Movable Supersonic Compression Ramp for Shockwave Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supersonic compressor systems suffer from reduced operating efficiency due to the formation of normal shockwaves upstream of stationary compression ramps, which reduces fluid energy and overall system performance.
Innovation Solution
A supersonic compressor rotor with a selectively positionable supersonic compression ramp that can move from a first position to a second position, allowing the normal shockwave to form downstream of a throat region with a minimum cross-sectional area, thereby optimizing the flow channel's geometry for enhanced efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a stationary supersonic compression ramp is positioned at a fixed location within the axial flow path, then the ramp can form a compression wave within the flow path, but a normal shockwave forms upstream of the ramp which reduces fluid energy and operating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The compression ramp is made movable rather than stationary, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position within the flow channel. This enables the ramp to optimize its location relative to the normal shockwave, facilitating the shockwave's passage through a smaller cross-sectional area and reducing energy loss while improving operating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the compression ramp from fixed to variable. By adjusting the ramp's position, the system can control where the normal shockwave forms and how it passes through the flow channel, thereby optimizing energy conservation and operational efficiency under different operating conditions.
2Loss of energy
If the normal shockwave forms upstream of the compression ramp, then the shockwave can be contained within the flow channel, but the fluid velocity is reduced to subsonic which reduces fluid energy
Solution Approach 1:
The movable compression ramp dynamically adjusts its position to control the normal shockwave's location and behavior. By positioning the ramp appropriately, the system allows the shockwave to pass through a reduced cross-sectional area, maintaining higher fluid velocity and energy compared to a stationary ramp configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the shockwave interaction parameters by adjusting the ramp position. This controls the shockwave's strength and location, enabling the fluid to maintain higher velocities and energies by passing through a constricted area that optimizes the shockwave's effect rather than dissipating energy upstream.
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 configuration improves the operating efficiency of the supersonic compressor system by facilitating the passage of the normal shockwave through a smaller cross-sectional area, leading to increased fluid compression and reduced energy loss, thus enhancing the system's performance and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a normal shockwave may be formed upstream of the supersonic compressor ramp. As fluid passes through the normal shockwave, a velocity of the fluid is reduced to subsonic with respect to the supersonic compressor rotor
Data Source
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AI summary
A supersonic compressor rotor. The supersonic compressor rotor includes a substantially cylindrical disk body (56) that includes an upstream surface (68), a downstream surface (70), and a radially outer surface (66) that extends generally axially between the upstream surface (68) and the downstream surface. The disk body defines a centerline axis (62). A plurality of vanes (54) are coupled to the radially outer surface. Adjacent vanes form a pair and are oriented such that a flow channel (88) is defined between each pair of adjacent vanes. The flow channel extends generally axially between an inlet opening (90) and an outlet opening (92). At least one supersonic compression ramp (112) is positioned within the flow channel. The supersonic compression ramp is selectively positionable at a first position (156), at a second position (158), and at any position therebetween.