RU2785955C1 - Element and device for gas compression or expansion, method for element control and elastic component for use in element - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: compressing or expanding gas devices.

SUBSTANCE: inventions group relates to an element and a device for compressing or expanding gas, a method for controlling the element and an elastic component for use in the element. The element contains a rigid body (2), including an inner chamber, at least one rotor (3a, 3b) located in the inner chamber and containing an axle (4a, 4b), one or more bearings (7), in which the axle (4a, 4b) the rotor (3a, 3b) is supported. The rotor (3a, 3b) with the axis (4a, 4b) is rotatably mounted relative to the housing (2) by means of bearings (7). The rotor (3a, 3b) is mounted with one or more gaps relative to the wall (5) of the inner chamber. The element (1) is provided with a separate elastic component (10) containing a fixed part having a fixed position relative to the housing (2) and a positionally adjustable part relative to the housing (2). The positionally adjustable part is configured to act on at least one of the gaps. The component (10) is not attached directly to the rotor (3a, 3b).

EFFECT: inventions group is aimed at creating a reliable, but at the same time purposeful and flexible control of one or more gaps in an element for compressing or expanding gas.

29 cl, 11 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to an element for compressing or expanding a gas and a method for controlling such an element.

More specifically, the invention relates to an element containing a rigid body containing an inner chamber and a rotor located in said inner chamber, wherein said rotor is installed with one or more gaps relative to the wall of the inner chamber, and said element is provided with a separate elastic component, which is positionally adjustable relative to said housing in such a way that at least one of said gaps can be influenced.

Elements are known from the prior art, in which the gas can undergo compression or expansion between the inlet and outlet of said element during the rotation of one or more rotors in the housing, while the inner chamber in said housing is divided by said rotors into a plurality of working chambers practically isolated from each other, which are under different pressure and during the rotation of the rotors move from the said inlet to the said outlet.

In this case, the rotors are installed in the inner chamber with one or more gaps relative to the wall of the inner chamber and/or relative to each other to prevent mechanical contact between the rotors and the wall of the inner chamber and/or between the rotors with each other. Such mechanical contact can eventually lead to excessive mechanical stresses in the rotors or housing which cause damage to the element.

These gaps, on the one hand, should not be too large in order to prevent excessive leakage flows between the working chambers, which leakage flows reduce the efficiency of the element.

On the other hand, said clearances cannot always be or remain reduced to the required minimum due to:

- machining tolerances for element components;

- thermal expansion of the element components during element operation;

- vibration of the rotors during the operation of the element;

- mechanical stress on the element components during element operation as a result of compressive forces on one or more rotors combined with excessive bearing compression and deflection of the rotors;

- wear or deposition of dirt on the surfaces of the components of the element over time.

The expression "during the operation of the element" in this case means that the element is in working condition, in which the rotors of the element rotate.

In addition, the required size of the gaps depends on the different operating conditions of the element.

Immediately after the start of the element, when the temperature of the element is relatively low compared to the nominal operating conditions, relatively large gaps are able to give the element mechanical stability.

When the element is operating at idle, in which the element is already rotating but must not supply or receive any or virtually no power to or from the gas, relatively large clearances are also desirable to limit such input or output compared to the element at full load. .

When the element is operating at high speeds, in which increased vibration occurs at the resonant frequency of the rotor(s) and/or bearings, large clearances are also desirable to provide mechanical stability to the element.

Under nominal operating conditions, when the element temperature is relatively high relative to the temperature during element start-up, relatively small gaps can also provide high compression efficiency.

This has necessitated a system to actively manage clearances in said element during operation of the element.

US 10,539,137 B2 describes a compressor element containing

- housing with a channel;

- a helical rotor configured to be installed with a certain clearance of the rotor in said channel during operation of the compressor element;

- an adjustable bearing, for example a magnetic bearing, in which said helical rotor is mounted; and

- a controller configured to control said adjustable bearing during operation of the compressor element in such a way that the adjustable bearing moves the rotor so that the rotor gap is subjected to decrease or increase.

However, bearings, and in particular magnetic bearings, are usually rather unreliable components of the compressor element, which can easily be damaged during their operation as a result of excessive mechanical loads and the resulting possible mutual displacements between the parts of the bearing.

In particular, a specific disadvantage of the magnetic bearing is the very low rigidity, which does not allow sufficient damping of vibrations in the element, which occur due to pulsations during compression and expansion of the gas. Vibrations in the element can lead to significant sharp deviations between the parts of the magnetic bearing and, accordingly, the element.

Thus, it is not advisable to control the gaps in the element for compressing or expanding the gas based on the mutual positions of the parts of the bearings.

The technical problem of the present invention is to provide a solution to at least one of the above and/or other disadvantages resulting from the control of gaps in a gas compression or expansion element based on the relative position of the bearing parts. Thus, the technical result to be achieved is to create a reliable, but targeted and flexible control of one or more gaps in the element for compressing or expanding gas. To this end, the invention relates to an element for compressing or expanding a gas, containing

- a rigid body containing an inner chamber;

- a rotor located in said inner chamber and containing the axis of the rotor; and

- one or more bearings in which said rotor axis is supported, while the rotor with its rotor axis is mounted for rotation relative to said housing by means of these bearings,

wherein said rotor is installed with one or more gaps relative to the wall of the inner chamber,

moreover, said element is characterized in that this element is provided with a separate elastic component containing

- a fixed part occupying a fixed or practically fixed position relative to the body; and

a part which is positionally adjustable with respect to the body, said positionally adjustable part being capable of acting on at least one of said gaps,

wherein said separate resilient component is not attached directly to the rotor.

In this case, the expression "rigid body" means a body in which, under the operating conditions of the element, when the body is deformed, the deviation of a certain point of the body relative to other points of the body remains limited to 10 microns.

In this case, the expression "supported" in one or more bearings means that the rotor axis is firmly fixed in its axial and radial directions relative to the part of said one or more bearings that co-rotates with respect to the rotor axis.

The expression "elastic component" in this case means a component containing a surface, the point of which, under the action of a force on said surface, in comparison with the initial position relative to the body, when said force is not applied to said surface, can be moved by at least 30 μm in direction of said force without plastic deformation of the given component.

The expression "separate elastic component" in this case means that the elastic component is not made in one piece with the body. In other words, the separate resilient component does not form part of the housing and can be respectively installed in or removed from said element separately from the housing.

In this case, the expression "fixed part occupying a fixed or substantially fixed position relative to the body" means that any movement of said fixed part relative to the body does not significantly affect said one or more gaps.

In this case, the expression "a part that is positionally adjustable with respect to the body" means that at least one point of said positionally adjustable part can be displaced relative to a certain point of the body.

The advantage is that by placing a single resilient component in a rigid housing, it is possible to exert a more localized and directed action on the gaps than if the entire housing were implemented resiliently.

The implementation of said separate elastic component separately from the housing also facilitates the connection of the individual elastic component with a housing of different material to each other or the production of a separate elastic component and a housing based on different manufacturing techniques.

By influencing said gaps, an optimal balance can be achieved between preventing excessive leakage flows in the element between the rotor and the wall of the inner chamber, on the one hand, and preventing large mechanical stresses between the rotor and the housing in the area of the wall of the inner chamber, on the other hand.

In addition, a separate elastic component makes it possible to act on the gaps between the rotor and the wall of the inner chamber without the need in this case to directly affect the operation of the bearings or the mutual positions of the bearing parts.

It is also advantageous that the positional control of the individual elastic component relative to the housing can be carried out without having to take into account the influence of the rotation of the rotor on the individual elastic component during operation of the element, such as, for example, the centrifugal force acting on the individual elastic component.

In a preferred embodiment of the element, one bearing of said one or more bearings is entirely movable relative to the housing; and said positionally adjustable part is configured to contact a part of said bearing that does not rotate relative to the housing, and in this case to exert force on this non-rotating part.

Thus, the mentioned bearing as a whole, together with the rotor, is subjected to displacement relative to the housing.

In the preferred embodiment of the element described below, said positionally adjustable portion is movable respectively into or out of at least one of said gaps.

Thus, by means of said positionally adjustable part, at least one of said gaps is sealed or opened.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention described below, said element comprises a plurality of rotors, wherein said plurality of rotors are installed with mutual clearance in such a way that a plurality of working chambers practically isolated from each other are formed by means of rotors in the inner chamber, and said positionally adjustable part is configured to change said mutual clearance between the rotors in size.

The advantage in this case is that excessive mechanical stresses and/or leakage flows between the rotors can also be prevented, so that said clearances can be set optimally for each operating mode of the element.

In the preferred embodiment of the element according to the invention described below, said separate resilient component comprises a radial rotary positioner designed in such a way that the rotor and housing, taking into account the axis of the rotor, can be displaced radially relative to each other.

Thus, the radial clearance, corresponding to the axis of the rotor, in the element between the rotor(s) and the wall of the inner chamber and/or between the rotors can be increased or decreased.

In a more preferred embodiment of the element according to the present invention, at least one of the aforementioned bearings is a radial bearing which is entirely movable relative to the housing; and said radial rotary positioner comprises a first deformable element, wherein said first deformable element is configured to contact a non-rotating part of the radial bearing with respect to the housing, and in this case to exert force on that non-rotating part.

Thus, said radial bearing as a whole, together with the rotor, is subject to displacement relative to the housing.

In the preferred embodiment of the element according to the invention described below, said separate resilient component comprises an axial rotary positioner designed in such a way that the rotor and housing, taking into account the rotor axis, can be displaced axially relative to each other.

Thus, the axial clearance, in accordance with the axis of the rotor, in the element between the rotor and the wall of the inner chamber can be increased or decreased.

If said element contains a plurality of rotors, then the mutual gap between the rotors can also be changed in size by axial movement, in accordance with its rotor axis, of one of the said plurality of rotors relative to the housing.

In a more preferred embodiment of the element according to the present invention, at least one of the aforementioned bearings is an axial bearing which is entirely movable relative to the housing; and said axial rotary positioner comprises a second deformable element, wherein said second deformable element is configured to contact a non-rotating portion of the axial bearing relative to the housing, and in this case to exert force on that non-rotating portion.

Thus, the mentioned axial bearing as a whole, together with the rotor, is subjected to displacement relative to the housing.

In the preferred embodiment of the element according to the invention described below, said separate elastic component comprises a radially adaptable annular element surrounding the rotor axis, wherein the outer perimeter of said radially adaptable annular element is firmly fixed relative to the housing and said radially adaptable annular element is designed in such a way that the outer inner radius , radial in accordance with the axis of the rotor, said radially adaptable annular element can be changed in size.

By reducing or increasing said outer inner radius of said radially adaptable annular element, the radial clearance, in accordance with the rotor axis, in the element between the rotor axis and the housing, can be respectively sealed or opened by said radially adaptable annular element.

In the preferred embodiment of the element according to the invention described below, said inner chamber comprises a channel in accordance with the direction of the rotor axis.

In a more preferred embodiment of this element, said separate elastic component comprises an axially adaptable element that is attached to the end surface of said channel, wherein said axially adaptable element has a first particular deformable shape configured to seal or open an axial gap, in accordance with the axis of the rotor , between the rotor and the end surface so that the first working chamber in the inner chamber can be suitably isolated from or in fluid communication with the second working chamber in the inner chamber.

In a more preferred embodiment of this element described below, said separate resilient component comprises a radially adaptable element attached to the rotation surface of said channel, said radially adaptable element having a second particular deformable shape capable of sealing or opening a radial gap, in accordance with the axis of the rotor , between the rotor and the surface of revolution in such a way that the third working chamber in the inner chamber can be suitably isolated from or in fluid communication with the fourth working chamber in the inner chamber.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention described below, said element comprises mechanical, hydraulic and/or pneumatic means for positioning said positionally adjustable part relative to the housing.

The advantage is that such mechanical, hydraulic and/or pneumatic means is mechanically reliable and that elastic components which are positionally adjustable by means of such mechanical, hydraulic and/or pneumatic means are capable of withstanding higher mechanical loads than elastic components which are are positionally adjustable by, for example, (electro)magnetic means, as is the case with a magnetic bearing.

Another advantage is that the movement of the mechanical means, or the pressure to actuate the hydraulic or pneumatic means, can be precisely controlled, in any case more precise than, for example, the temperature to actuate the thermal means, which may cause thermal expansion or compression of the positionally adjustable part of the individual elastic component.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention described below, said element comprises a controller for driving said positionally adjustable part.

With such a controller, one or more of said gaps can be acted upon without the need for manual intervention in the operation of the element by a human operator.

The invention relates to a device for compressing or expanding a gas, containing an element in accordance with one of the embodiments described above.

It goes without saying that such a device has the same advantages as the element according to one of the above described embodiments.

In addition, the invention also relates to a separate elastic component for use in an element in accordance with one of the above described embodiments or in accordance with the above described device.

In addition, the invention also relates to a method for controlling an element for compressing or expanding a gas, said element comprising

- a rigid body containing an inner chamber;

- a rotor located in said inner chamber and containing the axis of the rotor; and

- one or more bearings in which said rotor axis is supported, wherein said rotor with its rotor axis is rotatably mounted relative to the housing by means of these bearings,

wherein said rotor is installed with one or more gaps relative to the wall of the inner chamber,

moreover, said method is characterized in that said method includes the step of acting on at least one of said gaps by positional regulation of the positionally adjustable part of the individual elastic component of the said element relative to the housing, while the fixed part of the individual elastic component is held in a stationary or practically stationary position relative to the housing , and

however, this separate elastic component is not attached directly to the rotor.

It goes without saying that such a device has the same advantages as the element according to one of the above described embodiments.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least one of said one or more gaps is controlled during operation of the element.

The advantage in this case is that during operation the clearances can be controlled based on the operating conditions of the element and accordingly an optimal balance can be struck between preventing excessive leakage flows in the element on the one hand and avoiding high mechanical stresses between rotor and housing on the other hand. zone of the wall of the inner chamber, on the other hand.

In order to more clearly demonstrate the characteristics of the invention, some preferred embodiments of the element according to the invention for compressing or expanding a gas are described below, by way of example without any limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 shows a section through a first embodiment of an element according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows in more detail part of the first separate elastic component in the element shown in Fig. 1;

3 shows a section through a second alternative embodiment of an element according to the present invention;

Fig.4 shows in more detail in section the second separate elastic component in the element shown in Fig.3;

Fig. 5 shows a section through a third alternative embodiment of an element according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 shows in more detail in section the section indicated by F6 in Fig. 5, which section shows the third separate elastic component in the element shown in Fig. 5;

7 shows a sectional view of a fourth alternative embodiment of an element according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 shows in more detail, in section, the portion indicated by F8 in Fig. 7, which portion shows the fourth separate elastic component in the element shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 shows a sectional view of a fifth alternative embodiment of an element according to the present invention;

Fig. 10 shows in more detail, in section, the region indicated by F10 in Fig. 9, which region shows the fifth individual elastic component in the element shown in Fig. 9; and

11 shows a sectional view of a sixth alternative embodiment of an element according to the present invention.

The terminology used is only intended to describe by way of example the preferred embodiments and should not be taken as limiting the scope of patent protection as defined in the claims.

Terms in the singular may also refer to these terms in the plural.

Although the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" or "fifth" are used below to refer to various deformable elements, cavities, pressures or working chambers, these deformable elements, cavities, pressures or working chambers are not limited to these terms. . These terms are mainly used to distinguish the type of deformable element, cavity, pressure or working chamber. Where terms such as "first", "second", "third", "fourth", or "fifth" are used below, these terms do not indicate any particular sequence or order. And so the first deformable element, cavity, pressure or working chamber can be exactly the same, for example, the second or third deformable element, cavity, pressure or working chamber without departing in this case from the scope of the exemplary embodiments. It should also be noted that a plurality of first, second, third, fourth or fifth deformable elements, cavities, pressures or working chambers may be provided.

1 shows an element 1 according to the present invention for compressing a gas.

Said element 1 contains a rigid body 2 containing an inner chamber. Said housing 2 is in this case made up of several parts which can be easily connected to each other or disconnected, respectively, to install the rotor 3a, 3b in or remove it from the inner chamber.

In the element 1 shown in figure 1, two rotors 3a, 3b are located, each containing a rotor axis 4a, 4b in an inner chamber. In this case, the said two rotors 3a, 3b are made in the form of two helical rotors in mutual engagement, installed with gaps relative to the wall 5 of the inner chamber and relative to each other, while the inner chamber is divided by helical rotors into a plurality of working chambers isolated from each other, except for gaps.

As the rotors 3a, 3b rotate, the gas will be sucked from the inlet 6 into the working chamber connected to this inlet in the inner chamber. With further rotation of the rotors 3a, 3b, this working chamber will move axially, relative to the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor, from the inlet 6 and will be isolated from the inlet 6, after which, with further rotation of the rotors 3a, 3b, the gas sucked into the working chamber will be be subjected to compression.

This means that in the working chambers arranged axially in series, relative to the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor, from the inlet 6, the sucked-in gas in the inner chamber is subjected to compression with an ever-increasing pressure.

Due to the difference in pressure between said successive working chambers, gas leakage flows occur through said gaps in the direction of the inlet 6.

The axes 4a, 4b of the rotors 3a, 3b are supported by bearings 7, while the rotors 3a, 3b with their axes 4a, 4b are mounted for rotation relative to the housing 2 by means of bearings 7.

Bearings 7 can be implemented as:

- a radial bearing 8 capable of receiving a mechanical load, radial relative to the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor; and/or

- an axial bearing 9 capable of absorbing a mechanical load axial with respect to the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor.

Although the bearings 7 shown in FIG. 1 are located around the end of the rotor axis 4a, 4b remote from the element inlet 6, it is not excluded within the scope of this invention that the bearings 7 are located at the end of the rotor axis 4a, 4b near the inlet 6.

Without any preference, element 1 in this case is an oil injected compressor element.

It is not excluded within the scope of the present invention that said element is a compressor element without oil injection in the inner chamber, in which the rotations of the rotors in the inner chamber are synchronized, for example, by means of intermeshing gears on the axes of these rotors.

It is also possible within the scope of the present invention that said element is a gas expansion element.

In order to act on at least one of said gaps, the body 2 is provided with at least one separate elastic component 10 which is positionally adjustable with respect to the body 2.

The expression "acting on one of the gaps" means that by means of a separate elastic component 10 the minimum cross section of the gap between the rotor 3a, 3b and the wall 5 of the inner chamber or between the rotors 3a, 3b

- undergoes a decrease or increase; and/or

- subjected to sealing or opening.

In the case of the element 1 shown in figure 1, a separate elastic component 10 is implemented in the form of a radial rotary positioner 11, and said radial rotary positioner 11 is configured to radially displace the rotor 3a, 3b and housing 2 in accordance with the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor relative to each other.

2 shows a more detailed and specific example of a part of such a radial rotary positioner 11.

The radial rotary positioner 11 includes a first deformable element 12 containing a through hole 13.

In the through hole 13, the non-rotating part of one of the bearings 7 relative to the housing, which in this case is a radial bearing 8, must be firmly fixed.

In addition, the first deformable element 12 contains a number of first cavities 14, isolated or substantially isolated from the inner chamber, each of the first cavities 14 is under a separate first pressure, while in a plane perpendicular to the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor, the first 14a of the mentioned of the first cavities 14 is located directly opposite at least one second 14b of these first cavities 14 relative to the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor.

The first deformable member 12 is configured and adjusted in such a way that when the first pressure in the first 14a of the first cavities 14 is increased,

- the volume of said first 14a of the first cavities 14 is increased; and

- the first pressure in said at least one second 14b of the first cavities 14 is reduced in such a way that the volume of said at least one second 14b of the first cavities 14 is reduced,

so that the radial bearing 8 together with the rotor 3a, 3b is displaced relative to the housing 2 in a radial direction relative to the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor towards said at least one second 14b of the first cavities 14.

More specifically, the radial rotary positioner 11 comprises an outer ring 15, an inner ring 16, and a space isolated or substantially isolated from the inner chamber between the outer ring 15 and the inner ring 16.

In this case, the outer ring 15 is firmly fixed relative to the housing 2, for example, by means of a flange 15a, which is part of the outer ring 15, and the inner ring 16 is firmly attached to the non-rotating part of the radial bearing 8 relative to the housing 2.

It is possible in this case, within the scope of this invention, that the outer ring 15 is firmly attached to the non-rotating part of the radial bearing 8 relative to the housing 2, and the inner ring 16 is firmly attached to the housing 2.

The radial rotary positioner 11 is here provided with a spring structure 17 in the aforementioned space between the outer ring 15 and the inner ring 16, the spring structure 17 being connected to the outer ring 15 on one side and to the inner ring 16 on the other side. Thus, the aforementioned space is divided into a plurality of mutually separated, essentially circular segment-shaped compartments, each of these compartments serving as one of the aforementioned first cavities 14.

Each of these compartments may be provided with a connection point (not shown in Figure 1 or 2) for supplying or discharging working fluid to increase or decrease the initial pressure in each of these compartments, respectively.

The part of the radial rotary positioner shown in FIG. 2 also includes disc sealing plates (not shown in FIG. 2) which, corresponding to the rotor axis 4a, 4b, are axially attached to both sides of the outer ring 15 and serve to seal the space between outer ring 15 and inner ring 16 in accordance with the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor axially from the inner chamber.

Fig.3 shows a second alternative implementation of the element 1 according to this invention.

In the case of the element 1 shown in figure 3, the individual elastic components 10 are implemented in the form of an axial rotary positioner 18, and said axial rotary positioner 18 is configured to move the rotor 3a, 3b and housing 2 axially in accordance with the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor relative to each other.

The axial rotary positioner 18 is located between the housing 2 and the non-rotating part relative to the housing 2 of at least one of the bearings 7, which in this case should be the axial bearing 9.

4 shows a more detailed and specific example of such an axial rotary positioner 18.

The axial rotary positioner 18 includes a second deformable element which contains a second cavity 20 isolated or substantially isolated from the inner chamber.

In this case, the second deformable element 19 is made and adjusted in such a way that the axial, in accordance with the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor, the size of the second deformable element 19 increases or decreases with an increase or decrease in the second pressure in the second cavity 20, respectively.

To this end, the second deformable element 19 may be provided with a connection point 35 for supplying or discharging a working fluid to increase or decrease the second pressure in the second cavity 20, respectively.

With an increase in the axial size of the second deformable element 19, the second deformable element 19 displaces the axial bearing 9 together with the rotor 3a, 3b in the axial direction, in accordance with the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor, relative to the housing 2. With a decrease in the axial size of the second deformable element 19, the axial the bearing 9 and the rotor 3a, 3b can return to their original position axially in accordance with the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor.

Thus, the axial clearance corresponding to the rotor axis 4a, 4b between the rotor 3a, 3b and the casing 2 can be increased or decreased.

Fig.5 shows a third alternative implementation of the element 1 according to this invention.

In the case of the element 1 shown in FIG. 5, the individual elastic components 10 are implemented as a radially adaptable annular element 21 surrounding the rotor axis 4a, 4b. The outer perimeter 22 of the radially adaptable annular element 21 is firmly fixed relative to the housing 2. In addition, the radially adaptable annular element 21 is designed in such a way that the radial outer inner radius 23 in accordance with the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor of the radially adaptable annular element 21 can be changed in size .

"Radial outer inner radius corresponding to the rotor axis of the radially adaptable annular element" means a straight radius

- located in a plane perpendicular to the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor;

- the first end point of which is located on the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor;

- the second end point of which is the point of the radially adaptable annular element 21; and

- each point of which between the first end point and the second end point is not a point of a radially adaptable annular element.

6 shows a more detailed and specific example of a radially adaptable annular element 21.

The radially adaptable annular element 21 comprises an annular third deformable element 24 which contains a third cavity 25 isolated or substantially isolated from the inner chamber.

Said third deformable member 24 is configured such that the radial outer inner radius 243 corresponding to the rotor axis 4a, 4b decreases or increases as the third pressure in the third cavity 25 increases or decreases, respectively.

To this end, the third deformable member 24 may be provided with a connection point (not shown in FIGS. 5 or 6) for supplying or discharging a working fluid to increase or decrease the third pressure in the third cavity 25, respectively.

As the radial outer inner radius 23 decreases, the radially adaptable annular member 21 expands radially inward around the rotor axis 4a, 4b in correspondence with the rotor axis 4a, 4b. Accordingly, as the radial outer inner radius 23 increases, the radial distance corresponding to the rotor axis 4a, 4b between the radially adaptable ring member 21 and the rotor axis 4a, 4b increases accordingly.

Thus, the radial clearance corresponding to the rotor axis 4a, 4b between the rotor axis 4a, 4b and the casing 2 can be reduced or increased accordingly.

Fig.7 shows a fourth alternative implementation of the element 1 according to this invention.

The inner chamber contains a channel 26 in accordance with the direction of the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor.

In the case of the element 1 shown in Fig.7, the individual elastic components 10 are implemented as an axially adaptable element 27, which is attached to the end surface 28 of the channel 26.

This axially adaptable member 27 has a first particular deformable shape capable of sealing and decompressing the axial gap according to the rotor axis 4a, 4b between the rotor 3a, 3b and the end surface 28, so that the first working chamber in the inner chamber can be suitably insulated from or in fluid communication with the second working chamber in the inner chamber.

Although the end surface 28 shown in FIG. 7 is located on the side of the channel 26 remote from the inlet 6 of the element, it is not excluded within the scope of the present invention that said end surface is located on the side of the channel 26 near the inlet 6.

8 shows a more detailed and specific example of an axially adaptable element 27.

The axially adaptable member 27 includes a fourth deformable member 29 which contains a fourth cavity 30 isolated or substantially isolated from the inner chamber.

The fourth deformable member 29 is configured such that the axial dimension according to the rotor axis 4a, 4b of the fourth deformable member 29 increases or decreases as the fourth pressure in the fourth cavity 30 increases or decreases, respectively.

To this end, the fourth deformable element 29 may be provided with a connection point (not shown in Fig.7 or 8) for supplying or discharging the working fluid to increase or decrease the fourth pressure in the fourth cavity 30, respectively.

As the axial dimension increases in accordance with the rotor axis 4a, 4b of the fourth deformable member 29, the fourth deformable member 29 increases relative to the rotor 3a, 3b in the axial direction in accordance with the rotor axis 4a, 4b. As a result, the axial gap corresponding to the rotor axis 4a, 4b between the rotor 3a, 3b and the housing 2 can be sealed so that the aforementioned first working chamber in the inner chamber can be isolated from the aforementioned second working chamber in the inner chamber.

Accordingly, when the axial size decreases in accordance with the rotor axis 4a, 4b of the fourth deformable member 29, the fourth deformable member 29 of the rotor 3a, 3b decreases in the axial direction in accordance with the rotor axis 4a, 4b. As a result, the axial gap corresponding to the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor between the rotor 3a, 3b and the housing 2 is respectively decompressed in such a way that the aforementioned first working chamber in the inner chamber is in fluid communication with the aforementioned second working chamber in the inner chamber.

It is not excluded within the scope of the present invention that, if the element contains a plurality of rotors, the gap between the end surface on one side and both rotors on the other side can be sealed or opened by the same axially adaptable element.

Fig.9 shows a fifth alternative implementation of the element 1 according to this invention.

In this fifth embodiment, the inner chamber also contains a channel 26 in accordance with the direction of the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor.

In the case of the element 1 shown in Fig.9, the individual elastic components 10 are implemented as a radially adaptable element 31 attached to the surface of rotation 32 of the channel 26.

Said radially adaptable element 31 has a second special deformable shape capable of sealing and decompressing the radial gap in accordance with the rotor axis 4a, 4b between the rotor 3a, 3b and the rotation surface 32, so that the third working chamber in the inner chamber can be suitably insulated or in fluid communication with a fourth working chamber in the inner chamber.

10 shows a more detailed and specific example of a radially adaptable element 31.

The radially adaptable element 31 includes a fifth deformable element 33 which contains a fifth cavity 34 isolated or substantially isolated from the inner chamber.

Said fifth deformable member 33 is configured such that the radial size according to the rotor axis 4a, 4b of the fifth deformable member 33 increases or decreases as the fifth pressure in the fifth cavity 34 increases or decreases, respectively.

To this end, the fifth deformable element 33 may be provided with a connection point (not shown in Fig. 9 or 10) for supplying or discharging a working fluid to increase or decrease the fifth pressure in the fifth cavity 34, respectively.

As the radial size increases in accordance with the rotor axis 4a, 4b of the fifth deformable member 33, the fifth deformable member 33 increases relative to the rotor 3a, 3b in a radial direction relative to the rotor axis 4a, 4b. As a result, the radial gap corresponding to the rotor axis 4a, 4b between the rotor 3a, 3b and the housing 2 can be sealed so that the aforementioned third working chamber in the inner chamber can be isolated from the aforementioned fourth working chamber in the inner chamber.

Accordingly, when the radial size decreases in accordance with the rotor axis 4a, 4b of the fifth deformable member 33, the fifth deformable member 33 of the rotor 3a, 3b decreases in a radial direction with respect to the rotor axis 4a, 4b. As a result, the radial gap corresponding to the axis 4a, 4b of the rotor between the rotor 3a, 3b and the housing 2 is respectively loosened in such a way that the aforementioned third working chamber in the inner chamber is respectively in fluid communication with the aforementioned fourth working chamber in the inner chamber.

It is not excluded within the scope of the present invention that, if the element contains a plurality of rotors, the gap between the rotational surface of the channel on one side and both rotors on the other side can be sealed or decompressed by means of the same radially adaptable element.

Fig.11 shows a sixth alternative implementation of the element 1 according to this invention.

In the aforementioned sixth alternative embodiment, the body 2 is provided with all of the different types of separate elastic components 10 described above.

Said element 1 may also comprise mechanical, hydraulic and/or pneumatic means for positional control of the individual resilient components 10, such as, for example, a mechanical drive or a hydraulic or pneumatic circuit.

In addition, the element 1 may also contain a controller for driving individual elastic components 10.

The clearance control may be performed when the element is not in operation and/or the control may be performed based on a predetermined value before the element 1 is actuated.

The clearance control can also be carried out when said element 1 is in operation.

Clearances can be managed based on:

- measuring the performance of element 1;

- vibration measurements; and/or

- direct measurement of gaps.

Of course, it is not excluded within the scope of the present invention that the body 2 is provided with only some of these different types of individual elastic components 10.

It is also possible, within the scope of the present invention, that a single elastic component combines several technical characteristics or functions of the individual elastic components 10 described above.

It is also possible that element 1 is not a screw compressor element. Other possibilities are, for example, screw fan element, screw vacuum pump element, screw expander element, gear compressor element, toothed fan element, toothed vacuum pump element, toothed expander element, gear compressor element, gear fan element, gear vacuum pump element, gear expander element, turbocharger element, turbofan element, vacuum turbopump element or turbo expander element.

The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described by way of example and shown in the drawings, but the element according to the invention for compressing or expanding a gas can be implemented in several embodiments, shapes and sizes without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (53)

1. An element for compressing or expanding a gas, containing - a rigid body (2) containing an inner chamber; - at least one rotor (3a, 3b) located in the inner chamber and containing the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor; - one or more bearings (7), in which said axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor (3a, 3b) is supported , wherein said rotor (3a, 3b) with its axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor is mounted for rotation relative to the housing ( 2) through these bearings (7), while the rotor (3a, 3b) is installed with one or more gaps relative to the wall (5) of the inner chamber; characterized in that the element (1) is provided with a separate elastic component (10) containing - a fixed part having a fixed position relative to the housing (2); and - a positionally adjustable part relative to the body (2), wherein said positionally adjustable part is configured to act on at least one of said gaps, moreover, a separate elastic component (10) is not attached directly to the rotor (3a, 3b). 2. The element according to claim 1, characterized in that one bearing of said one or more bearings (7) is entirely movable relative to the housing (2); moreover, the mentioned positionally adjustable part is made with the possibility of contact with the non-rotating part of the said bearing relative to the housing (2) and in this case to exert force on this non-rotating part in such a way that the said bearing, together with the rotor (3a, 3b), is subjected to displacement relative to the housing (2). 3. An element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said positionally adjustable part is movable, respectively, into or out of at least one of the gaps in such a way that said at least one of the gaps is sealed or opened by said positionally adjustable part . 4. Element according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the element (1) contains a plurality of rotors (3a, 3b), and the said plurality of rotors (3a, 3b) are installed with a mutual gap in such a way that by means of a plurality of rotors (3a, 3b ) a plurality of isolated working chambers are formed in the inner chamber; and said positionally adjustable part is configured to change the size of said mutual gap. 5. Element according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that said separate elastic component (10) contains a radial rotary positioner (11) made in such a way that the rotor (3a, 3b) and housing (2) relative to the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor can be displaced radially with respect to each other. 6. The element according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the above bearings (7) is a radial bearing (8), which is entirely movable relative to the housing (2); and wherein said radial rotary positioner (11) contains a first deformable element (12), wherein said first deformable element (12) is made with the possibility of contact with a non-rotating relative to the housing (2) part of the radial bearing (8) and in this case to exert force on this non-rotating part in such a way that the entire radial bearing (8) together with the rotor (3a, 3b) is displaced relative to the housing (2). 7. Element according to claim 6, characterized in that said first deformable element (12) comprises several first cavities (14) isolated from the inner chamber, each of said first cavities (14) being under a first pressure, in this case, in a plane perpendicular to the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor, the first (14a) of these first cavities (14) is located directly opposite at least one second (14b) of these first cavities (14) relative to the axis (4a, 4b) rotor, wherein said first deformable element (12) is made in such a way that when the first pressure in said first (14a) of said first cavities (14) is increased, the volume of said first (14a) of said first cavities (14) is increased, and the first the pressure in said at least one second (14b) of said first cavities (14) decreases in such a way that the volume of said at least one second (14b) of said first cavities (14) decreases so that the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor in the radial direction relative to the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor is displaced towards said at least one second (14b) of said first cavities (14). 8. Element according to claim 7, characterized in that the radial rotary positioner (11) comprises an outer ring (15), an inner ring (16) and a space isolated from the inner chamber between the outer ring (15) and the inner ring (16) , while the outer ring (15) is firmly fixed relative to the body (2) and the inner ring (16) is firmly attached to the non-rotating part relative to the body (2) radial bearing (8), or vice versa, and wherein said radial rotary positioner (11) in the aforementioned space is provided with a spring structure (17), which is connected to the outer ring (15) on one side and to the inner ring (16) on the other side in such a way that the aforementioned space is divided into a plurality of mutually compartments isolated from each other, essentially having the shape of a segment of a circle, each of these compartments serving as one of the first cavities (14) mentioned above. 9. Element according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that said separate elastic component (10) contains an axial rotary positioner (18) made in such a way that the rotor (3a, 3b) and housing (2) relative to the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor can be displaced axially relative to each other. 10. The element according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one of the aforementioned bearings (7) is an axial bearing (9), which is configured to move entirely relative to the housing (2); and that the axial rotary positioner (18) contains a second deformable element (19), moreover, the said second deformable element (19) is made with the possibility of contact with the part of the axial bearing (9) that does not rotate relative to the housing (2) and, in this case, to exert force on the mentioned the non-rotating part in such a way that the axial bearing (9), together with the rotor (3a, 3b), is displaced relative to the housing (2). 11. Element according to claim 10, characterized in that said second deformable element (19) contains a second cavity (20) isolated from the inner chamber, and said second deformable element (19) is made in such a way that the axial size of the second deformable element (19) in accordance with the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor increases or decreases when the second pressure in the second cavity (20) increases or decreases, respectively. 12. Element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said separate elastic component (10) comprises a radially adaptable annular element (21) surrounding the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor, while the outer perimeter (22) of the radially adaptable annular element (21) is firmly fixed relative to the body (2), and the radially adaptable annular element (21) is designed in such a way that the radial outer inner radius (23) of the radially adaptable annular element (21) according to the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor can be changed in size. 13. Element according to claim 12, characterized in that said radially adaptable annular element (21) comprises an annular third deformable element (24) which contains a third cavity (25) isolated from the inner chamber, wherein said third deformable element ( 24) is made in such a way that the radial outer inner radius (23) in accordance with the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor decreases or increases when the third pressure in the third cavity (25) increases or decreases, respectively. 14. Element according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said inner chamber contains a channel (26) in accordance with the direction of the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor. 15. Element according to claim 14, characterized in that said separate elastic component (10) comprises an axially adaptable element (27) which is attached to the end surface (28) of the channel (26), wherein said axially adaptable element (27) has a first a special deformable shape made with the possibility of sealing and opening the axial gap in accordance with the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor between the rotor (3a, 3b) and the end surface (28) in such a way that the first working chamber in the inner chamber can be suitably isolated from or in fluid communication with the second working chamber in the inner chamber. 16. Element according to claim 15, characterized in that said axially adaptable element (27) comprises a fourth deformable element (29) which contains a fourth cavity (30) isolated from the inner chamber, wherein said fourth deformable element (29) is made in such a way that the axial size of the fourth deformable element (29) in accordance with the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor increases or decreases when the fourth pressure in the fourth cavity (30) increases or decreases, respectively. 17. Element according to one of the previous claims 14-16, characterized in that said separate elastic component (10) comprises a radially adaptable element (31) attached to the surface of rotation (32) of the channel (26), wherein said radially adaptable element ( 31) has a second special deformable shape, made with the possibility of sealing or opening a radial gap in accordance with the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor between the rotor (3a, 3b) and the surface of rotation (32) in such a way that the third working chamber in the inner chamber can be suitably isolated from or in fluid communication with the fourth working chamber in the inner chamber. 18. Element according to claim 17, characterized in that said radially adaptable element (31) comprises a fifth deformable element (33), which contains a fifth cavity (34) isolated from the inner chamber, wherein said fifth deformable element (33) made in such a way that the radial size of the fifth deformable element (33) in accordance with the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor increases or decreases when the fifth pressure in the fifth cavity (34) increases or decreases, respectively. 19. An element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said element (1) comprises mechanical, hydraulic and/or pneumatic means for positional regulation of said positionally adjustable part relative to the body (2). 20. An element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said element (1) comprises a controller for actuating said positionally adjustable part. 21. Device for compressing or expanding gas, containing element (1) according to one of the previous paragraphs. 22. Separate elastic component (10) for use in the element (1) according to one of the previous claims 1 to 20 or the device according to claim 21. 23. A method for controlling an element for compressing or expanding a gas, wherein said element (1) contains - a rigid body (2) containing an inner chamber; - at least one rotor (3a, 3b) located in said inner chamber and containing the axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor; and - one or more bearings (7), in which said axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor (3a, 3b) is supported, and said rotor (3a, 3b) with its axis (4a, 4b) of the rotor is mounted for rotation relative to the housing ( 2) through these bearings (7), while the rotor (3a, 3b) is installed with one or more gaps relative to the wall (5) of the inner chamber, characterized in that said method includes a step in which at least one of said gaps is affected by positional regulation of the positionally adjustable part of a separate elastic component (10) of the element (1) relative to the housing (2), while the fixed part of the individual elastic component (10) is held in a fixed position relative to the housing (2), and however, this separate elastic component (10) is not attached directly to the rotor (3a, 3b). 24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that one bearing of said one or more bearings (7) is placed with the ability to move entirely relative to the housing (2), and in that when at least one of said gaps is affected, said the positionally adjustable part comes into contact with the non-rotating part of said bearing relative to the housing (2) and in this case exerts a force on the said non-rotating part in such a way that the said bearing as a whole together with the rotor (3a, 3b) is subjected to displacement relative to the housing (2). 25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that said positionally adjustable part is respectively moved into or out of at least one of the gaps in such a way that said at least one of the gaps is sealed or opened by said positionally adjustable part. 26. The method according to one of the previous claims 23-25, characterized in that the element (1) contains a plurality of rotors (3a, 3b), wherein said plurality of rotors (3a, 3b) are installed with mutual clearance in such a way that by means of the rotors ( 3a, 3b) one or a plurality of working chambers mutually isolated from each other is formed in the inner chamber, and wherein said method includes a step in which the size of said mutual gap is changed by positional regulation of said positionally adjustable part relative to the housing (2). 27. The method according to one of the previous claims 23-26, characterized in that at least one of the above gaps is controlled when the element (1) is not functioning, and/or is controlled on the basis of a predetermined value before said element (1) is actuated ). 28. A method according to one of the previous claims 23-27, characterized in that at least one of the aforementioned gaps is controlled when the element (1) is in operation. 29. A method according to one of the previous claims 23-28, characterized in that the positional adjustment of said positionally adjustable part relative to the housing (2) is carried out mechanically, hydraulically and/or pneumatically.

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