Variable-speed oil-free refrigerant centrifugal compressor with variable geometry diffuser
US9212667B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2010 |
| Grant date | Dec 15, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05D2250/52
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A refrigerant compressor includes a housing providing a refrigerant outlet having a throat. An electric motor is provided in the housing to directly drive an impeller via a shaft about an axis in response to a variable speed command. The impeller includes an outlet end aligned with variable geometry diffuser. A magnetic bearing assembly rotationally supports the shaft relative to the housing in response to a magnetic bearing command. A member is arranged to adjust the throat area, and which can move in a direction generally parallel to the axis in response to an actuator receiving a compressor regulation command. A controller is configured to respectively provide the variable speed command, the magnetic bearing command and the compressor regulation command to the electric motor to vary throat area, the magnetic bearing assembly and the actuator to obtain a desired compressor operation without the need of variable inlet geometry.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.