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

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of manufactureVSAvoidfluid flow losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidperformance adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverobustnessVSAvoidfluid flow losses
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4240942B1Rotor unit assembly
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 BAE SYSTEMS PLC
  • EP4240942B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4240942B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4240942B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

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).