Compressor Stabilizer Channel Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stabilizer channels in compressors, particularly radial and diagonal compressors, face limitations in field width and characteristic performance due to high work turnover and pressure pulsations, especially at high pressure ratios and high flow rates.

Innovation Solution

A stabilizer channel with a ring-shaped stabilizer room that surrounds the main flow channel in the intake area of the compressor wheel, featuring flow control elements in the entry channel to improve flow management and reduce work turnover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional bypass/stabilizer channel is used to stabilize the characteristic curve near the surge limit, then the compressor can operate closer to the surge line, but the characteristic curve becomes flat and unexpected surge can occur due to high energy conversion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor operation stability near surge limitVSAvoidcharacteristic curve slope

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the stabilizer channel, specifically the cross-sectional area distribution along the flow direction and the positioning of the annular web, to optimize the flow control characteristics and achieve a steeper characteristic curve while maintaining stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilizer channel is divided into distinct sections by the annular web, creating separate flow paths that allow independent control of flow distribution and reduce the flatness of the characteristic curve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stress or pressure

If the compressor stage is designed for high pressure ratio, then the pressure ratio increases, but the characteristic map width decreases due to flow separation at high incidence angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure ratioVSAvoidcharacteristic map width

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizer channel performs preliminary flow conditioning before the flow enters the impeller, pre-adjusting the flow angles and distribution to prevent flow separation and maintain a wider operating range at high pressure ratios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The annular web is positioned at a specific location where it can locally control the flow distribution and incidence angles, allowing the compressor to maintain wide characteristic map width while achieving high pressure ratio

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of energy

If flow guide elements are added to the downstream inlet duct of the stabilizer channel, then flow management is improved and work turnover is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework turnoverVSAvoidstabilizer channel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guide elements are segmented into multiple discrete components arranged in the downstream inlet duct, allowing each element to independently control specific flow patterns and reduce overall work turnover through distributed flow management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow guide elements act as intermediary components between the stabilizer channel and the main flow path, mediating the flow transition and reducing energy losses by optimizing the flow distribution before it enters the impeller

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 stabilizer channel enhances the field width and characteristic performance of the compressor, providing improved flow management and reduced risk of unexpected pump occurrences due to pressure pulsations.

Implementation Method 1

Several flow guide elements are arranged in the downstream inlet duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow redirection:

Implementation Method 2

By using a recirculator, the mass flow at the compressor impeller inlet can be artificially increased near the surge line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMass flow increase:

Implementation Method 3

This mass flow exhibits a strong swirl component (in the direction of rotation of the impeller - co-swirl). This co-swirl leads to a reduction in the work conversion in the compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWork conversion reduction:

Data Source

PatentEP4100653B1Compressor stabilizer channel

Publication Date: 2025.04.02 ACCELLERON SWITZERLAND LTD

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Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a stabilizer channel (10), in particular of a radial compressor or diagonal compressor, having an annular stabilizer chamber (12) which encloses a main flow channel (13) in the intake region of a compressor wheel (21) and is delimited from the main flow channel (13) by an annular bridge (14). The annular stabilizer chamber (12) is bladeless and is connected to the main flow channel (13) via a downstream inlet channel (15) and an upstream outlet channel (16). A plurality of flow directing elements (17) are arranged in the downstream inlet channel (15). The downstream inlet channel (15) is arranged between an upstream part (141) of the annular bridge (14) and a downstream part (142) of the annular bridge (14). The invention furthermore relates to a compressor, in particular a radial compressor or diagonal compressor, comprising the stabilizer channel (10) according to the invention and to a turbocharger comprising the compressor.