Two piece split scroll for centrifugal compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing unitary scroll design of centrifugal compressors is cumbersome and costly to fabricate, making assembly and servicing difficult due to its large size and weight, and requires the entire scroll to be removed for access to internal components, which complicates maintenance and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece or multicomponent scroll assembly design where the first and second scroll components are detachably coupled using fasteners outside the fluid passage, allowing for easier assembly and maintenance, with a variable geometry diffuser system that can be accessed and serviced without removing the motor, and utilizing a casting process for smoother surface finishes and improved aerodynamic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a unitary scroll design is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but fabrication becomes cumbersome and costly, and assembly and servicing become difficult due to large size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The scroll assembly is divided into multiple detachable components including a first scroll component, a second scroll component, and a collector component. These segmented components can be manufactured separately using standard casting processes, reducing fabrication complexity and cost while maintaining structural integrity through detachable couplings.
2Ease of repair
If a unitary scroll design is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but the entire scroll must be removed for access to internal components, complicating maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The scroll assembly is segmented into removable components (first scroll component, second scroll component, collector) that can be detached from each other. This allows maintenance personnel to access internal components such as the diffuser system and impeller by removing only the necessary scroll component rather than the entire scroll assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser system is extracted as a separate accessible component within the scroll assembly. The variable geometry diffuser can be accessed and serviced by removing the second scroll component, allowing maintenance without removing the motor or other fixed components.
3Ease of operation
If a two-piece split scroll design is used, then assembly and maintenance are simplified, but additional fasteners and coupling mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple scroll components and the collector are merged into a unified assembly using detachable couplings with fasteners. This merging approach simplifies assembly by allowing pre-fabricated components to be quickly joined together, and simplifies maintenance by allowing the same fasteners to easily separate components when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal compressor assembly is provided. The centrifugal compressor assembly includes a scroll assembly having a suction plate defining an inlet fluid passage, a suction plate housing, a diffuser plate, and a collector. The suction plate is detachably coupled to the suction plate housing, the suction plate housing is detachably coupled to the collector, and the diffuser plate is detachably coupled to the collector. The centrifugal compressor assembly further includes an impeller rotatably mounted in the scroll assembly for compressing fluid introduced through the inlet fluid passage, and a variable geometry diffuser system.