Involute Sidewall Diffuser Channels for Compressor Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressor diffusers face challenges in efficiently diffusing compressed airflow, particularly in maintaining constant interwall distance and optimizing diffusion directions for centrifugal compressors, which affects performance in gas turbine engines and other applications.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates diffuser channels with sidewalls defined by an involute of a circle, maintaining a constant interwall distance and diverging top and bottom walls to achieve efficient diffusion, which can be applied in gas turbine engines and other applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional diffuser designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but diffusion efficiency and performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is divided into multiple diffuser channels arranged circumferentially around the compressor outlet. Each channel is defined by specific wall geometries (sidewalls, top wall, bottom wall) that can be independently designed and optimized, allowing complex diffusion patterns while maintaining manufacturability through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a novel three-dimensional diffusion approach by defining channel walls using involutes of circles in radial views and additional curved surfaces in axial views. This multi-dimensional geometric construction creates constant interwall distances and optimized diffusion paths that traditional two-dimensional diffuser designs cannot achieve
2Stability of the object's composition
If diffuser channels are designed with constant interwall distance, then diffusion consistency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser channels are defined by curved surfaces including involutes of circles for sidewalls and additional curved surfaces for top and bottom walls. These geometric constructions inherently maintain constant interwall distances along the channel length, providing diffusion consistency while the curvature-based design facilitates manufacturing through standardized forming processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies particular geometric parameters for the diffuser channels, including the use of involutes of circles with defined radii and additional curved surfaces with specific mathematical relationships. These parameterized designs allow for consistent interwall distances to be achieved through controlled geometric transformations rather than requiring ultra-precise manufacturing tolerances
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 ensures consistent and effective diffusion of compressed air, enhancing the performance of gas turbine engines and other systems by maintaining constant interwall distance and optimizing diffusion directions.
Implementation Method 1
Diffusing compressed airflow in novel ways remains an area of interest
Implementation Method 2
The top and bottom walls of the diffuser channel diverge from one another along the length of the channel, providing diffusion through the diffuser channel
Data Source
AI summary
A diffuser is provided having a number of diffuser channels defined by a top wall, bottom wall, and two sidewalls. The sidewalls can be constructed according to an involute of a circle which provides constant interwall distance between the sidewalls along the length of the diffuser channel. The top and bottom walls, however, diverge from one another along the length of the diffuser channel to provide a desired diffusion.