Compressor Seal Baffle Channel for Oil Drainage and Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In turbomachines, such as turbochargers, there is a tendency for oil to form and block the flow back to the drain, leading to potential oil leakage towards the compressor, which can cause failure. Additionally, high rotational velocities of oil can result in inefficient drainage due to increased volume and reduced drainage area.
Innovation Solution
The baffle element is designed with a front surface featuring a recess that defines a circumferentially-extending oil-receiving channel, and an oil-deflecting surface on a gutter. This configuration allows oil to change direction at the gutter, converting circumferential velocity into axial velocity, thereby improving drainage efficiency while maintaining high rotational velocity of the oil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional baffle with central opening is used, then oil can drain through the opening, but oil forms a rotating body that blocks the flow back to drain and causes leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first baffle portion with a first opening for primary drainage, and a second baffle portion with a second opening for secondary drainage. This segmentation allows oil to be drained through multiple paths, preventing the formation of a blocking rotating oil body while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
A channel is introduced as an intermediary structure connecting the first and second openings. This channel guides oil flow from the first opening to the second opening, ensuring that oil is properly directed and drained without forming harmful rotating bodies that would block drainage.
2Speed
If high rotational velocity of oil is maintained, then oil is thrown outward by centrifugal force, but drainage efficiency decreases due to increased volume and reduced drainage area
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system transitions from a single-plane drainage approach to a multi-dimensional approach by introducing a channel that connects openings at different spatial positions. The channel extends in the axial direction, allowing oil to be drained from different dimensions and volumes, thereby maintaining high rotational velocity while improving overall drainage efficiency.
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 proposed baffle element design enhances drainage efficiency by effectively directing oil away from the central opening and towards the drain, reducing the risk of oil leakage and improving the overall performance of the turbomachine seal system.
Implementation Method 1
As the shaft 8 rotates, the slinger 17 rotates with it, and directs oil outwards (that is, in a direction which has a radially-outward component), towards a drain 20
Implementation Method 2
This configuration allows oil to change direction at the gutter, converting circumferential velocity into axial velocity, thereby improving drainage efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A seal system for a bearing chamber (22) of a turbomachine includes the baffle element (70) encircling the axis (25) of the machine. The baffle element is formed with front surface including both a recess (73) which defines a circumferentially-extending oil-receiving channel (74), and an oil-deflecting surface (78) on a gutter (77). The channel decreases in cross-sectional area close to the oil-deflecting surface, and a circular line which is within the channel distant from the gutter, intersects with the oil-deflection surface. This forces the oil to change direction at the gutter, and urges the oil radially outward. Thus, a high rotational velocity of the body of oil may be maintained, whilst improving the drainage efficiency of the seal system at the gutter.