阅读说明：本技术 具有轴旁通流体循流口的再生式鼓风机-压缩机 (Regenerative blower-compressor with shaft bypass fluid circulation port ) 是由 乔尔·杰克·奥科曼 于 2019-06-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种再生式鼓风机-压缩机,包括：叶轮,所述叶轮安装到壳体内的驱动轴,所述壳体包括通道,所述通道从邻近所述通道的低流体压力区域的入口延伸到邻近所述通道的高流体压力区域的出口,所述叶轮从所述驱动轴穿过所述壳体内的环形容积径向向外延伸到所述通道中的叶片,并且被构造成响应于所述驱动轴的旋转而旋转,以使所述叶片旋转通过所述通道,从而迫使流体从所述入口穿过所述通道到达所述出口,所述驱动轴从所述环形容积内的所述叶轮延伸到所述壳体内的轴室中,所述轴室被构造成从所述通道的所述高流体压力区域接收流体；以及端口,所述端口被构造成将流体直接从所述轴室排到所述通道的所述低流体压力区域中。(A regenerative blower-compressor comprising: an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing, the housing including a passage extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the passage to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the passage, the impeller extending radially outwardly from the drive shaft through an annular volume within the housing to a vane in the passage and configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to rotate the vane through the passage to force fluid from the inlet through the passage to the outlet, the drive shaft extending from the impeller within the annular volume into a shaft chamber within the housing, the shaft chamber configured to receive fluid from the high fluid pressure region of the passage; and a port configured to discharge fluid directly from the shaft chamber into the low fluid pressure region of the channel.)

1. a regenerative blower-compressor comprising:

an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing, the housing including a passage extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the passage to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the passage, the impeller extending radially outwardly from the drive shaft through an annular volume within the housing to a vane in the passage, the impeller configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to rotate the vane through the passage to force fluid from the inlet through the passage to the outlet, the drive shaft extending from the impeller within the annular volume into a shaft chamber within the housing, and the shaft chamber configured to receive fluid leaking from the high fluid pressure region of the passage through the housing into the shaft chamber; and

a port coupled in fluid communication directly between the shaft chamber and the low fluid pressure region of the channel for discharging fluid directly from the shaft chamber into the low fluid pressure region of the channel.

2. The regenerative blower-compressor of claim 1 wherein:

the shaft chamber is defined by a sidewall extending between an end wall and a bearing that rotatably connects the drive shaft to the housing;

the drive shaft is sealed to the sidewall by a radial shaft seal within the shaft chamber, thereby dividing the shaft chamber into a first volume between the end wall and the radial shaft seal, and a second volume between the bearing and the radial shaft seal;

the first volume is configured to receive fluid leaking from the high fluid pressure region of the passage through the housing into the first volume; and is

The port is coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume of the shaft chamber and the low fluid pressure region of the channel.

3. The regenerative blower-compressor of claim 2 wherein the first volume is greater than the second volume.

4. A regenerative blower-compressor comprising:

an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing, the housing including a passage extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the passage to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the passage, the impeller extending radially outwardly from the drive shaft through an annular volume within the housing to vanes in the passage, the impeller being configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to rotate the vanes through the passage to force fluid from the inlet through the passage to the outlet, the drive shaft extending from the impeller within the annular volume into a shaft chamber within the housing defined by a side wall extending between an end wall and a bearing rotatably connecting the drive shaft to the housing, the drive shaft being sealed to the side wall by a radial shaft seal within the shaft chamber, thereby dividing the shaft chamber into a first volume between the end wall and the radial shaft seal and a second volume between the bearing and the radial shaft seal, and the first volume is configured to receive fluid that leaks from the high fluid pressure region of the passage through the housing into the first volume;

a first port coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region of the passage and the second volume for discharging fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region of the passage into the second volume; and

a second port coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the first volume into the low fluid pressure region of the passage.

5. The regenerative blower-compressor of claim 4, wherein the first volume is greater than the second volume.

6. A regenerative blower-compressor comprising:

an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing, the housing including a passage extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the passage to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the passage, the impeller extending radially outwardly from the drive shaft through an annular volume within the housing to a vane in the passage, the impeller configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to rotate the vane through the passage to force fluid from the inlet through the passage to the outlet, and the drive shaft extending from the impeller within the annular volume into a shaft chamber within the housing;

a first port coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region of the channel and the shaft chamber for discharging fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region of the channel to the shaft chamber; and

a second port coupled in fluid communication directly between the shaft chamber and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the shaft chamber into the low fluid pressure region of the passage.

7. A regenerative blower-compressor comprising:

an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing, the housing including a passage extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the passage to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the passage, the impeller extending radially outwardly from the drive shaft through an annular volume within the housing to vanes in the passage, the impeller being configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to rotate the vanes through the passage to force fluid from the inlet through the passage to the outlet, the drive shaft extending from the impeller within the annular volume into a shaft chamber within the housing, the shaft chamber being defined by a side wall extending between an end wall and a bearing rotatably connecting the drive shaft to the housing, and the drive shaft being sealed to the side wall by a radial shaft seal within the shaft chamber, thereby dividing the shaft chamber into a first volume between the end wall and the radial shaft seal and a second volume between the bearing and the radial shaft seal;

a first port coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region of the passage and the first volume for discharging fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region of the passage into the first volume; and

a second port coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the first volume into the low fluid pressure region of the passage.

8. The regenerative blower-compressor of claim 7 further comprising:

a third port coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region of the passage and the second volume for discharging fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region of the passage into the second volume; and is

The second port is also fluidly coupled directly between the second volume and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the second volume into the low fluid pressure region of the passage.

9. The regenerative blower-compressor of claim 8, wherein the first volume is greater than the second volume.

10. A regenerative blower-compressor comprising:

an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing, the housing including a passage extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the passage to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the passage, the impeller extending radially outwardly from the drive shaft through an annular volume within the housing to vanes in the passage, the impeller being configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to rotate the vanes through the passage to force fluid from the inlet through the passage to the outlet, the drive shaft extending from the impeller within the annular volume into a shaft chamber within the housing, the shaft chamber being defined by a side wall extending between an end wall and a bearing rotatably connecting the drive shaft to the housing, and the drive shaft being sealed to the side wall by a radial shaft seal within the shaft chamber, thereby dividing the shaft chamber into a first volume between the end wall and the radial shaft seal and a second volume between the bearing and the radial shaft seal;

a first port coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region of the passage and the second volume for discharging fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region of the passage into the second volume; and

a second port coupled in fluid communication directly between the second volume and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the second volume into the low fluid pressure region of the passage.

11. The regenerative blower-compressor of claim 10 wherein the first volume is greater than the second volume.

12. A regenerative blower-compressor comprising:

an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing, the housing including a passage extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the passage to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the passage, the impeller extends radially outwardly from the drive shaft through an annular volume in the housing to blades in the passage, the impeller being configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to rotate the blades through the passage, thereby forcing fluid through the passageway from the inlet to the outlet, the drive shaft extending from either side of the impeller within the annular volume into first and second shaft chambers within the housing on either side of the impeller, and the first and second shaft chambers are each configured to receive fluid leaking from the high fluid pressure region of the passage through the housing into the first and second shaft chambers;

a first port coupled in fluid communication directly between the first shaft chamber and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the first shaft chamber into the low fluid pressure region of the passage; and

a second port coupled in fluid communication directly between the second shaft chamber and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the second shaft chamber into the low fluid pressure region of the passage.

13. The regenerative blower-compressor of claim 12 wherein:

the first shaft chamber is defined by a sidewall extending between the impeller and a bearing that rotatably connects the drive shaft to the housing;

the drive shaft is sealed to the sidewall by a radial shaft seal within the first shaft chamber, thereby dividing the first shaft chamber into a first volume between the impeller and the radial shaft seal, and a second volume between the radial shaft seal and the bearing;

the first volume is configured to receive fluid leaking from the high fluid pressure region of the passage through the housing into the first volume; and is

The first port is coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume of the first shaft chamber and the low fluid pressure region of the passage.

14. The regenerative blower-compressor of claim 12 wherein:

the second shaft chamber is defined by a sidewall extending between an end wall and a bearing that rotatably connects the drive shaft to the housing;

the drive shaft is sealed to the side wall of the second shaft chamber by a radial shaft seal within the second shaft chamber, thereby dividing the second shaft chamber into a first volume between the end wall and the radial shaft seal, and a second volume between the bearing and the radial shaft seal;

the first volume is configured to receive fluid leaking from the high fluid pressure region of the passage through the housing into the first volume; and is

The second port is coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume of the second shaft chamber and the low fluid pressure region of the passage.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a regenerative blower-compressor.

Background

Regenerative blower-compressors are used to move large volumes of fluid (e.g., air and other gases) at relatively lower pressures or vacuums than typical compressors and relatively higher pressures or vacuums than centrifugal fans. Unlike positive displacement compressors with their complex components and high part count and turbo compressors with their high operating speeds, regenerative blowers (also called side channel blowers) are relatively simple, medium speed machines that continuously regenerate the pressure cycle of their vane impellers from inlet to outlet to produce vacuum or pressure. Regenerative blowers have a long service life, inherently simple structure, low cost, and are commonly used in a wide range of applications requiring high fluid flow and low vacuum/pressure, such as pneumatic conveying, sewage aeration, vacuum lift, vacuum packaging, packaging equipment, printing presses, aquaculture/pond aeration, hydrotherapy centers, dryers, dust/smoke removal, industrial vacuum systems, soil vapor extraction and shavings removal for carving equipment. The natural advantages of regenerative blowers can be applied to a greater extent if the pressure and efficiency can be increased and the size reduced from the standard pressure, efficiency and size. In particular, regenerative blowers have proven to have desirable characteristics for fuel cell air supply systems and similar applications that achieve high efficiency while maintaining fluid flow free of contaminants (e.g., oil and grease) from bearings required to support the drive shaft.

A typical regenerative blower includes an impeller mounted directly to the motor shaft, which rotates at the speed of the motor (typically 3000 revolutions per minute, and in some cases up to 30000 revolutions per minute). The impeller includes a plurality of blades formed on an outer circumference thereof. The number, size, spacing, angle and specific shape of these vanes contribute to the aerodynamic performance characteristics of the blower. The impeller rotates within a housing assembly having a passage inside the housing that follows a radial path around the periphery of the impeller between an inlet and an outlet. As the impeller rotates, fluid (e.g., air or other gas) is forced through the passage from the inlet to the outlet. The fluid is pressurized as it travels through the passage from the inlet to the outlet, whereby the fluid discharged through the outlet is at a higher relative pressure than the pressure of the fluid entering the passage through the inlet. The inflow region (intake region) of the channel near the inlet is a low pressure region of the blower, and the discharge region of the channel near the outlet is a high pressure region of the blower. As fluid is forced through the channel from the inlet to the outlet, the fluid is captured between each of the vanes of the impeller and is pushed outwardly and forwardly into the channel. The fluid follows the internal shape of the casing in an annular manner and returns to the base of the blade. The above regeneration process is repeated over and over again as the impeller rotates, which gives the blower its pressure/vacuum capability. The regenerative blower operates similarly to the staged reciprocating compressor. While each blade-to-blade regeneration (blade-to-blade regeneration) results in only a slight pressure increase, the sum of these slight pressure increases from the inlet to the outlet via the passage can produce relatively high continuous operating pressures (in some cases in excess of 10psig), which are typically associated with more complex compressors, hence the name regenerative blower-compressors. New defects and new opportunities for corrections and new functions will become apparent as in many cases implementing step changes of typical performance of known techniques.

Regenerative blowers are used to compress compressible fluids (e.g., air) and pump incompressible liquids (e.g., water and/or fuel). Thus, by definition, a regenerative blower is a regenerative compressor. Thus, the terms "regenerative blower" and "regenerative compressor" are interchangeable. The fluid that is typically lost is a by-product of the compression within the compressor and is typically disposed of in a variety of ways. The method includes allowing the fluid to pass through the compressor into the motor housing to pressurize the motor housing or allowing the fluid to pass through the motor housing and then to be exhausted to the atmosphere. Another technique attempts to eliminate the bypass fluid by placing a seal between the shaft and the compressor housing, thereby eliminating the leakage path.

Each method has drawbacks. In the event that fluid is allowed to pressurize the motor housing, the pressurized fluid may drive grease or oil from the motor bearings. In a similar manner, when the pressure in the compressor drops to a lower value, the fluid contained in the motor housing may be re-injected into the fluid path. If the fluid encounters oil or grease in the motor housing, the reintroduced fluid may be harmful to certain devices that rely on cleaning the compressed fluid (e.g., medical devices or fuel cell stacks).

In the case of shaft seals, they are of both the close-clearance non-contact type and the contact type. Non-contact type seals are preferred in applications where high efficiency is required due to low friction, but the gaps can create leakage. Smaller gaps can reduce (but not eliminate) leakage, however, requiring tighter tolerances and higher costs.

Contact type seals typically employ a compliant, low friction material (e.g., rubber or plastic) in contact with the rotating shaft to reduce leakage to a very low level. However, the resulting friction can reduce compressor efficiency, and seal wear can limit the ultimate useful life. Additionally, seal failure will allow fluid to enter the motor and bearings, possibly washing grease from the bearings, and then into the pressurized fluid stream. In the case of corrosive fluids, the fluid may damage the bearings and motor components.

It is therefore highly desirable to provide a regenerative blower-compressor that allows clearance seals to maintain its advantages of low friction, long life and low cost, while producing a leakage rate closer to that of a gapless seal. In the case of clearance seals, it is also highly desirable to provide regenerative blower-compressors designed with low leakage and pressure compensation for reducing wear and friction of the seals during low pressure operation.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a regenerative blower-compressor comprises: an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing, the housing including a passage extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the passage to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the passage, the impeller extending radially outwardly from the drive shaft through an annular volume within the housing to vanes in the passage, the impeller being configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to rotate the vanes through the passage to force fluid from the inlet through the passage to the outlet, the drive shaft extending from the impeller within the annular volume into a shaft chamber within the housing, and the shaft chamber being configured to receive fluid leaking from the high fluid pressure region of the passage through the housing into the shaft chamber; and a port coupled in fluid communication directly between the shaft chamber and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the shaft chamber into the low fluid pressure region of the passage. The shaft chamber is defined by a sidewall extending between an end wall and a bearing rotatably connecting a drive shaft to the housing, the drive shaft being sealed to the sidewall by a radial shaft seal within the shaft chamber, dividing the shaft chamber into a first volume between the end wall and the radial shaft seal and a second volume between the bearing and the radial shaft seal, the first volume being configured to receive fluid leaking from a high fluid pressure region of the passage through the housing into the first volume, and the port being directly coupled in fluid communication between the first volume of the shaft chamber and a low fluid pressure region of the passage. The first volume is greater than the second volume.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a regenerative blower-compressor comprises: an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing, the housing including a passage extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the passage to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the passage, the impeller extending radially outwardly from the drive shaft through an annular volume within the housing to vanes in the passage, the impeller being configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to rotate the vanes through the passage to force fluid from the inlet through the passage to the outlet, the drive shaft extending from the impeller within the annular volume into a shaft chamber within the housing, the shaft chamber being defined by a sidewall extending between an end wall and a bearing rotatably connecting the drive shaft to the housing, the drive shaft being sealed to the sidewall by a radial shaft seal within the shaft chamber to divide the shaft chamber into a first volume between the end wall and the radial shaft seal, And a second volume between the bearing and the radial shaft seal, and the first volume is configured to receive fluid leaking from the high fluid pressure region of the passage through the housing into the first volume; a first port coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region of the passage and the second volume for discharging fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region of the passage into the second volume; and a second port coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the first volume into the low fluid pressure region of the passage. The first volume is greater than the second volume.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a regenerative blower-compressor comprises: an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing, the housing including a passage extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the passage to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the passage, the impeller extending radially outwardly from the drive shaft through an annular volume within the housing to a vane in the passage, the impeller configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to rotate the vane through the passage to force fluid through the passage from the inlet to the outlet, and the drive shaft extending from the impeller within the annular volume into a shaft chamber within the housing; a first port coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region of the passage and the shaft chamber for exhausting fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region of the passage into the shaft chamber; and a second port coupled in fluid communication directly between the shaft chamber and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the shaft chamber into the low fluid pressure region of the passage.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a regenerative blower-compressor comprises: an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing, the housing including a passage extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the passage to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the passage, the impeller extending radially outwardly from the drive shaft through an annular volume within the housing to vanes in the passage, the impeller being configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to rotate the vanes through the passage to force fluid from the inlet through the passage to the outlet, the drive shaft extending from the impeller within the annular volume into a shaft chamber within the housing, the shaft chamber being defined by a sidewall extending between an end wall and a bearing rotatably connecting the drive shaft to the housing, and the drive shaft being sealed to the sidewall by a radial shaft seal within the shaft chamber to divide the shaft chamber into a first volume between the end wall and the radial shaft seal, And a second volume between the bearing and the radial shaft seal; a first port coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region of the passage and the first volume for discharging fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region of the passage into the first volume; and a second port coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the first volume into the low fluid pressure region of the passage. The third port is directly coupled in fluid communication between the high fluid pressure region and the second volume of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region of the passage into the second volume, and the second port is also fluidly coupled directly between the second volume and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the second volume into the low fluid pressure region of the passage. The first volume is greater than the second volume.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a regenerative blower-compressor comprises: an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing, the housing including a passage extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the passage to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the passage, the impeller extending radially outward from the drive shaft through an annular volume within the housing to vanes in the passage, the impeller being configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to rotate the vanes through the passage to force fluid from the inlet through the passage to the outlet, the drive shaft extending from the impeller within the annular volume into a shaft chamber within the housing, the shaft chamber being defined by a sidewall extending between an end wall and a bearing rotatably connecting the drive shaft to the housing, and the drive shaft being sealed to the sidewall by a radial shaft seal within the shaft chamber to divide the shaft chamber into a first volume between the end wall and the radial shaft seal, And a second volume between the bearing and the radial shaft seal; a first port coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region of the passage and the second volume for discharging fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region of the passage into the second volume; and a second port coupled in fluid communication directly between the second volume and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the second volume into the low fluid pressure region of the passage. The first volume is greater than the second volume.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a regenerative blower-compressor comprises: an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing, the housing including a channel extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the channel to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the channel, the impeller extending radially outwardly from the drive shaft through an annular volume within the housing to vanes in the channel, the impeller being configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to rotate the vanes through the channel to force fluid from the inlet through the channel to the outlet, the drive shaft extending from either side of the impeller within the annular volume into first and second chambers within the housing on either side of the impeller, and the first and second chambers each being configured to receive fluid leaking from the high fluid pressure region of the channel through the housing into the first and second chambers; a first port coupled in fluid communication directly between the first shaft chamber and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the first shaft chamber into the low fluid pressure region of the passage; and a second port coupled in fluid communication directly between the second shaft chamber and the low fluid pressure region of the passage for discharging fluid directly from the second shaft chamber into the low fluid pressure region of the passage. The first shaft chamber is defined by a sidewall extending between the impeller and a bearing rotatably connecting the drive shaft to the housing, the drive shaft being sealed to the sidewall by a radial shaft seal within the first shaft chamber, thereby dividing the first shaft chamber into a first volume between the impeller and the radial shaft seal and a second volume between the radial shaft seal and the bearing, the first volume being configured to receive fluid leaking from a high fluid pressure region of the passage through the housing into the first volume, and the first port being coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume of the first shaft chamber and a low fluid pressure region of the passage. The second chamber is defined by a sidewall extending between an end wall and a bearing rotatably connecting the drive shaft to the housing, the drive shaft being sealed to the sidewall of the second chamber by a radial shaft seal within the second chamber, thereby dividing the second chamber into a first volume between the end wall and the radial shaft seal and a second volume between the bearing and the radial shaft seal, the first volume being configured to receive fluid leaking from the high fluid pressure region of the passage through the housing into the first volume, and the second port being coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume of the second chamber and the low fluid pressure region of the passage.

Drawings

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a regenerative blower-compressor constructed and arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention, including an impeller and a housing including an upper portion or cover and a lower portion or base formed in a head portion of a housing canister;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the assembled embodiment of FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective corresponding to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the base of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view similar to FIG. 2 showing an alternative embodiment of a regenerative blower-compressor constructed and arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial front view corresponding to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to the illustration of FIG. 5, illustrating another embodiment of a regenerative blower-compressor constructed and arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the base of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to the illustration of FIG. 6 showing yet another embodiment of a regenerative blower-compressor constructed and arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and is

Fig. 10 is a view similar to the illustrations of fig. 5, 7 and 9, showing yet another embodiment of a regenerative blower-compressor constructed and arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The regenerative blower-compressor includes an impeller mounted to a drive shaft within a housing that includes a passage extending from an inlet adjacent a low fluid pressure region of the passage to an outlet adjacent a high fluid pressure region of the passage. The drive shaft is mounted to the housing for rotation by the rotary bearing. The low fluid pressure region of the channel may be referred to simply as the low pressure region of the channel and the high fluid pressure region of the channel may be referred to simply as the high pressure region of the channel. The impeller extends radially outwardly from the drive shaft through an annular volume in the housing to blades in the passage. The impeller is configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft to simultaneously rotate the vanes through the passage to force fluid from the inlet through the passage to the outlet. The drive shaft extends from the impeller within the annular volume into a shaft chamber within the housing, and the shaft chamber is inherently configured to receive leakage fluid (i.e., fluid that leaks from the high pressure region of the passage through the housing into the shaft chamber) and is inherently pressurized by the leakage fluid. The pressure in the channel increases continuously from the inlet to the outlet due to the regenerative action of the plurality of vanes rotating through the channel. As the pressure capacity of the regenerative blower increases, there is a proportional pressure differential between the high pressure region and the low pressure region, in some cases only a few inches apart, without any substantial physical barrier between them. The introduction of contact type seals adds inherent cost and complexity, reduces efficiency due to naturally occurring friction, and introduces wear particles, thereby undermining the inherent functional advantages of regenerative blowers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a regenerative blower configured to provide improved volumetric efficiency, reduce lubricant loss from bearings rotatably connecting a shaft to a housing, and stop or otherwise prevent lubricant transfer from the bearings to a process fluid flow. The regenerative blower constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention captures leakage fluid that leaks through the housing and is typically lost without being beneficially used and diverted directly into the functional fluid path. By sending this leakage fluid to the low pressure region of the blower, the volumetric capacity of the blower is automatically increased and the pressure acting on the bearings and seals is automatically relieved or otherwise relieved. In certain embodiments, fluid from the high pressure region of the channel is directed into the shaft chamber at the high pressure region of the channel directly from the fluid flow path in the channel and is directed into the fluid path in the channel at the low pressure region of the channel directly from the shaft chamber. This is accomplished through a plurality of ports, each of which may be a machined port, channel, bore, casting, hose, tube, etc., in some embodiments in a single location, and in other embodiments in multiple locations. Again, fluid captured and transferred into the low pressure region of the passage automatically increases the fluid flow through the passage and automatically relieves the pressure differential across the bearing and seal, thereby preventing or at least reducing lubricant loss from the bearing.

Various embodiments of the present invention are configured to use the circumferential pressure rise in the regenerative blower-compressor to regulate the pressure in the discharge port to accomplish additional tasks in the blower-compressor, such as preventing or at least reducing high pressure fluid leakage in similar situations where the working fluid is flammable, dangerous, valuable, or otherwise desirable to have leakage as low as no leakage. Additional functions may include accommodating different pressure requirements of seals in and between the two-stage regenerative blower-compressor, and providing positive air pressure to ventilate the motor and other built-in components. Certain embodiments of the present invention are also configured to operate at high pressures while overlapping the lower range of the compressor system.

For purposes of balancing the present disclosure, the terms "regenerative compressor" and "regenerative blower" are used interchangeably. The interchangeability of these terms is well known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, regenerative machines are known primarily for moving and compressing gases, but in some cases also as liquid pumps. In the present disclosure, the terms "regenerative blower" and "regenerative compressor" are also applicable to liquid pumps, even if the working fluid is an incompressible liquid. The same general advantages of the present invention apply to them as well. Accordingly, the various embodiments of the present invention are referred to simply as regenerative blower-compressors.

Turning now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding elements in some of the several views, attention is directed to the relevant portions of fig. 1 and 2, wherein there is shown a regenerative blower-compressor 50, constructed and arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention, including an impeller 51 and a housing 55. The housing 55 includes an annular housing 52 and a canister 90. The annular housing 52 includes an upper portion or cover 60 and a lower portion, bottom or base 61. An annular housing 52 surrounds the impeller 51, and the impeller 51 is rotatable within the annular housing 52 about an axis of rotation a, as is well known in the art.

The annular housing 52 is an assembly of a cover 60 and an opposing base 61, the cover 60 and base 61 being connected together to enclose the impeller 51 and define a conventional annular flow passage 65. The cover 60 and base 61 are rigidly secured together with fasteners (not shown), such as nut-and-bolt fasteners, as is also well known in the art. The annular housing 52 defines: a passage 65 for a fluid, such as a gaseous fluid (e.g., air or other gas) or a selected liquid; an inlet 66 for allowing fluid to enter the channel 65; an outlet 67 for discharging fluid from the channel 65; and the annular volume 75 in which the impeller 51 resides, and such arrangements are also known in the art.

The impeller 51 is mounted directly on the motor shaft or drive shaft 70. A drive shaft 70 passes downwardly from the impeller 51 or otherwise extends through a bore 72 at the center of the base 61 of the annular housing 52 into the shaft chamber of the housing 55. A shaft 70 is arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation a and is driven in rotation by an electric motor (not shown), which shaft 70 in turn imparts rotation to the impeller 51 in the direction of arrow B to drive fluid from the inlet 66 through the passage 65 to the outlet 67. The shaft 70 is typically rotationally mounted to the housing 55 by internal rotational bearings described below. The shaft 70 rotates the impeller 51 at a selected speed, such as about 2900-. The impeller 51 is formed with a plurality of conventional blades 80 on its outer periphery.

The impeller 51 extends radially outward from the axis of rotation a and the shaft 70 through an annular volume 75 within the annular housing 52 of the housing 55 to a plurality of impeller blades 80 in the channel 65. The number, size and angle of the vanes 80 are selected to define the aerodynamic performance characteristics of the blower-compressor 50. The impeller 51 rotates or otherwise rotates about an axis of rotation a within the annular housing 52. As impeller 51 rotates, vanes 80 rotate in the direction of arrow B through passage 65, which forces fluid from inlet 66 through passage 65 to outlet 67. As fluid passes through the passage 65 from the inlet 66 to the outlet 67, the fluid is increasingly pressurized, with the fluid discharged through the outlet 67 being at a relatively higher pressure than the fluid entering the passage 65 through the inlet 66. The fluid pressure in passage 65 inherently increases gradually from inlet 66 to outlet 67. This is an inherent characteristic of regenerative blower-compressors. Thus, the fluid moves from a low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 near the inlet 66, through the passage 65, to a higher fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 near the outlet 67.

An inflow region of passageway 65 near or otherwise adjacent to inlet 66 is a low fluid pressure region 81 of blower-compressor 50, and a discharge region of passageway 65 near or otherwise adjacent to outlet 67 is a high fluid pressure region 82 of blower-compressor 50. As fluid is forced through the passage 65 from the inlet 66 to the outlet 67 via the rotating impeller 51, the fluid is captured between each vane 80 on the outer circumference of the impeller 51 and is pushed outwardly and forwardly into the passage 65 and then back to the base of each vane 80. This regeneration process is repeated over and over again as the impeller 51 rotates. It is this regeneration that provides blower-compressor 50 with its inherent pressure/vacuum capability. Thus, blower-compressor 50 operates like a staged reciprocating compressor, and while each vane to vane regeneration stage (psig) results in a slight pressure increase, for example from 1.2-1.4 pounds per square inch gauge (psig), the sum of the slight pressure increases from inlet 66 to outlet 67 via passage 65 can produce a relatively high continuous operating pressure, for example about 3 psig.

The base 61 is carried by the canister 90. Referring in relevant part to fig. 1 and 2, the tank 90 includes a continuous sidewall 91, the sidewall 91 having an outer surface 92, an inner surface 93, an upper edge 94, and a lower edge 95. A horizontal top or head 96 is secured to the upper edge 94. A horizontal base or bottom 97 is secured to the lower edge 95. The continuous side wall 91 extends vertically from a lower edge 95 secured to a bottom 97 to an upper edge 94 secured to a head 96. The head 96 and the base 97 cooperate with the inner surface 93 to form an enclosed volume 100 in fig. 2, the enclosed volume 100 being configured to receive an electric motor for imparting rotation to the drive shaft 70. The base 61 is formed in the head 96 and is integral with the head 96. The head 96 may be considered to be a part of the base 61 or an extension of the base 61. In alternative embodiments, the base 61 may be a separate part secured to the head 96 or to the upper edge 94 of the tank 90 with fasteners or other selected fasteners (joinery).

In fig. 2, the drive shaft 70 is elongated, is arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation a, and includes a lower end 110 and an opposite upper end 111. The lower end 110 of the drive shaft 70 is mounted to the bottom 97 of the canister 90 for rotation by a bearing 114A fitted in a socket 115, the socket 115 being formed centrally in the bottom 97. An intermediate portion 112 of the drive shaft 70 between its lower and upper ends 110, 111 is mounted to the head 96 of the canister 90 for rotation by a bearing 114B fitted in a socket 116, the socket 116 being formed centrally in the head 96. The shaft 70 extends centrally vertically through the volume 100 from its lower end 110 (which lower end 110 is rotatably mounted to the base 97 by means of a bearing 114A) to its intermediate portion 112 (which intermediate portion 112 is rotatably mounted to the head 96 by means of a bearing 114B), and with additional reference to fig. 3, the shaft 70 passes beyond the bearing 114B through a shaft chamber 120 formed in the central head 96 on the underside of the impeller 51 and to a bore 72 formed centrally in the head 96 and base 61, and the super bore 72 passes centrally through the impeller 51 and extends beyond the impeller 51 to an upper end 111 which upper end 111 is received and retained by a central recess 121 of the cover 60 on the upper side of the impeller 51. The shaft chamber 120 in fig. 2 and 3 is defined by a side wall 124 extending between an end wall 125 and a bearing 114B that rotatably connects the intermediate portion 112 of the drive shaft 70 to the head 96.

As described above, the volume 110 is configured to receive and house an electric motor operatively connected to the drive shaft 70 between the bearings 114A and 114B, such that actuation of the electric motor imparts a corresponding rotation to the drive shaft 70. The bearings 114A and 114B are identical and entirely conventional slew bearings, typically lubricated with a selected amount of a suitable lubricant (e.g., a generally selected grease, a generally selected oil, or both) sufficient to enable each of them to operate smoothly and orderly in accordance with standard operating parameters.

During operation of blower-compressor 50, fluid in passage 65 is continually leaking through housing 55 to shaft 70, inherently through the inherent clearance between impeller 51 and annular volume 75 of housing 55, in the direction of arrow C in fig. 2 and 3 from high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65 toward low fluid pressure region 81 of passage 65, and downwardly in the direction of arrow D in fig. 2 and 3 through the inherent clearance between drive shaft 70 and bore 72 formed in base 61 and head 96 into shaft chamber 120, thereby pressurizing shaft chamber 120 with leakage fluid (referred to herein as leakage fluid or bypass fluid) from high fluid pressure region 82. The constant fluid leakage direction of arrow C from the high fluid pressure region 82 toward the low fluid pressure region 81 is perpendicular to the rotational axis a of the drive shaft 70 and the impeller 51, and the constant fluid leakage direction of arrow D from the volume 75 to the shaft chamber 120 is parallel to the drive shaft 70. The inherent leakage of fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 toward the low fluid pressure region 81 in the direction of arrow C and down into the shaft chamber 120 in the direction of arrow D is a function of the pressure differential across the interior volume of the housing 55 during operation of the blower-compressor 50. Thus, the shaft chamber 120 of the blower-compressor 50 is inherently configured in the blower-compressor 50 to constantly receive leakage fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the shaft chamber 120 through the housing 55 between the impeller 51 and the annular volume 75 and between the drive shaft 70 and the bore 72 through the base 61 and the head 96, and this is a known inherent characteristic of the blower-compressor 50.

Briefly, the blower-compressor 50 includes an impeller 51, the impeller 51 being mounted to a drive shaft 70 within a housing 55, the housing 55 including a passage 65, the passage 65 extending from an inlet 66 adjacent a low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 to an outlet 67 adjacent a higher fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65. The drive shaft 70 is rotatably mounted to the housing 55. The impeller 51 extends radially outwardly from the drive shaft 70 through an annular volume 75 within the housing 55 to vanes 80 in the channel 65. The impeller 51 is configured to rotate about the axis of rotation a in response to rotation of the drive shaft 70 about the axis of rotation a to rotate the vanes 80 through the passage 65 to force fluid from the inlet 66 through the passage 65 to the outlet 67. The drive shaft 70 extends from the impeller 52 within the annular volume 75 into a shaft chamber 120 within the housing 55. The shaft chamber 120 is configured to constantly receive leakage fluid, so-called bypass fluid, which constantly leaks into the shaft chamber 120 from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 through the base 61 and the head 96 between the impeller 51 and the annular volume 75 and between the drive shaft 70 and the bore 72 through the housing 55. The blower-compressor 50 as described herein generally represents a conventional single stage regenerative blower. In addition to the modifications to the blower-compressor 50 discussed in the various embodiments below, other general details of the blower-compressor 50 will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and will not be discussed.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the blower-compressor 50 is constructed and arranged to constantly and directly return/supply the bypass fluid leaked from the high fluid pressure region 82 through the housing 55 into the shaft chamber 120 from the shaft chamber 120 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 and thus into the functional fluid path through the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. This is accomplished by the port 130 of fig. 2 and 3 in accordance with the present invention, which is designated 50.

The port 130 is operatively connected in fluid communication between the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 to constantly receive fluid from the shaft chamber 120 and constantly supply that fluid to the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, whereby fluid constantly leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 through the housing 55 into the shaft chamber 120 is constantly and directly returned from the shaft chamber 120 through the port 130 into the low pressure region 81 of the passage 65 and thus into the functional fluid path through the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The port 130 is a return port or return-circulation port (return-vent) coupled in fluid communication directly between the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 for independently, directly and continuously returning/draining fluid continuously leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage into the shaft chamber 120 from the shaft chamber 120 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. In the embodiment of fig. 2 and 3, the port 130 is formed directly through the material of the head 96 and base 61, such as by drilling or machining or the like, extending from the side wall 124 between the end wall 125 and the bearing 114B to the base 61 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the channel 65 (also shown in fig. 4) on the underside of the impeller 51 in fig. 2 and 3. This directly couples shaft chamber 120 to channel 65 at low fluid pressure region 81 of fluid communication, thereby enabling low fluid pressure region 81 of channel 65 to receive fluid from shaft chamber 120 via port 130.

During operation of blower-compressor 50, fluid in passage 65 continuously leaks through housing 55 between impeller 51 and annular volume 75 of housing 55 to shaft 70 in the direction of arrow C in fig. 2 from high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65 toward low fluid pressure region 81 of passage 65, and down into shaft chamber 120 in the direction of arrow D between drive shaft 70 and bore 72 formed in base 61 and head 96. Thus, the shaft chamber 120 is constantly receiving so-called bypass fluid, which is constantly leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 into the shaft chamber 120. The port 130, which is directly coupled in fluid communication between the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 at the base 61 of the annular housing 52, independently, directly and continuously drains leakage fluid from the shaft chamber 120 from the base 61 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, and thus into the flow of functional fluid through the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. Thus, the port 130 directly and constantly supplies/discharges/introduces leakage fluid from the shaft chamber 120 into the fluid path of the channel 65 through the base 61 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the channel 65. This constant recirculating supply of bypass fluid from the shaft chamber 120 to the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 by the port 130 inherently increases the fluid flow through the passage 65, thereby inherently improving the volumetric efficiency and operation of the blower-compressor 50, while constantly relieving the pressure in the shaft chamber 120, thereby preventing or at least reducing the pressure differential across the bearing 114B at the shaft chamber 120, and thereby preventing or at least reducing lubricant loss from the bearing 114B, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Although the blower-compressor 50 has one return port 130, in alternative embodiments it may be formed with two or more separate return ports 130 at different locations along the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 between the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65.

In fig. 5 and 6, the previously described blower-compressor 50 is shown modified by a radial shaft seal 140 to form an alternative embodiment of a regenerative blower-compressor, indicated at 50A. The reference numerals used in the description of the blower-compressor 50 are also suitably used in the embodiment indicated at 50A.

In blower-compressor 50A, radial shaft seal 140 is located within shaft chamber 120 of regenerative blower-compressor 50A, between end wall 125 and bearing 114B, and is configured to seal drive shaft 70 to side wall 124 between end wall 125 and bearing 114B, thereby inherently dividing shaft chamber 120 into a first or upper volume 120A between end wall 125 and radial shaft seal 140, and a second or lower volume 120B between bearing 114B and radial shaft seal 140. The first volume 120A and the second volume 120B are on either side of the radial shaft seal 140. The first volume 120A is on an upper side of the radial shaft seal 140 and the second volume 120B is on an opposite lower side of the radial shaft seal 140. The radial shaft seal 140 seals the first volume 120A from the second volume 120B, thereby sealing the first volume 120A from the bearing 114B at the second volume 120B. In the present embodiment, the first volume 120A is larger than the second volume 120B, and the port 130 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 (at the sidewall 124 between the radial shaft seal 140 and the bearing 114B) and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 at the base 61, thereby enabling the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 to receive bypass fluid from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120.

The blower-compressor 50A is constructed and arranged to constantly and directly return/supply leakage fluid (i.e., so-called bypass fluid) constantly leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 through the housing 55 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 and thus into the functional fluid path through the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81. This is accomplished in the blower-compressor 50A through the port 130 described previously.

The port 130 is operatively connected in fluid communication between the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 to continuously receive fluid from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and continuously supply it to the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, such that fluid continuously leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 is continuously returned from the first volume 120A to the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 through the port 130 and thus into the functional fluid path through the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The port 130 is a return port or return circulation port coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 for independently, directly and continuously returning/draining fluid continuously leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The port 130 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 (at the sidewall 124 between the end wall 125 and the radial shaft seal 130) and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 (at the base 61 of the annular housing 52 on the underside of the impeller 51). This couples the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 directly to the channel 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81 in fluid communication, thereby enabling the low fluid pressure region 81 of the channel 65 to receive fluid from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 via the port 130.

During operation of blower-compressor 50A, fluid in passage 65 continuously leaks through housing 55 to shaft 70 in the direction of arrow C in fig. 5 and 6 from high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65 toward low fluid pressure region 81 of passage 65 through the inherent clearance between impeller 51 and annular volume 75 of housing 55, and downwardly into first volume 120A of shaft chamber 120 in the direction of arrow D through the inherent clearance between drive shaft 70 and bore 72 formed in head 96. Thus, the first volume 120A is constantly receiving so-called bypass fluid, which is constantly leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 into the first volume 120A. The port 130, which is directly coupled in fluid communication between the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 at the base 61 of the annular housing 52, independently, directly and continuously supplies/drains/directs leakage fluid from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 from the base 61 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, and thus into the flow of functional fluid through the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. Thus, the port 130 continuously and directly supplies/discharges/introduces the bypass fluid directly and independently from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 into the fluid path of the passage 65 through the base 61 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. This constant recirculating supply of bypass fluid from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 advantageously increases the fluid flow through the passage 65, thereby inherently improving the volumetric efficiency and operation of the blower-compressor 50A as described above in connection with the blower-compressor 50, while continuously relieving the pressure in the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120, thereby preventing or at least reducing the pressure differential across the radial shaft seal 140. This prevents or at least reduces lubricant loss from the bearing 114B and reduces stress on the radial shaft seal 140, thereby inherently improving the useful life of the radial shaft seal 140 and reducing stress on the bearing 114B at the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120, thereby preventing or at least reducing lubricant loss from the bearing 114B, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Although the blower-compressor 50A has one return port 130, in alternative embodiments it may be formed with two or more separate return ports 130 at different locations along the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 between the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65.

In fig. 7, the blower-compressor 50A described above is modified by a port 150 to form an alternative embodiment of a regenerative blower-compressor, indicated at 50B. The reference numerals used in the description of the blower-compressor 50A are also suitably used in the embodiment indicated at 50B.

The blower-compressor 50B is constructed and arranged to continuously and directly supply fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120. This is accomplished in blower-compressor 50B by way of a port 150, which port 150 is operatively connected in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65 and the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120. At the same time, the blower-compressor 50B is constructed and arranged to constantly and directly return/supply leakage fluid (i.e., so-called bypass fluid) constantly leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 through the housing 55 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage, and thus into the functional fluid path through the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81. This is accomplished in the blower-compressor 50B through the port 130 described previously.

The port 150 is a supply port or supply circulation port operatively connected in fluid communication directly between the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120 and the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 to continuously receive fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage and continuously supply it to the second volume 120B, whereby fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 is continuously supplied into the second volume 120B through the port 150. The port 150 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120 (at the sidewall 124 between the rotary shaft seal 140 and the bearing 114A) and the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 (at the base 61 of the annular housing 52 on the underside of the impeller 51). The port 150 is formed directly through the material of the head 96, such as by drilling or machining, extending from the sidewall 124 between the radial shaft seal 140 and the bearing 114B to the base 61 at the high fluid pressure region 82 of the channel 65 (as shown in fig. 8, fig. 8 is a top view of the base 61). This couples shaft chamber 120 directly to passage 65 at high fluid pressure region 82 in fluid communication, thereby enabling shaft chamber 120 to receive fluid from high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65.

During operation of the regenerative blower-compressor 50B, as described above in the blower-compressor 50A, fluid in the passage 65 continuously leaks through the housing 55 to the shaft 70 through the gap between the impeller 51 and the annular volume 75 of the housing 55, in the direction of arrow C in fig. 7 from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 toward the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, and through the gap between the drive shaft 70 and the bore 72 formed in the head 96 downwardly in the direction of arrow D into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 on the upper side of the radial shaft seal 140. Thus, the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 continuously receives so-called bypass fluid that continuously leaks from the high fluid pressure region 82 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120. At the same time, the port 150 directly coupled between the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120 (at the sidewall 124 between the radial shaft seal 140 and the bearing 114B) and the high fluid pressure region 82 of the channel 65 (at the base 61 of the annular housing 52) independently, directly and continuously supplies/introduces/exhausts fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the channel 65 into the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120 on the underside of the radial shaft seal 140. By continuously supplying the first volume 120A with bypass fluid leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 through the housing 55 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and simultaneously continuously supplying the second volume 120B with fluid directly supplied from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120 through the port 150, the pressure on either side of the radial shaft seal 140 or both sides thereof is inherently equalized.

The port 130, which is directly coupled in fluid communication between the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 at the base 61 of the annular housing 52, independently, directly and continuously supplies/drains leakage fluid from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 from the base 61 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, and thus into the flow of functional fluid through the passage 65. Thus, the port 130 continuously supplies/discharges/introduces bypass fluid directly and independently from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 into the fluid path of the passage 65 through the base 61 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. This constant recirculating supply of bypass fluid from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 advantageously increases the fluid flow through the passage 65, thereby inherently improving the volumetric efficiency and operation of the blower-compressor 50B as described above in connection with the blower-compressor 50A, while continuously relieving the pressure in the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120. While the pressure in the first volume 120A is continuously released and the first and second volumes 120A, 120B are continuously supplied with fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 (the first volume 120A is supplied with fluid that leaks from the high fluid pressure region 82 through the housing 55 into the first volume 120A, and the second volume 120B is supplied with fluid that is directly supplied from the high fluid pressure region 82 through the port 150 into the second volume 120B), the pressures in the first and second volumes 120A, 120B are equalized across the radial shaft seal 140, thereby preventing or at least reducing the pressure differential across the radial shaft seal 140 or on either side of the radial shaft seal. This prevents or at least reduces lubricant loss from the bearing 114B and reduces stress on the radial shaft seal 140, thereby inherently increasing the useful life of the radial shaft seal 140 and reducing stress on the bearing 114B at the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120, thereby preventing or at least reducing lubricant loss from the bearing 114B, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Although blower-compressor 50B has one supply port 150, in alternative embodiments it may be formed with two or more separate supply ports 150 at different locations along high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65 between shaft chamber 120 and high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65. Although the blower-compressor 50B has one return port 130, in alternative embodiments it may be formed with two or more separate return ports 130 at different locations along the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 between the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65.

In fig. 9, the blower-compressor 50B described above is modified by a modification of the port 160 and by the port 130 to form an alternative embodiment of a regenerative blower-compressor, indicated at 50C. The reference numerals used in the description of the blower-compressor 50B are also suitably used in the embodiment indicated at 50C.

The blower-compressor 50C is constructed and arranged to continuously and directly supply fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and into the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120. This is accomplished in blower-compressor 50C by port 160 operatively connected in fluid communication between the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passageway and the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and the previously described port 150 operatively connected in fluid communication between the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passageway 65 and the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120. Meanwhile, the blower-compressor 50C is constructed and arranged to constantly and directly return/supply fluid supplied from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the second volume 120B through the port 150 from the second volume 120B into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 and thus into the functional fluid path through the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81, and the blower-compressor 50C is constructed and arranged to: in addition to leakage fluid (i.e., so-called bypass fluid) constantly leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 through the housing 55 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120, fluid supplied from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the first volume 120A through the port 160 is constantly and directly returned/supplied from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage and thus enters the functional fluid path through the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81. This is accomplished in the blower-compressor 50C by a port 130, in the blower-compressor 50C, the port 130 is modified to: is operatively connected in fluid communication between the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 and the first and second volumes 120A, 120B of the shaft chamber 120.

In the regenerative blower-compressor 50C, the port 130 is formed directly through the material of the head 96, extending from the sidewall 124 between the end wall 125 and the radial shaft seal 140 to the base 61 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, thereby fluidly coupling the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 to the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81. The port 130 is additionally configured with a branch 130A, the branch 130A operatively coupling the second volume 120B in fluid communication with the port 130, and thus the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. In this embodiment, the branch 130A extends through the material of the head 96 from the second volume 120B at the sidewall 124 between the radial shaft seal 140 and the bearing 114B to the port 130 between the sidewall 124 of the shaft chamber 120 and the channel 65.

The port 160 is a supply port or supply circulation port operatively connected in fluid communication directly between the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 to continuously receive fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 and continuously supply it to the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120, whereby fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 is continuously supplied into the first volume 120A through the port 160, bypassing the bypass fluid leakage path through the housing 55 as represented by arrows C and D. As shown in fig. 8, the port 160 is formed directly through the material of the head 96, for example by machining or drilling or the like, extending from the base 61 on the underside of the impeller 51 at the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 to the side wall 124 between the end wall 125 and the radial seal 140. The port 160 directly couples the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 to the passage 65 in fluid communication at the high fluid pressure region 82, thereby enabling the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 to receive fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65.

During operation of the regenerative blower-compressor 50C, fluid in the passage 65 continuously leaks through the housing 55 to the shaft 70 through the clearance between the impeller 51 and the annular volume 75 of the housing 55, in the direction of arrow C in fig. 7 from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 toward the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, and downwardly into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 in the direction of arrow D through the clearance between the drive shaft 70 and the bore 72 formed in the head 96, thereby inherently continuously supplying the leaked fluid to the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 on the upper side of the radial shaft seal 140 (i.e., bypassed fluid continuously leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120). Thus, the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 continuously receives so-called bypass fluid, which continuously leaks from the high fluid pressure region 82 into the shaft chamber 120. At the same time, the port 160 directly coupled between the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 (at the sidewall 124 between the radial shaft seal 140 and the end wall 125) and the high fluid pressure region 82 of the channel 65 (at the base 61 of the annular housing 52) independently, directly and continuously supplies/introduces/exhausts fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the channel 65 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120. Thus, the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 on the upper side of the radial shaft seal 140 is constantly receiving fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 through the port 160. Thus, the first volume 120A continuously receives fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 that continuously leaks into the first volume 120A from the high fluid pressure region 82 through the housing 65 and that continuously is directly supplied/introduced/discharged into the first volume 120A from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 through the port 160. At the same time, the port 150 directly coupled between the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120 (at the sidewall 124 between the radial shaft seal 140 and the bearing 114B) and the high fluid pressure region 82 of the channel 65 (at the base 61 of the annular housing 52) independently, directly and continuously supplies/introduces/exhausts fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the channel 65 into the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120 on the underside of the radial shaft seal 140. This simultaneous application of fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage into the first and second volumes 120A, 120B causes the pressure on either side or both sides of the radial shaft seal 140 to equalize.

A port 130 directly coupled in fluid communication between the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 (at the base 61 of the annular housing 52) and the first and second volumes 120A, 120B of the shaft chamber 120 independently, directly and continuously supplies/drains fluid from the first and second volumes 120A, 120B of the shaft chamber 120 simultaneously from the base 61 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, and thus into the flow of functional fluid through the passage 65. Thus, the port 130 supplies/exhausts/introduces fluid directly and independently from the first and second volumes 120A, 120B of the shaft chamber 120 into the fluid path of the channel 65 continuously, simultaneously and directly at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the channel 65 through the base 61. This constant simultaneous recirculation of fluid from the first and second volumes 120A, 120B into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 advantageously increases the fluid flow through the passage 65, thereby inherently improving the efficiency and operation of the blower-compressor 50C, while continuously and simultaneously relieving the respective pressures in the first and second volumes 120A, 120B of the shaft chamber 120. When the pressure in the first and second volumes 120A, 120B is continuously released through the port 130 and the first and second volumes 120A, 120B simultaneously continuously receive fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 (the first volume 120A is supplied with fluid supplied to the first volume 120A through the port 160 and with fluid leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 through the housing 55 into the first volume 120A, and the second volume 120B is supplied with fluid supplied directly from the high fluid pressure region 82 into the second volume 120B through the port 150), the pressure in the first and second volumes 120A, 120B equalizes across the radial shaft seal 140, preventing or at least reducing the pressure differential across the radial shaft seal 140 or on either side of the radial shaft seal. This prevents or at least reduces lubricant loss from the bearing 114B and reduces stress on the radial shaft seal 140, thereby inherently increasing the useful life of the radial shaft seal 140. Although blower-compressor 50C has two supply ports 150 and 160, in alternative embodiments it may be formed with more supply ports at different locations along high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65 between shaft chamber 120 and high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65. Although the blower-compressor 50C has one return port 130, in alternative embodiments it may be formed with two or more separate return ports 130 at different locations along the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 between the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65.

In fig. 10, the blower-compressor 50A described above is modified by the shaft chamber 190, the bearing 114C, the radial shaft seal 200, and the port 210 to form an alternative embodiment of a regenerative blower-compressor, indicated at 50D. The reference numerals used in the description of the blower-compressor 50A are also suitably used in the embodiment indicated at 50D.

Like the blower-compressor 50A, the intermediate portion 112 of the drive shaft 70 is mounted to the head 96 of the canister 90 for rotation by a bearing 114B that fits in a socket 116 centrally formed in the head 96, and the shaft 70 extends vertically beyond the bearing 114B through a shaft chamber 120 formed in the head 96 centrally in the underside of the impeller 51, to the bore 72 centrally formed in the head 96 and centrally through the impeller 51 beyond the bore 72. In the blower-compressor 50D, the shaft 70 extends vertically beyond the impeller 51, through a shaft chamber 190 formed centrally in the cover 60 on the upper side of the impeller 51, to an upper end 111 mounted on the cover 60 of the annular housing 52 for rotation by a bearing 114C fitted in a socket 195 formed centrally in the cover 60. Like bearings 114A and 114B, bearing 114C is an identical and entirely conventional rotary bearing that is lubricated with a selected amount of lubricant (e.g., selected grease, selected oil, or both) sufficient to enable smooth and orderly operation of bearing 114C in accordance with standard operating parameters. The shaft chamber 190 is defined by a sidewall 191 extending between the impeller 51 and a bearing 114C that rotatably connects the upper end 111 of the drive shaft 70 to the cover 60.

The radial shaft seal 200 is within the shaft chamber 190 of the regenerative blower-compressor 50D between the impeller 51 and the bearing 114C and seals the drive shaft 70 to the sidewall 191 between the end impeller 51 and the bearing 114C, thereby inherently dividing the shaft chamber 190 into a first or lower volume 190A between the impeller 51 and the radial shaft seal 200 and a second or upper volume 190B between the radial shaft seal 200 and the bearing 114C. The first volume 190A and the second volume 190B are on opposite sides of the radial shaft seal 200, with the first volume 190A on a lower side of the radial shaft seal 200 and the second volume 190B on an opposite upper side of the radial shaft seal 200. The radial shaft seal 200 seals the first volume 190A from the second volume 190B, and thus from the bearing 114C at the second volume 190B. In this embodiment, the first volume 190A is larger than the second volume 190B.

During operation of blower-compressor 50D, fluid in passage 65 is continually leaking through housing 55 to shaft 70, inherently through the inherent clearance between impeller 51 and annular volume 75 of housing 55, in the direction of arrow C from high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65 toward low fluid pressure region 81 of passage 65, downwardly in the direction of arrow D into first volume 120A of shaft chamber 120 through the inherent clearance between drive shaft 70 and bore 72 formed in head 96, and also upwardly in the direction of arrow E into first volume 190A of shaft chamber 190 through the inherent clearance between annular volume 75 and impeller 51. Thus, the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 continuously receives so-called bypass fluid that continuously leaks from the high fluid pressure region 82 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120. In addition, the first volume 190A of the shaft chamber 190 constantly receives so-called bypass fluid, which constantly leaks from the high fluid pressure region 82 into the first volume 190A of the shaft chamber 190 and also into the second volume 190B of the shaft chamber 190 when fluid is blown from the first volume 190A into the second volume 190B through the radial shaft seal 200. The constant fluid leakage direction of arrow C from the high fluid pressure region 82 toward the low fluid pressure region 81 is perpendicular to the rotational axis a of the drive shaft 70 and the impeller 51, and the constant fluid leakage directions of arrows D and E from the volume 75 to the shaft chamber 120 are parallel to the drive shaft 70. The inherent leakage of fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 toward the low fluid pressure region 81 in the direction of arrow C and down into the shaft chamber 120 in the direction of arrow D and into the first and second volumes 190A, 190B of the shaft chamber 190 in the direction of arrow E is a function of the pressure differential across the interior volume of the housing 55 during operation of the blower-compressor 50D. Accordingly, shaft chambers 120 and 190 of blower-compressor 50D are each inherently configured to continuously receive leakage fluid that continuously leaks from high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65 through housing 55 into shaft chambers 120 and 190.

The blower-compressor 50D is constructed and arranged to continuously and directly return bypass fluid leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 through the housing 55 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 back into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, and thus into the functional fluid path through the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. This is accomplished by the previously described port 130 in the embodiment shown at 50A. At the same time, blower-compressor 50D is also constructed and arranged to continuously and directly return bypass fluid leaking from high fluid pressure region 82 through housing 55 into shaft chamber 190 back into low fluid pressure region 81 of passage 65, and thus into the functional fluid path through passage 65 at low fluid pressure region 81 of passage 65. This is accomplished in the blower-compressor 50D through port 210.

As described above, in the embodiment indicated at 50A, the port 130 is operatively connected in fluid communication between the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 to continuously receive fluid from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and continuously supply it to the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, such that fluid continuously leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 is continuously and directly returned through the port 130 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 and thus into the functional fluid path through the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The port 130 is a return port or return circulation port coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 for independently, directly and continuously returning/draining fluid continuously leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The port 130 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 (at the sidewall 124 between the end wall 125 and the radial shaft seal 130) and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 (at the base 61 of the annular housing 52 on the underside of the impeller 51).

In the regenerative blower-compressor 50D, the port 210 is formed directly through the material of the cover 60, such as by machining or drilling, extending from the sidewall 191 between the radial shaft seal 200 and the bearing 114C, and through the cover 60 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 on the upper side of the impeller 51, thereby coupling the second volume 190B of the shaft chamber 190 in fluid communication with the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81. The port 210 is additionally configured with a branch 210A similarly formed through the material of the cover 60, the branch 210A operatively coupling the first volume 190A in fluid communication with the port 210 and, thus, in fluid communication with the low fluid pressure region 81 of the channel 65. In this embodiment, the branch 210A extends through the material of the cover 60 from the first volume 190A (at the sidewall 191 between the impeller 51 and the radial shaft seal 200) to the port 210 between the sidewall 191 of the shaft chamber 190 and the channel 65.

The port 210 is operatively connected in fluid communication between the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 and the first and second volumes 190A, 190B of the shaft chamber 190 to continuously return/supply fluid from and to the first and second volumes 190A, 190B of the shaft chamber 190, whereby fluid continuously leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the first and second volumes 190A, 190B of the shaft chamber 190 is continuously returned/supplied through the port 210 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 and thus into the functional fluid path through the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The port 210 is a return port or return circulation port coupled directly in fluid communication between the first and second volumes 190A, 199B of the shaft chamber 190 of the cover 60 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the channel 65 for independently, directly and continuously returning/draining leakage fluid (i.e., the bypass fluid) leaking from the high fluid pressure region 82 into the first and second volumes 190A, 190B of the shaft chamber 190. This directly couples the first and second volumes 190A, 190B of the shaft chamber 190 in fluid communication to the channel 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81, thereby enabling the low fluid pressure region 81 of the channel 65 to receive fluid from the first and second volumes 190A, 190B of the shaft chamber 190 via the port 210.

During operation of blower-compressor 50D, fluid in passage 65 continuously leaks through housing 55 to shaft 70 in the direction of arrow C from high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65 toward low fluid pressure region 81 of passage 65 through the inherent clearance between impeller 51 and annular volume 75 of housing 55, and down into first volume 120A of shaft chamber 120 in the direction of arrow D through the inherent clearance between drive shaft 70 and bore 72 formed in head 96. Thus, the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 continuously receives so-called bypass fluid that continuously leaks from the high fluid pressure region 82 into the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120. The port 130, which is directly coupled in fluid communication between the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 at the base 61 of the annular housing 52, independently, directly and continuously drains leakage fluid from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 from the base 61 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, and thus into the functional fluid flow through the passage 65 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. Thus, the port 130 supplies/exhausts/introduces bypass fluid directly and independently from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 into the fluid path of the channel 65 continuously and directly through the base 61 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the channel 65. This constant recirculating supply of bypass fluid from the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 through the port 130 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 advantageously increases the fluid flow through the passage 65, thereby inherently improving the volumetric efficiency and operation of the blower-compressor 50D as described above in connection with the blower-compressor 50, while continuously relieving the pressure in the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120, thereby preventing or at least reducing the pressure differential across the radial shaft seal 140. This prevents or at least reduces lubricant loss from the bearing 114B and reduces stress on the radial shaft seal 140, thereby inherently increasing the useful life of the radial shaft seal 140 and reducing stress on the bearing 114B at the second volume 120B of the shaft chamber 120, thereby preventing or at least reducing lubricant loss from the bearing 114B, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Meanwhile, during operation of blower-compressor 50D, fluid in passage 65 is constantly leaking through housing 55 to shaft 70 in the direction of arrow C from high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65 toward low fluid pressure region 81 of passage 65, through the inherent clearance between impeller 51 and annular volume 75 of housing 55, and up into first volume 190A of shaft chamber 190 in the direction of arrow E. Thus, the first volume 190A of the shaft chamber 190 continuously receives so-called bypass fluid that continuously leaks from the high fluid pressure region 82 into the first volume 190A of the shaft chamber 120. As the pressure in the first volume 190A increases, fluid may be blown from the first volume 190A into the second volume 190B through the radial shaft seal 200. The port 210, which is directly coupled in fluid communication between the first and second volumes 190A, 190B of the shaft chamber 190 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 at the base 61 of the annular housing 52, independently, directly and continuously exhausts leakage fluid from the first and second volumes 190A, 190B of the shaft chamber 190 from the base 61 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, and thus into the flow of functional fluid through the passage 65. Thus, the port 210 continuously and directly supplies/discharges/introduces bypass fluid from both the first volume 190A and the second volume 190B of the shaft chamber 190 directly and independently into the fluid path of the channel 65 through the base 61 at the low fluid pressure region 81 of the channel 65. This constant recirculation of bypass fluid from the first and second volumes 190A, 190B of the shaft chamber 190 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 advantageously increases fluid flow through the passage 65, thereby inherently improving volumetric efficiency and operation of the blower-compressor 50D as described above in connection with the blower-compressor 50, while continuously relieving pressure in the first and second volumes 190A, 190B of the shaft chamber 190, thereby preventing or at least reducing the pressure differential across the radial shaft seal 200. This prevents or at least reduces lubricant loss from the bearing 114C and reduces stress on the radial shaft seal 200, thereby inherently increasing the useful life of the radial shaft seal 140.

Although the blower-compressor 50D has one return port 210 between the shaft chamber 190 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, in alternative embodiments it may be formed with two or more separate supply ports 210 at different locations along the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 between the shaft chamber 190 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. Although the blower-compressor 50D has one return port 130 between the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65, in alternative embodiments it may be formed with two or more separate return ports 130 at different locations along the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 between the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that a new and improved regenerative blower-compressor is disclosed having a shaft bypass fluid circulation port which is simple in construction and which collects fluid from the high fluid pressure region 82 of passage 65 and transfers it to the low fluid pressure region 81 of passage 65 for improved volumetric efficiency, relieving stress on the radial shaft seal, and for preventing lubricant loss from the rotary bearing 114.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the regenerative blower-compressor 50 includes an impeller 51, the impeller 51 mounted to a drive shaft 70 within a housing 55, the housing 55 including a passage 65, the passage 65 extending from an inlet 66 adjacent a low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 to an outlet 67 adjacent a high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65. The impeller 51 extends radially outwardly from the drive shaft 70 through an annular volume 75 within the housing 55 to vanes 80 in the channel 65. The impeller 51 is configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft 70 to rotate the vanes 80 through the passage 65 to force fluid from the inlet 66 through the passage 65 to the outlet 67. The drive shaft 70 extends from the impeller 51 within the annular volume 75 into a shaft chamber 120 within the housing 55. The shaft chamber 120 is configured to receive fluid that leaks from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 through the housing 55 into the shaft chamber 120. The port 130 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 for discharging fluid directly from the shaft chamber 120 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The shaft chamber 120 is defined by a sidewall 124 extending between an end wall 125 and a bearing 114B that rotatably connects the drive shaft 70 to the housing 55. In the embodiment of the regenerative blower indicated at 50A, the drive shaft 70 is sealed to the side wall 124 by a radial shaft seal 140 within the shaft chamber 120, thereby dividing the shaft chamber 120 into a first volume 120A between the end wall 125 and the radial shaft seal 140, and a second volume 120B between the bearing 114B and the radial shaft seal 140. The first volume 120A is configured to receive fluid that leaks from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 through the housing 55 into the first volume 120A, and the port 130 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume 120A of the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The first volume 120A is larger than the second volume 120B.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, another embodiment of the regenerative blower-compressor 50B includes an impeller 51, the impeller 51 mounted to a drive shaft 70 within a housing 55, the housing 55 including a passage 65, the passage 65 extending from an inlet 66 adjacent a low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 to an outlet 67 adjacent a high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65. The impeller 51 extends radially outwardly from the drive shaft 70 through an annular volume 75 within the housing 55 to vanes 80 in the channel 65. The impeller 51 is configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft 70 to rotate the vanes 80 through the passage 65 to force fluid from the inlet 66 through the passage 65 to the outlet 67. The drive shaft 70 extends from the impeller 51 within the annular volume 75 into a shaft chamber 120 within the housing 55. The shaft chamber 120 is defined by a sidewall 124 extending between an end wall 125 and a bearing 114B that rotatably connects the drive shaft 70 to the housing 55. The drive shaft 70 is sealed to the sidewall 124 by a radial shaft seal 140 within the shaft chamber 120, dividing the shaft chamber 120 into a first volume 120A between the end wall 125 and the radial shaft seal 140, and a second volume 120B between the bearing 114B and the radial shaft seal 140. The first volume 120A is configured to receive fluid that leaks from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 through the housing 55 into the first volume 120A. The first port 150 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 and the second volume 120B for discharging fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the second volume 120B. The second port 130 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume 120A and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 for discharging fluid directly from the first volume 120A into the low fluid pressure region of the passage 65. The first volume 120A is larger than the second volume 120B.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, yet another embodiment of the regenerative blower-compressor 50C includes an impeller 51, the impeller 51 mounted to a drive shaft 70 within a housing 55, the housing 55 including a passage 65, the passage 65 extending from an inlet 66 adjacent a low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 to an outlet 67 adjacent a high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65. The impeller 51 extends radially outwardly from the drive shaft 70 through an annular volume 75 within the housing 55 to vanes 80 in the channel 65. The impeller 51 is configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft 70 to rotate the vanes 80 through the passage 65 to force fluid from the inlet 66 through the passage 65 to the outlet 67. The drive shaft 70 extends from the impeller 51 within the annular volume 75 into a shaft chamber 120 within the housing 55. The first port 160 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 and the shaft chamber 120 for draining fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the shaft chamber 120. The second port 130 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 for discharging fluid directly from the shaft chamber 120 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, yet another embodiment of the regenerative blower-compressor 50C includes an impeller 51, the impeller 51 mounted to a drive shaft 70 within a housing 55, the housing 55 including a passage 65, the passage 65 extending from an inlet 66 adjacent a low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 to an outlet 67 adjacent a high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65. The impeller 51 extends radially outwardly from the drive shaft 70 through an annular volume 75 within the housing 55 to vanes 80 in the channel 65. The impeller 51 is configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft 70 to rotate the vanes 80 through the passage 65 to force fluid from the inlet 66 through the passage 65 to the outlet 67. The drive shaft 70 extends from the impeller 51 within the annular volume 75 into a shaft chamber 120 within the housing 55. The shaft chamber 120 is defined by a sidewall 124 extending between an end wall 125 and a bearing 114B that rotatably connects the drive shaft 70 to the housing 55. The drive shaft 70 is sealed to the sidewall 124 by a radial shaft seal 140 within the shaft chamber 120, dividing the shaft chamber 120 into a first volume 120A between the end wall 125 and the radial shaft seal 140, and a second volume 120B between the bearing 114B and the radial shaft seal 140. The first port 160 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 and the first volume 120A for exhausting fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the first volume 120A. The second port 130 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume 120A and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 for discharging fluid directly from the first volume 120A into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The third port 150 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 and the second volume 120B for discharging fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the second volume 120B. The second port 130 is additionally coupled in fluid communication directly between the second volume 120B and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 for discharging fluid directly from the second volume 120B into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The first volume 120A is larger than the second volume 120B.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, yet another embodiment of the regenerative blower-compressor 50C includes an impeller 51, the impeller 51 mounted to a drive shaft 70 within a housing 55, the housing 55 including a passage 65, the passage 65 extending from an inlet 66 adjacent a low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 to an outlet 67 adjacent a high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65. The impeller 51 extends radially outwardly from the drive shaft 70 through an annular volume 75 within the housing 55 to vanes 80 in the channel 65. The impeller 51 is configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft 70 to rotate the vanes 80 through the passage 65 to force fluid from the inlet 66 through the passage 65 to the outlet 67. The drive shaft 70 extends from the impeller 51 within the annular volume 75 into a shaft chamber 120 within the housing 55. The shaft chamber 120 is defined by a sidewall 124 extending between an end wall 125 and a bearing 114B that rotatably connects the drive shaft 70 to the housing 55. The drive shaft 70 is sealed to the sidewall 124 by a radial shaft seal 140 within the shaft chamber 120, dividing the shaft chamber 120 into a first volume 120A between the end wall 125 and the radial shaft seal 140, and a second volume 120B between the bearing 114B and the radial shaft seal 140. The first port 150 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 and the second volume 120B for discharging fluid directly from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 into the second volume 120B. The second port 130 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the second volume 120B and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 for discharging fluid directly from the second volume 120B into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The first volume 120A is larger than the second volume 120B.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, yet another embodiment of the regenerative blower-compressor 50D includes an impeller 51, the impeller 51 mounted to a drive shaft 70 within a housing 55, the housing 55 including a passage 65, the passage 65 extending from an inlet 66 adjacent a low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage to an outlet 67 adjacent a high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65. The impeller 51 extends radially outwardly from the drive shaft 70 through an annular volume 75 within the housing 55 to vanes 80 in the channel 65. The impeller 51 is configured to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft 70 to rotate the vanes 80 through the passage 65 to force fluid from the inlet 66 through the passage 65 to the outlet 67. The drive shaft 70 extends from either side of the impeller 51 within the annular volume 75 into the first and second shaft chambers 190, 120 within the housing on either side of the impeller 51. The first and second shaft chambers 190, 120 are each configured to receive fluid that leaks from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 through the housing 55 into the first and second shaft chambers 190, 120. The first port 210 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the first shaft chamber 190 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 for draining fluid directly from the first shaft chamber 190 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The second port 130 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the second shaft chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65 for draining fluid directly from the second shaft chamber 120 into the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The first shaft chamber 190 is defined by a sidewall 191 extending between the impeller 51 and a bearing 114C that rotatably connects the drive shaft 70 to the housing 55. The drive shaft 70 is sealed to the sidewall 191 by a radial shaft seal 200 within the first shaft chamber 190, dividing the first shaft chamber 190 into a first volume 190A between the impeller 51 and the radial shaft seal 200, and a second volume 190B between the radial shaft seal 200 and the bearing 114C. The first volume 190A is configured to receive fluid that leaks from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 through the housing 55 into the first volume 190A, and the first port 210 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume 190A of the first shaft chamber 190 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65. The second shaft chamber 120 is defined by a side wall 124 extending between an end wall 124 and a bearing 114B that rotatably connects the drive shaft 70 to the housing 55. The drive shaft 70 is sealed to the side wall 124 of the second chamber 120 by a radial shaft seal 140 within the second chamber 120, dividing the second chamber 120 into a first volume 120A between the end wall 125 and the radial shaft seal 140, and a second volume 120B between the bearing 114B and the radial shaft seal 140. The first volume 120A is configured to receive fluid that leaks from the high fluid pressure region 82 of the passage 65 through the housing 55 into the first volume 120A, and the second port 130 is coupled in fluid communication directly between the first volume 120A of the second chamber 120 and the low fluid pressure region 81 of the passage 65.

The invention has been described above with reference to illustrative embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Various further modifications and alterations to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

The present invention has been described in such a clear and concise manner as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the invention, and the invention as claimed: