Modular Channelling Piece for Liquid Injection in Compressors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressor and expander devices face inefficiencies due to limited control over liquid injection temperature and viscosity, leading to suboptimal lubrication and sealing, which affects bearing lifetime and overall efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a modular channelling piece that provides independent control over temperature and mass flow for separate liquid supplies to the rotor chamber and bearings, allowing for optimized liquid distribution and reducing the need for overdimensioned coolers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid injection is controlled based on temperature by passing liquid through a cooler, then the temperature of the injected liquid can be controlled, but the minimum attainable temperature is limited by the coolant temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid supply system into separate channels: one channel supplies liquid to the rotor chamber for cooling, while another channel supplies liquid to the bearings for lubrication. This segmentation allows independent temperature control for each function, enabling the bearing lubrication liquid to be heated separately from the rotor chamber cooling liquid, thus achieving temperature control beyond the limitations of a single cooler system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the liquid supplied to bearings by introducing a heating device that can independently heat the lubrication liquid. This allows the bearing lubrication liquid to have a higher temperature than the rotor chamber cooling liquid, optimizing lubrication viscosity without being constrained by the coolant temperature used for rotor cooling.
2Temperature
If more liquid is injected to increase cooling or lubrication, then temperature control is improved, but the temperature of the injected liquid can only be controlled indirectly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmented liquid supply channels that separate the cooling function (rotor chamber) from the lubrication function (bearings). Each channel can be controlled independently with its own temperature and flow rate parameters, enabling direct and precise temperature control for bearing lubrication without relying on indirect control through mass flow adjustment alone.
3Reliability
If the same liquid temperature is used for both rotor chamber cooling and bearing lubrication, then the system is simpler, but the lifetime of the bearings is detrimentally affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the liquid supply system into separate channels: one for rotor chamber cooling and another for bearing lubrication. This segmentation allows different liquid temperatures to be supplied to different components - cooler liquid for rotor cooling and heated liquid for bearing lubrication - thereby optimizing bearing lifetime while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular channel design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different liquid temperatures to different locations based on their specific requirements: the rotor chamber receives cooler liquid for effective heat removal, while the bearings receive heated liquid to optimize lubrication viscosity. This localized optimization improves bearing lifetime without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
4Productivity
If liquid is injected for both cooling and lubrication through the same channel, then the system is simpler, but the efficiency of the compressor or expander is reduced due to hydrodynamic losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the injection circuit into separate channels for cooling and lubrication functions. This eliminates hydrodynamic losses associated with mixed-function injection while maintaining reasonable system complexity through integrated channel design. The separate channels allow optimized liquid flow rates and temperatures for each function, improving overall compressor efficiency.
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 enhances the efficiency and operational optimality of compressor and expander devices by allowing independent control of liquid properties, reducing hydrodynamic losses, and achieving a synergistic effect that improves efficiency beyond individual control improvements.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature at the outlet of the compressor element for example can be kept within certain limits, so that the temperature does not become too low so that the formation of condensate in the compressed air is prevented
Implementation Method 2
The injected liquid can also be used for the sealing and lubrication of the compressor element or expander element
Implementation Method 3
The injected liquid can also be used for the sealing and lubrication of the compressor element or expander element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Method for controlling the liquid injection of a compressor device or expander device (1), whereby this compressor device comprises at least one compressor element or expander element (2), whereby the element (2) comprises a housing (3) that comprises a rotor chamber (4) in which at least one rotor (7) is rotatably affixed by means of bearings (8), whereby liquid is injected into the element (2), characterised in that the method comprises the step of providing two independent separated liquid supplies to the element (2), whereby one liquid supply is injected into the rotor chamber (4) and the other liquid supply is injected at the location of the bearings (8); and that the aforementioned separated liquid supplies are realised by means of a modular channelling piece of an injection module.