Centrifugal compressor assembly and method
US9353765B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2339/0242
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A centrifugal compressor assembly for compressing refrigerant in a 250-ton capacity or larger chiller system comprising a motor, preferably a compact, high energy density motor or permanent magnet motor, for driving a shaft at a range of sustained operating speeds under the control of a variable speed drive. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises a mixed flow impeller and a vaneless diffuser sized such that a final stage compressor operates with an optimal specific speed range for targeted combinations of head and capacity, while a non-final stage compressor operates above the optimum specific speed of the final stage compressor. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises an integrated inlet flow conditioning assembly comprising a flow conditioning nose, a plurality of inlet guide vanes and a flow conditioning body that positions inlet guide vanes to condition flow of refrigerant into an impeller to achieve a target approximately constant angle swirl distribution with minimal guide vane turning.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.