Centrifugal compressor assembly and method
US9556875B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF04D29/441
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- 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 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.