Axial Flow Compressor Rotor Pressing Member Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing axial flow compressors face high manufacturing costs and labor-intensive processes due to the complexity of fitting rotors to rotor shafts, particularly with methods like key coupling and tooth coupling, which can lead to vibration and displacement issues.

Innovation Solution

An axial flow compressor design featuring a rotor with cylindrical boss portions and spacers, secured by pressing members with stepped holes and nuts, allowing for secure fitting without complex couplings, reducing costs and preventing rotor displacement during operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If key coupling is used to fit rotor and rotor shaft portion, then the rotor can be securely fitted, but the fitting hole may enlarge causing vibration and displacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fitting of rotorVSAvoidvibration and displacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A pressing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the rotor and rotor shaft portion. The pressing member includes a pressing portion that contacts the rotor and a shaft fitting portion that fits into the rotor shaft, thereby mediating the connection and preventing direct harmful interactions between the rotor and shaft while ensuring secure fitting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If tooth coupling or polygon fitting is used to fit rotor and rotor shaft portion, then the rotor can be securely fitted, but it takes great deal of time and labor for coupling working

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fitting of rotorVSAvoidmanufacturing time and labor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is segmented into distinct functional parts: the rotor with its shaft fitting portion, the pressing member with separate pressing and shaft fitting portions, and the rotor shaft. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes, eliminating the need for complex time-consuming coupling operations while ensuring reliable assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If complex coupling methods are used, then the rotor can be securely fitted, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fitting of rotorVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member is designed to be inserted into the rotor shaft portion from the axial direction, allowing for simple self-aligning assembly without requiring complex coupling operations. The shaft fitting portion naturally guides the pressing member into position, enabling workers to complete the assembly with minimal skill and time, thereby reducing labor costs while maintaining secure fitting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2549118B1Axial flow compressor
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 TOKYO ELECTRIC POWER CO HOLDINGS INC
  • EP2549118B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2549118B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2549118B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An axial flow compressor 10 includes: a rotor 31 having a rotor vane 34; a first pressing member 41 joined to one end surface of the rotor 31; a second pressing member 42 joined to the other end surface of the rotor 31; a rotor shaft portion 46 penetrating the first pressing member 41, the rotor 31 and the second pressing member 42; and a nut 43 which fixes the first pressing member 41 and the second pressing member 42 on the rotor shaft portion 46 with the first pressing member 41 and the second pressing member 42 holding the rotor 31 between. The rotor shaft portion 46 is made of a material having a lower linear expansion coefficient than that of a material making at least a part of the rotor 31. The material making at least a part of the rotor 31 may be aluminum or aluminum alloy.