Ring-Shaped Membrane Compressor for Improved Stress Distribution
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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 they are scaled up, leading to complex stresses, inefficient stress distribution, and limited scalability, especially in high-pressure applications.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a ring-shaped compression chamber with continuous or non-continuous configurations, utilizing a center bolt or series of bolts for clamping, and employs variable crankshaft phasing and a logic controller to optimize working fluid volume, enabling efficient scaling and improved stress distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional membrane compressors are scaled up to larger sizes, then compression capacity increases, but the ratio of structural material volume to compression chamber volume deteriorates and complex stresses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compression chamber is segmented into multiple separate chambers arranged around a central axis. Each chamber is independently formed by a membrane, allowing the total compression capacity to be distributed across multiple smaller units rather than one large chamber. This segmentation reduces the complex stresses in each individual chamber while maintaining overall high compression capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression chambers are arranged in a radial configuration around a central drive mechanism, transitioning from a conventional linear or single-chamber arrangement to a multi-dimensional radial layout. This dimensional change allows efficient stress distribution across multiple chambers while maximizing the compression chamber volume relative to structural material volume.
2Productivity
If conventional membrane compressors are scaled up to larger sizes, then compression capacity increases, but the ratio of compression chamber volume to structural material volume deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate compression chambers are arranged radially around a compact central drive mechanism. This segmentation allows the compression chamber volume to scale efficiently while the structural material volume remains proportionally smaller, as the chambers share common structural elements and the central drive serves all chambers simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple compression chambers share a common central drive mechanism and structural support framework. By merging the drive system to serve all chambers rather than having separate drives for each chamber, the structural material volume is optimized while maintaining large total compression chamber volume.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional membrane compressors use traditional circular or elongated chamber designs, then manufacturing is simplified, but scalability and stress distribution efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The compression system uses multiple identical or similar chamber units that can be manufactured using standardized processes. Each chamber follows a consistent design pattern, simplifying manufacturing while allowing easy scaling by adding or removing chambers from the radial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial chamber design creates universal, interchangeable compression units that can be configured in different numbers and arrangements. Each chamber serves the same function and can be manufactured using the same tooling and processes, enabling scalable production while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 enhances the compression chamber to material volume ratio, allowing for larger chamber volumes while maintaining efficiency and reliability, and enables rapid adjustments to meet varying demand without changing crankshaft speed, thus improving scalability and operational flexibility.
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
gas is compressed by back-and-forth or up-and-down movement of a flexible membrane
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1E
Figure 1F~1G
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.