Vert Rotors compressors, similar to traditional twin screw devices, use a pair of rotors to generate pressure. Vert’s novel step is to place one rotor inside the other, instead of side by side. As the air travels along the rotors, the volume of the chamber reduces, increasing the pressure. The air is then ejected at the discharge end of the device at a higher pressure than is able to reached by other compressor technologies.
EU patents 3108142, 3005308; US patents 9776739, 9959684
Our core Conical Rotary Compressor (CRC) technology has a number of benefits over other compressor technologies.
High-precision coordinate-measuring machines (CMM) need clean compressed air, Class 4 purity or better, preferably Class 1. Contamination of air with particles may lead to failure of air bearings in the probe head, lowered precision, expensive repair, and delay the manufacturing process.
Typically, the factory does not guarantee high air purity. Building airlines with filters and dryers may be very expensive. In this case choosing a point-of-use air compressor may be a simpler and cheaper alternative. The piston compressor is not advisable due to the high level of vibrations, which is bad for CMM precision. A rotary compressor, with a Class 1 filter is a preferred solution because it helps to prevent expensive repair and down-time.
High-value metal 3D printers are often used in engineering design houses, hospitals, laboratories, etc. Such facilities may not have a central supply of compressed air, or 3-phase power. For 3D printers, which require compressed air, a point-of-use air compressor is a preferred option. Such compressor should be very quiet, run from 1-phase mains power, and provide Class 1 air quality, to protect the 3D printer from contamination.
While piston compressors may look like a cheaper option, they produce significant vibration and high level of noise, which means that under the H&S law they may only be used for a short time. “Quiet” compressors typically operate at 50% duty cycle, such as 15 min on / 15 min off, and therefore may interrupt the work of the 3D printer.
As an example application of their highly efficient, unique and versatile conical rotary compressor design, Edinburgh-based Vert Rotors received Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) funding to develop a prototype system that could significantly improve the quality and resolution of infrared imaging in small surveillance satellites.
In small imaging systems vibration isn’t desirable, but it is an inherent feature of current, state-of-the-art cryocoolers based on piston compressors. Vert Rotor’s miniature low-vibration cooling system design is based on their conical rotary compressor technology developed to cool infrared image sensors on small satellites with very little vibration, thus eliminating this problem.
Vert Rotors has already started another project to upgrade their rotary cryocooling system for space simulation testing. In the future this could offer a step-change innovation for a future British space-surveillance capability.
A Career at Vert is a rare opportunity to join a team of technology pioneers, develop game-changing innovation and make a global impact with your work.
Work at Vert is very challenging and rewarding. That’s why we only hire only the brightest and most passionate engineers in the country. It’s hard to get a job at Vert, but it will be well worth the challenge.
