Centrifugal Compressor Scroll Curved Protrusion Reducing Pressure Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional centrifugal compressors experience pressure loss due to fluid separation from the flow passage inner surface, particularly at the connection portion between the winding start and discharge portions of the scroll, leading to reduced compression performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a curved protrusion portion on the flow passage inner surface of the scroll, which protrudes towards the centrifugal direction, to reduce fluid separation by creating a smooth flow and connecting the upstream and downstream surfaces smoothly in the tangential direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional scroll flow passage is used, then the structure is simple, but fluid separation occurs at the connection portion between winding start and discharge portions, causing pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming a protrusion portion on the flow passage inner surface that curves in the centrifugal direction. This curved structure modifies the flow path geometry to prevent fluid separation at the connection portion between the winding start portion and discharge portion, thereby reducing pressure loss without significantly complicating the overall scroll structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by adding a protrusion portion only at the specific location where fluid separation occurs (the connection portion between winding start and discharge portions). This localized modification targets the problem area specifically, allowing the rest of the scroll structure to remain simple while addressing the pressure loss issue at the critical location.
2Productivity
If the flow passage inner surface is modified to reduce fluid separation, then compression performance improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved protrusion portion is designed to follow the natural centrifugal flow direction, which allows it to be integrated into the scroll casting or machining process. The curvature is smooth and continuous, avoiding sharp edges or complex geometries that would significantly increase manufacturing difficulty, while still achieving the goal of reducing fluid separation and improving compression performance.
3Loss of energy
If a smooth flow path is created to prevent fluid separation, then pressure loss decreases, but the flow passage geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion portion introduces a controlled curvature to the flow passage inner surface, creating a smoother flow path that prevents separation. While this does modify the geometry, the curvature is relatively simple and follows the centrifugal direction, adding minimal geometric complexity compared to the alternative of completely redesigning the flow passage shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric modification is localized to a protrusion portion only at the connection area between winding start and discharge portions. The majority of the flow passage maintains its original simple geometry, so the overall shape complexity increase is minimal while still achieving the benefit of reduced pressure loss through improved local flow characteristics.
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 curved protrusion portion effectively reduces fluid separation, enhancing compression performance by minimizing pressure loss and vortex flow, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the centrifugal compressor.
Implementation Method 1
the flow passage inner surface of the projection plane includes a curved protrusion portion protruding toward the outside corresponding to a centrifugal direction in relation to the reference line
Data Source
AI summary
In a compressor, a scroll includes a winding end portion, a discharge potion connected to the winding end portion, a winding start portion connected to the discharge potion, and a flow passage inner surface and when a projection plane is assumed for the scroll in a case in which a viewing point is located on a rotation axis of a compressor impeller and on a fluid suction side, and the flow passage inner surface on the projection plane includes a curved protrusion portion protruding outward in relation to the reference line.