Centrifugal Compressor Intake Diaphragm Rigidity Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In centrifugal compressors, the difference in shape and rigidity between the upper-half and lower-half portions of the intake diaphragm leads to uneven deformation when a pressing force is applied, potentially causing the diaphragm to bend and affecting compressor operation.
Innovation Solution
The intake diaphragm is designed with both the upper-half and lower-half portions having the same rigidity and contact surface areas, ensuring equal deformation in the direction of the axis line, and the use of straightening plates to maintain fluid flow and distribute pressure evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the intake diaphragm has different shapes in upper-half and lower-half portions, then the suction port connection is enabled, but the diaphragm deforms unevenly and bends when pressing force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the upper-half and lower-half portions of the intake diaphragm have different shapes only where necessary for suction port connection, while ensuring that their rigidities in the axial direction are the same to prevent uneven deformation. This allows the diaphragm to maintain both functional asymmetry and structural symmetry in critical deformation zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rigidity parameter of the diaphragm portions by adjusting thickness or material properties in the radial direction, ensuring that despite shape differences, the rigidities of upper-half and lower-half portions are equalized in the axial direction. This parameter adjustment prevents bending deformation while maintaining functional requirements.
2Power
If the pressing force is applied to the intake diaphragm from the discharge side, then fluid compression is achieved, but the diaphragm bends due to uneven deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the contact surfaces between adjacent diaphragms to have equal areas in both upper-half and lower-half portions. This localized symmetry in contact surface areas ensures that pressing forces are distributed evenly, preventing diaphragm bending while maintaining the necessary asymmetric shape for suction port connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates equipotentiality by ensuring that the rigidities of upper-half and lower-half portions are equalized in the axial direction. This equalization creates a balanced structural state where both portions deform uniformly under pressing force, preventing the development of bending moments that would compromise reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the upper-half and lower-half portions have different shapes, then the suction port can be connected, but the contact surface areas with adjacent diaphragms become uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the shapes of upper-half and lower-half portions only in regions not involved in contact with adjacent diaphragms, while maintaining equal contact surface areas in the regions where diaphragms connect. This localized differentiation allows functional asymmetry without compromising the symmetry needed for even force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the diaphragm into functional zones: contact surface zones where symmetry is maintained for even force distribution, and suction port connection zones where asymmetry is permitted. This segmentation allows different shape characteristics in different regions without compromising overall performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal compressor bundle that is provided with a bundle main body in which is formed an annular intake flow channel (FC1) that is centered on an axis line (O) and that leads a process gas (G) into a flow channel (FC) of an impeller, and in which is also formed an annular discharge flow channel (FC2) that is centered on the axis line (O) and that discharges the process gas (G) from the flow channel (FC) of the impeller. The bundle main body has a plurality of diaphragms that are aligned in the direction of the axis line (O) and that are bonded to each other. From among the plurality of diaphragms, an intake diaphragm in which the intake flow channel (FC1) is formed is partitioned so as to have an upper-half part and a lower-half part that sandwich, from above and below, a horizontal plane that includes the axis line (O). The upper-half part and the lower-half part have the same rigidity in the direction of the axis line (O).