Supersonic Compressor Rotor Asymmetric Flow Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing supersonic compressor systems face limitations in adjusting fluid flow orientation through their flow paths, with known rotors having parallel inlet and outlet surfaces, which restricts design flexibility and increases manufacturing and maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A supersonic compressor rotor with a transition surface that adjusts the flow path orientation, featuring non-parallel inlet and outlet surfaces, and incorporating a plurality of vanes and a supersonic compression ramp to facilitate compression waves within the flow channel, allowing for axial or radial fluid flow paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If parallel inlet and outlet surfaces are used in known rotors, then manufacturing is simpler, but flow path orientation adjustment capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow path orientation adjustment capabilityVSAvoidrotor surface geometry complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the inlet and outlet surfaces at different orientations relative to the rotor rotation axis. The inlet surface is oriented substantially parallel to the rotation axis while the outlet surface is oriented substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, creating asymmetric geometry that enables both axial and radial flow path orientations through a single rotor design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The rotor design achieves multi-functionality by enabling a single rotor to handle both axial flow paths (inlet parallel to axis, outlet perpendicular to axis) and radial flow paths (inlet perpendicular to axis, outlet parallel to axis) through the asymmetric surface orientation, eliminating the need for separate rotor designs for different flow configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If non-parallel inlet and outlet surfaces with transition surface are implemented, then design flexibility is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transition surface is configured with varying local properties - it is substantially parallel to the inlet surface at the inlet end and substantially parallel to the outlet surface at the outlet end, while gradually transitioning between these orientations. This local quality variation enables smooth flow path orientation adjustment while maintaining manufacturability through standardized machining processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If axial flow path is used in known systems, then intake and discharge sections can be axially oriented, but discharge section design is constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge section design flexibilityVSAvoidflow channel geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor design enables dynamic adaptability by allowing the same rotor to accommodate both axial and radial discharge configurations through its asymmetric surface orientation. The flow path orientation can be dynamically adjusted based on system requirements without changing the rotor itself, providing flexibility in discharge section design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables cost-effective and reliable fluid channeling from axial to radial or vice versa, enhancing design flexibility and reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs by overcoming flow path orientation limitations in supersonic compressor systems.

Implementation Method 1

at least one supersonic compression ramp positioned within said flow channel to facilitate forming at least one compression wave within said flow channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression wave: Shock Wave

Data Source

PatentEP2423511B1A supersonic compressor rotor and method of assembling same

Publication Date: 2018.05.30 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

A supersonic compressor rotor includes a rotor disk (48) comprising an upstream surface (60), a downstream surface (62), and a radially outer surface (58) that extends between the upstream surface and the downstream surface, the radially outer surface including an inlet surface (148), an outlet surface (150), and a transition surface (152) extending between the inlet surface and the outlet surface, the rotor disk defining a centerline axis (54), a plurality of vanes (46) coupled to the radially outer surface, adjacent the vanes forming a pair and oriented such that a flow channel (86) is defined between each the pair of adjacent vanes, the flow channel extending between an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the inlet surface defining an inlet plane (154) extending between the inlet opening and the transition surface, the outlet surface defining an outlet plane (156) extending between the outlet opening and the transition surface that is not parallel to the inlet plane, and at least one supersonic compression ramp (110) positioned within the flow channel to facilitate forming at least one compression wave (112) within the flow channel.