Compressor Rotor Blade Geometry for Air Cycle Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air cycle machines require optimized compressor rotors to efficiently compress and direct airflow for effective air supply systems in vehicles, but existing designs face challenges in achieving efficient airflow management due to limitations in blade geometry and surface contouring.
Innovation Solution
The compressor rotor features a plurality of main and splitter blades with contoured surfaces defined by specific Cartesian coordinates, optimized using computational fluid dynamics to enhance airflow efficiency and scalability, with tables providing non-dimensionalized values for precise blade profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional blade geometry is used in compressor rotor, then manufacturing is simpler, but airflow efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved surface geometry to the compressor rotor blades, replacing traditional flat or simple contoured surfaces with complex curved surfaces defined by multiple coordinate points. This curvature optimization through computational fluid dynamics improves airflow efficiency by reducing turbulence and enhancing flow attachment to the blade surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies blade geometry parameters by defining surfaces through multiple Cartesian coordinate points (X, Y, Z coordinates) rather than simple geometric shapes. This parameter change allows precise control over blade contouring to optimize airflow characteristics while maintaining manufacturability through defined coordinate sets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed blade geometry is used, then manufacturing is easier, but adaptability to different performance requirements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables adaptability by defining blade surfaces through sets of coordinate points that can be scaled and modified. The same blade design can be adapted to different performance requirements by changing the coordinate values and applying scale factors, allowing the geometry to be optimized for various operating conditions while maintaining a consistent design framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal blade geometry framework that can serve multiple performance requirements. The coordinate-based definition system allows a single blade design to be scaled and adjusted for different compressor configurations and performance targets, making the design versatile across various applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-dimensionalized coordinate values are used, then scalability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses non-dimensionalized coordinate values where each point is defined by ratios rather than absolute dimensions. This parameter transformation enables the same coordinate set to be scaled to different sizes by applying a scale factor, improving design scalability while the defined precision of coordinate values (e.g., four decimal places) ensures manufacturing accuracy.
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
The optimized blade geometry and surface contours improve airflow efficiency, ensuring efficient and safe operation by maintaining smooth airflow and accommodating various performance requirements through scalable designs.
Implementation Method 1
The centrifugal compressor further compresses partially compressed air
Implementation Method 2
A centrifugal compressor and a centrifugal turbine mounted for co-rotation on a shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor rotor for an air cycle machine (ACM) includes a plurality of blades that each includes a root, a tip, a first surface and second surfaces. The first and second surfaces are defined as a set of X-coordinates, Y-coordinates and Z-coordinates set out in any of Table M-1 and M-2 or Table S1 and S-2 scaled by a desired factor. The X-coordinates being in the tangential direction, the Y-coordinates being in the axial direction and the Z-coordinates being in the radial direction.