Conical Screw Compressor Synchronous Drive Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conical screw compressors face challenges such as imperfect contact between elements due to manufacturing imperfections and backlash, leading to wear, vibration, and reduced efficiency, especially at high pressures.
Innovation Solution
The design involves synchronously rotating an inner and outer conical element with stationary axes, reducing or eliminating the force exerted between them, and using a gear arrangement to synchronize their rotation, thereby reducing wear and maintaining tight contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If one element is driven by the other element, then torque transmission is achieved, but friction and wear increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (external driving means with synchronization gears) between the two elements. Instead of direct element-to-element torque transmission, both elements are independently driven by external motors through synchronization gears, eliminating direct frictional contact while maintaining torque transmission and synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical friction-based torque transmission system with an electro-mechanical system. External electric motors drive both elements independently, and synchronization is achieved through gear mechanisms rather than direct mechanical contact between the elements, reducing wear and friction.
2Productivity
If manufacturing precision is increased to ensure tight contact, then compression efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using external driving means to pre-synchronize the rotation of both elements before compression occurs. The synchronization gears and external motors ensure that the elements are always in the correct relative positions, compensating for manufacturing tolerances and maintaining tight contact without requiring extremely precise manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from passive mechanical contact to active synchronized rotation. By controlling the rotational speed and phase of both elements through external motors and gear mechanisms, the system maintains optimal compression conditions while accommodating broader manufacturing tolerances.
3Reliability
If synchronous rotation is implemented, then wear is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional driving means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses synchronization gears as intermediary components that coordinate the rotation of both elements. These gear mechanisms serve as mediators between the independent motors and the elements, providing a relatively simple and reliable method to achieve synchronous rotation without complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization gear mechanism automatically maintains the correct rotational relationship between elements through its mechanical design. The system self-regulates the synchronization without requiring external sensors or complex electronic control, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining wear reduction benefits.
Data Source
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AI summary
A conical screw compressor or pump comprises an inner element configured to rotate around a first axis, an outer element configured to rotate around a second axis, and means for substantially fixing a longitudinal position of the inner element along the first axis and for substantially fixing a longitudinal position of the outer element along the second axis, so as to substantially maintain a relative longitudinal positioning of the inner element and the outer element during rotation, wherein an outer surface of the inner element and an inner surface of the outer element comprise cooperating grooves and teeth that intermesh on rotation, and the first axis and the second axis are each stationary and the first axis is inclined relative to the second axis.