Compressor Rotor with Distributed Coolant Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compressor systems face inefficiencies and performance degradation due to uncontrolled temperature issues during gas compression, as existing cooling mechanisms are not effectively distributed or managed within the rotor, leading to suboptimal heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A compressor system with a rotor featuring distributed coolant conduits and a coolant manifold for axial and circumferential coolant delivery and exhaust, ensuring efficient heat exchange across multiple surfaces, thereby maintaining optimal temperature control and system reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling mechanisms are used in compressor systems, then cooling function is provided, but heat dissipation effectiveness is insufficient and temperature control is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor is segmented into multiple cooling zones with distributed coolant conduits arranged in axial and circumferential patterns. This segmentation allows different regions of the rotor to be cooled independently, improving temperature control effectiveness and preventing hot spots that would compromise system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Coolant conduits are strategically positioned to deliver cooling fluid to specific high-heat-generation areas within the rotor. The distributed arrangement ensures that cooling capacity is matched to local thermal loads, optimizing temperature control where it is most needed while maintaining overall system reliability.
2Loss of energy
If coolant conduits are distributed axially and circumferentially in the rotor, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but rotor structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coolant conduits are integrated into a unified distributed network within the rotor structure. The axial and circumferential conduits are merged into a cohesive cooling system that shares common coolant supply and return lines, reducing the number of separate components while achieving comprehensive heat dissipation across the rotor.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed coolant conduit system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools different rotor zones, manages thermal gradients, and maintains structural integrity. The same conduit network handles both axial and circumferential heat transfer requirements, reducing overall system complexity despite the enhanced cooling capability.
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 solution effectively manages heat dissipation across the rotor, ensuring that the coolant remains cooler than the compressed gas, enhancing compressor efficiency and reliability by maintaining consistent thermal conditions throughout the compression process.
Implementation Method 1
coolant delivery conduits...supply coolant fluid to inner heat exchange surfaces of the rotor...flow paths are defined through pairings of the plurality of coolant supply conduits, plurality of inner heat exchange surfaces, and plurality of coolant exhaust conduits
Data Source
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AI summary
A compressor includes a rotor having an outer compression surface and a plurality of inner heat exchange surfaces. A coolant supply manifold fluidly connects with a coolant inlet in a first axial end of the rotor, and delivers coolant fluid by way of conduits having an axial distribution in the rotor so as to deliver coolant fluid to the heat exchange surfaces. The coolant may be a refrigerant that undergoes a phase change within the rotor.