Device for modifying flow parameters of working fluid exiting a compressor device

Abstract

This disclosure describes improvements that can expand the operating envelope of a compressor device. These improvements implement devices that vary flow parameters of a working fluid at the exit of the compressor device. In one embodiment, the device utilizes a nozzle that installs into the discharge opening on a volute of a centrifugal compressor. Actuation of the nozzle modifies a flow area through which the working fluid exits the centrifugal compressor. The change in the flow area increases the velocity of the working fluid, without the need to change the operating speed and/or other operating parameters of the centrifugal compressor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compressor device, comprising
 a flow housing having an outlet region that is adapted to permit a working fluid to exit the flow housing; and   a nozzle device disposed at the outlet region, the nozzle device defining a nozzle outlet adapted to receive the working fluid, the nozzle outlet having a first outlet area and a second outlet area that is smaller than the first outlet area.   
     
     
         2 . The compressor device of  claim 1 , further comprising an impeller that is adapted to deliver the working fluid to the flow housing. 
     
     
         3 . The compressor device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow housing comprises a volute having a curvilinear body that forms a discharge opening disposed in the outlet region, and wherein the nozzle device is disposed at least partially in the discharge opening. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor device of  claim 3 , wherein the nozzle device comprises a nozzle body with a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is disposed inside of the volute. 
     
     
         5 . The compressor device of  claim 4 , wherein the second end extends outside of the volute and positions the nozzle outlet in spaced relation to the discharge opening. 
     
     
         6 . The compressor device of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator element coupled with the nozzle device, wherein the actuator has a first actuator position and a second actuator position that correspond to, respectively, the first nozzle area and the second nozzle area. 
     
     
         7 . The compressor device of  claim 6 , wherein the actuator element comprises a rigid ring that circumscribes the nozzle outlet and is adapted to move between the first position and the second position along a longitudinal axis of the nozzle device. 
     
     
         8 . A nozzle device for an outlet of a volute found on a compressor device, said nozzle device comprising:
 a nozzle body adapted to couple with the volute, the nozzle body having a longitudinal axis and forming a nozzle outlet with a first outlet area and a second outlet area that is smaller than the first outlet area; and   an actuator body coupled with the nozzle body, the actuator body having a first position and a second position that is different than the first position, wherein the first position and the second position correspond with, respectively, the first outlet area and the second outlet area of the nozzle outlet.   
     
     
         9 . The nozzle device of  claim 8 , wherein the second position is spaced laterally from the first position along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body. 
     
     
         10 . The nozzle device of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator body comprises an annular ring that circumscribes at least part of the nozzle body. 
     
     
         11 . The nozzle device of  claim 10 , further comprising one or more roller elements coupled with the annular ring, wherein the roller elements engage the nozzle body. 
     
     
         12 . The nozzle device of  claim 8 , wherein the nozzle body comprises an elongated cylindrical element having a first section adapted to insert into the volute and a second section comprising a first projection and a second projection that bound the nozzle outlet, wherein the first projection and the second projection can move independent of one another relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The nozzle device of  claim 12 , wherein the first projection and the second projection have a first radial position and a second radial position relative to the longitudinal axis that correspond to, respectively, the first outlet area and the second outlet area of the nozzle outlet. 
     
     
         14 . The nozzle device of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more guide elements coupled with the first projection and the second projection, wherein the guide elements have a radially exterior edge that contacts the actuator body, and wherein the radially exterior edge has a first end and a second end that correspond to, respectively, the first nozzle area and the second nozzle area. 
     
     
         15 . The nozzle device of  claim 14 , wherein the radially exterior edge is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis by a radial distance, and wherein the radial distance increases from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         16 . The nozzle device of  claim 11 , wherein the nozzle outlet has a generally annular shape. 
     
     
         17 . A system, comprising:
 a compressor device having an impeller, a flow housing with an outlet region in fluid communication with the impeller, and a nozzle device disposed at the outlet region, the nozzle device defining a nozzle outlet adapted to receive the working fluid; and   a control system coupled to the nozzle device, the control system having
 a processor, 
 memory coupled with the processor, and 
 executable instructions stored on memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the executable instruction comprising one or more instructions for:
 receiving a first signal with data that reflects a first operating property of the compressor device; 
 selecting an outlet flow parameter for the working fluid at the outlet region relating to the first operating property; and 
 generating an output to instruct the nozzle device to assume a nozzle flow area for the nozzle outlet to achieve the outlet flow parameter. 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The system device of  claim 17 , wherein the executable instructions comprise one or more instructions for comparing the first operating property to a threshold criteria, wherein the outlet flow parameter has a value that satisfies the threshold criteria. 
     
     
         19 . The system device of  claim 17 , wherein the output instructs the nozzle device to change the nozzle flow area from a first outlet area to a second outlet area that is different from the first outlet area. 
     
     
         20 . The system device of  claim 17 , wherein the memory is remote from the processor.