Inception of the Revolving Vane Compressor

Document Type : Original Article

Author

School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Abstract

Abstract:
This paper presents a step-by-step design details leading to the inception of a new rotary compressor called Revolving Vane compressor (the RV). This compressor was conceived with the objective to counter all the basic design limitations present in the existing rolling piston compressor (the RP). The outcome is the RV compressor. As compared to the rolling piston design, this new compressor has the following advantages: fewer components; lower frictional losses and thus a higher mechanical efficiency, a higher volumetric efficiency and a simpler construction. The RV has a rotating cylinder and a vane which is rigidly fixed to the driving component, in this case, the cylinder. A mathematical model has been formulated to understand the performance of the compressor and a prototype compressor has also been fabricated and tested to proof the design concept.

Keywords