Compressor having rear housing structure to reduce the operating temperature

Abstract

A rear housing for a compressor reduces the operating temperature of the compressor. The compressor generally includes a cylinder block receiving low pressure fluid from the rear housing and providing high pressure fluid back to the rear housing. The rear housing defines a suction chamber and a discharge chamber. The rear housing further defines an isolation chamber positioned between the suction and discharge chambers. In this way, heat transfer between the higher temperature discharge fluid and the lower temperature suction fluid is reduced, thereby reducing the operating temperature of the compressor.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to compressors, and more particularly relates to the structure of a rear housing of the compressor to reduce the operating temperature. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Existing compressors, such as air conditioning compressors found in vehicles, contain an inherent problem of heat transfer. In normal use, a fluid such as a refrigerant gas enters the compressor via a suction chamber in the rear housing of the compressor. This suction fluid, under normal driving conditions, is around 80° F. The gas then proceeds through the cylinder block and its chambers where it is drawn into and exited by reciprocating piston movement, which compresses the fluid and discharges it out of the pump. Compressing a fluid within an enclosed volume increases its temperature usually by a factor of 2 to 3 times the original suction temperature. The final temperature of the discharge fluid is thus typically around 200° F. or higher. The...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention provides a rear housing for a compressor that reduces the operating temperature of the compressor. The compressor generally includes a cylinder block receiving low pressure fluid from the rear housing and providing high pressure fluid back to the rear housing. The rear housing generally comprises an annular outer wall and an annular inner wall circumscribed by the outer wall. A suction chamber is defined by the inner wall and provides low pressure fluid to the cylinder block. A discharge chamber is defined between the inner and outer walls, and receives high pressure fluid from the cylinder block. An annular isolation wall is structured to define an isolation chamber positioned between the suction and discharge chambers. In this way, heat transfer between the higher temperature discharge fluid and the lower temperature suction fluid is reduced, thereby providing a barrier to the cyclic relationship and reducing the temperature of the discharge fluid, which in turn reduces the operating temperature of the compressor.

Problems solved by technology

Existing compressors, such as air conditioning compressors found in vehicles, contain an inherent problem of heat transfer.

Unfortunately, the hot discharge fluid is in constant contact with the compressor's metallic walls, which generally offer very little thermal resistance, and allows the heat to increase the overall temperature of the compressor through contact conduction.

Elevated discharge fluid temperatures present a number of problems.

Finally, elevated discharge temperatures reduce the durability of the compressor.

Elevated operating temperatures can cause premature failure of the pistons, the swashplate, seals, bearings and other components of the compressor.

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