Displaceable Port for Compressor Diffuser Secondary Fluid Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compressor stage designs face issues with erosion and corrosion when injecting secondary fluids, particularly with low pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), and require additional blowers for high pressure EGR, leading to operational limitations in mass flow and diffuser geometry.
Innovation Solution
A compressor stage with a vaned diffuser and an injection device featuring a displaceable port between adjacent vanes, allowing for adjustable cross-section to accommodate both primary and secondary flows, enabling injection downstream of the impeller without additional blowers and maintaining optimal performance with or without secondary fluid injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed cross-section diffuser is used, then the diffuser geometry is optimized for main flow only, but the diffuser becomes too small for combined main and secondary flow when secondary fluid is injected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the diffuser cross-section adjustable through a displaceable port. The port can be positioned in different locations (first position for main flow only, second position for combined flow) to dynamically change the diffuser geometry according to operating conditions. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the diffuser to adapt its cross-section area to accommodate varying flow requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the diffuser structure into fixed portions and a movable displaceable port. This segmentation allows independent optimization of different regions - the fixed structure provides structural stability while the displaceable port provides adaptive flow control. The port can be displaced to create different effective cross-sections, resolving the contradiction between fixed geometry optimization and adaptive flow capacity.
2Productivity
If the displaceable port is displaced to increase cross-section for combined flow, then mass flow capacity is improved, but the port position must be precisely controlled to maintain optimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control mechanism as an intermediary between the control system and the displaceable port. This intermediary mechanism (which could be a actuator, linkage, or control valve system) simplifies the operation of port displacement by converting control signals into appropriate mechanical displacement. This resolves the contradiction by making the port position control easier while maintaining the ability to achieve the required cross-section adjustment for optimal combined flow performance.
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 solution allows for flexible flow conditions, avoiding impeller erosion and corrosion, ensuring consistent mass flow rates and operational efficiency with or without secondary fluid injection, thereby overcoming previous limitations in diffuser geometry and blower requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The injection device is configured to inject a secondary fluid into the vaned diffuser. The injection device comprises a displaceable port at least partially arranged between an adjacent pair of vanes of the diffuser.
Implementation Method 2
adjusting a cross-section of the vaned diffuser to the effective cross-section, in particular by displacing a displaceable port of an injection device
Implementation Method 3
Low pressure EGR comprises introducing the EGR gas at a low pressure level upstream of the impeller of the compression stage, which can lead to severe erosion and corrosion issues, especially with regards to the impeller material.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a compressor stage, in particular for a turbocharging system and/or a turbocompound, and a process for operating a compressor stage are provided herein. The compressor stage comprises an impeller, and a vaned diffuser arranged downstream of the impeller. The vaned diffuser is in fluid connection with an outlet of the impeller and comprises an injection device configured to inject a secondary fluid into the vaned diffuser. The injection device comprises a displaceable port at least partially arranged between an adjacent pair of vanes of the diffuser.