Turbomachine Rotor Structure for Hirth Coupling Growth Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbomachinery, such as centrifugal compressors, experiences undesirable relative radial and axial growth at axial interface locations due to varying forces, leading to increased rotor vibration, angular misalignments, and mechanical stresses at hirth coupling interfaces.

Innovation Solution

The rotor structure incorporates distinct axially-extending zones with varying bore diameters and lengths in the impeller bodies' radially-inner contour, configured to control relative radial and axial growth between interface locations, balancing mass distribution and centrifugal forces to reduce misalignments and stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rotor structure with uniform impeller bodies is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but relative radial and axial growth at axial interface locations increases causing vibration and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotor vibration controlVSAvoidimpeller body structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller bodies are designed with distinct axially-extending zones having different bore diameters and lengths, creating local structural variations. Specifically, a first axially-extending zone has a first bore diameter and a second axially-extending zone has a second bore diameter different from the first, allowing different regions to accommodate varying centrifugal forces and control relative growth at axial interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Each impeller body is segmented into multiple axially-extending zones along the rotor axis, with each zone having specific dimensional characteristics. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each zone to control relative radial and axial growth between corresponding axial interface locations of adjacent impeller bodies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If impeller bodies with varying bore diameters and lengths are used, then relative growth control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface alignment precisionVSAvoidimpeller body fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The design implements local quality by providing distinct axially-extending zones with specific bore diameters and lengths tailored to control relative growth at particular axial interface locations. This localized optimization achieves precise interface alignment while concentrating manufacturing complexity only where needed rather than throughout the entire impeller body

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes geometric parameters (bore diameter and length) of the axially-extending zones to control relative radial and axial growth. By varying these parameters across different zones and impeller bodies, the design achieves precise control over interface alignment and growth characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces rotor vibration, maintains reliable contact patterns, and minimizes mechanical stresses and distortion at hirth coupling interfaces over the turbomachine's lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

balancing mass distribution and centrifugal forces to reduce misalignments and stresses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS12038015B2Rotor structure for a turbomachine with features to control relative growth at axial interfaces

Publication Date: 2024.07.16 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

Rotor structure for a turbomachine, such as a centrifugal compressor, is provided. Disclosed embodiments make use of structural and/or operational relationships (e.g., distinct axially-extending zones in the radially-inner contour of respective impeller bodies configured to balance mass distribution about a rotor axis) designed to control relative radial and/or axial growth between corresponding interface locations along the rotor axis at which corresponding faces of respective hirth couplings mesh with one another. The ability to control relative radial and/or axial growth between corresponding interface locations may be effective for reducing rotor vibration and/or to establish more reliable contact patterns and reduced levels of mechanical stresses and distortion (e.g., angular distortion) at the hirth coupling interfaces.