Vaneless Contra-Rotating Compressor with Multiple Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vaneless contra-rotating compressor technologies are limited by their single contra-rotating interface design, which restricts aerodynamic gain and complicates structural implementation, hindering their practical application in fan/compressor components due to technical barriers such as complex support structures and unclear internal flow mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A vaneless contra-rotating compressor with multiple contra-rotating interfaces is developed, utilizing planetary gear systems and overhanging rotor blades to create two or more contra-rotating interfaces without stator vanes, allowing upstream rotors to provide negative pre-swirl for downstream rotors, enhancing relative velocity and pressurization potential while reducing axial length and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single contra-rotating interface is used in vaneless contra-rotating compressor, then the structure is simpler, but the aerodynamic gain is extremely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single contra-rotating interface into multiple contra-rotating interfaces by segmenting the compressor stages. Instead of having one interface between upstream and downstream rotors, the patent creates multiple interfaces across different stage groups, allowing each interface to contribute to aerodynamic gain while distributing the complexity across modular units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane contra-rotating interface to multiple interfaces distributed across different axial positions and rotational planes. This dimensional expansion allows the system to achieve cumulative aerodynamic benefits while maintaining structural manageability through spatial distribution.
2Productivity
If multiple contra-rotating interfaces are implemented, then the aerodynamic gain is improved, but the structural implementation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the compressor into multiple stage groups, each containing contra-rotating interfaces. This segmentation allows the complex multiple-interface structure to be broken down into manageable modules, where each module can be designed and analyzed independently while contributing to the overall aerodynamic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal contra-rotating interface modules that can be replicated across different stages. Each module serves multiple functions: providing aerodynamic gain through contra-rotation, maintaining structural integrity, and enabling modular assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for unique structural solutions at each interface.
3Device complexity
If stator vanes are retained at the last stage of upstream fan, then the support structure is simpler, but the aerodynamic gain from vaneless contra-rotation is not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the stator vanes from the contra-rotating interfaces, creating true vaneless contra-rotation. By taking out the stator vanes that would otherwise simplify the support structure, the patent enables the downstream rotors to directly utilize the negative pre-swirl from upstream rotors, maximizing aerodynamic gain while managing support structure complexity through alternative design approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of increased structural complexity into benefit by eliminating stator vanes. The removal of stator vanes, while potentially complicating support requirements, enables full utilization of vaneless contra-rotation aerodynamic effects, which ultimately leads to improved overall system performance and efficiency that compensates for the structural challenges.
4Weight of moving object
If the number of compressor stages is reduced through contra-rotation, then the weight is reduced, but the structural implementation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reduced-compressor structure into multiple contra-rotating interface modules, making the compact design manufacturable through modular assembly. Instead of creating one complex reduced-stage structure, the patent divides it into repeatable modules that can be manufactured separately and assembled, easing the manufacturing process while maintaining weight reductions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into the contra-rotating rotor assemblies, combining compression, contra-rotation, and structural support functions into integrated units. This merging reduces the total number of separate components and stages needed, achieving weight reduction while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through fewer discrete parts.
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 design achieves higher pressurization potential, reduces the number of compressor stages and weight, and overcomes structural complexity issues, enabling more efficient and compact compressor designs with improved aerodynamic performance.
Implementation Method 1
the upstream rotors may provide negative pre-swirl for the downstream rotors, such that the relative velocity and pressurization potential of the downstream rotors is improved
Implementation Method 2
A rotating direction of an upstream rotor of the two vaneless contra-rotating rotors and a rotating direction of a downstream rotor of the two vaneless contra-rotating rotors are opposite
Implementation Method 3
utilizing planetary gear systems and overhanging rotor blades to create two or more contra-rotating interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A vaneless contra-rotating compressor with multiple contra-rotating interfaces and application of the vaneless contra-rotating compressor is provided, which includes at least two vaneless contra-rotating interfaces. For each of the at least two contra-rotating interfaces, the contra-rotating interface corresponds to two of vaneless contra-rotating rotors. A rotating direction of an upstream rotor of the two vaneless contra-rotating rotors and a rotating direction of a downstream rotor of the two vaneless contra-rotating rotors are opposite. Rectifier stator vanes are not provided among all the rotors to supply sufficient inlet negative pre-swirl for the downstream rotors through the upstream rotors. Only the outlet guide vanes of the last stage, of the vaneless contra-rotating rotors are provided. The number of stages and the number of vaneless contra-rotating interfaces may be set flexibly according to the actual pressurization requirements.