Compressor Spherical Bearings Eliminate Lubricant Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed fluid compressors face challenges with lubricant contamination of compressed fluids, limited bearing lifespan due to high rotational speeds, and significant energy consumption due to continuous operation and long supply circuits, which lead to financial losses and safety concerns, especially in medical applications.
Innovation Solution
The compressor design features spherical bearings with cap-shaped housings that support spherical elements, eliminating the need for lubricants and incorporating aerodynamic bearings to achieve high-speed rotation without contamination, while also optimizing energy usage by operating only on demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If traditional ball bearings are used to support the shaft, then the compressor can be assembled with conventional components, but the bearing service life is limited to around one hundred hours due to high rotational speeds and the difference in speed between balls and rings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional ball bearing structure entirely and replaces it with spherical elements that rotate freely within cap-shaped housings. This extraction of the conventional bearing mechanism eliminates the speed differential problem between balls and rings, allowing the spherical elements to rotate at the same high speed as the shaft without relative motion wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ball bearing system with a simplified spherical element in a cap housing arrangement. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical interactions while maintaining the shaft support function, enabling operation at extremely high rotational speeds without the limitations of traditional bearing design.
2Reliability
If lubricant is used to reduce friction in the bearings, then the bearings can operate smoothly, but the lubricant is likely to mix with the fluid and pollute the compressed fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completely removes the lubricant from the system by using spherical elements that rotate freely within cap-shaped housings. This extraction eliminates the source of potential fluid pollution while maintaining smooth bearing operation through the simple geometric interaction between the spherical elements and their housing caps.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical elements serve their own lubrication needs through their geometric design and rotational motion within the cap housings. The system is self-lubricating through the nature of spherical rotation, eliminating the need for external lubricant application and preventing contamination of the compressed fluid.
3Ease of operation
If the compressor is operated continuously to maintain network pressure for quick response, then the system can respond quickly to equipment needs, but the continuous operation represents significant electrical energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the compressor to operate in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The high-speed capability and reliable bearing design allow the system to start and stop frequently while maintaining quick response capability, consuming energy only when actually compressing fluid rather than running continuously to maintain network pressure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If long supply circuits are used to connect remote compressors to equipment, then the compressor can be placed in very large installations, but the long circuits lead to fluid leaks and pressure losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for long supply circuits by enabling the compressor to be positioned close to the equipment requiring compressed fluid. The high-speed, reliable bearing design allows the compressor to operate efficiently at lower speeds when positioned nearby, eliminating the need for extensive piping and associated leakage risks.
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
This design enables high-speed operation without lubricant pollution, extends bearing lifespan, reduces energy consumption by allowing the compressor to operate only when needed, and minimizes fluid leakage risks, making it suitable for various industrial and medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
said first, respectively said second, bearing comprises a first, respectively a second, spherical element provided at a first, respectively a second, end of the shaft and disposed centrally with respect to the axis of the shaft
Implementation Method 2
incorporating aerodynamic bearings to achieve high-speed rotation without contamination
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid compressor (1) comprising a frame (2) in which are mounted a stator (4), a rotor (5) interacting with said stator (4) and comprising a shaft (6), at least one turbine (12) carried by said shaft (6), a fluid inlet channel (14) to the turbine (12), and a compressed fluid outlet channel (16), the shaft (6) of the rotor (5) being mounted for rotation on the frame (2) about an axis (A) by means of a first (7) and a second (8) bearing, characterized in that said first (7), respectively said second (8), bearing comprises a first (18), respectively a second (22), spherical element provided at a first (9), respectively a second (10), end of the shaft and disposed centrally with respect to the axis (A) of the shaft (6) and a first (20), respectively a second (24),housing provided in the structure (2) having the shape of a cap arranged centrally with respect to the axis (A) of the shaft (6) and arranged to support said first (18), respectively said second (22), spherical element.