Supersonic gas compressor

Patent · Tue Nov 13 00:00:00 EST 2007

OSTI ID:919891

Lawlor, Shawn P ^[1]; Novaresi, Mark A ^[2]; Cornelius, Charles C ^[3]

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1. Bellevue, WA
2. San Diego, CA
3. Kirkland, WA

A gas compressor based on the use of a driven rotor having a compression ramp traveling at a local supersonic inlet velocity (based on the combination of inlet gas velocity and tangential speed of the ramp) which compresses inlet gas against a stationary sidewall. In using this method to compress inlet gas, the supersonic compressor efficiently achieves high compression ratios while utilizing a compact, stabilized gasdynamic flow path. Operated at supersonic speeds, the inlet stabilizes an oblique/normal shock system in the gasdyanamic flow path formed between the rim of the rotor, the strakes, and a stationary external housing. Part load efficiency is enhanced by the use of a pre-swirl compressor, and using a bypass stream to bleed a portion of the intermediate pressure gas after passing through the pre-swirl compressor back to the inlet of the pre-swirl compressor. Inlet guide vanes to the compression ramp enhance overall efficiency.

• Research Organization: Ramgen Power Systrms, Inc. (Bellevue, WA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: FC26-00NT40915
• Assignee: Ramgen Power Systrms, Inc. (Bellevue, WA)
• Patent Number(s): 7,293,955
• Application Number: 11/087,336
• OSTI ID: 919891
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English