Centrifugal Compressor Movable Vane Actuation Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal compressors in existing turbochargers face challenges in downsizing due to the need for increased housing size to accommodate both the movable vane and its driving mechanism, leading to potential lengthening of one diffuser wall and increased volume requirements.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal compressor design where the housing for the compressor wheel is separate from the driving device for the movable vane, with the housing on one wall portion and the driving device on the other, allowing for reduced overall size and preventing unnecessary expansion, while using a movable partition and pressure control to manage the vane's movement and minimize foreign matter entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the housing chamber houses both the movable vane and the driving mechanism, then the movable vane can be actuated, but the housing chamber volume increases and the housing size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the housing into two separate wall portions: one wall portion houses the movable vane, while the other wall portion houses the driving mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be housed in its own dedicated space, preventing the need for a single large housing chamber and thereby reducing overall housing volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the axial direction of the diffuser wall to distribute components along different dimensions. By placing the movable vane and driving mechanism in separate wall portions along the axial direction, the design avoids concentrating all components in one location, thus reducing the required housing chamber volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the housing chamber houses both the movable vane and the driving mechanism, then the movable vane can be actuated, but the housing size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing structure into two distinct wall portions, with each portion dedicated to a specific function. This segmentation prevents the need for a single large housing chamber that would increase overall housing size, thereby maintaining a compact housing dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent distributes components along the axial dimension of the diffuser wall, placing the movable vane in one wall portion and the driving mechanism in another. This dimensional distribution allows for efficient space utilization and prevents excessive housing size increase.
3Device complexity
If one wall portion houses both the movable vane and driving mechanism, then the structure is simplified, but one side is lengthened in the rotational axis direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing into two wall portions along the axial direction, with each portion housing a different component. This segmentation avoids the need to lengthen a single wall portion to accommodate both components, thereby maintaining balanced axial dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial and axial dimensions of the diffuser wall to distribute components. By placing the movable vane and driving mechanism in separate wall portions, the design optimizes space utilization in multiple dimensions, preventing excessive lengthening in any single direction.
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 effectively downsizes the centrifugal compressor and turbocharger by optimizing the layout to prevent excessive size increase, improving assembly efficiency, reducing noise and wear, and enhancing performance consistency.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device which presses at least either one of the movable vane and the partition member toward either one side of the diffuser portion side or the anti-diffuser portion side
Implementation Method 2
a pressure control device which is capable of controlling a difference between a pressure of the first chamber and a pressure of the second chamber so that the partition member moves toward the other side
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal compressor is provided with: a housing which houses a compressor wheel therein; a spiral scroll arranged in an outer periphery of the compressor wheel; and a diffuser portion provided as a path space communicating with the scroll from an outlet side of the compressor wheel and formed by a compressor housing and a center housing. The centrifugal compressor is also provided with a movable vane which is movable between a projecting position where the movable vane projects from the compressor housing and a housing position where the movable vane houses in a housing portion provided in compressor housing, and an actuator which drives the movable vane between the projecting position and the housing position. The actuator is provided in the center housing.