Centrifugal Compressor Vane Drive Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing centrifugal compressor drive mechanisms face challenges with increased manufacturing costs and reduced accuracy in flow rate adjustment due to gear drive configurations and backlash issues, which affect the compressor's operational efficiency and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A centrifugal compressor design featuring a vane device with a rotating annular member and link members that adjust the mounting angle of vane main bodies, utilizing a drive mechanism that applies a tangential force to the annular member, reducing the need for backlash and allowing for precise flow rate control, and incorporating an electric motor and transmission arm for efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a gear drive configuration is used to adjust the vane opening degree, then the flow rate adjustment function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases and backlash causes reduced accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rate adjustment accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the gear drive mechanism from the system, replacing it with a direct drive configuration where the annular member is rotated by a drive mechanism that directly applies torque without intermediate gears. This removal of the gear component eliminates backlash while reducing manufacturing cost and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical gear drive system with an alternative drive mechanism that directly rotates the annular member. This substitution eliminates the need for gear meshing and backlash compensation, achieving both cost reduction and improved accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a gear drive configuration with annular bevel gear is used, then the vane rotation is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase with compressor size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevane rotation capabilityVSAvoiddrive mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex annular bevel gear system from the drive mechanism, replacing it with a simplified direct drive configuration where the annular member is rotated more simply, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the vane rotation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using gears to transmit rotation to the annular member, the patent inverts the approach by having the drive mechanism directly apply rotational force to the annular member in a more straightforward manner, eliminating the need for complex gear transmission paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If backlash is provided in the annular member hole for spherical surface pair engagement, then smooth rotation is achieved, but the degree of opening accuracy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth rotationVSAvoiddegree of opening accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the spherical surface pair engagement mechanism with its required backlash, replacing it with a direct connection between the link member and the annular member that maintains both smooth rotation and high accuracy without needing clearance for engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 reduces manufacturing costs, enhances the accuracy of flow rate adjustment, and improves the compressor's efficiency and reliability by eliminating backlash and allowing for smoother operation, including start-up in vacuum conditions with reduced power requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a drive mechanism which is connected to the annular member and transmits a force in a tangential direction to the annular member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTangential force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of link members which is rotated along with the rotary shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Implementation Method 3

an annular member which is formed with an annular shape centered on the axis line and is moved in a moving direction along a rotation locus of the link member, wherein the moving direction is both a axial direction and the circumferential direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAxial movement:

Data Source

PatentUS9951783B2Centrifugal compressor

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND THERMAL SYST

AI summary

This centrifugal compressor is provided with an impeller mounted on a main shaft rotating around an axis line, and a vane device for adjusting the flow rate of a fluid in an inflow flow path to the impeller. The vane device includes: a plurality of vane main bodies provided at intervals in a circumferential direction, wherein a mounting angle of the plurality of vane main bodies is changed by rotating the shaft portion; a plurality of link members which is rotated along with the shaft portion; a drive ring which is formed with an annular shape centered on the axis line and is moved in a moving direction along a rotation locus of the link member, and a drive mechanism which is connected to the drive ring and transmits a force in a tangential direction to the drive ring.