Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140064919 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO POSITION VARIABLE DIFFUSER VANES IN A COMPRESSOR DEVICE - Embodiments of a system and method can modify the position of diffuser vanes to improve performance of a compressor device, e.g., a centrifugal compressor. These embodiments include a feedback loop to manage the position of the diffuser vanes relative to one or more operating characteristics of an actuator that imparts movement to the diffuser vanes. In one embodiment, the system and method measure the operating characteristic for the actuator with the diffuser vanes at a first position and a second position. The system can compare values for the operating characteristics, wherein changes in the operating characteristic can identify other positions for the diffuser vanes to reduce input power the actuator consumes to move and/or maintain the position of the diffuser vanes. This feature can correlate with optimal performance of the compressor device and with peak compressor efficiency within the entire operating envelope of the compressor device. | 03-06-2014 |
20140064920 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE OF A COMPRESSOR DEVICE COMPRISING VARIABLE DIFFUSER VANES - Embodiments of a system and method can modify the position of diffuser vanes to improve performance of a compressor device, e.g., a centrifugal compressor. These embodiments form a feedback loop to manage the position of the diffuser vanes relative to one or more operating parameters on the compressor device. In one embodiment, the system and method measure input power with the diffuser vanes at a first position and a second position. Changes in the input power will identify other positions for the diffuser vanes that optimize performance of the compressor device, e.g., to reduce power consumption and to achieve and maintain peak compressor efficiency within the entire operating envelope of the compressor device. | 03-06-2014 |
20140064921 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ALIGN VARIABLE DIFFUSER VANE WITH DIRECTION OF FLOW OF WORKING FLUID - Embodiments of systems and methods permit use of variable diffuser vanes in multi-stage compressor devices. These embodiments deploy a flow sensor to identify the direction of flow for a working fluid that transits the stages of the compressor device. In one embodiment, the flow sensor generates a signal, which a controller processes to align a variable diffuser vane with the direction of flow of the working fluid. This configuration pre-empts the operational difficulties of previous designs by providing independent control over the diffuser vanes in the individual stages of the multi-stage compressor device. | 03-06-2014 |
20140064933 | DIFFUSER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING DIFFUSER VANES PIVOTING ABOUT THE LEADING EDGE - Embodiments of a diffuser assembly incorporate a diffuser vane with a trailing edge that changes position to improve flow performance of a compressor device. In one embodiment, the trailing edge rotates about the leading edge. This configuration maintains the position of the leading edge on the diffuser vanes relative to the orientation of the working fluid. | 03-06-2014 |
20140064934 | DIFFUSER VANE FOR A COMPRESSOR DEVICE AND DIFFUSER ASSEMBLY COMPRISED THEREOF - Embodiments of a diffuser vane comprise a vane body with a leading edge and a trialing edge that can rotate about the leading edge to improve performance of a compressor device. This configuration maintains the position of the leading edge on the diffuser vane relative to the orientation of the working fluid. In one embodiment, the diffuser vane incorporates a support element that couples with the vane body. The support element counteracts stimulating frequencies to reduce vibration of the vane body. The diffuser vane can also comprise an armature, which couples with a force coupler to facilitate rotation of the trailing edge when in position in a compressor device. | 03-06-2014 |
20140064948 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A COMPRESSOR DEVICE - Embodiments of a system and method manipulate the position of inlet guide vanes and the drive speed for optimizing performance of a compressor device (e.g., a centrifugal compressor). In one embodiment, the systems and methods can correlate setpoints (e.g., inlet volume flow and discharge pressure) desired for installation and/or implementation of the compressor device with reference data collected as part of in-situ performance testing. This reference data identifies, in one embodiment, a position for the inlet guide vanes and a drive speed for a number of different setpoints at a set of reference conditions (e.g., ambient temperature and ambient pressure). | 03-06-2014 |
20140294645 | ROTARY ELEMENT AND ROTARY DISPLACEMENT DEVICE COMPRISED THEREOF - This disclosure describes new construction for rotary elements that find use in rotary displacement devices, e.g., positive displacement pumps and meters. The proposed construction may incorporate fibers, e.g., carbon fibers, disposed in a resin matrix. This construction can reduce the need to perform secondary processes that are necessary to utilize many rotary elements of conventional design. Moreover, examples of the rotary elements can improve operation of the displacement devices, e.g., by reducing resonance and allowing the displacement device to operate at increased speed. | 10-02-2014 |
20140321988 | DEVICE FOR MODIFYING FLOW PARAMETERS OF WORKING FLUID EXITING A COMPRESSOR DEVICE - This disclosure describes improvements that can expand the operating envelope of a compressor device. These improvements implement devices that vary flow parameters of a working fluid at the exit of the compressor device. In one embodiment, the device utilizes a nozzle that installs into the discharge opening on a volute of a centrifugal compressor. Actuation of the nozzle modifies a flow area through which the working fluid exits the centrifugal compressor. The change in the flow area increases the velocity of the working fluid, without the need to change the operating speed and/or other operating parameters of the centrifugal compressor. | 10-30-2014 |
20140322019 | ROTARY ELEMENT AND COMPRESSOR DEVICE COMPRISED THEREOF - This disclosure describes new construction for rotary elements that find use in compressor devices, e.g., centrifugal compressors and blowers. This construction utilizes composite materials (e.g., carbon fiber composites) that require less machine time and reduce the weight of the rotary element, while meeting the operational characteristics of compressor devices for use in a wide range of industrial applications. In one embodiment, the rotary element has a bi-furcated material design, which uses a first material (e.g., carbon fiber) to form blades and other features of an impeller and a second material (e.g., metal) to form a sleeve with properties that can securely affix the impeller to a drive shaft of the compressor device. | 10-30-2014 |
20150086326 | METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING PERFORMANCE OF A COMPRESSOR USING INLET GUIDE VANES AND DRIVE SPEED AND IMPLEMENTATION THEREOF - A method for optimizing performance of a compressor by adjusting the position of an inlet guide vane and the speed of a drive unit. In one embodiment, the method can compare measured values for operating flow rate and operating pressure for a combination of operating settings for the position and the speed against threshold values for each of these measured values. In this way, the method can identify “how” the compressor is operating and equate such operation to one of a plurality of operation scenarios. In turn, the method can provide an adjustment to one or both of the speed and the position that corresponds with such operating scenario. The method can also vet the selected adjustment to avoid operation of the compressor outside of its safe operating configurations, as defined for example by minimum and maximum values for the position of the inlet guide vane and the speed of the drive unit. | 03-26-2015 |