Screw Compressor Slide Valve Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing screw compressor designs face an issue where increasing the discharge port opening area to reduce pressure loss results in a larger casing size, compromising the compressor's size and strength.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple separate valve members with arc-shaped cross sections and different axial displacements and inclinations within the slide valve mechanism allows for increased discharge port area without enlarging the casing, optimizing the compressor's size and reducing pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the discharge port opening area is increased to reduce pressure loss, then the pressure loss is reduced, but the casing size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single large valve member is divided into multiple separate valve members (first valve member and second valve member). Each valve member has its own valve housing portion and can be independently sized. This segmentation allows the total discharge port area to be increased while each individual valve member remains compact, preventing the overall casing size from increasing proportionally.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve members are arranged in the axial direction of the screw rotor rather than just radially. By utilizing the axial dimension, the discharge port area is increased through multiple stacked valve members rather than enlarging a single radial component, which helps maintain a compact overall casing size.
2Area of moving object
If the valve member size is increased to increase the opening area, then the opening area is increased, but the projecting amount increases and the valve housing portion size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is segmented into multiple smaller valve members instead of one large valve member. Each valve member (52A, 52B) has a smaller individual opening area but collectively they provide a larger total discharge area. This allows the valve housing portions to be more compact since each houses only a smaller valve member.
3Loss of energy
If multiple separate valve members are used to increase discharge port area, then the pressure loss is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve members are combined within a unified slide valve mechanism structure. The valve members share common valve housing portions and are integrated into the same compression chamber system. This merging approach allows the system to benefit from multiple valve members (reduced pressure loss) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through integration.
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 configuration effectively reduces the compressor's casing size while maintaining structural integrity and minimizing pressure loss, enhancing the efficiency and capacity control of the compressor.
Implementation Method 1
a valve member having an inner surface (the surface positioned inward in the radial direction of the casing) substantially bordering the outer periphery of the screw rotor with an oil film interposed therebetween
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a screw compressor (1) including a slide valve mechanism (50) configured to adjust an opening area of a cylinder opening (51A, 51B) of a cylinder (25) of a casing (10). A plurality of valve members (52A, 52B) are arranged for a single compression chamber, and move in an axial direction of a screw rotor to adjust the opening area of the cylinder opening (51A, 51B). The casing (10) has a plurality of valve housing portions (53A, 53B) housing the valve members (52A, 52B), respectively.