Contra-rotating Compressor Rotor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contra-rotating rotor compressor designs for axial turbine engines face challenges in achieving high compression rates while reducing energy consumption and production/maintenance costs, with existing solutions being complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an inner and outer rotor with alternating blade rows, a rotating bearing aligned axially with the radial junction, and a transmission system with ring gears and pinions to facilitate contra-rotation, optimizing clearance and load distribution to enhance compression efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If contra-rotating rotors are used to increase compression rate, then the compression rate increases for a given length, but the device complexity increases due to multiple transmission shafts and pinions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transmission functions into a single rotating bearing that simultaneously supports the inner rotor, outer rotor, and transmission shaft. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate transmission elements while maintaining the contra-rotating capability needed for high compression rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating bearing serves multiple functions: it supports the inner rotor, supports the outer rotor, and transmits rotational motion between them. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate transmission shafts and pinions, reducing device complexity while preserving the compression enhancement benefits of contra-rotating rotors.
2Productivity
If contra-rotating rotors with multiple transmission elements are used, then compression rate increases, but production and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the transmission functions into a single rotating bearing assembly, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This directly lowers production costs while simplifying maintenance procedures compared to systems with multiple separate transmission elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential transmission function from the complex multi-shaft system and implements it through a single rotating bearing. This extraction eliminates unnecessary transmission elements, reducing both manufacturing complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining the high compression rate capability.
3Ease of operation
If traditional transmission systems are used to drive contra-rotating rotors, then rotation in opposite directions is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical transmission systems (multiple shafts and pinions) with a rotating bearing system that reduces mechanical losses. This substitution decreases friction and energy dissipation while maintaining the contra-rotating capability, thereby reducing the energy required to drive the compressor.
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor of an axial turbine engine comprising two rotors or contra-rotating drums, of which an inner rotor and an outer rotor are each provided with blade rows forming a regular alternating pattern. The inner rotor is provided with a radial annular junction fixed to the transmission shaft coming from a turbine. The outer rotor surrounds the inner rotor. The compressor also comprises a rotating bearing linked to the outer rotor and arranged axially level with the radial junction of the inner rotor so as to align the mechanical links axially. This alignment limits the effect of centrifugal force between the clearances between the blades and the walls of the rotors. A transmission with a pinion with a radial rotation axis allows the outer rotor to be driven by the inner rotor.