Revolving Vane Compressor Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary compressors experience high frictional losses due to sliding contact between components, leading to reduced mechanical efficiency and reliability, and vibration issues in reciprocating piston-cylinder compressors.
Innovation Solution
A revolving vane compressor design with a vane that moves in a slot allowing for both sliding and pivoting motion, reducing friction by minimizing relative speeds and incorporating a two-degree-of-freedom motion, and a manufacturing method that aligns bearing pairs and cylinder components for dynamic balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rotary compressors use sliding contact between rotor and cylinder, then compactness and low vibration are achieved, but frictional losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A vane is introduced as an intermediary component between the rotor and cylinder. The vane is operatively engaged in a slot and causes the rotor and cylinder to rotate together, acting as a mediator that transmits motion while reducing direct sliding contact friction between the rotor and cylinder walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The vane is designed with two degree-of-freedom motion capability, allowing it to move dynamically within the slot. This dynamic motion enables the vane to adapt to changing operational conditions and maintain optimal contact characteristics, reducing frictional losses while preserving the compact rotary design.
2Loss of energy
If the vane is fixed relative to the rotor or cylinder, then mechanical efficiency improves, but the complexity of achieving proper motion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vane is rigidly attached to or integral with either the rotor or the cylinder, merging the vane with one of these components. This integration simplifies the overall structure by eliminating separate mounting mechanisms while the vane's engagement in the slot provides the necessary motion control.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot is divided into functional portions: an inner portion, an intermediate portion forming a narrow neck, and an enlarged outer end portion. This segmentation of the slot structure enables the vane to achieve the required two degree-of-freedom motion while maintaining a relatively simple overall design.
Data Source
AI summary
A revolving vane compressor comprising: a cylinder having a cylinder longitudinal axis of rotation, a rotor mounted within the cylinder and having a rotor longitudinal axis of rotation, the rotor longitudinal axis and the cylinder longitudinal axis being spaced from each other for relative movement between the rotor and the cylinder; a vane operatively engaged in a slot for causing the cylinder and the rotor to rotate together, the vane being mounted in the slot with a two degree-of-freedom motion relative to the slot for enabling the rotor and the cylinder to rotate with each other.