Supersonic Compressor Rotor Oblique Shockwave Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supersonic compressor systems experience reduced operating efficiency due to the formation of normal shockwaves, which decrease fluid energy and increase entropy, as fluid passes through the compression ramp, leading to subsonic velocities and energy loss.
Innovation Solution
The supersonic compressor rotor incorporates a supersonic compression ramp positioned within the flow channel, configured to prevent the formation of normal shockwaves by creating oblique shockwaves that maintain supersonic fluid velocities and reduce entropy rise, ensuring the fluid remains supersonic at the outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a normal shockwave is formed within the flow channel, then the fluid velocity is reduced to subsonic, but the fluid energy is reduced and operating efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the compression ramp (angle, length, position) to transform the shockwave structure from normal to oblique, thereby changing the flow parameters to maintain supersonic velocity and reduce energy loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a curved or angled compression ramp surface instead of a flat perpendicular surface, creating oblique shockwaves that gradually compress the fluid while maintaining supersonic flow, rather than causing abrupt normal shockwave deceleration
2Stress or pressure
If a normal shockwave is formed within the flow channel, then compression is achieved, but entropy rise increases and operating efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the compression ramp parameters (angle alpha, length L, position) to create a series of weak oblique shockwaves instead of a single strong normal shockwave, achieving the required pressure rise with minimal entropy generation
Solution Approach 2:
The compression process is segmented into multiple gradual compression stages through the use of an extended compression ramp that creates multiple weak oblique shockwaves, distributing the compression work to reduce entropy rise at each stage
3Power
If the compression ramp is positioned within the axial flow path, then compression waves are formed, but normal shockwaves reduce fluid energy and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The compression ramp is designed with a specific angular geometry that generates oblique shockwaves, allowing compression power to be maintained while avoiding the energy loss associated with normal shockwaves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the compression ramp to create a dynamic flow pattern where oblique shockwaves continuously compress the fluid along the ramp surface, maintaining supersonic flow dynamics throughout the compression process rather than transitioning to subsonic
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 enhances the operating efficiency of the supersonic compressor system by maintaining supersonic fluid velocities and reducing entropy rise, thereby improving energy transfer and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
the supersonic compression ramp is configured to prevent a formation of a normal shockwave within the flow channel
Implementation Method 2
configured to create oblique shockwaves that maintain supersonic fluid velocities
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A supersonic compressor rotor includes a rotor disk (48) including a body extending between a radially inner surface (56) and a radially outer surface (58), a plurality of vanes (46) coupled to the body, the vanes extending outwardly from the rotor disk (48), adjacent vanes forming a pair (74) and oriented such that a flow channel is defined between each the pair of adjacent vanes, the flow channel extending between an inlet opening (76) and an outlet opening (78), and at least one supersonic compression ramp (98) positioned within the flow channel (80), the supersonic compression ramp configured to condition a fluid being channeled through the flow channel such that the fluid is characterized by a first velocity at the inlet opening and a second velocity at the outlet opening, each of the first velocity and the second velocity being supersonic with respect to the rotor disk surfaces.