Ribbed Cooling Jacket for Compressor Thermal Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial air compressor systems face issues with thermal deformation due to high temperatures during the compression process, which can lead to warping and inefficiency, as they lack effective cooling solutions that prevent temperature thresholds from being exceeded.
Innovation Solution
A compressor system with a thin-walled cooling jacket featuring structural ribs to prevent thermal deformation, enhancing heat transfer while maintaining mechanical stability by minimizing design clearances between rotors and the jacket, thus promoting efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a thin-walled cooling jacket is used to enhance heat transfer, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the jacket becomes prone to thermal deformation and warping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin-walled cooling jacket that leverages the high surface-area-to-volume ratio of thin walls to maximize heat transfer efficiency. The thin wall design allows for effective thermal coupling between the rotors and cooling fluid while maintaining sufficient mechanical integrity through proper material selection and wall thickness optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces radial ribs extending from the inner to outer surfaces of the thin-walled cooling jacket, adding a third dimensional element to the otherwise two-dimensional wall structure. These ribs create a three-dimensional stiffening network that prevents thermal deformation and warping while preserving the thin-wall geometry for optimal heat transfer.
2Productivity
If design clearances between rotors and cooling jacket are minimized to improve compression efficiency, then productivity increases, but the risk of thermal deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial ribs are pre-formed as integral structural features of the cooling jacket during manufacturing, before the compressor operates. This preliminary structural reinforcement ensures that the thin-walled jacket maintains its dimensional stability and prevents thermal deformation even when minimal clearances are used to maximize compression efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling jacket exhibits non-uniform wall thickness through the incorporation of radial ribs, creating regions of varying structural strength. The ribbed regions provide enhanced local stiffness and thermal resistance where needed, while maintaining thin-wall geometry in other areas to optimize overall heat transfer 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
The solution effectively prevents thermal deformation, maintains compressor efficiency, and reduces operational costs by allowing for higher rotational speeds and minimized clearances, ensuring reliable performance under various industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
A compressor is disclosed including a thin walled housing that defines a compression chamber and an inner cooling jacket wall and outer cooling jacket wall that define a cooling chamber
Implementation Method 2
Fluid compressors necessarily heat compressible fluid during the compression process. Under some conditions high temperatures can cause portions of the compressor to thermally deform or 'warp.'
Implementation Method 3
A plurality of ribs are formed with the inner cooling jacket wall. The ribs are defined by portions of the inner cooling jacket wall that project radially outward toward the cooling chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
The application is directed to a compressor having a housing with a fluid compression region to rotatably support a compressor rotor. The housing includes an inner wall formed as a thin wall positioned about the compression region and an outer wall spaced radially outward of the inner wall. A cooling chamber is formed in a space between the inner and outer walls. A rib formed on the inner wall projects into the cooling chamber to provide structural support and prevent thermal deformation of the thin inner wall during compressor operation.