Helical Rotor Compressor Layout for Single-Direction Axial Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressors with parallel helical rotors face challenges in achieving a small size while maintaining sufficient displacement, leading to inefficiencies and increased size and cost due to the need for dual thrust bearings to manage unpredictable axial forces.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a rotor assembly with rotors having differently shaped portions and air supply holes to generate a preset acting force in a single direction, allowing for a single thrust bearing to manage axial forces, reducing the compressor's size without compromising displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two thrust bearings are arranged to limit axial forces in two directions, then the helical rotors rotate stably, but the compressor size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the rotor structure asymmetric with differently shaped portions (first portion and second portion with different shapes, sizes, or configurations). This asymmetric design creates a preset acting force in a single direction during rotation, eliminating the need for thrust bearings in both directions and reducing compressor size while maintaining rotational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the counterweight principle by designing the rotor portions with different shapes and sizes to generate a preset acting force that counterbalances the axial forces in a predetermined direction. This counterbalancing mechanism eliminates the need for dual thrust bearings and reduces the overall compressor volume.
2Volume of moving object
If compressor size is reduced, then the compressor becomes more compact, but displacement becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the rotor into multiple portions (first portion and second portion) with different shapes and sizes. This segmentation allows each portion to contribute differently to the compression process, maintaining sufficient displacement while the overall rotor assembly fits within a compact compressor volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving different portions of the rotor different shapes, sizes, and configurations optimized for their specific functions. The first portion and second portion are designed with local characteristics that maximize displacement efficiency within the limited space, ensuring sufficient productivity despite the reduced overall size.
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 approach stabilizes the compressor's operation by reducing the number of thrust bearings, minimizing size and cost, and enhancing mechanical efficiency while reducing lubricating oil demand.
Implementation Method 1
the first portion and/or the third portion is provided with first air supply holes, the second portion and/or the fourth portion is provided with second air supply holes, the first air supply holes and the second air supply holes are configured to be different from each other to generate an air pressure difference during the rotation of the first rotor and the second rotor to form the preset acting force
Data Source
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AI summary
A compressor (200), comprising: a first rotor (20) being rotatable around a first axis (11), the first rotor (20) comprising a first portion (22) and a second portion (24); and a first shaft (10) carrying the first portion (22) and the second portion (24), the first shaft (10) having a first end (12) and a second end (14) that are oppositely arranged, wherein the first rotor (20) is configured to be applied with a preset acting force in a direction from the first end (12) toward the second end (14) or from the second end (14) toward the first end (12) during rotation. The size of the compressor (200) can be reduced with the displacement of the compressor (200) remaining substantially unchanged.