Fluid Flow Machine Bearing Cooling via Intake Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow machines, such as those used in internal combustion engines and fuel cell systems, face inefficiencies in cooling the bearings, leading to potential overheating and reduced lifespan, with existing solutions requiring complex cooling medium management.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow machine design where the shaft of the impeller is held in radial and axial bearings, with a revolving part acting as a cooling fluid transport device, utilizing cooling fluid taken from the intake side of the impeller to efficiently cool the bearings and other components, potentially including an electric machine, without compressing the cooling fluid like the working fluid on the pressure side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling fluid is taken from the pressure side of the impeller, then the bearings can be cooled, but the efficiency deteriorates due to branching off working fluid and high compression requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cooling fluid supply from the compressed pressure side and takes it instead from the intake side before compression. This separates the cooling function from the compression process, allowing bearing cooling without compromising the efficiency of the main compression operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid flow path is segmented into separate channels: one for working fluid compression and another for cooling fluid transport. The revolving part of the axial bearing creates a dedicated cooling fluid passage that is independent from the main compression flow, allowing simultaneous optimization of both functions.
2Temperature
If complex cooling medium management systems are used, then bearing cooling is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The revolving part of the axial bearing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides axial bearing support and acts as a cooling fluid transport device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling fluid management components, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing support function and cooling fluid transport function are merged into a single component - the revolving part of the axial bearing. This integration simplifies the overall system by combining what would traditionally be separate systems into one unified structure.
3Temperature
If cooling fluid is compressed like working fluid, then it can be delivered to bearings, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary compression
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fluid is prepared and directed to the bearings before the main compression process occurs. By taking cooling fluid from the intake side and delivering it through the revolving bearing structure, the system performs the cooling function at the appropriate moment without subjecting it to unnecessary compression cycles.
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 enhances cooling efficiency of bearings and reduces complexity, extending their lifespan while allowing for engine cooling without additional cooling medium transport, and enables efficient energy recovery in fuel cell systems.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling fluid is transported from the intake side of the impeller to bearing parts of the shaft... The part of the working fluid taken in as cooling fluid has a lower temperature than the working fluid on the pressure side, so that the bearings over which the cooling fluid flows can be cooled efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow machine includes a housing with a connecting piece for a working fluid on an intake side, and a pressure side. At least one impeller is mounted on a shaft, which is held in the housing by radial and axial bearings, and a cooling arrangement is provided for at least one bearing. A revolving part of the axial bearing is designed as a cooling fluid transportation device, wherein a suction connection leads to the intake side of the impeller.