Pumps – One fluid pumped by contact or entrainment with another – Contact or entrainment within rotary impeller
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-08
2001-06-05
Thorpe, Timothy S. (Department: 3745)
Pumps
One fluid pumped by contact or entrainment with another
Contact or entrainment within rotary impeller
C417S423100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241479
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of compression technology. It concerns a method of compressing a gas and a compression apparatus for carrying out the method.
2. Discussion of Background
In the prior art (see, for example, the publication U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,429) it has already variously been proposed to compress a flowing gaseous medium by first of all accelerating it to supersonic velocity in a suitable device (compression tube) and then decelerating it again with the generation of shock waves and subsequent increase in pressure. The heat produced during the compression may be dissipated, for example, by spraying water into the corresponding tube section. A disadvantage with this type of compression is that the sonic velocity of the gaseous medium (e.g. air) is generally relatively high and that some outlay is therefore required in order to bring the gas flow to supersonic velocity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a novel method and a novel apparatus for the compression of a gaseous medium, which method and apparatus can work at a markedly reduced sonic velocity and can therefore be realized with reduced outlay.
The object is achieved in a method of the type mentioned at the beginning in that, in a first step, a foam is formed from the gas and a liquid, in which foam the sonic velocity is markedly lower than in the gas and in the liquid taken by themselves, in that, in a second step, the foam is directed at supersonic velocity through a nozzle and the gas located in the foam is thereby compressed, and in that, in a third step, the compressed gas and the liquid are separated from one another behind the nozzle. The essence of the invention consists in using a foam-like gas/liquid system for the compression, this gas/liquid system being distinguished by a sonic velocity which is markedly reduced compared with the individual components. In this way, it is possible with reduced outlay to achieve the supersonic velocity required for the compression operation. At the same time, the heat produced during the compression can be dissipated in a simple manner via the liquid, which is to be separated off again subsequently.
A preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that an essentially static foam is produced, that the nozzle is moved at supersonic velocity through the foam, and that the movement of the nozzle is executed as a circular movement about an axis of rotation. This way of conducting the method proves to be especially favorable for realizing the method in terms of equipment.
A development of this embodiment which is preferred on account of its simplicity is distinguished by the fact that the foam is collected behind the nozzle in a collecting container moving along with the nozzle, and that the centrifugal force arising in the collecting container during the rotation is used for the separation of gas and liquid.
Another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that, to produce the foam, the gas is introduced into a volume of the liquid in a distributed manner, and that the gas is introduced from below through a porous base into a layer of the liquid above the base. In this way, a fine-pored foam, which is especially suitable for the compression according to the invention, can be produced over a large area without moving parts.
The compression apparatus according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention comprises a container for the foam produced, which container is connected to first means for producing the foam, as well as at least one nozzle, which can be moved relative to the foam in such a way that the foam passes at supersonic velocity through the nozzle, as well as second means for the separation of the foam into gas and liquid, which second means are arranged behind the nozzle.
A first preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the first means comprise a porous base, which closes off the container at the bottom and to which gas can be admitted over the surface area from the underside, that the at least one nozzle is arranged inside the container on an arm so as to be rotatable about a central axis of rotation and essentially tangentially to the circle of rotation, that the arm is driven by a motor, that the second means in each case comprise a collecting container, which is attached behind the nozzle, is connected to the nozzle and is in each case arranged on the end of the arm, and that in each case third means for the separate discharge of the gaseous and liquid components separating during the rotation are provided in the collecting container.
A preferred development of this embodiment is distinguished by the fact that the arm is in each case of tubular design, that the third means comprise a first inner tube running in each case inside the arm, and that the liquid is drawn off through the first inner tube and the gas is drawn off in the intermediate space between the first inner tube and the arm.
Further embodiments follow from the dependent claims.
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Dobbeling Klaus
Paikert Bettina
ABB Research Ltd.
Burns Doane Swecker & Mathis L.L.P.
Gray Michael K.
Thorpe Timothy S.
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