Centrifugal Compressor Housing Split Front Cover for Machinable Diffusers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal compressor housings are costly and vulnerable due to the need for multiple complex components that require welding and post-treatment, as they cannot be milled in one piece because of undercut parts.
Innovation Solution
A housing design that divides the front cover into a three-dimensionally shaped base and a separate disk-shaped diffuser wall part, allowing for milling of the collector and diffuser shapes separately, with a semi-permanent attachment method like shrink-fitting, reducing production complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the housing is made as a single piece by machining, then the housing is light-weight and structurally strong, but it cannot be produced due to undercut parts that cannot be reached by milling tools
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple separately machinable components (front housing part, rear housing part, intermediate housing part) that are subsequently joined together. This segmentation allows each component to be produced without undercut interference while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the complete housing assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If the housing is assembled from multiple complex shaped components, then the undercut parts can be reached by milling tools, but the production cost increases and welds become vulnerable
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate housing part is introduced as a connecting component between the front and rear housing parts. This intermediate part provides a reliable connection interface that reduces welding vulnerability while enabling all components to be separately machined. The intermediate part acts as a mediator that strengthens the overall assembly connection.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple components are welded together, then the housing can be assembled, but post-treatment is needed to make welds smooth and fluid-proof
Solution Approach 1:
The housing components are designed with pre-formed connection interfaces and attachment means that enable assembly before final sealing. The attachment means are preliminarily configured to facilitate joining, reducing the need for extensive post-welding treatments to achieve fluid-proof seals.
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
Enables economical production of lightweight centrifugal compressors suitable for small series, with improved fluid flow and reduced vulnerability, by simplifying the manufacturing process and eliminating the need for post-treatment of welds.
Implementation Method 1
a semi-permanent attachment method like shrink-fitting
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
A housing 1 for a centrifugal compressor 40 with a centrifugal impeller 42 comprises a front cover 2. The front cover 2 defines a central axis 6 and comprises an axially oriented inlet 8, a diffuser 10 in fluid connection with the inlet 8, a collector 12 in fluid connection with the diffuser 10, and a rear cover opening which is opposite of the inlet 8 and designed to sealingly receive a rear cover 4. The diffuser has a first diffuser wall 30 and the collector has a collector wall 15. The front cover 2 is made of a three-dimensionally shaped base 22 and a separate disk-shaped diffuser wall part 24 which is attached to the three-dimensionally shaped base 22 for forming the diffuser 10 and the collector 12.