Compressor Rotating Stall Detection via Radial Vibration Spectrum Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting incipient surge in compressors lack accuracy, simplicity, and flexibility, often relying on complex monitoring systems that do not effectively prevent compressor damage from rotating stall and surge.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that measure radial vibration of a compressor's rotor relative to its stator, generate a vibration measurement signal, calculate a frequency spectrum, and identify specific frequency bandwidths to determine if the maximum magnitudes exceed predetermined values, signaling a rotating stall condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex monitoring systems are used to detect incipient surge, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and focuses on a single critical parameter (radial vibration) from the complex multi-parameter monitoring space. By isolating the most indicative vibration signal and analyzing its frequency spectrum, the system achieves effective surge detection without requiring complex multi-sensor arrays or sophisticated signal processing systems, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring systems with a simplified vibration-based detection system. Instead of using multiple sensors and complex mechanical monitoring apparatus, the invention uses vibration measurement (which can be achieved with simple accelerometers) and frequency spectrum analysis to detect the onset of surge, substituting mechanical complexity with a more elegant vibration-frequency-based approach.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and complex monitoring systems are deployed, then detection accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the most operationally simple and accurate detection method by focusing solely on radial vibration measurement. This single-parameter approach eliminates the need to manage multiple sensors and complex monitoring systems, making the system easier to operate while maintaining high detection accuracy through targeted frequency spectrum analysis of the vibration signal.
3Reliability
If comprehensive monitoring of multiple parameters is implemented, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and emphasizes radial vibration as the single most reliable indicator of incipient surge. By concentrating monitoring resources on this one critical parameter rather than attempting to monitor all possible parameters, the system achieves high detection reliability with a significantly simplified monitoring structure, avoiding the complexity of comprehensive multi-parameter monitoring systems.
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 approach provides an accurate, simple, and flexible means to detect rotating stall, preventing compressor damage by identifying incipient surge and allowing for timely intervention.
Implementation Method 1
measuring radial vibration of the rotor relative to the stator
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting rotating stall in a compressor is disclosed herein. The method comprises measuring radial vibration of the rotor relative to the stator and generating a vibration measurement signal, calculating a frequency spectrum of the vibration measurement signal, identifying a plurality of frequency bandwidths of the frequency spectrum, neglecting one first frequency bandwidth of the plurality of frequency bandwidths if the rotation frequency of the rotor falls within the first frequency bandwidth, neglecting at least one second frequency bandwidth of the plurality of frequency bandwidths if the rotation frequency of the rotor falls below the second frequency bandwidth, determining the maximum magnitude of the spectrum in each of the non-neglected frequency bandwidths, and comparing each determined maximum magnitude and a predetermined value. Rotating stall is considered occurring if at least one of the comparisons shows that the corresponding determined maximum magnitude is greater than the predetermined value.