Rotor Unit Assembly With Variable Port Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary fluid devices, such as compressors and turbines, suffer from inefficiencies due to fluid flow losses and fixed compression/expansion ratios, limiting performance adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A rotor unit assembly with a rotor and hub configuration that includes variable ports and a control disc for adjusting flow area, allowing for improved efficiency and performance control through precise port scheduling and sealing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rotary configuration with numerous rotors arranged in the same plane is used, then the device is robust, compact and simple to manufacture, but fluid flow losses increase due to the configuration of fluid passages
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary device is segmented into multiple independent rotor assemblies, each with its own optimized fluid passage configuration. This allows each segment to have efficient flow paths while maintaining the overall compact rotary structure, thereby reducing fluid flow losses without sacrificing manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement of rotors to a three-dimensional configuration where rotors are stacked along a common axis. This dimensional change enables optimized fluid passage routing in the axial direction, reducing flow losses while maintaining compactness and ease of manufacture.
2Device complexity
If a fixed compression and/or expansion ratio is used, then the device structure is simplified, but the performance of the device cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces variable geometry mechanisms that allow the compression and expansion ratios to be dynamically adjusted during operation. This is achieved through movable components such as adjustable piston positions or variable displacement mechanisms, enabling performance adaptation without requiring complete structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables change in compression/expansion ratio by adjusting geometric parameters of the rotor assembly, such as the position of pistons, the angle of vanes, or the displacement volume. These parameter changes allow flexible performance control while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
3Reliability
If multiple rotors are arranged in the same plane with driving engagement, then the device is compact and robust, but inherent inefficiencies occur due to fluid flow losses in the passages
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple independently optimized rotor segments that can be manufactured and tested separately, ensuring each segment achieves optimal fluid flow efficiency. This segmentation maintains robustness through modular construction while eliminating the fluid flow losses associated with complex interconnected passages in single-plane designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges rotors in a three-dimensional stacked configuration along a common axis rather than in a single plane. This enables separate optimization of fluid passages for each rotor level, reducing inter-rotor fluid interference and flow losses while maintaining the compact and robust multi-rotor architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotor unit assembly (10) having a rotor unit (90) comprising a chamber (104) having a central axis and a rotor (200) located within the chamber (104) and rotatable around the central axis. The rotor (200) has a piston (214) which extends radially outward from the main body (202) of the rotor (200) and a valve flange (240) with an aperture (242). The rotor unit further comprises a rotatable hub (300), with a cavity (314) configured to receive the piston (214), a first low pressure port (130) provided in the path described by the piston (214), a first high pressure port (120) positioned in the path described by the valve flange aperture (242) around the clearance volume (210) and a second high pressure port (122) positioned in the path described by the cavity (314) around the hub axis (306).