Rotary Impeller Cooling With Labyrinth Seal Air Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary devices face inefficiencies and increased size/weight due to the need for external air cooling, leading to flow loss and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
The rotary device employs internal air circulation through two cooling flow paths, utilizing a labyrinth seal with a single-step teeth portion and a diffuser to recirculate air and enhance cooling without external air intake, thereby simplifying the internal structure and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external air is drawn in for cooling, then cooling effect is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary device uses its own internal air for cooling purposes. The air inside the housing circulates through cooling flow paths to cool the motor and air foil bearings, eliminating the need for external air intake equipment and reducing device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The air inside the housing serves dual functions: both as the working fluid for the rotary device operation and as the cooling medium for thermal management. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling air supply systems.
2Temperature
If external air is drawn in for cooling, then cooling effect is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary device uses its own internal air for cooling purposes. The air inside the housing circulates through cooling flow paths to cool the motor and air foil bearings, eliminating the need for external air intake equipment and reducing device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling flow paths are integrated into the existing housing structure and internal components. The cooling system merges with the structural elements of the device, using the housing and component arrangements to guide cooling air flow without requiring separate dedicated cooling structures.
3Temperature
If external air is discharged out, then cooling effect is improved, but flow loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling air flows continuously in a closed circulation path within the housing. After cooling the motor and bearings, the air is redirected back through the system to be reused, maintaining continuous cooling action without energy-intensive discharge and re-intake cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system creates a feedback loop where the cooled air that has passed through the motor and bearings is redirected back into the system. This feedback mechanism ensures the cooling air is continuously reused, maximizing cooling efficiency while minimizing energy loss.
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 approach allows for effective cooling of high-temperature friction heat within the device using internal air, reducing size and weight, and preventing flow loss, thus enhancing the rotary device's efficiency and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a labyrinth seal disposed between the impeller and the rotor in the housing and configured to control an amount of air injected through the impeller to cool the rotor
Implementation Method 2
a diffuser fixedly coupled to the housing and supporting the rotor
Implementation Method 3
a first cooling flow path formed so that the air injected through the impeller is ejected through the labyrinth seal, the second bearing, the first bearings, and the rotor
Implementation Method 4
cooling high-temperature friction heat generated in elements thereof (e.g., bearings, a rotor, a motor, and the like)
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary device includes: a housing; an impeller disposed in the housing; a rotor disposed in the housing and configured to drive the impeller; and a labyrinth seal disposed between the impeller and the rotor in the housing and configured to control an amount of air injected through the impeller to cool the rotor. A flow path opening that penetrates through the rotor is formed inside the rotor along a rotational axis of the rotor and the labyrinth seal comprises a teeth portion having a predetermined number of steps provided in the labyrinth seal.