into which the cooling liquid flows from the delivery-side cooling flow path 13, a horizontal rib 22 that is provided to the male-rotor-side cooling flow path 14 so as to extend in a rotor shaft direction and suppresses the inflow of the cooling liquid from the delivery-side cooling flow path 13 to the male-rotor-side cooling flow path 14, and a horizontal rib 23 that is provided to the female-rotor-side cooling flow path 15 so as to extend in the rotor shaft direction and suppresses the inflow of the cooling liquid from the delivery-side cooling flow path 13 to the female-rotor-side cooling flow path 15.