Rotary Compressor Lubrication via Processed Fluid and Abradable Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing an efficient, reliable, and cost-effective oil-less rotary compressor that minimizes friction, wear, and noise, while avoiding lubricant contamination and increased power consumption, is challenging due to the inefficiencies and deficiencies in traditional rotary compressors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of rotary systems with abradable coatings and the use of the processed fluid as a lubricant, eliminating the need for additional lubricants, and optimizing the design to reduce friction and wear through balanced piston and vane combinations, and controlled pressure mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid lubricants are used to reduce friction and wear, then reliability and component life are improved, but lubricant contamination of the processed fluid occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the lubricant from the system by using the processed gas itself as the lubricating medium. The gas is pressurized to form a lubricating film between contacting surfaces, completely removing liquid lubricants that would contaminate the processed fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressurized gas as an intermediary substance to perform the lubricating function. The gas acts as a mediator between contacting components, creating a pressurized film that prevents direct contact and reduces friction without contaminating the processed fluid.
2Productivity
If liquid lubricants are used to seal leakage paths, then compressor efficiency is improved, but increased power consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure of the processed gas to seal leakage paths instead of liquid lubricants. The pressurized gas forms seals at critical interfaces, maintaining compressor efficiency while avoiding the power consumption penalties associated with liquid lubricant systems.
3Temperature
If liquid lubricants are used to absorb heat, then temperature control is improved, but lubricant contamination of the processed fluid occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the lubricating medium from liquid to gas phase. The pressurized gas provides thermal management through convection and compression heating control, achieving temperature control without the contamination issues of liquid lubricants.
4Duration of action of moving object
If abradable coatings are applied to minimize friction, then wear is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies abradable coatings to rotating components, creating composite structures with different material properties. The coatings provide low-friction surfaces that reduce wear, while the base materials maintain structural integrity. Although manufacturing complexity increases slightly, the extended component life justifies the additional processing.
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 results in a more fuel-efficient, quieter, and longer-lasting rotary compressor with reduced power consumption and vibration, suitable for medical and clean gas applications, where lubricant contamination is a concern.
Implementation Method 1
Various components of the rotary systems are coated with an abradable coating, which minimizes friction when these components come in contact with each other.
Implementation Method 2
Each rotary system can be lubricated by only the fluid being processed (for example, compressed or vacuumed) by that rotary system.
Implementation Method 3
The first piston is configured to rotate around a first eccentric of a shaft in an orbital fashion in order to compress the fluid.
Implementation Method 4
The minimized friction minimizes the wear and tear of these components.
Data Source
AI summary
Rotary systems are described, which can include at least one of compressors and vacuum pumps. Each rotary system includes a corresponding piston that rotates in an orbital motion around a respective eccentric of a shaft in order to either compress fluid or function as a vacuum pump. Multiple rotary systems can be executed on parallel on a single shaft such that these rotary systems are powered by a single motor. Various components of the rotary systems are coated with an abradable coating, which minimizes friction when these components come in contact with each other. The minimized friction minimizes the wear and tear of these components. Each rotary system can be lubricated by only the fluid being processed (for example, compressed or vacuumed) by that rotary system. The use of the fluid being processed for lubrication and the abradable coatings eliminate a need for another lubricant for lubricating the rotary system.