Patent attributes
A counter-rotating supersonic compressor. A first subsonic rotor includes a plurality of unshrouded impulse rotor blades operating at sub-sonic conditions. A second, supersonic rotor includes a fixed second rotor portion and an adjustable second rotor portion. The fixed second rotor portion includes a plurality of supersonic passageways having converging-diverging sidewalls, and internal boundary layer bleed passageways. The adjustable second rotor portion includes a plurality of centerbodies which are disposed in the supersonic passageways. Helical movement (circumferential and axial) movement of the adjustable second rotor portion with respect to the fixed second rotor portion enables upstream and downstream movement of the centerbodies in the supersonic passageways. This movement facilitates ease of supersonic startup, and automatic adjustment for changes in operation conditions, such as pressure, temperature, or mass flow rate of a working fluid such as carbon dioxide.
