Device for compressing a gaseous fluid and method for operating such a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for compressing a gaseous fluid. The device (1) comprises a stator (5) and a rotor (8), which are arranged inside a housing (2) to extend along a common longitudinal axis (9), wherein the stator (5) encloses the rotor (8) in a radial direction. A space (10) is formed between the inside of the wall of the housing (2) and the outside of the wall of the stator (5). The housing (2) has a first housing element (2-1a, 2-1b) and a second housing element (2-2a, 2-2b), which are arranged so that their contact surfaces (3) are aligned with each other so as to seal the housing (2). Thus, a sealing element (11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8) is arranged between the contact surfaces (3) of the housing elements. The sealing element (11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8) has the shape of an annular disk with a circumferential formation (17) and at least one sealing area (18, 18-1, 18-2, 18-3). The formation (17) corresponds to the contour of the contact surface in the circumferential direction. The sealing area (18, 18-1, 18-2, 18-3) is designed to at least partially enclose a space (10). The invention also relates to a method for operating a device (1) for compressing a gaseous fluid and to the use of the device (1) according to the invention.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for compressing a gaseous fluid, in particular a refrigerant. The device can be used as a compressor in a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle. The device comprises a stator and a rotor, which are arranged inside a housing and extend along a common longitudinal axis. In this arrangement, the stator radially surrounds the rotor. A space is formed between the inside of the wall of the housing and the outside of the wall of the stator. The housing has housing elements, which are arranged so that the contact surfaces of the housing elements are aligned with each other so as to seal the housing. A sealing element is arranged between the contact surfaces of the housing elements.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a device. Background Art

[0003] Compressors for mobile applications, in particular for air conditioning systems in motor vehicles for conveying refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit, as known from the prior art - also called refrigerant compressors - are usually designed as piston compressors with variable displacement or scroll compressors of the refrigerant-independent type. The compressors are driven by a pulley or electrically.

[0004] Electric compressors have an electric motor for driving a corresponding compression mechanism. The losses occurring in the compressor lead in particular to the generation of heat, so that the heat of the electric motor must be dissipated in particular in order to ensure safe operation of the compressor with a maximum service life. For example, during operation of the compressor, heat, for example from the walls of the housing, is directly transferred to the refrigerant to be compressed, which affects the overall efficiency of the compressor. The overall efficiency of the compressor should be at its maximum.

[0005] In order to take into account the parameters which determine the operation of the compressor and in particular the parameters which determine the overall efficiency of the compressor and to adjust the influence of these parameters on each other, the mass flow of the refrigerant to be compressed or the mass flow of the refrigerant-oil mixture must be guided and controlled along an optimal flow path by means of the compressor housing or the electric motor.

[0006] Conventional electric motors for electrically driven compressors are designed with an annular stator core with coils arranged thereon and a rotor arranged within the stator core. The rotor and stator are aligned along a common axis of symmetry or alternatively along the axis of rotation of the rotor.

[0007] Electric driven compressors comprising housing seals which are specially designed for sealing two separate housing elements are known from the prior art. The housing seals merely fulfil the function of sealing the housing against leakage of refrigerant or oil from the compressor into the environment at various pressures and temperatures. In order to simultaneously ensure a concentrated flow of the mass flow of the refrigerant or the mass flow of the refrigerant-oil mixture by means of the compressor housing or via the electric motor, conventional compressors have additional components such as insert elements which serve to block and close possible flow paths and thus prevent undesired flows or to guide, direct and divert desired flows. Summary of the invention

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for compressing a gaseous fluid, in particular an electrically driven compressor, which can be assembled in a simple and thus rapid manner using as few individual components as possible. The individual components should satisfy a large variety of known and required functions of the apparatus, in particular in terms of the absorption of heat by the fluid. The apparatus is intended to be easy to implement and to minimize manufacturing costs. In particular, the complexity of the configuration of the apparatus should be minimized and at the same time the sealing of the apparatus relative to the environment should be ensured. The overall efficiency of the apparatus is intended to be maximized.

[0010] Solution

[0011] This problem is solved by means of the subject matter having the features of the independent patent claims. Further embodiments are described in the dependent patent claims.

[0012] This problem is solved by a device for compressing a gaseous fluid according to the invention. The device comprises a fixed stator and a rotor, which are arranged inside a housing and extend along a common longitudinal axis. In this arrangement, the stator is radially positioned on the outside of the rotor, thereby enclosing the rotor.

[0013] A space is formed between the interior of the wall of the housing and the exterior of the wall of the stator. The housing has a first housing element and a second housing element, which are arranged so that contact surfaces of the first housing element and the second housing element are aligned with each other to seal the housing. In this arrangement, a sealing element is arranged between the contact surfaces of the housing elements.

[0014] According to the invention, the sealing element has the shape of an annular disk with a circumferential profile and at least one sealing area. The shape corresponds to the contour of the contact surface of the housing element in the circumferential direction. The sealing area at least partially closes the space between the housing and the stator.

[0015] The sealing element advantageously has, in the region of the contact surface, an outer contour which simulates a contact surface of the housing element or of the housing.

[0016] The space formed between the interior of the housing wall and the exterior of the stator wall preferably has the shape of a circular ring.

[0017] The sealing element is preferably constantly aligned in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0018] According to a first alternative embodiment of the invention, the sealing element has the shape of an annular disk with a constant width. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the sealing element corresponds substantially to the outer diameter of the contact surface of the housing element, while the inner diameter of the sealing element corresponds substantially to the diameter of the outer part of the stator wall. Thus, the sealing element has an outer shape that almost completely closes the flow cross section of the space formed between the housing and the stator.

[0019] The width of the annular disk is understood to have an extension in each case in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0020] The sealing element preferably has at least one first sealing region which is designed as a closed surface.

[0021] Another advantage of the present invention is that the sealing element has at least one second sealing area, which is formed with at least one flow opening or at least one recess, and the at least one flow opening or at least one recess is used to allow the fluid to flow through the sealing element or through the sealing element in the space enclosed by the housing.

[0022] At least one flow opening can be designed, for example, with a circular or oval flow cross section. If a plurality of flow openings are included, the shape or size of the flow cross sections of the flow openings can be the same or different from one another.

[0023] A plurality is always understood to mean a number of at least two.

[0024] The at least one recess can, for example, have the shape of a notch which is formed by an inner edge arranged on the inner diameter of the sealing element, which inner edge extends radially outwards into the sealing region.

[0025] According to another alternative embodiment of the invention, the sealing element has the shape of an annular disk, wherein the outer diameter of the sealing element substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the contact surface of the housing element, and the inner diameter of the sealing element is shaped to correspond to the inner diameter of the contact surface. The sealing element with the outer diameter and the inner diameter is preferably arranged on a common plane.

[0026] The sealing element advantageously has at least one sealing area which influences the flow direction of the fluid and is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device and is aligned to protrude in the main flow direction of the fluid through the device.

[0027] The sealing area is preferably designed as an enclosed surface.

[0028] This problem is solved by a device according to the invention for compressing a gaseous fluid, the device comprising a housing with a first housing element and a second housing element, each of which is arranged such that mutually aligned contact surfaces contact each other and thus close the housing. Thus, a sealing element is arranged between the contact surfaces, the sealing element having the shape of an annular disk with a circumferential profile and at least one sealing area. The outer diameter of the sealing element corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the contact surface, while the inner diameter of the sealing element is formed with the inner diameter of the contact surface and has a shape corresponding in the circumferential direction to the contour of the contact surface.

[0029] The sealing element according to the invention has at least one sealing area which influences the flow direction of the fluid and is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device and is aligned to protrude in the main flow direction of the fluid through the device.

[0030] At least one sealing area influencing the flow direction of the fluid can have the shape of a ring segment with a constant inner diameter and a constant outer diameter. The sealing area is preferably arranged at the inner diameter of the sealing element in the outer diameter region, protruding from a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one sealing area influencing the flow direction of the fluid is arranged at an angle in the range of 20° to 70°, in particular in the range of 30° to 50°, to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the device. If a plurality of sealing areas influencing the flow direction of the fluid are used, the arrangement, in particular the angles to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the device or the sizes of the sealing areas may be identical or may differ from one another.

[0032] Another advantage of the present invention is that at least one sealing area that influences the flow direction of the fluid has at least one guide element for guiding the flow of the fluid. The guide element is arranged on the inner diameter of the sealing area.

[0033] The guide element is also preferably arranged at an angle in the range of 60° to 90°, in particular in the range of 70° to 80°, to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0034] According to an additional embodiment of the invention, the sealing element is designed to include a channel for accommodating a connecting element of the housing. At least one sealing region at least partially closing the space between the housing and the stator is arranged between adjacent channels in the circumferential direction.

[0035] The stator and the rotor are preferably arranged within the first housing element.

[0036] The first housing element preferably has an inlet for sucking the gaseous fluid to be compressed into the housing, so that the fluid can be led through the first housing element and therefrom directly to the stator or rotor and then into the second housing element.

[0037] The compression mechanism is advantageously arranged in the second housing element.

[0038] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the circumferential shape of the sealing element corresponding to the contour of the contact surface of the housing element in the circumferential direction is formed with a crown shape on the upper and lower sides of the sealing element.

[0039] Instead of comprising an apparatus having multiple separate components to achieve multiple required functions, the sealing element is designed as a component of the apparatus so that the sealing element actively directs the flow of a fluid, in particular a refrigerant, a refrigerant-oil mixture or oil inside the compressor, in order to ensure an ideal balance between flow rate and thermal management. The housing seal is designed to perform an integrated function within the refrigerant oil management system.

[0040] This problem is also solved by means of a method according to the invention for operating a device for compressing a gaseous fluid as described above.

[0041] In this case, the fluid is introduced into the first housing element of the housing via the inlet, and the fluid impacts the stator of the device arranged in the first housing and the rotor for driving the compression mechanism. The fluid is guided through the space formed between adjacent coils of the stator, the space formed between the stator and the rotor, and the rotor.

[0042] The fluid is then directed through a sealing element between the first housing element and the second housing element into the second housing element to the compression mechanism.

[0043] According to the invention, a partial mass flow of the fluid conducted through the space formed between the interior of the wall of the housing and the exterior of the wall of the stator is conducted as a bypass flow through the first housing element by means of a sealing element arranged between the housing elements.

[0044] In a further embodiment of the invention, the space is at least partially enclosed for the purpose of conducting the partial mass flow.

[0045] One advantage of the invention is that the flow direction of the partial mass flow can be directed in a centralized manner to the compression mechanism during the introduction into the second housing element by means of the sealing element.

[0046] An advantageous embodiment of the invention allows a user of the device to compress a gaseous fluid in a refrigerant circuit, in particular in a refrigerant compressor, of an air-conditioning system in a motor vehicle.

[0047] The device for compressing a gaseous fluid, having a sealing element designed to include a multifunctional component, and the method for operating the device according to the invention provide additional advantages as outlined below:

[0048] - integrating the functions of the additional component into the existing element, thereby minimizing the number of components, thus making it unnecessary to form an additional component, whereby in particular the sealing element performs multiple functions, such as with regard to hermetically sealing the housing and centralizing the direction of the fluid through the device,

[0049] And therefore

[0050] - simple construction and assembly, which also reduces manufacturing costs, in particular by minimizing the time required and minimizing waste, and

[0051] - By means of centralized control of the liquid flows, ie direct control of the functional parts, the efficiency and performance of the device is improved, which results in an increase in the overall efficiency of the device and avoids the need to oversize the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Further details, features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following description of alternative embodiments with reference to the corresponding drawings. The drawings show:

[0053] Figure 1 : A perspective view of a device for compressing a gaseous fluid, the device having an open housing viewed in the direction of the stator and the rotor of an electric motor, the stator having a coil 6 and a stator core;

[0054] Figure 2a and Figure 2b :according to Figure 1 A device having a conventional sealing element arranged on a sealing surface of a housing and a device according to Figure 1 A respective top view of a device having a sealing element according to the invention;

[0055] Figure 3a and Figure 3b :according to Figure 1 A device having a closed housing and a conventional sealing element arranged between two housing elements and according to Figure 1 sectional views of the devices with a closed housing and a sealing element according to the invention;

[0056] Figure 4a and Figure 4b :according to Figure 3a and Figure 3b Detailed three-dimensional cross-sectional views of the devices;

[0057] Figure 5: Comparison of the efficiency, in particular the overall efficiency, of an apparatus having a conventional sealing element and an apparatus having a sealing element according to the invention according to the speed of the apparatus;

[0058] Figures 6a to 6f : A perspective view or a detailed perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sealing element according to the invention with differently designed sealing areas, flow openings and recesses;

[0059] Figures 7a to 7c :according to Figure 6b A top view, a side sectional view and a detailed view of the sectional view of a sealing element according to the present invention;

[0060] Figure 8a and Figure 8b :according to Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a device having a closed housing and a conventional sealing element arranged between two housing elements and a perspective view of a conventional sealing element; and

[0061] Figures 9a to 9c as well as Figures 10a to 10c :according to Figure 1 A sectional view of a device having a closed housing and a sealing element according to the invention arranged between two housing elements, and a perspective view of a corresponding sealing element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Figure 1 A perspective view of a device 1 for compressing a gaseous fluid is shown, the device 1 having an open housing 2 viewed in the direction of a stator 5 and a rotor 8 of an electric motor, the stator 5 having a coil 6 and an at least partially insulated stator core 7, the rotor 8 as a device for driving a compressor, in particular a device for conveying a refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit in a motor vehicle air conditioning system.

[0063] In the case of an electric motor, for example an AC motor with three conductors, also referred to as single-phase conductors or multi-phase conductors, the stator core 7 is arranged on the outside of the rotor 8 in the radial direction, thereby enclosing the rotor 8 in the circumferential direction. The stator core 7 and the rotor 8 each extend along a longitudinal axis 9, the stator core 7 being preferably designed as an insulating laminated core at least partially surrounding the laminated core, the longitudinal axis 9 also corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the stator 5 and the axis of rotation of the rotor 8.

[0064] The open housing 2 of the device 1 can be closed in the region of the contact surfaces 3. Thus, two housing elements with mutually aligned contact surfaces that hermetically seal the housing 2 are adjacent to each other. The housing elements are connected and fixed together by means of connecting elements 4. A sealing element (not shown) is also arranged between the contact surfaces 3 of the housing elements, also referred to as sealing surfaces of the housing elements.

[0065] A first space 10 or gap is formed between the interior of the wall of the housing 2 and the exterior of the wall of the stator 5, in particular of the stator core 7. The first space 10 has essentially the shape of a cylindrical ring, which is divided into individual parts in the circumferential direction in the region of the connecting element 4 of the housing 2.

[0066] The coils 6 are each formed as an electrical conductor wound by a wire around an insulating region extending inwardly in the radial direction of the wall of the stator core 7. In each case, the wire in the region of the coil 6 is preferably a coated and wound copper wire, whereby the non-wound ends of the wire are preferably insulated with a plastic sheath as a connecting lead. The radially inwardly extending regions of the stator core 7 each have the shape of a transverse strip and are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the outer wall of the stator core 7. Between adjacent aligned coils 6 there is a coil gap, also referred to as a stator gap.

[0067] The gaseous fluid to be compressed by the device 1, in particular a refrigerant or a refrigerant-oil mixture, after being sucked into the housing 2 of the device 1, is guided via components of the electric motor in order to absorb heat and then supplied to the compression mechanism of the device 1. On the one hand, this means that the gaseous fluid is further superheated in the compression mechanism before compression, in particular in order to avoid fluid shocks that could damage the compression mechanism. On the other hand, the heat generated in the electric motor is dissipated to ensure safe operation of the compressor over a maximum service life.

[0068] Figure 2a and Figure 2b Each shows the Figure 1 Based on Figure 2a A top view of a device 1' with a conventional sealing element 11' arranged on a sealing surface 3 of a housing 2 and a Figure 1 A top view of a device 1 with a sealing element 11 according to the invention. The rotationally symmetrical and coaxial arrangement of the stator 5 with the coils 6 and the stator core 7 and the rotor 8 relative to the longitudinal axis 9 and to each other is clearly shown.

[0069] The sealing elements 11, 11', which connect the two housing elements to each other in a gas-tight and sealed manner and thus close the housing 2, rest on the contact surface 3 formed on the open front side of the housing 2. The sealing elements 11, 11' are each designed to have a channel 13 for accommodating one connecting element 4. Since the connecting element 4 passes through the channel 13 of the sealing elements 11, 11' or the sealing elements 11, 11' are placed on the connecting element 4, during the assembly of the device 1, 1', in particular during the closing of the housing 2, the sealing elements 11, 11' are held on the housing 2. This prevents the sealing elements 11, 11' from sliding relative to the housing 2.

[0070] according to Figure 2aThe conventional sealing element 11' is designed as a ring or annular disk and substantially has the shape of the contact surface 3 of the housing 2. Thus, the outer diameter of the sealing element 11' corresponds to the outer diameter of the contact surface 3, while the inner diameter of the sealing element 11' corresponds to the inner diameter of the contact surface 3. Therefore, the width of the ring in the location of the channels 13 of the connecting element 4 of the housing 2 is greater than the width of the ring in the area formed between the channels 13. The wall thickness of the sealing element 11' is constant.

[0071] The width of the annular disk is always in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 9 of the device 1 , 1 ′, whereas the wall thickness represents the dimension of the annular disk in the direction of the longitudinal axis 9 .

[0072] Due to the design of the conventional sealing element 11', which is modeled on the contact surface 3 of the housing element, the gaseous fluid to be compressed is guided in each case in a flow direction 14'a through a first space 10 formed between the wall of the housing 2 and the wall of the stator 5 as a first flow path, and through a second space 12 formed between adjacent coils 6, the space between the stator 5 and the rotor 8, and the stator 8 as a second flow path. The mass flow of the fluid sucked into the device 1 is thus divided into partial mass flows through the spaces 10, 12, wherein one of the two partial mass flows passes through the electric motor through the first space 10, in particular along the outside of the stator 5, and the other of the two partial mass flows passes through the electric motor.

[0073] according to Figure 2b The sealing element 11 according to the present invention is designed as a circular ring or annular disk with a constant width, so that in addition to the contact surface 3 of the housing 2, the flow cross section of the first space 10 formed between the inside of the wall of the housing 2 and the outside of the wall of the stator core 7 is also closed. Therefore, the outer diameter of the sealing element 11 substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the contact surface 3, and the inner diameter of the sealing element 11 substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the wall of the stator core 7.

[0074] Due to the design of the sealing element 11 according to the invention, which is modeled on the outer diameter of the outer diameter of the contact surface 3 of the housing element and the inner diameter of the outer diameter of the stator 5, the gaseous fluid to be compressed is guided in the flow direction 14a through the second spaces 12 formed between adjacent coils 6, the space between the stator 5 and the rotor 8, and the rotor 8. The flow cross section of the first space 10 formed between the wall of the housing 2 and the wall of the stator 5 is closed by the sealing element 11. Therefore, the mass flow of the fluid sucked into the device 1 passes through the electric motor only, in particular through the second spaces 12 between the coils 6 and the rotor 8.

[0075] The sealing element 11 can be designed with flow openings 15 in order to additionally guide the second partial mass flow, in particular through the first space 10, and thus absorb heat from the inside of the wall of the housing 2 and the outside of the wall of the stator core 7. The flow openings 15 are arranged in the flow cross section of the region of the sealing element 11 that closes the first space 10. The mass flow of the fluid to be compressed that is guided through the space 10 is controlled as a function of the arrangement, number and size of the flow openings 15.

[0076] Figure 3a and Figure 3b as well as Figure 4a and Figure 4b Shown according to Figure 1 or according to Figure 2a and 2b A cross-sectional view and a detailed three-dimensional cross-sectional view of an apparatus 1 ', 1, the apparatus 1 'having a closed housing 2 and according to Figure 3a and Figure 4a The device 1 has a closed housing 2 and a conventional sealing element 11' arranged between two housing elements 2-1a, 2-2a. Figure 3b and Figure 4b The sealing element 11 according to the invention. Figure 4a and Figure 4b The detailed sectional views in each case show a section through the arrangement of sealing elements 11 ′, 11 between housing elements 2 - 1 a , 2 - 2 a .

[0077] The first housing element 2-1a and the second housing element 2-2a are connected via a connecting element 4, which seals the housing 2 in an airtight manner. Figure 2a Conventional sealing element 11 'or according to Figure 2b A sealing element 11 is arranged between the contact surfaces 3 of the housing elements 2 - 1 a , 2 - 2 a .

[0078] The first housing element 2-1a, which is essentially designed to accommodate an electric motor having a stator 5 and a rotor 8 (not shown), has an inlet 16 for sucking the gaseous fluid to be compressed into the housing. The second housing element 2-2a is mainly used to accommodate components of the compression mechanism of the device 1', 1 driven by the electric motor, in particular components for storing and transmitting rotational motion. The fluid introduced into the first housing element 2-1a along the flow direction 14'a, 14a passes through the first housing element 2-1a and the electric motor into the second housing element 2-2a.

[0079] Because according to Figure 3a and Figure 4aThe conventional sealing element 11' has only the outer contour of the contact surface 3 of the housing element 2-1a, 2-2a, so the first space 10 overlapping with the housing element 2-1a, 2-2a remains between the wall of the housing 2 and the wall of the stator core 7 as an open first flow path for the fluid. This means that the fluid flowing into the housing 2 through the inlet 16 in the flow direction 14'a is guided into the following flow path: the flow path flows through the first space and flows through the rotor 5, in particular flows through the second space formed between adjacent coils 6 and the rotor 8 as a second flow path. The two partial mass flows are mixed again and introduced into the compression mechanism in the second housing element 2-2a. The mass flow of the fluid is divided into uncontrolled and unaffected partial mass flows when flowing through the housing 2.

[0080] Compared to conventional sealing elements 11', the sealing element 11 according to the present invention, which is designed as an annular disk with a constant width, has a shape of a flow cross section that closes the first space 10 as a first flow path in addition to the outer contour of the contact surface 3 of the housing element 2-1a, 2-2a, such as Figure 3b and Figure 4b . Therefore, the sealing element 11 is arranged with its inner diameter in the outer diameter region of the wall of the stator core 7. This means that the fluid flowing into the housing 2 through the inlet 16 in the flow direction 14a is guided only by the electric motor, i.e. by the stator 5, in particular by the second space 12 formed between adjacent coils 6, and by the rotor 8 as a second flow path into the second housing element 2-2a, and then supplied to the compression mechanism. The first flow path is closed. No fluid passes through the first space 10.

[0081] Figure 5 A comparison of the efficiency, in particular the overall efficiency, of a device 1 ′ for compressing a gaseous fluid with a conventional sealing element 11 ′ and a device 1 with a sealing element 11 according to the invention is shown in each case as a function of the rotational speed of the device 1 ′, 1 , in particular the rotational speed of the compression mechanism.

[0082] This clearly shows that the overall efficiency of the device 1 is increased by blocking the flow cross section of the first space 10 of the device 1 with the sealing element 11 for the fluid to be compressed, which is formed between the inside of the wall of the housing 2 and the outside of the wall of the stator 5, and thus by blocking the bypass through which at least part of the mass flow of the fluid in the device 1' with the conventional sealing element 11' is guided past the electric motor to be cooled. In particular, when operating the device 1 in the lower speed range, in particular between 1500 rpm and 2500 rpm, the overall efficiency can be increased by between 1% and 2%. The increase in the overall efficiency of the device 1 with the sealing element 11 according to the invention is observed over the entire speed range compared to the device 1' with the conventional sealing element 11'.

[0083] Figures 6a to 6f In perspective views or detailed perspective views, alternative embodiments of sealing elements 11 according to the invention are shown, each with a formation 17 which has in each case differently designed sealing areas 18 , 18 - 1 , 18 - 2 , flow openings 15 and recesses 19 .

[0084] The sealing elements 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6 are each designed in the shape of a circular ring or circular ring disk with a circumferentially constant width b, and each has a channel 13 for receiving a connecting element 4, which is used to connect the housing elements 2-1a, 2-2a (not shown). The channels 13, in particular six channels, are evenly distributed on the circumference of the circular ring. The width b of the annular disk is designed so that the outer diameter of the sealing element 11 corresponds to the outer diameter of the contact surface 3 of the housing 2 (not shown), and the inner diameter of the sealing element 11 substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the wall of the stator 5 (not shown) in the placement area of ​​the sealing element 11 in the device 1.

[0085] In addition, the sealing elements 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6 each include a crown-shaped formation 17, which completely protrudes and extends along one upper side. The opposite side of the formation 17, in particular the notch extending into the lower side, is arranged on the lower side of the sealing elements 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6. The formation 17 is circumferentially closed and extends substantially on the outer diameter of the annular disk, thereby replicating the outer contour of the sealing surface 3 of the housing elements 2-1a, 2-2a (not shown). The formation 17 is arranged to at least partially surround the channel 13 only in the region of the channel 13 in the direction of the sealing surface.

[0086] From Figure 6a The sealing element 11-1 of FIG. 1 represents a basic form of the sealing element 11 according to the present invention having a closed sealing area 18. The sealing area 18 is designed so that the flow cross section of the first space 10 formed between the wall of the housing 2 and the wall of the stator 5 is at least almost completely closed by the sealing element 11. Therefore, the sealing element 11-1 not only seals the adjacent housing elements 2-1a, 2-2a, but also seals the flow cross section of the space 10, so that the fluid does not flow through the space 10 as a possible flow path.

[0087] The sealing element 11-1, which extends in radial direction to the stator 5 compared to the inner diameter of a conventional sealing element 11', serves to avoid an undesired bypass flow along the outside of the stator 5 and forces the fluid to flow along the inside of the stator 5 and thus between the stator 5 and the rotor 8. However, flow openings 15 or recesses 19, respectively, are provided at certain positions within the completely enclosed sealing area 18 in order to allow a concentrated and controlled separation of the fluid into a partial mass flow and an axially aligned flow as a bypass flow over a portion of at least a partial mass flow of the fluid between the wall of the housing 2 and the outside of the stator 5.

[0088] according to Figure 6b to Figure 6f The sealing elements 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6 have a similar structure to that of Figure 6a In addition to the first closed sealing area 18-1 of the sealing area 18 of the sealing element 11-1, there is also a second sealing area 18-2, which has an additional flow opening 15 or a recess 19 in order to guide at least part of the mass flow of the fluid to be compressed, in particular through the first space 10 and thus absorb heat from the inside of the wall of the housing 2 and the outside of the wall of the stator core 7. The flow openings 15 and the recesses 19 of the sealing elements 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6 are each arranged at a position from Figure 6a The sealing area 18 of the sealing element 11-1 of the first space 10 otherwise closes the flow cross section of the first space 10. The partial mass flow of the fluid to be compressed, which is guided through the intermediate space 10, is controlled according to the arrangement, number and size of the flow openings 15 including the parameters to be changed or the shape of the recess 19. The recess 19 is designed as a notch extending radially outward from the inner edge or inner radius of the annular disk.

[0089] For example, from Figure 6b The sealing element 11 - 2 is therefore designed to have four flow openings 15 , each of which is located in two adjacent second sealing areas 18 - 2 . Adjacent flow openings 15 of the four flow openings 15 are evenly spaced apart. The flow openings 15 are each arranged on an equal radius of the annular disk.

[0090] From Figure 6c The sealing element 11-3 has a second sealing area 18-2, and the second sealing area 18-2 has a single flow opening 15. The adjacent second sealing area 18-2 is provided with two flow openings 15 and a recess 19. The recess 19 is arranged between the flow openings 15 in the circumferential direction, and the recess 19 is designed in the form of a semicircular surface, that is, has a semicircular flow cross section.

[0091] and Figure 6c Similar to the sealing element 11-3 shown in Figure 6dThe sealing element 11-4 has a second sealing area 18-2 with a single flow opening 15. Compared to the sealing element 11-3, the adjacent second sealing area 18-2 has three flow openings 15 which are evenly spaced and arranged on equal radii of the annular disk.

[0092] With from Figure 6c The sealing element 11-3 is similar to that of Figure 6e The sealing element 11-5 shown in the detailed perspective view of has a second sealing area 18-2 with two flow openings 15 and a recess 19. The recess 19 is arranged at right angles between the flow openings 15 in the circumferential direction, i.e., this means that the recess 19 has a right-angled flow cross section.

[0093] With from Figure 6e The sealing element 11-5 is similar to that of Figure 6f The sealing element 11 - 6 , which is also shown in a detailed perspective view, has a second sealing area 18 - 2 , but only has a right-angled recess 19 .

[0094] Figures 7a to 7c Detailed views in top view, side section and cross section show the Figure 6b The sealing element 11 - 2 has a channel 13 , a crown-like shape 17 and different sealing areas 18 - 1 , 18 - 2 , wherein the flow opening 15 is formed in the second sealing area 18 - 2 .

[0095] Figure 7b The cross-sectional view shown in shows clearly the completely circumferential formation 17 of crown-like shape, which projects from the upper side of the annular disk and into the lower side of the annular disk.

[0096] Figure 7c The sealing element 11 - 2 shown as an example of all the sealing elements 11 shown in the drawings is designed as a coated and thus multi-component system. The substrate used is steel, in particular coated on its entire surface with, for example, nitrile rubber, referred to as NBR for short.

[0097] Figure 8a The cross-sectional view shows the Figure 1 The device 1' has a closed housing 2 and a conventional sealing element 11' arranged between two housing elements 2-1b, 2-2b, and Figure 8b A conventional sealing element is shown in perspective view.

[0098] As shown, the fluid to be compressed flows along the flow direction 14'b from the first housing element 2-1b into the second housing element 2-2b enclosing the compression mechanism. The first housing element 2-1b is designed to accommodate an electric motor including a stator 5 and a rotor 8 not shown, or to accommodate components of a compression mechanism driven by an electric motor, in particular components for supporting and transmitting rotational motion.

[0099] A more detailed explanation of the design of a conventional sealing element 11 ′ with a channel 13 for a connecting element 4 can be found in the preceding description, in particular in Figure 2a Found in.

[0100] Because, due to the design of the conventional sealing element 11', the fluid flows directionlessly along the flow direction 14'b into the space enclosed by the second housing element 2-2b together with the compression mechanism, when the fluid enters certain free spaces, such as those recesses designed to be open only on one side, a reverse flow directed in the opposite direction to the desired flow direction occurs in these free spaces. The backflow leads to flow loss and therefore additional energy loss, which reduces the overall efficiency of the device 1'.

[0101] Figure 9a and Fig.10a The cross-sectional views each show Figure 1 A device 1 having a closed housing 2 and a sealing element 11-7, 11-8 according to the invention arranged between two housing elements 2-1b, 2-2b, and Figure 9b and Fig.10b The corresponding sealing elements 11-7, 11-8 are shown in a perspective view, and Fig.9c and Fig.10c A top view is shown.

[0102] and Figure 8a and Figure 8b Compared to the conventional sealing element 11' shown in the figure, the sealing elements 11-7 and 11-8 are designed as alternative embodiments of the sealing element 11 according to the present invention. In addition to the channel 13 for connecting the element 4 and the forming portion 17, the sealing elements 11-7 and 11-8 also include an additional sealing area 18-3 that substantially affects the flow of the fluid along the flow direction 14b.

[0103] The sealing elements 11-7, 11-8 are each designed as a ring or annular disk which substantially reproduces the shape of the contact surface 3 of the housing 2. In this way, the outer diameter of the sealing elements 11-7, 11-8 corresponds to the outer diameter of the contact surface 3 and is constant, while the inner diameter of the sealing elements 11-7, 11-8, which is located in the plane of the outer diameter, corresponds to the inner diameter of the contact surface 3. The diameters are aligned in a common plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 9 of the device 1. In the location of the channels 13 of the connecting element 4 of the housing 2, the inner diameter of the ring is smaller than the inner diameter in the region formed between the channels 13 in the circumferential direction.

[0104] The sealing elements 11 - 7 , 11 - 8 have an additional sealing region 18 - 3 in order to conduct the mass flow of the fluid to be compressed in a concentrated manner into the second housing element 2 - 2 b , in particular into the compression mechanism.

[0105] The additional sealing area 18-3 can be designed as a component of the sealing elements 11-7, 11-8, the additional sealing area 18-3 at least partially closes the flow cross-section of the first space 10 and thereby closes part of the mass flow, in particular the part of the mass flow guided through the first space 10 for absorbing heat from the inside of the wall of the housing 2 and the outside of the wall of the stator core 7, and the additional sealing area 18-3 can be aligned to extend from a plane on which the outer diameter of the sealing elements 11-7, 11-8 are arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis 9 of the device 1 or the flow direction 14b of the fluid.

[0106] The sealing areas 18-3 each have the shape of a circular cross section with a constant inner diameter and a constant outer diameter. The sealing areas 18-3 are connected, preferably continuously connected, to the sealing elements 11-7, 11-8 at the inner diameter area in the outer diameter area, which simulates the contact surface 3 of the housing 2 between the channel 13 of the connecting element 4 and the sealing elements 11-7, 11-8. The sealing areas 18-3 are aligned at a specific angle as sections of the sealing elements 11-7, 11-8 relative to the direction of the longitudinal axis 9 of the device 1. The angle preferably has a value in the range from 20° to 70°, in particular a value in the range from 30° to 50°.

[0107] The sealing areas 18 - 3 of the sealing element 18 - 3 can be changed in position as required, in particular in terms of the angle value, number and size relative to each other.

[0108] In accordance with Figures 10a to 10cIn the case of an embodiment of the sealing element 11-8 of the present invention, the sealing area 18-3 has an additional guide element 20, which is arranged on the inner diameter of the sealing area 18-3. When the sealing area 18-3 in the area of ​​the outer diameter is aligned at an angle to the direction of the longitudinal axis 9 of the device 1 outside the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 9, the additional guide element 20 is tilted backwards in the direction of the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 9. The angle between the direction of the longitudinal axis 9 of the device 1 and the guide element 20 preferably has a value in the range of 60° to 90°, in particular a value in the range of 70° to 80°.

[0109] The sealing area 18-3 of the sealing elements 11-7, 11-8 is used as a flow guide component, or together with an additional guide element 20, as a flow guide component, which is particularly used to actively influence the flow direction 14b of the fluid when the fluid enters the second housing element 2-2b or the compression mechanism of the device 1. The flow direction 14b is controlled by means of the number, size and shape of the sealing area 18-3 as a parameter to be varied depending on the arrangement structure, in particular the angle with the longitudinal axis 9 of the device 1.

[0110] The sealing elements 11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 according to the present invention are designed to actively influence the flow of a fluid, in particular the flow of a refrigerant or a refrigerant-oil mixture in a compressor of a refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle air-conditioning system, without using separate components, so as to ensure an optimal balance between free flow and guided flow and thereby provide flow management and thermal management.

[0111] The flow openings 15 or recesses 19 also serve to control the oil flow within the housing 2, whereby the oil can flow from the second housing element 2-2a back into the first housing element 2-1a, designed as a motor housing, for example, to lubricate the motor bearings.

[0112] Industrial Applicability

[0113] The invention relates to an apparatus for compressing a gaseous fluid, in particular a refrigerant. The apparatus can be used as a compressor in a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle. The apparatus comprises a stator and a rotor, which are arranged inside a housing and extend along a common longitudinal axis. In this arrangement, the stator radially surrounds the rotor. A space is formed between the inside of the wall of the housing and the outside of the wall of the stator. The housing has housing elements, which are arranged so that the contact surfaces of the housing elements are aligned with each other so as to seal the housing. A sealing element is arranged between the contact surfaces of the housing elements.

[0114] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a device.

Claims

1. A device (1) for compressing a gaseous fluid, the device (1) comprising a stator (5) and a rotor (8), the stator (5) and the rotor (8) being arranged in a housing (2) in such a way as to extend along a common longitudinal axis (9), so that the stator (5) encloses the rotor (8) in a radial direction, and a first space (10) is formed between the interior of the wall of the housing (2) and the exterior of the wall of the stator (5), wherein: The housing (2) is formed by a first housing element and a second housing element, wherein the first housing element and the second housing element are each arranged so that mutually aligned contact surfaces (3) close the housing (2) and rest against each other, wherein a sealing element is arranged between the contact surfaces (3), characterized in that the sealing element has the shape of an annular disk, the annular disk has a circumferential forming portion (17) along the circumference and at least one sealing area, wherein the circumferential forming portion (17) along the circumference corresponds to the contour of the contact surface (3) in the circumferential direction, and the at least one sealing area at least partially closes the first space (10).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The sealing element has the shape of an annular disk with a constant width (b), wherein the outer diameter of the sealing element corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the contact surface (3) and the inner diameter of the sealing element corresponds approximately to the diameter of the exterior of the wall of the stator (5).

3. The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that At least one sealing region of the sealing element is designed as a closed surface.

4. The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that At least one sealing area of ​​the sealing element is formed with at least one flow opening (15) and / or at least one recess (19) for the fluid to pass through.

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The at least one flow opening (15) is formed with a circular or elliptical flow cross section.

6. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The at least one recess (19) has the shape of a notch formed to extend radially outward from an inner edge arranged on the inner diameter of the sealing element.

7. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The outer diameter of the sealing element substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the contact surface (3), and the inner diameter of the sealing element is designed to correspond to the inner diameter of the contact surface (3).

8. The device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that At least one sealing area of ​​the sealing element influences the flow direction (14b) of the fluid and is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (9) of the device (1) and is aligned to protrude in the main flow direction of the fluid through the device (1).

9. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The sealing element has a channel (13) for receiving a connecting element (4) of the housing (2), wherein the at least one sealing region is formed between adjacently arranged channels (13) in the circumferential direction.

10. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The sealing elements are arranged to be aligned in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (9) of the device (1).

11. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The stator (5) and the rotor (8) are arranged in the first housing element.

12. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first housing element has an inlet (16) for sucking the gaseous fluid to be compressed into the housing (2).

13. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that A compression mechanism is arranged in the second housing element.

14. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first space (10) formed between the inside of the wall of the housing (2) and the outside of the wall of the stator (5) has a cylindrical ring shape.

15. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The circumferentially formed portion (17) in the circumferential direction forms a crown shape on the upper and lower sides of the sealing element.

16. A device (1) for compressing a gaseous fluid, the device (1) comprising a housing (2), the housing (2) having a first housing element and a second housing element, the first housing element and the second housing element each being arranged with a mutually aligned contact surface (3), the contact surfaces (3) closing the housing (2) and abutting against each other, wherein: A sealing element is arranged between the contact surfaces (3), the sealing element having the shape of an annular disk, the annular disk having a circumferentially formed portion (17) along the circumference and at least one sealing area, the outer diameter of the sealing element roughly corresponds to the outer diameter of the contact surface (3), and the inner diameter of the sealing element corresponds to the inner diameter of the contact surface (3), and the circumferentially formed portion (17) along the circumference is formed in the circumferential direction to correspond to the contour of the contact surface (3), characterized in that at least one sealing area of ​​the sealing element affects the flow direction (14b) of the fluid and is arranged so that: the at least one sealing area is aligned in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (9) of the device (1) so that the at least one sealing area protrudes in the main flow direction of the fluid through the device (1).

17. The device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The at least one sealing area is designed as a closed surface.

18. The device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The at least one sealing area has the shape of a circular cross section with a constant inner diameter and a constant outer diameter.

19. The device (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that The at least one sealing region is arranged at the inner diameter of the sealing element in the region of the outer diameter, protruding from a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (9) of the device (1).

20. The device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The at least one sealing area is arranged to be aligned with the direction of the longitudinal axis (9) of the device (1) at an angle in the range of 20° to 70°.

21. The device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The at least one sealing area has at least one guide element (20) arranged on the inner diameter of the at least one sealing area.

22. The device (1) according to claim 21, characterized in that The at least one guide element (20) is arranged to be aligned with the direction of the longitudinal axis (9) of the device (1) at an angle in the range of 60° to 90°.

23. A method for operating an apparatus (1) for compressing a gaseous fluid according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein: - the fluid is introduced into a first housing element of the housing (2) through an inlet (16), and a stator (5) of the device arranged in the first housing element and a rotor (8) for driving a compression mechanism are acted upon by the fluid, wherein the fluid passes through a second space (12) formed between adjacently arranged coils (6) of the stator (5), a space formed between the stator (5) and the rotor (8), and the rotor (8), - allowing the fluid to pass through a sealing element arranged between the first housing element and the second housing element into the second housing element to reach a compression mechanism, Characterized in that a partial mass flow of the fluid guided through a first space (10) formed between the interior of the wall of the housing (2) and the exterior of the wall of the stator (5) is controlled as a bypass flow through the first housing element by means of the sealing element arranged between the first housing element and the second housing element.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The first space (10) for conducting the partial mass flow is at least partially closed.

25. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The flow direction of the partial mass flow is guided in a concentrated manner to the compressor element upon entry into the second housing element by means of the sealing element.

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