Abstract
This paper presents a numerical simulation of the performance of a meso-scale Wankel compressor and discusses the factors affecting its miniaturization. The discussion is related to the effect of leakage and friction on the design limit (cooling capacity and dimension) of the meso Wankel compressor. In the simulation, the main leakage comes from the gaps between the rotor and the endplates as well as between the seal apex and the cylinder. The largest friction originates from the clearance among the end face of the eccentric shaft, the end faces of the rotor, and the endplates. The decreasing cooling capacity of the mesoWankel compressor increases the proportion of leakage to displacement and causes the coefficient of performance COP and the mechanical efficiency to decrease. The rational design cooling capacity limit for the meso-scale Wankel compressor is approximately 4W.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Pennock G R, Beard J E. Force analysis of the apex seals in the Wankel rotary compressor include the influence of fluctuations in the crankshaft speed. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 1997, 32(3): 349–361
Heppner J D, Walther D C, Liepmann D, Pisano A R. Leakage flow analysis for a MEMS rotary engine. ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (INECE), Washington D C, 2003, 15-21
Pandeya P N, Soedel W. Rolling-piston-type rotary compressors with special attention to friction and leakage. In: Proc of the 1978 ICECP, Purdue University, USA, 1978, 147–156
Yanagiswa T, Shimizu T. Friction losses in rolling-piston-type rotary compressors III. International Journal of Refrigeration, 1985, 8(3): 159–165
Prater J G, William P H. Optical measurement of discharge valve model parameters for a rolling piston refrigeration compressor. Journal of the International Measurement Confederation, 2003, 33(1): 75–84
Prater J G. Computer modeling and simulation of stationary-vane, rolling piston refrigeration compressors. Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, 2002, 3(3): 299–312
Hsiao W, Jiro Y, Takeshi A and Michio Y. Analysis of performance in a rotary compressor. In: Proc of the 1982 ICECP, Purdue University, USA, 1982, 140–147
Padhy S K. Dynamic analysis of a rotary compressor. Journal of Mechanical Design, 1994, 116(2): 639–646
Ooi K T, Wong T N. A computer simulation of a rotary compressor for household refrigerators. Applied Thermal Engineering, 1997, 17(1): 65–78
Ooi K T. Design optimization of a rolling piston compressor for refrigerators. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2005, 25(5,6): 813–829
Ma G Y, Li H Q. Rotary Compressor. Beijing: Machinery Industry Press, 2003
Lu F, Yu N B. Wankel Engine. Beijing: National Defense Industry Press, 1990
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhang, Y., Wang, W. Effects of leakage and friction on the miniaturization of a Wankel compressor. Front. Energy 5, 83–92 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-010-0125-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-010-0125-7