Screw Expander Adjusting Component for Outlet Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing screw expanders face high power consumption due to significant pressure differences between the air outlet end and the low pressure region, necessitating effective control of the air outlet pressure to match the low pressure region.
Innovation Solution
A screw expander design featuring an adjusting component that moves relative to the expansion screw to alter the opening area of the air inlet or outlet end, controlled by a pressure-sensing module to equalize the air outlet pressure with the low pressure region, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the pressure difference between air outlet end and low pressure region is increased to improve power generation, then power output increases, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a slide valve that can dynamically adjust the opening area of the air outlet end, allowing the system to adapt the pressure difference and flow rate in real-time. This dynamic adjustment enables optimization of both power output and power consumption by matching operating conditions to load requirements, resolving the contradiction between maximizing power generation and minimizing energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of opening area through the slide valve mechanism, allowing continuous adjustment of the air outlet opening. By varying this parameter, the system can optimize the balance between pressure difference (affecting power output) and flow resistance (affecting power consumption), thereby resolving the technical contradiction.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the opening area of air inlet or outlet end is increased to reduce pressure difference, then power consumption decreases, but power output decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide valve provides dynamic control of the opening area, allowing the system to adjust in real-time between power output and power consumption based on operational needs. This dynamic capability enables the system to avoid the static trade-off by adapting to varying load conditions, resolving the contradiction between reducing power consumption and maintaining power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module monitors system parameters and provides feedback to adjust the slide valve position accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables automatic optimization of the opening area to maintain the optimal balance between power output and power consumption, resolving the technical contradiction through closed-loop control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a slide valve is added to adjust opening area, then pressure control capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide valve acts as an intermediary component between the air flow path and the control module. This mediator enables precise pressure control by providing a mechanical means to adjust the opening area, while the control module provides intelligent decision-making. This division of functions achieves high adaptability without requiring the entire system to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the control function from the mechanical structure. The slide valve handles the mechanical adjustment of opening area, while the control module handles the decision-making and coordination. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving high pressure control capability while keeping individual components relatively simple.
4Area of stationary object
If the adjusting component moves to align recess with air outlet end, then opening area of air outlet end increases, but pressure matching capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide valve's ability to move to different positions (aligning recess with air inlet end or air outlet end) provides dynamic adjustment of the effective opening area. This dynamic positioning enables the system to match pressure conditions by selecting appropriate opening configurations, resolving the contradiction between maximizing opening area and maintaining pressure matching capability.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the position parameter of the slide valve (aligned with air inlet end, aligned with air outlet end, or intermediate positions), the system adjusts the effective opening area to match pressure conditions. This parameter change approach enables flexible pressure control while maintaining the ability to maximize opening area when conditions permit.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A screw expander includes a main body (110), at least an expansion screw (120) and an adjusting component (130). The main body (110) has a high pressure region (R1), an expansion region (R2) and a low pressure region (R3). The expansion screw (120) is disposed at the expansion region (R2) and has an air inlet end (120a) and an air outlet end (120b), wherein the air inlet end is connected to the high pressure region, and the air outlet end is connected to the low pressure region. The adjusting component (130) covers the expansion screw (120), and is adapted to move relatively to the expansion screw to change an opening area of the air inlet end or an opening area of the air outlet end, such that a pressure of an air exhausted from the air outlet end is adjusted.