Design and Friction Analysis of the Revolving Vane Compressor

Over the years, rotary compressors have gained significant popularity and widespread usage because of their compact nature and good vibration characteristics. Although possessing many advantages over the reciprocating compressors, one of the performance limitations of the rotary machines is their inferior mechanical efficiency due to the existence of large frictional losses, which occurs as a result of the high relative velocities between components in sliding contact. In efforts to effectively improve the mechanical efficiencies of rotary compressors, a new compressing mechanism has been developed which engages a radical concept of operation that is anticipated to produce a substantial reduction of the existing friction. A friction analysis taking into consideration the kinematics and dynamics of the novel machine is being conducted, where simulated results have revealed a superior mechanical efficiency as compared to other existing designs.