Principle of
Operation:
The Fuji Ring Compressor
is a non-positive
displacement, high
volume, low pressure
blower that can operate
as either a compressor
or a vacuum pump. It is
also known by other
names such as:
regenerative blower,
vortex blower and
side-channel blower.
The blower consists of
an impeller mounted
directly on a motor
shaft and is rotated at
a high speed, about 3600
RPM. On the periphery of
the impeller is a large
number of radial blades.
The impeller is
positioned between two
endplates with the
blades located with a
channel on either side.
As the impeller spins
and the blades pass the
inlet port, a low
pressure area is created
that draws in air or
other gases. The
impeller blades impart
motion to the air by
centrifugal force,
throwing it outward and
forward, where it
follows the contour of
the side-channel and is
returned to the base, or
root, of the impeller.
This action is repeated
many times, creating a
vortex. Each
"regeneration" causes
the air to gain pressure
until it reaches the
portion of the housing
where the air is
stripped from the
impeller and discharged
from the blower.
The ring compressor is,
in effect, a multistage
compressor with each
regeneration of the air
becoming another
"stage". The pressure
increase at each stage
in the cycle is very
small, but the large
number of stages yields
inlet vacuum levels up
to 8 in. Hg and
discharge pressures of
up to 5 PSIG, depending
on the size of the
blower. Flow levels of
up to 570 CFM (cubic
feet per minute) can be
achieved, and discharge
air is free of annoying
pulsations.
The basic construction
of a ring compressor
means that the only
moving part is the
impeller. Nothing
touches except the
bearings. The method of
compression means that
there is no requirement
for lubrication in the
compression chamber; the
discharge air is
oil-less. No oil
aerosols are present in
the discharge air, nor
carbon dust generated by
sliding vanes. The
blowers may be mounted
vertically (with
impeller housing down)
or horizontally.
Construction
Fuji's complete line of
ring compressors is
designed to meet the
most critical
application
requirements. Each
features an impeller,
mounting base and
housing manufactured of
aluminum alloy for
maximum strength,
reduced weight and
increased corrosion
resistance. The
compressor and motor are
constructed as a unit
for mechanical
simplicity and maximum
structural integrity.
The elimination of
clutches, gears, belts,
and sliding vanes
reduces periodic
maintenance while
increasing reliability.
TEFC (totally enclosed,
fan-cooled) motors are
standard on all models,
except VFC063P and
VFC100 models, which are
TENV (totally enclosed,
non-ventilated. In
addition, all models
have NEMA class B, or
class F (model VFC700),
insulation, and are
Underwriters Recognized
(Yellow Card File), CSA
certified (File
LR48762), and meet CE.
All single phase units
have built-in automatic
reset thermal
protectors, except
models VFC400P and
VFC508P. All three phase
units have pilot duty
thermal protectors
requiring only the
addition of an external
contactor for overload
protection, however,
magnetic motor starters
are recommended.
All ring compressor
impellers are
dynamically balanced to
virtually eliminate
vibration while
increasing overall
long-term reliability.
Most models have a shaft
oil-seal between the
impeller and bearing, as
well as a double
shielded bearing to
reduce the possibility
of foreign material
influx and preclude air
contamination. |
