Ring-Shaped Membrane Compressor for Scalable High-Pressure Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional membrane compressors face challenges in optimizing the ratio of structural material volume to compression chamber volume as designs are scaled up, leading to inefficiencies and stress issues, particularly in high-pressure applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of a ring-shaped compression chamber configuration, which can be continuous or non-continuous, enhances the compression chamber to material volume ratio (Vc/Vm) by eliminating the effects of chamber ends and allowing for improved stress distribution, thermal management, and scalability, while incorporating a logic controller for precise control of working fluid volume and variable crankshaft phasing to optimize efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If conventional membrane compressor designs are scaled up to larger sizes, then compression chamber volume increases, but the ratio of structural material volume to compression chamber volume worsens, leading to inefficiencies and stress issues
Solution Approach 1:
The compression chamber is segmented into multiple smaller chambers arranged in a circular pattern around the crankshaft, rather than using a single large chamber. This segmentation allows each chamber to have optimal structural characteristics while collectively providing the required total compression volume, thereby maintaining high Vc/Vm ratio at scaled-up sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-dimension compression chamber design to a multi-dimensional circular arrangement of chambers around the crankshaft. This spatial reconfiguration increases the compression chamber volume without proportionally increasing the structural material volume, as the chambers are arranged efficiently in three-dimensional space around the central rotating element.
2Volume of stationary object
If conventional membrane compressor designs are scaled up, then compression chamber volume increases, but stress distribution worsens due to end effects
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the compression chamber into multiple smaller chambers arranged circularly, the patent eliminates the problematic 'end effects' that occur in single-chamber designs. Each chamber is bounded by the circular arrangement and the crankshaft, creating more uniform stress distribution throughout the structure while maintaining the required total compression volume.
3Productivity
If membrane compressor capacity is increased from 150 cc to 250,000 cc, then scalability improves, but maintaining efficiency and reliability becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-chamber circular arrangement allows the compressor to scale from 150 cc to 250,000 cc by simply increasing the number of chambers or their individual sizes while maintaining the same fundamental geometry. This modular scalability preserves efficiency and reliability because each chamber operates under identical optimal conditions regardless of the total system capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains constant geometric parameters (chamber arrangement, crankshaft position, membrane configuration) while changing only the scale parameter (number and size of chambers). This parameter-based scaling approach allows capacity increase from 150 cc to 250,000 cc while preserving efficiency and reliability through dimensional similarity.
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 design enables significant scale-up of compressor capacity from 150 cc to 250,000 cc while maintaining efficiency and reliability, reducing material thickness, and allowing for rapid adjustments in output to match demand without changing crankshaft speed, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional diaphragm compressors.
Implementation Method 1
The piston drives a hydraulic oil on an underside of the diaphragm, which drives a gas on the topside of the diaphragm
Implementation Method 2
enhances the compression chamber to material volume ratio (Vc/Vm) by eliminating the effects of chamber ends and allowing for improved stress distribution
Implementation Method 3
incorporating a logic controller for precise control of working fluid volume and variable crankshaft phasing to optimize efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A ring-shaped diaphragm compressor may be continuous or non-continuous. Bolting is inboard and outboard of the diaphragm (240). The compression chamber (230) may be circular or other arcuate shape. The diaphragm is driven by a reciprocating piston (68) via hydraulic oil. Pistons may be phased. Mid-valves permit simultaneously outputting two or more different pressures during one or several cycles.