Centrifugal Compressor Gas-Supplementing Structure With Airflow-Guiding Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbulence losses in centrifugal compressors due to the mixing of supplemented gas and airflow in gas passages affect cycle efficiency, with existing gas-supplementing structures not adequately addressing this issue.

Innovation Solution

An annular gas-supplementing passage with an airflow-guiding assembly that adjusts the direction of supplemented gas to within a -5° to 5° angle relative to the airflow, utilizing guide vanes of uniform thickness and shape, integrated with the compressor's return vanes to minimize turbulence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If single-point gas supplement is used, then the structure is simple, but local turbulence losses are generated resulting in efficiency waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas-supplementing structureVSAvoidturbulence losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The gas supplement is divided into multiple points arranged annularly around the diffuser passage, transforming a single-point injection into multi-point injection. This segmentation distributes the gas injection locations, preventing local turbulence concentration and reducing energy losses while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gas supplement transitions from a single-point (0D/1D) injection to a 360° annular distribution (2D/3D), adding spatial dimensionality to the gas injection pattern. This dimensional expansion ensures uniform gas distribution around the diffuser, minimizing turbulence losses without complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of energy

If 360° annular gas supplement is used, then gas distribution is more uniform and turbulence losses are reduced, but the gas-supplementing position requires special treatment to avoid turbulence losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturbulence lossesVSAvoidgas-supplementing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas-supplementing structure incorporates local quality variations through guide vanes with different geometric parameters at different angular positions. Each segment of the annular passage is optimized with specific vanes having tailored shapes and orientations, allowing localized control of gas flow to match the specific flow conditions at each position, thereby preventing turbulence without requiring complex overall restructuring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The geometric parameters of the gas-supplementing structure, particularly the guide vane angles and shapes, are optimized and adjusted according to local flow conditions at different positions around the annular passage. This parameter optimization ensures that gas is injected at appropriate angles and velocities at each location, minimizing turbulence losses while maintaining a relatively simple annular structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If gas flowing speed at gas-supplementing position differs significantly from gas speed in diffuser passage, then gas injection is easier, but turbulence losses are generated affecting cycle efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas injectionVSAvoidturbulence losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Guide vanes are installed in the annular gas-supplementing passage to preliminarily adjust and align the gas flow direction before injection into the diffuser passage. This preliminary action pre-conditiones the supplemented gas flow, reducing the speed difference and direction mismatch between supplemented gas and main gas flow, thereby minimizing turbulence losses while facilitating smooth gas injection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide vanes act as intermediary elements between the gas source and the diffuser passage, mediating the flow characteristics of supplemented gas. These vanes adjust flow direction and velocity, serving as a transition mechanism that reconciles the speed and direction differences between supplemented gas and main gas flow, reducing turbulence without complicating the injection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 significantly reduces turbulence losses, enhancing cycle efficiency and structural reliability by ensuring uniform gas distribution and alignment.

Implementation Method 1

turbulence losses caused by mixing of supplemented gas and airflow in a gas passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3364044B1Centrifugal compressor comprising a gas-supplementing structure
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE INC OF ZHUHAI
  • EP3364044B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3364044B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3364044B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided are a centrifugal compressor gas-supplementing structure and a compressor using the foregoing gas-supplementing structure. The centrifugal compressor gas-supplementing structure includes a annular gas-supplementing passage (6) for introducing supplemented gas into a gas passage (5) of a compressor, and an airflow-guiding assembly is provided in the annular gas-supplementing passage (6). The gas-guiding assembly is used for adjusting a direction of the supplemented gas flowing into the gas passage (5), so that an angle between a direction of the supplemented gas flowing into the gas passage (5) and a direction of an airflow in the gas passage (5) falls within a preset range, and a turbulence loss generated when the two passages of gas merge is avoided to the greatest extent, thereby improving cycle efficiency.