Concentric Rotary Compressor Isolator Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compressors require multiple stages to achieve high compression levels, leading to increased size, weight, and complexity, and are not suitable for compressing fluids sensitive to lubrication contamination.
Innovation Solution
A concentric rotary compressor that operates without multiple stages, utilizing a piston-shaft assembly with an isolator to separate the chamber into sub-chambers, eliminating the need for lubrication and reducing infrastructure size and weight, while maintaining high energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If multiple stages of compression are used to achieve high compression levels, then compression ratio is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compression chamber is segmented into multiple sub-chambers by an isolator, allowing a single-stage compressor to achieve high compression ratios through sequential compression in divided spaces, eliminating the need for multiple compressor stages
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator rotates to dynamically divide the compression chamber into sub-chambers, adding a temporal and spatial dimension to the compression process that enables high compression ratios in a single rotating component rather than multiple linear stages
2Stress or pressure
If multiple stages of compression are used to achieve high compression levels, then compression ratio is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple compression functions that would traditionally require separate compressor stages are merged into a single rotating isolator component, reducing the overall weight of the compression system while maintaining high compression capabilities
3Force
If lubrication is used in conventional compressors, then mechanical friction is reduced, but fluid contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system is completely removed from the compression chamber by using a lubrication-free isolator design, eliminating the source of contamination while the isolator's rotational motion still enables smooth operation without mechanical friction through contactless sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator acts as an intermediary between moving and stationary components, creating sealed sub-chambers that prevent fluid leakage without requiring lubrication, thus protecting the working fluid from contamination while enabling smooth mechanical operation
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 compressor achieves efficient compression of various fluids without lubrication, reducing size and weight, and enhancing energy economy, making it compatible with standard installations and suitable for sensitive fluids.
Implementation Method 1
a piston that rotates on a circular orbit about said axis concentrically with the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a concentric rotary machine including at least one chamber and at least one isolator (sliding port), which may be linear or rotary. In some embodiments, the isolator separates the chamber into two sub-chambers. In some embodiments, the machine includes a shaft and a piston, wherein the piston may be configured to rotate about the shaft's rotation axis, and wherein the piston includes a cavity for weight balance configuration and/or as a cooling mean. In other embodiments, isolator includes a receptacle (piston-passing opening) to allow for said piston to pass therethrough, and the isolator may include at least one extra cavity to avoid high pressures developed during the passing of the piston there through. In some embodiments, the machine includes a valve at the intake and/or outlet port, to control the amount of a working fluid.