Multi-Stage Compressor With Counter-Rotating First-Stage Impellers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compression devices, such as centrifugal compressors, face limitations in maximizing the volumetric flow rate, which affects the overall size and efficiency of the compression system.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage compressor design featuring a first-stage compressing unit with two impellers rotating in opposite directions, connected through a gear system, and additional rear-stage compressing elements, allowing for synchronized and increased fluid flow rates across multiple compression stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single-stage compressor with one impeller is used, then the device complexity is low, but the volumetric flow rate is limited and cannot be maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two impellers (first and second compressing elements) in parallel within the first-stage compressing unit, both rotating in opposite directions to simultaneously compress fluid. This merging of multiple compression elements doubles the volumetric flow rate capacity while maintaining a compact single-stage structure, effectively resolving the contradiction between flow rate and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor is segmented into multiple functional stages: first-stage compressing unit with dual impellers, intercooler, and second-stage compressing unit. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently - the first stage maximizes flow rate with dual impellers, while subsequent stages handle compression, creating a modular system that achieves high productivity without excessive overall complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple compressing elements are added to increase flow rate, then the productivity increases, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second compressing elements rotate in opposite directions with synchronized periodic motion, creating alternating compression cycles that efficiently move large volumes of fluid. This periodic opposite-rotation mechanism allows both impellers to contribute to flow rate without requiring continuous additional power input, as the gear system coordinates their motion to maximize fluid displacement per cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic speed control where the rear-stage compressing elements can rotate at higher speeds than the first-stage elements. This dynamic speed variation allows the system to optimize power consumption by matching rotational speed to compression requirements at different stages, reducing overall energy usage while maintaining high productivity.
3Productivity
If a first-stage compressing unit with dual impellers rotating in opposite directions is used, then the flow rate is doubled, but the gear system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear system is designed with multi-functionality: the first gear connects the first compressing element to the drive shaft, while the second gear connects the second compressing element to the same drive shaft. This universal gear configuration serves multiple purposes - transmitting power, synchronizing opposite rotations, and coordinating the timing of both impellers - thereby managing complexity through functional integration rather than adding separate control mechanisms.
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
The design effectively doubles the flow rate compared to single-stage compressors, achieving enhanced compression efficiency with reduced power consumption and optimized system size.
Implementation Method 1
a compression device such as a centrifugal compressor uses a rotating impeller to compress fluid by applying a centrifugal force to the fluid
Implementation Method 2
As the fluid passes through the intercooler, the temperature of the fluid is reduced to a room temperature
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a multi-stage compressor which includes: a first-stage compressing unit which includes a first compressing element with an impeller and a second compressing element with an impeller, the first and second compressing elements being connected to each other; and a rear-stage compressing unit which includes at least one rear compressing element with an impeller, wherein the rear-stage compressing unit receives a fluid compressed and output from the first-stage compressing unit.