Radial Compressor Iris Diaphragm With Sequential Slat Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing centrifugal compressors with iris diaphragm mechanisms require complex actuating devices and multiple moving parts to control the aperture, leading to increased complexity, space requirements, and higher costs.

Innovation Solution

A simplified iris mechanism where only the main slat is directly actuated, with other slats driven by this main slat, eliminating the need for an adjustment ring and reducing the number of moving parts, allowing for a more straightforward kinematic design and reduced space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an actuating device with adjustment ring and multiple fingers is used to move all slats, then all slats can be controlled simultaneously, but the device complexity and number of moving parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of slatsVSAvoidactuating device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating device is segmented into a drive element that directly actuates only the main slat, while guided slats are actuated sequentially through guide elements and guide grooves. This segmentation eliminates the need for a complex adjustment ring with multiple fingers, reducing the number of moving parts while maintaining control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guided slats actuate themselves through the guide elements engaging with guide grooves on adjacent slats. When the main slat moves, it automatically triggers the sequential movement of guided slats without requiring direct actuation by the drive element, reducing the complexity of the actuating device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If multiple moving parts are used in the iris mechanism, then the aperture can be controlled, but the space requirements and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaperture controlVSAvoidaxial space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The iris mechanism is segmented into a main slat directly connected to the drive element and multiple guided slats connected through guide elements. This segmentation allows for a more compact arrangement with reduced axial space requirements compared to traditional adjustment ring mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex adjustment ring and multiple fingers are extracted from the system, replacing them with a simpler guide element-guide groove interaction. This extraction reduces the number of moving parts and minimizes the axial space required for the iris mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a complex actuating device with multiple bearings is used, then reliable slat movement is achieved, but the manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslat movement reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guided slats self-actuate through the guide elements engaging with guide grooves, eliminating the need for additional axial and radial bearings for each slat. This self-service mechanism maintains reliable slat movement while significantly simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Complex bearing arrangements are extracted from the design, replacing them with simple guide element-guide groove interactions. This extraction reduces manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty while maintaining the reliability of slat movement through the self-guiding mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3788263B1Radial compressor having iris diaphragm mechanism
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP3788263B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3788263B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a radial compressor having a specially designed iris diaphragm mechanism. This mechanism is characterised in that only one single disc is driven directly by an actuation element, while the further discs are driven by the respective preceding disc via the movement of said main disc. This results in a particularly simple embodiment of the iris diaphragm mechanism. The invention also relates to a disc for an iris diaphragm mechanism of this type and to a charging device having a radial compressor of this type.