Compression device and supercharger

Abstract

A compression device includes a centrifugal compressor and a silencer. The centrifugal compressor includes a compressor assembly bolt fastening an inlet side of an inlet guide to a scroll casing. The silencer includes: a first side wall extending in a direction intersecting with a rotational axis of an impeller; an annular second side wall provided between the first side wall and the centrifugal compressor and surrounding the rotational axis; at least one silencer element provided in an ambient-air introduction space formed between the first side wall and the second side wall for guiding an ambient air to the inlet guide; and a silencer assembly bolt extending from the first side wall to the scroll casing in a direction along the rotational axis of the impeller and fastening the first side wall, the second side wall, and the scroll casing.

Claims

1. A compression device comprising a centrifugal compressor and a silencer, the centrifugal compressor comprising: an impeller for compressing a fluid; an inlet guide, housing the impeller, for guiding the fluid; and a scroll casing forming a scroll chamber for guiding the fluid which has passed through the inlet guide to outside, the scroll casing consisting of a single member; wherein the silencer comprises a silencer assembly bolt penetrating through the silencer in a direction along a rotational axis of the impeller and fastening the silencer to the scroll casing, wherein the silencer comprises: a first side wall extending in a direction intersecting with the rotational axis of the impeller; and an annular second side wall provided between the first side wall and the centrifugal compressor and surrounding the rotational axis, wherein an ambient-air introduction space for guiding an ambient air to the inlet guide is formed between the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein the silencer assembly bolt extends from the first side wall to the scroll casing in a direction along the rotational axis of the impeller and fastens the first side wall, the second side wall, and the scroll casing, wherein the silencer further comprises at least one silencer element provided in the ambient-air introduction space, wherein the silencer element is supported, in the ambient-air introduction space, by the silencer assembly bolt, wherein the scroll casing comprises a scroll chamber-forming portion forming the scroll chamber, and an annular outer projection projecting from the scroll chamber-forming portion toward the silencer, and wherein the silencer assembly bolt fastens the silencer and the outer projection in a state where the second side wall abuts the outer projection.

2. The compression device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one silencer element comprises a plurality of silencer elements arranged along the rotational axis, and wherein each of the plurality of silencer elements is an annular element provided around the rotational axis and has an insert hole into which the silencer assembly bolt is inserted, and the silencer element is supported, in the ambient-air introduction space, by the silencer assembly bolt inserted into the insert hole.

3. The compression device according to claim 1, wherein the centrifugal compressor further comprises a compressor assembly bolt fastening an inlet side of the inlet guide to the scroll casing, wherein the scroll casing comprises an annular inner projection projecting from the scroll chamber-forming portion toward the silencer, the inner projection being disposed more inwardly than the outer projection in a radial direction of the impeller, and wherein the compressor assembly bolt fastens the inlet side of the inlet guide and the inner projection.

4. The compression device according to claim 3, wherein the outer projection projects further than the inner projection toward the silencer, and wherein a gap is provided between the inlet guide and the silencer so that a space formed between the inner projection and the outer projection communicates with a space inside the inlet guide.

5. The compression device according to claim 1, wherein the silencer assembly bolt is screwed into a bolt hole formed in the scroll casing.

6. The compression device according to claim 1 which is configured so that, even when the impeller breaks apart and an impeller fragment hits the inlet guide, a shock of hitting does not propagate directly from the inlet guide to the silencer assembly bolt, but propagates from the inlet guide to the silencer assembly bolt via the scroll casing.

7. The compression device according to claim 1, wherein the silencer is not in contact with the inlet guide.

8. The compression device according to claim 1, wherein the centrifugal compressor further comprises: a diffuser member fitted to an outer peripheral portion of the inlet guide at an outlet side of the inlet guide and forming a diffuser passage connecting an interior of the inlet guide to the scroll chamber; and a bolt fastening the diffuser member and the scroll casing.

9. A supercharger comprising the compression device according to claim 1 and a turbine configured to rotate with the centrifugal compressor of the compression device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a supercharger 100 according to an embodiment.

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a compression device 4 according to an embodiment.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a compression device 4 according to an embodiment.

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a conventional compression device 004.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is intended, however, that unless particularly specified, dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions and the like of components described in the embodiments shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

(6) For instance, an expression of relative or absolute arrangement such as “in a direction”, “along a direction”, “parallel”, “orthogonal”, “centered”, “concentric” and “coaxial” shall not be construed as indicating only the arrangement in a strict literal sense, but also includes a state where the arrangement is relatively displaced by a tolerance, or by an angle or a distance whereby it is possible to achieve the same function.

(7) For instance, an expression of an equal state such as “same” “equal” and “uniform” shall not be construed as indicating only the state in which the feature is strictly equal, but also includes a state in which there is a tolerance or a difference that can still achieve the same function.

(8) Further, for instance, an expression of a shape such as a rectangular shape or a cylindrical shape shall not be construed as only the geometrically strict shape, but also includes a shape with unevenness or chamfered corners within the range in which the same effect can be achieved.

(9) On the other hand, an expression such as “comprise”, “include”, “have”, “contain” and “constitute” are not intended to be exclusive of other components.

(10) FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a supercharger 100 according to an embodiment.

(11) The supercharger 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an exhaust turbine type supercharger (turbocharger) and includes a turbine 2 and a compression device 4.

(12) The turbine 2 is driven by exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine (for instance, a diesel engine or a gasoline engine) (not shown) used in ships or the like.

(13) The compression device 4 includes a centrifugal compressor 6 connected to the turbine 2 via a rotational shaft 5 and a silencer 8 for reducing noise caused from the centrifugal compressor 6. The centrifugal compressor 6 is configured to be driven by the turbine 2 to compress air (fluid) to be supplied to the internal combustion engine.

(14) FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the compression device 4.

(15) As shown in FIG. 2, the centrifugal compressor 6 includes an impeller 10 for compressing air, an air inlet guide 12, housing the impeller 10, for guiding the air, a scroll casing 16 forming a scroll chamber 14 for guiding the air having passed through the air inlet guide 12 to outside, and compressor assembly bolts 20 each fastening an inlet side 18 of the air inlet guide 12 to the scroll casing 16. The compressor assembly bolts 20 are provided on several locations at a certain interval in the circumferential direction of the impeller 10.

(16) In the illustrated embodiment, the air inlet guide 12 has a cylindrical shape in which the opening diameters at the inlet side 18 and an outlet side 19 are formed to be larger than the opening diameter at a middle portion 17. Within the air inlet guide 12, the impeller 10 is housed. The scroll casing 16 is an annular member which is provided at an outer peripheral side of the air inlet guide 12 and fixed to the air inlet guide 12 as described later. Moreover, an annular diffuser member 15, which defines a diffuser passage 21 connecting an interior of the air inlet guide 12 to the scroll chamber 14, is arranged on an outer peripheral portion at the outlet side 19 of the air inlet guide 12. The diffuser member 15 is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the air inlet guide 12 at the outlet side 19 of the air inlet guide 12, and fastened to the scroll casing 16 with bolts 23.

(17) As shown in FIG. 2, the silencer 8 includes a disc-shaped first side wall 22 extending in a direction orthogonal to a rotational axis O of the impeller 10, and an annular second side wall 26 provided between the first side wall 22 and the centrifugal compressor 6 and surrounding the rotational axis O. Between the first side wall 22 and the second side wall 26 is formed an ambient-air introduction space 24 for guiding ambient air (air) to the air inlet guide 12. A central portion of the second side wall 26 is provided with a central opening 27.

(18) The silencer 8 also includes at least one silencer element 28 provided in the ambient-air introduction space 24 and silencer assembly bolts penetrating through the silencer 8 in a direction along the rotational axis O of the impeller 10 and fastening the silencer 8 to the scroll casing 16. The silencer assembly bolts extend from the first side wall 22 to the scroll casing 16 in a direction along the rotational axis O of the impeller 10 and fasten the first side wall 22, the second side wall 26, and the scroll casing 16. The silencer assembly bolts 30 are provided on several locations at a certain interval in the circumferential direction of the impeller 10.

(19) With the silencer 8, ambient air is taken into the ambient-air introduction space 24 from the outer periphery of the silencer 8 upon rotating the impeller 10 of the centrifugal compressor 6. The ambient air taken into the ambient-air introduction space 24, after passing through the silencer elements 28, turns toward the rotational axis O and passes through the central opening 27 of the annular second side wall 26, consequently entering into the air inlet guide 12.

(20) When the impeller 10 breaks apart in the centrifugal compressor 6 shown in FIG. 2, air is hard to be forced into the scroll chamber 14 by the impeller 10, and rather flows back from the scroll chamber 14 to the silencer 8 through the air inlet guide 12, as shown by the white arrows in FIG. 3. This backflow air applies force to the silencer 8 in a direction d1 away from the air inlet guide 12.

(21) In this regard, with the compression device 4, each silencer assembly bolt 30, which fastens the first side wall 22 and the second side wall 26, extends from the first side wall 22, while penetrating through the silencer 8, to the scroll casing 16 in a direction along the rotational axis O of the impeller 10, and thereby also fastens the scroll casing 16. Thus, the bolt (silencer assembly bolt 30) fastening the silencer 8 to the centrifugal compressor 6 can be significantly longer than the bolt (silencer attachment bolt 031) fastening the silencer 008 to the centrifugal compressor 006 in the conventional configuration (see FIG. 4).

(22) Consequently, the bolt (silencer assembly bolt 30) fastening the silencer 8 to the centrifugal compressor 6 in the compression device 4 can have a larger elongation amount that allows the bolt to elongate without breakage when tensile load is applied in a length direction than an elongation amount of the bolt (silencer attachment bolt 031) fastening the silencer 008 to the centrifugal compressor 006 in the conventional configuration (see FIG. 4) that allows the bolt to elongate without breakage when tensile load is applied in a length direction.

(23) In this way, even if tensile stress caused by air backflow due to breakage of the impeller 10 is applied to the bolt (silencer assembly bolt 30) fastening the silencer 8 to the centrifugal compressor 6, it is possible to effectively reduce breakage of the bolt. Therefore, it is possible to reduce breakage of the bolt (silencer assembly bolt 30) fastening the silencer 8 to the centrifugal compressor 6 and enable the silencer 8 and the centrifugal compressor 6 to be stably connected.

(24) Additionally, the silencer 8 is fastened to the centrifugal compressor 6 with the silencer assembly bolt 30 which is different from the compressor assembly bolt 20 fastening the inlet side 18 of the air inlet guide 12 to the scroll casing 16. Thus, even if the impeller 10 breaks apart and an impeller fragment hits the air inlet guide 12, a shock of hitting does not propagate directly from the air inlet guide 12 to the silencer assembly bolt 30, but propagates from the air inlet guide 12 to the silencer assembly bolt via the scroll casing 16. This fact also supports that breakage of the silencer assembly bolt 30 fastening the silencer 8 to the centrifugal compressor 6 can be effectively reduced, compared with the conventional configuration (see FIG. 4).

(25) Additionally, since the silencer assembly bolt 30 extends from the first side wall 22 to the scroll casing 16 in the direction along the rotational axis O of the impeller 10 and fastens the first side wall 22, the second side wall 26, and the scroll casing 16, the overall rigidity of the compression device 4 can be improved.

(26) In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the at least one silencer element 28 is supported, in the ambient-air introduction space 24, by the silencer assembly bolt 30.

(27) This configuration allows the first side wall 22, the second side wall 26, and the scroll casing 16 to be fastened by means of the silencer assembly bolt 30 which supports the silencer element 28 in the ambient-air introduction space 24. Thus, the silencer 8 and the centrifugal compressor 6 can be stably connected with a simple configuration.

(28) In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the at least one silencer element 28 includes a plurality of silencer elements 28 arranged along a radial direction around the rotational axis O. Additionally, each of the plurality of silencer elements 28 is an annular element provided around the rotational axis O, and has an insert hole 32 into which the silencer assembly bolt 30 is inserted, and the silencer element 28 is supported, in the ambient-air introduction space 24, by the silencer assembly bolt 30 inserted into the insert hole 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the silencer assembly bolt 30 is inserted into an insert hole 42 provided in the first side wall 22, the insert hole 32 of each silencer element 48, and an insert hole 44 provided in the second side wall 26 in this order, and then screwed into a bolt hole 46 formed in the scroll casing 16.

(29) This configuration allows the first side wall 22, the second side wall 26, and the scroll casing 16 to be fastened by means of the silencer assembly bolt 30 which supports the plurality of annular silencer elements 28 arranged along the rotational axis O of the impeller in the ambient-air introduction space 24. Thus, the silencer 8 and the centrifugal compressor 6 can be stably connected with a simple configuration.

(30) In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the scroll casing 16 includes a scroll chamber-forming portion 34 forming the scroll chamber 14, an annular first projection 36 projecting from the scroll chamber-forming portion 34 toward the silencer 8, and an annular second projection 38 projecting from the scroll chamber-forming portion 34 toward the silencer 8. The second projection 38 is disposed more outwardly than the first projection 36 in the radial direction of the impeller 10. Additionally, the compressor assembly bolt 20 fastens the inlet side 18 of the air inlet guide 12 and the first projection 36, while the silencer assembly bolt 30 fastens the first side wall 22, the second side wall 26, and the second projection 38.

(31) With this configuration, the second projection 38 fastened to the silencer 8 is disposed more outwardly than the first projection 36 fastened to the inlet side 18 of the air inlet guide 12 in the radial direction of the impeller 10. Thus, it is possible to reduce a risk that an impeller fragment penetrates the air inlet guide 12 or the first projection 36 and reaches the second projection 38 or the vicinity thereof when the impeller 10 breaks apart. In this way, it is possible to reduce breakage of the second projection 38 and to enable the silencer 8 and the centrifugal compressor 6 to be stably connected.

(32) In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the second projection 38 projects further than the first projection 36 toward the silencer 8 and abuts on the second side wall 26 of the silencer 8. Additionally, a gap g is provided between the inlet side 18 of the air inlet guide 12 and the second side wall 26 of the silencer 8 so that an annular space 40 formed between the first projection 36 and the second projection 38 communicates with a space 48 inside the air inlet guide 12.

(33) When the impeller 10 breaks apart, air that flows back from the scroll chamber 14 to the silencer 8 has a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure. In this regard, the above configuration allows, when air flows back from the scroll chamber 14 to the silencer 8, the annular space 40 between the first projection 36 and the second projection 38 to function as a buffer space for controlling an increase of pressure in the ambient-air introduction space 24 inside the silencer 8.

(34) Thus, it is possible to reduce force which is caused by the backflow air and applied to the silencer 8 in the direction d1 (see FIG. 3) away from the air inlet guide 12. This makes it possible to reduce tensile stress applied to the silencer assembly bolt 30 and reduce breakage of the silencer assembly bolt 30. Consequently, the silencer 8 and the centrifugal compressor 6 can be stably connected.

(35) Embodiments of the present invention were described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various amendments and modifications may be implemented.

(36) For instance, application of the present invention is not limited to the above described exhaust turbine type supercharger (turbocharger), and may be a mechanical supercharger for driving a compressor with power extracted from an output shaft of an internal combustion engine via a belt or the like.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(37) 2 Turbine 4 Compression device 6 Centrifugal compressor 5 Rotational shaft 8 Silencer 10 Impeller 12 Air inlet guide 14 Scroll chamber 16 Scroll casing 18 Inlet side 20 Compressor assembly bolt 22 First side wall 24 Ambient-air introduction space 25 Bolt 26 Second side wall 27 Central opening 28 Silencer element 30 Silencer assembly bolt 32 Insert hole 34 Scroll chamber-forming portion 36 First projection 38 Second projection 40 Space 42 Insert hole 44 Insert hole 46 Bolt hole 48 Space 100 Supercharger O Rotational axis d1 Arrow d2, d4 Direction 004 Compression device 006 Centrifugal compressor 008 Silencer 008a Flange 010 Impeller 012 Inlet guide 012a Flange 014 Scroll chamber 016 Scroll casing 016a Flange 020 Compressor assembly bolt 028 Silencer element 031 Silencer attachment bolt