Compressor Cover Sleeve with Strut-Partitioned Recirculation Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing compressor cover designs for centrifugal compressors in turbochargers face performance degradation due to gaps generated between the compressor cover and fins caused by thermal expansion and vibration, leading to unintended flows and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A compressor cover design featuring a tubular inner peripheral surface with a shroud surface expanding downstream, an outer tube fixed to the inner surface, and struts connecting the tubes to partition the recirculation flow path, preventing gaps and leakages, and incorporating an O-ring for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fins are externally fitted to compressor cover, then recirculation flow path is formed, but gaps are generated between compressor cover and fins due to thermal expansion and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is integrated as a unified structure comprising the outer tube, inner tube, and struts. The outer tube is fixed to the tubular inner peripheral surface of the cover body, merging these components into a single assembly that prevents relative movement and gap formation while maintaining the recirculation flow path functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube is disposed inside the outer tube, creating a nested configuration. The struts connect the outer tube and inner tube together, with the struts being disposed between the outer tube and inner tube. This nested structure allows the recirculation flow path to be formed between the inner tube and outer tube while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gaps are generated between compressor cover and fins, then unintended flow occurs between recirculation flow path sections, but performance degradation results
Solution Approach 1:
The struts serve as intermediary elements connecting the outer tube and inner tube. These struts partition the recirculation flow path into multiple sections and prevent fluid leakage between sections by providing structural support and maintaining the integrity of the flow path boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer tube is fixed to the tubular inner peripheral surface of the cover body, merging these components into a single assembly. This integration eliminates gaps between the cover body and the sleeve structure, preventing unintended flow and maintaining compressor performance.
3Reliability
If sleeve structure with outer tube and inner tube is used, then gap prevention is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer tube, inner tube, and struts are integrated into a single sleeve assembly that is fitted to the cover body. This merging of components into one unitary structure simplifies the overall device by reducing the number of separate parts that need to be assembled and managed, while still achieving gap prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube is nested within the outer tube, with struts connecting them. This nested configuration allows the complex functionality of having both tubes and struts to be achieved within a compact, organized structure that does not excessively increase device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple struts are disposed between outer tube and inner tube, then recirculation flow path is partitioned into sections, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer tube, inner tube, and multiple struts are manufactured as a single integrated sleeve assembly. This merging of multiple components into one manufacturable unit simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need to separately fabricate and assemble each strut, tube, and connection point.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested configuration of the inner tube within the outer tube, with struts connecting them, allows for efficient manufacturing. The entire nested structure can be formed in a single molding or fabrication process, making the manufacturing of multiple struts and tubes economically viable and simplifying production.
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 effectively suppresses fluid leakage between recirculation flow path sections, maintains performance, and enhances durability by reducing thermal stress and resonance, while simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
Implementation Method 1
an O-ring seal 83 that prevents fluid leakage between the outer tube 80 and the tubular inner peripheral surface 61
Implementation Method 2
gaps generated between the compressor cover and the fins caused by thermal expansion and vibration
Implementation Method 3
enhances durability by reducing thermal stress and resonance
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor cover covering a delivery fan radially outwardly discharging a fluid from an axial direction by rotating around the axis, the compressor cover comprising: a cover body including a tubular part in which a tubular inner peripheral surface along the axis and a shroud surface disposed on an axially downstream side of the tubular inner peripheral surface and expands in diameter toward the downstream side are formed; and a sleeve including an outer tube having an outer peripheral surface fitted to the tubular inner peripheral surface, an inner tube disposed on a radially inner side of the outer tube and defines a recirculation flow path in which a portion of the fluid circulates between the inner tube and the outer tube, and a plurality of struts disposed at intervals in the peripheral direction.