Device for compressing gaseous fluids

Abstract

This invention relates to an apparatus for compressing a gaseous fluid. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus for compressing a gaseous fluid from a low-pressure section to a high-pressure section. The apparatus has a housing with a housing member, a compression mechanism arranged between the low-pressure and high-pressure sections, and a flow conduit connecting the high-pressure section to the low-pressure section. The housing member is configured to have a high-pressure side port and an oil separator, the longitudinal axes of which are arranged on a common axis. Thus, the outlet opening of the port and the oil outlet are configured at the radial end of the oil separator. The oil outlet is arranged in the lowermost part of the oil separator in the direction of gravity and is hydraulically connected to the inlet of the flow conduit. The housing member has an inlet chamber to which the oil outlet of the oil separator leads, and the inlet of the flow conduit branches off from the inlet chamber. The housing member is configured with an inlet chamber such that the high-pressure side port can be arranged so that its axis lies within the inlet chamber, regardless of the arrangement of the oil outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for compressing a gaseous fluid, particularly a refrigerant, from a low-pressure section to a high-pressure section. The apparatus comprises a housing with a housing member, a compression mechanism arranged between the low-pressure and high-pressure sections, and a flow conduit connecting the high-pressure section to the low-pressure section. The housing member is configured to have a high-pressure side port for discharging the fluid and an oil separator. Background Technology

[0002] Existing compressors (also known as refrigerant compressors) used in air conditioning systems for mobile applications, particularly for motor vehicles, to deliver refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit are typically constructed as variable displacement reciprocating compressors or scroll compressors, regardless of the refrigerant.

[0003] Due to customer-specific requirements, such as the arrangement and implementation of mounting holes and screw connections or electrical connections, as well as the suction and pressure ports for connecting the compressor to the refrigerant circuit, each application demands a high degree of design flexibility. Thus, the configuration of the pressure port as a connection to components located on the high-pressure side is particularly restricted compared to the configuration of the suction port as a connection to components located on the low-pressure side.

[0004] Whether driven by pulleys or electricity, the compressor has a compression mechanism and an oil separator. The compression mechanism is used to draw in, compress, and discharge refrigerant, which includes oil for lubrication. The oil separator is used to separate oil from the compressed refrigerant-oil mixture. The compression mechanism and oil separator are arranged within the housing. Thus, the oil separator is constructed on the high-pressure side of the compressor, located in the rear housing member, which also has a pressure port that serves as a high-pressure side port for discharging refrigerant from the compressor.

[0005] The compression mechanism of a scroll compressor has a fixed, immovable stator and a movable, rotating component. The stator has a disc-shaped base plate and a scroll-shaped wall extending from one side of the base plate. The rotating component also has a disc-shaped base plate and a scroll-shaped wall extending from the front side of the base plate. The stator and the rotating component cooperate. Thus, the base plates are arranged relative to each other such that the scroll-shaped walls engage with each other in the axial direction, forming multiple continuous and enclosed working spaces. The axial gap formed between the stator and the rotating component should be minimized, which is ensured by adjusting the axial extension of the scroll-shaped wall and thus the height of the wall, as well as the sealing member applied to the end face of the wall, or by pressing the rotating component against the stator. The pressing of the rotating component against the stator is ensured by means of a back pressure system. The refrigerant to be compressed and applied to the working space is compressed by the circumferential motion of the rotating component and is injected from the working space into the outlet space via the outlet.

[0006] In the direction of refrigerant or refrigerant-oil mixture flow, the oil separator is located downstream of the outlet chamber. Thus, for functional reasons, the overflow opening from the outlet chamber to the oil separator is constructed in the direction of gravity at the upper end of the outlet chamber. In conventional compressors, the oil separator is aligned with the axis of the outlet opening of the high-pressure side port. The arrangement and orientation of the high-pressure side port of the compressor for discharging refrigerant, as well as the configuration of the interface, are defined and predetermined by the corresponding air conditioning system, particularly by the arrangement of components in the refrigerant circuit.

[0007] After the refrigerant is compressed, the oil that is separated from the refrigerant-oil mixture in the oil separator and is required for lubricating the compressor is recirculated from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side (also known as the suction side) inside the compressor, and thus recirculated to the compressor inlet through the flow lines of the oil recirculation system during compressor operation.

[0008] The flow passage of the oil recirculation system—which is also constructed as a component of the backpressure system—extends substantially axially to the longitudinal axis of the compressor, particularly the longitudinal axis of the compression mechanism, and is positioned as far as possible in the lower part of the compressor in the direction of gravity, due to the gravity-based backflow of oil on the walls of the oil separator and the flow passage. This arrangement of the flow passage in the lower part of the compressor also allows the outlet chamber to be constructed with maximum radial extension and therefore maximum volume, in order to minimize pressure peaks or pressure pulses that occur and are transmitted to the refrigerant circuit during compressor operation.

[0009] The orientation of the oil separator, especially its angled orientation with respect to the direction of gravity, is limited by functionality, and therefore the arrangement of the oil outlet is related to the arrangement of the flow pipes in the oil recirculation system. Consequently, the high-pressure side port of the compressor for discharging refrigerant is located in the uppermost part of the oil separator. Thus, for manufacturing reasons, the angular position of the oil separator's axis is aligned as closely as possible with the angular position of the compressor's high-pressure side port for discharging refrigerant. Furthermore, the oil outlet is located in the lowermost part of the oil separator, constructed within the rear housing member, and is connected to the inlet of the flow pipe of the oil recirculation system, located in the lowermost part of the compressor, which is fixedly arranged in the stator.

[0010] Therefore, without a significant redesign of the compressor, particularly the rear housing components, the free orientation of the high-pressure side port of the oil separator or compressor for refrigerant discharge (which is already constrained by customer-specific structural requirements) is highly angularly limited by gravity. Furthermore, maintaining the predetermined positions and orientations of the high-pressure side port, the flow lines of the oil recirculation system, or the threaded connections of the housing may require that the angular positions of the oil separator axis and the compressor's high-pressure side port for refrigerant discharge not be axially aligned, implying a significant increase in manufacturing complexity. Thus, the magnitude of the possible axial angular deviation also depends on the diameter of the high-pressure side port.

[0011] Existing technology has taught scroll compressors in which the oil storage chamber is constructed in the flow path of the oil recirculation system, particularly within the rear housing portion.

[0012] Therefore, US 2005 0226756 A1 discloses a scroll compressor having: a housing having an outlet chamber for receiving compressed refrigerant; a conduit connecting the outlet chamber to an outlet; a separation device arranged in the conduit for separating oil from the refrigerant-oil mixture; and an oil storage chamber and a pressure relief valve.

[0013] US 6,152,713 A also discloses a scroll compressor having: a housing having an outlet chamber into which compressed refrigerant is discharged; an oil separator; and an oil storage chamber for storing oil separated from the refrigerant-oil mixture.

[0014] In scroll compressors known from the prior art, the oil reservoir serves as a storage container for oil that will be recirculated to the suction side. Therefore, during compressor operation, significantly more oil is supplied through the oil separator than is recirculated from the high-pressure side to the suction side. Furthermore, the volume of the oil reservoir correspondingly and significantly reduces the volume of the outlet chamber, resulting in high pressure peaks or pressure pulses delivered to the refrigerant circuit during compressor operation. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The object of this invention is to provide a further development of a device for compressing gaseous fluids, particularly a scroll compressor, which offers maximum design or structural freedom in terms of the angular orientation and position of the outlet opening at the high-pressure side port for discharging the fluid, associated with an oil separator arranged in alignment with that port. The device is intended to have simple, standardized connections for connecting to corresponding ports of other components, such as fluid circuits, for discharging fluids with different orientations, angles, and diameters, and for operation with the longest possible service life. Thus, it is also essential to avoid the generation of high pressure peaks or pressure pulses that could otherwise be transmitted to adjacent components and damage them. The device should be structurally easy to implement while maintaining low production and assembly costs.

[0016] This objective is achieved by an apparatus according to the invention for compressing a gaseous fluid from a low-pressure level in a low-pressure section to a high-pressure level in a high-pressure section. The apparatus comprises a housing with a housing member, a compression mechanism arranged between the low-pressure and high-pressure sections, and a flow conduit connecting the high-pressure section to the low-pressure section. The housing member is configured to have a high-pressure side port for discharging the fluid, and an oil separator. Thus, the longitudinal axis of the high-pressure side port, particularly the longitudinal axis of the port's outlet opening, is arranged on a common axis with the longitudinal axis of the oil separator.

[0017] The outlet opening and oil outlet are located at the radial end of the oil separator. Thus, the oil outlet is arranged in the lowermost part of the oil separator in the direction of gravity and is hydraulically connected to the inlet of the flow pipe that connects the high-pressure section to the low-pressure section.

[0018] According to the invention, the housing member has an inlet chamber to which the oil outlet of the oil separator leads, and the inlet of the flow pipe branches off from the inlet chamber. According to the invention, the housing member is configured to have an inlet chamber such that the high-pressure side port can be arranged such that its axis lies within the inlet chamber, particularly between a first end and a second end of the inlet chamber, regardless of the arrangement of the oil outlet.

[0019] According to the development scheme of the present invention, the high-voltage side port can be arranged such that the axis lies in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0020] One advantage of the present invention is that the high-pressure side port can be arranged such that the axis can pivot variably within a certain angular range about the axis of the oil outlet aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0021] Advantageously, the inlet of the flow channel branches off from the lowermost portion of the inlet chamber in the direction of gravity. The inlet chamber is preferably configured with a lateral surface that faces outwards in the radial direction of the housing member and defines the inlet chamber. Thus, the lateral surface has a continuous gradient relative to the lowermost portion in the direction of gravity, allowing flow from the oil outlet to the inlet of the flow channel without backflow. The inlet chamber can be configured with any geometry that, on the one hand, does not significantly reduce the volume of the outlet chamber of the device, and on the other hand, covers the widest angular range.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the inlet chamber has a partially annular shape and a protrusion projecting outward from a lateral surface arranged on the outer radius, from which the inlet of the flow channel branches off when the housing is in its assembled state.

[0023] Since the oil flows based on gravity in the direction of gravity, the flow channels are arranged in the lower part of the device.

[0024] The center point of the partial annulus preferably corresponds to the center point of the substantially circular shell member. Therefore, the entrance chamber and the shell member, which are formed as a partial annulus, can be arranged concentrically with each other.

[0025] According to a development of the invention, the protrusion of the entrance chamber has a funnel shape that tapers radially in the direction of the entrance chamber, the funnel having a wide portion and a narrow portion. Thus, the narrow portion of the funnel forms the lowermost part of the entrance chamber in the direction of gravity.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the oil outlet of the oil separator is arranged within a partial annulus of the inlet chamber, the partial annulus of the inlet chamber extending circumferentially between a first end and a second end of the housing member. The partial annulus of the inlet chamber is configured to span an angle range of 30° to 150°, particularly from 60° to 120°, especially from 80° to 100°, and preferably 96° between the ends.

[0027] One advantage of the present invention is that the high-pressure side port of the housing component can be arranged relative to the longitudinal axis of the device in an angle range of 30° to 150°, particularly in an angle range of 60° to 120°, especially in an angle range of 80° to 100°, and preferably in an angle range of 96°.

[0028] The protrusion of the entrance chamber can be symmetrical or asymmetrical about the shape of the partial ring. In the case where the protrusion of the entrance chamber is symmetrical about the shape of the partial ring, the partial ring also spans an angle range of 120° between its ends, and the high-pressure side port of the shell member can be advantageously arranged in an angle range of 30° to 150° relative to the horizontal plane, and in an angle range of -60° to 60° relative to the direction of gravity.

[0029] According to a development of the present invention, the compression mechanism is configured to have a fixed stator and a movable rotating member. The fixed stator has a disc-shaped base plate and a spiral-shaped wall extending from a front side of the base plate. The movable rotating member has a disc-shaped base plate and a spiral-shaped wall extending from the front side of the base plate. Thus, the walls of the stator and the rotating member are arranged to engage with each other, thereby forming a working space.

[0030] Preferably, the housing member sealably abuts against the rear side of the stator substrate, such that the inlet chamber is defined by the rear side of the substrate in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the device. Another advantage of the invention is that the housing member has a contact surface, and the fixed scroll member has a molded part protruding from the substrate, with the contact surface and the molded part corresponding to each other. Thus, the contact surface of the housing member and the molded part of the substrate of the fixed scroll member are configured such that the contact surface abuts against the molded part, and the inlet chamber is completely defined in the radial direction by the molded part of the fixed scroll member.

[0031] The entrance chamber can be at least partially constructed within the base plate of the stator.

[0032] The flow conduit is advantageously configured to both recirculate oil, which serves as a lubricant for lubricating movable parts, from the high-pressure section to the low-pressure section, and to serve as a component of a counter-pressure system for pressing the rotating part against the stator of the compression mechanism.

[0033] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing member has a ribbed web. The web, oriented perpendicular to the common axis of the high-pressure side port and the oil separator and extending along the longitudinal axis of the device, is arranged in the outlet chamber of the device.

[0034] Thus, the web is preferably configured to extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the device, such that a gap is formed between the free end face of the web and the rear side of the stator substrate.

[0035] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention allow the device for compressing gaseous fluids to be used as a compressor in the refrigerant circuit of a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0036] The compressor is preferably configured as an electrically driven compressor. In this way, the compression mechanism is driven by an electric motor.

[0037] In summary, the device according to the present invention has various advantages:

[0038] - For the high-pressure side port used for refrigerant discharge, especially the port whose angular position is variable relative to the direction of gravity, there is a large degree of design freedom, and therefore

[0039] - For different versions of the device, especially different versions of the compressor, there is maximum structural freedom, similar to a highly flexible platform design. In particular, it does not require significant redesign of the compressor, and therefore allows for component sharing strategies for internal compressor parts, such as the compression mechanism.

[0040] - Maximize service life by avoiding the generation of high pressure peaks or pressure pulses in the fluid. Attached Figure Description

[0041] More details, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0042] Figure 1a The following is a side sectional view illustrating a prior art device with a compression mechanism for compressing gaseous fluids, particularly a scroll compressor.

[0043] Figure 1b The side view section is shown. Figure 1a It is part of the rear housing assembly of a prior art device, the rear housing assembly having a high-pressure side port and an integrated oil separator.

[0044] Figure 1c The rear housing component of a prior art device is shown in plan view. This rear housing component has a high-pressure side port and an integrated oil separator, and...

[0045] Figure 1d The stator of the compression mechanism in a prior art device is shown in a three-dimensional plan view of the rear side of the substrate.

[0046] Figure 2a A plan view shows the rear housing component of the device according to the invention in the first embodiment, the rear housing component having a high-pressure side port and an integrated oil separator, and

[0047] Figure 2b The stator of the compression mechanism of the device according to the present invention is shown in a plan view of the rear side of the substrate.

[0048] Figure 3a and Figure 3b The second and third embodiments are shown in plan view. Figure 2aThe rear housing components, each having a maximum deflection of the high-voltage side port about the longitudinal axis of the device. Detailed Implementation

[0049] Figure 1a A side cross-sectional view illustrates a prior art device 1' with a compression mechanism for compressing gaseous fluids, particularly a scroll compressor.

[0050] The device 1' has a housing 2, a fixed, immovable stator 3, and a movable rotating member 4. The stator 3 has a disc-shaped base plate 3a and a spiral-shaped wall 3b extending from one side of the base plate 3a. The movable rotating member 4 has a disc-shaped base plate 4a and a spiral-shaped wall 4b extending from the front side of the base plate 4a. The stator 3 and the rotating member 4 cooperate, and the stator 3 and the rotating member 4 are also referred to as the immovable or fixed spiral member 3 or the movable spiral member 4, respectively. Thus, the base plates 3a and 4a are arranged relative to each other such that the wall 3b of the stator 3 and the wall 4b of the rotating member 4 engage with each other.

[0051] The movable scroll member 4 moves along a circular path by means of an eccentric drive. During the movement of the scroll member 4, the walls 3b and 4b contact each other at multiple points and form multiple continuous, enclosed working spaces 5 within the walls 3b and 4b, wherein adjacent working spaces 5 define volumes of different sizes. In response to the relative movement of the two scroll-shaped walls 3b and 4b nested within each other, and particularly in response to the movement around the scroll member 4, the volume and position of the working spaces 5 change. The volume of the working spaces 5 gradually decreases as they approach the center or center of the scroll-shaped walls 3b and 4b, which are also referred to as scroll walls. The gaseous fluid to be compressed and applied to the working spaces 5, particularly the refrigerant, is compressed and injected from the working chamber 5 through the outlet 5a into the outlet chamber 5b. Within the outlet chamber 5b, the ribbed webs 2b' of the shell member 2a' are arranged, thereby dividing the total volume of the outlet chamber 5b into partial volumes. The web 2b' abuts against the rear side of the base plate 3a of the stator 3 with its end face, thereby sealing a portion of the volume of the outlet chamber 5b together.

[0052] The eccentric drive is formed by a drive shaft 6 and an intermediate member 8, the drive shaft 6 rotating about a rotation axis 7 which is the longitudinal axis of the device 1'. The drive shaft 6 is supported on the housing 2 via a first bearing 9, particularly a ball bearing. A rotating member 4 is eccentrically connected to the drive shaft 6 via the intermediate member 8, wherein the axis of the rotating member 4 and the axis of the drive shaft 6 are arranged offset from each other. The rotating member 4 is supported on the intermediate member 8 via a second bearing 10.

[0053] A wall fixed to the housing 2 is arranged inside the housing 2; this wall is also referred to as the opposing wall 11. A counter-pressure chamber 12 is constructed between the opposing wall 11 and the movable vortex member 4. The opposing wall 11 defines the counter-pressure chamber 12 disposed between the rotating member 4 and the housing 2, and also forms a partition between the counter-pressure chamber 12 and the suction chamber 13. Thus, the counter-pressure chamber 12 is constructed on the rear side of the base plate 4a of the movable vortex member 4 relative to the vortex wall 4b.

[0054] Due to the back pressure present in the back pressure chamber 12, the movable scroll member 4 presses against the fixed scroll member 3 fixed to the housing 2 with a force acting in the axial direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis 7, so as to minimize the gap formed in the axial direction between the fixed scroll member 3 and the movable scroll member 4. The compressive force acting in the axial direction due to the back pressure applied to each surface of the rear side of the disc-shaped base plate 4a of the movable scroll member 4 is controlled or regulated by the back pressure or contact pressure. As an intermediate or moderate pressure, the contact pressure level is located between the high pressure level, which is the compressor outlet pressure, and the low pressure level, which is the compressor suction pressure.

[0055] In addition to the back pressure chamber, the back pressure system also has a first expansion device 14 for expanding the fluid from a high pressure level to a back pressure or medium pressure level, and a second expansion device 15 for expanding the fluid from a medium pressure level to a low pressure level, each expansion device being combined with a control device or regulating device.

[0056] Expansion devices 14 and 15—each designed as a throttling element, particularly a nozzle—are arranged in a flow conduit 16 connecting the high-pressure and low-pressure sections to each other, and are used to generate back pressure. An intermediate space constructed between expansion devices 14 and 15 within the flow conduit 16 is hydraulically connected to the back pressure chamber 12 via a connecting conduit 17. Thus, the first expansion device 14 is arranged between the high-pressure section and the intermediate space, and therefore the connecting conduit 17 leading to the back pressure chamber 12, while the second expansion device 15 is arranged between the intermediate space, and therefore the connecting conduit 17 leading to the back pressure chamber 12, and the suction chamber 13.

[0057] The flow conduit 16 also constitutes a component of the compressor internal oil recirculation system for returning oil, which serves as a lubricant, from the high-pressure section of the device 1' to the low-pressure section, and because the oil flows back based on gravity in the direction of gravity 18, the flow conduit 16 is arranged in the lower part of the device 1'. The high-pressure section is constructed within the rear housing member 2a'.

[0058] Figure 1b The side view section is shown. Figure 1aThe prior art device 1' is a part of the rear housing component 2a', which has a high-pressure side port 19 for discharging compressed fluid, particularly refrigerant, from the device 1', and an integrated oil separator 20.

[0059] A gaseous fluid, particularly a refrigerant or a refrigerant-oil mixture, is compressed within the working space 5 and injected from the working space 5 into the outlet chamber 5b through the outlet 5a. It then flows out of the outlet chamber 5b through the overflow opening 21 and into the oil separator 20. The overflow opening 21, which connects the outlet chamber 5b to the internal volume of the oil separator 20, is constructed at the upper end of the outlet chamber 5b in the direction of gravity 18.

[0060] The longitudinal axis of the oil separator 20 and the longitudinal axis of the outlet opening of the high-pressure side port 19 are concentrically aligned and therefore located on a common axis 22. The arrangement and orientation of the high-pressure side connection 19 are predetermined by the arrangement of other components of the refrigerant circuit.

[0061] The oil separated from the refrigerant-oil mixture in oil separator 20 is recirculated from the high-pressure side of unit 1' to the low-pressure side inside the compressor, particularly from the oil separator 20 through... Figure 1a The flow pipe 16 of the oil recirculation system shown recirculates the oil to the suction chamber 13.

[0062] The orientation of the oil separator 20, particularly at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis and the direction 18 of gravity, is limited by functionality and therefore by the arrangement of the oil outlet, which is related to the arrangement of the flow pipe 16 in the oil recirculation system. The oil outlet of the oil separator 20 is hydraulically connected to the inlet of the flow pipe 16 constructed in the fixed scroll member 3, which is constructed in an unchangeable arrangement within the stator. Furthermore, the outlet opening of the high-pressure side port 19 is located in the uppermost portion of the oil separator 20, while the oil outlet is located in the lowermost portion of the oil separator 20.

[0063] Figure 1c It is illustrated in the plan view Figure 1a The prior art device 1' has a rear housing component 2a', which has a high-pressure side port 19 and an integrated oil separator 20, while Figure 1d A three-dimensional plan view of the rear side of substrate 3a is shown. Figure 1a The existing technology device 1' has a fixed scroll member 3 in its compression mechanism. The rear housing member or rear housing member 2a' can be firmly connected as a component of the housing 2 to, in particular, a component screwed to the housing 2 or arranged nearby or adjacent to, the fixed scroll member 3. In this way, adjacent components are sealed to each other.

[0064] In the assembled state of device 1', the rear housing member 2a' and the fixed scroll member 3 are sealed to each other, particularly along the contact surface 23' constructed on the housing member 2a' and the molded part 24' constructed on the rear side of the base plate 3a of the fixed scroll member 3, thereby constructing the outlet chamber 5b. Thus, in the axial direction of device 1', the outlet chamber 5b is defined on one hand by the rear side of the base plate 3a of the fixed scroll member 3, and on the other hand by the wall of the housing member 2a'. In the radial direction, the outlet chamber 5b is completely surrounded by the molded part 24' of the fixed scroll member 3. The outlet 5a and the overflow opening 21 provided in the base plate 3a of the fixed scroll member 3 each lead to the outlet chamber 5b, such that the outlet chamber 5b and the internal volume of the oil separator 20 are hydraulically connected to each other via the overflow opening 21.

[0065] The contact surface 23' constructed on the shell member 2a' corresponds to the molded part 24' protruding from the rear side of the base plate 3a of the fixed scroll member 3, such that in the assembled state of the device 1', in addition to the outlet chamber 5b, an inlet 25' for the flow channel 16 is also provided. Like the outlet chamber 5b, the inlet 25' is defined in the axial direction of the device 1' by the rear side of the base plate 3a of the fixed scroll member 3 and by the wall of the shell member 2a', and in the radial direction by the molded part 24' of the fixed scroll member 3. The molded part 24' completely surrounds the inlet 25' and separates the inlet 25' from the outlet chamber 5b. A sealing element is arranged between the contact surface 23' of the web plate 2b' of the shell member 2a' and the molded part 24' on the base plate 3a of the fixed scroll member 3, and this sealing element also corresponds to the contact surface 23' and the molded part 24'. The web plate 2b' of the shell member 2a' directly abuts against the rear side of the base plate 3a of the fixed vortex member 3.

[0066] On one hand, the oil outlet of the oil separator 20, which is integrated into the housing member 2a', leads to the inlet 25'. On the other hand, the flow pipe 16, which extends through the base plate 3a of the fixed vortex member 3, also branches off from the inlet 25', so that the oil outlet of the oil separator 20 and the flow pipe 16 are hydraulically connected to each other via the inlet 25'. Thus, the high-pressure side port 19 is arranged in the uppermost part in the direction of gravity 18, and the oil outlet is arranged in the lowermost part of the oil separator 20. Furthermore, the longitudinal axes of the oil separator 20 and the port 19 are aligned on a common axis 22, which greatly limits the possible alignment of the port 19 and the oil separator 20 to a small alignment portion 26' as the rotation angle around the longitudinal axis 7 of the device 1'.

[0067] Figure 2a The rear housing component 2a-1 of the device 1 according to the invention in the first embodiment is illustrated in plan view. The rear housing component 2a-1 has a high-pressure side port 19 and an integrated oil separator 20. Figure 2b A plan view of the rear side of substrate 3a illustrates the fixed vortex member 3 of the compression mechanism according to the device 1 of the present invention. Figure 1c and Figure 1d The device 1' shown has the same reference numerals as the same components.

[0068] On the one hand, according to Figure 1c and Figure 1d The substantial difference between the prior art device 1' and the device 1 according to the present invention lies in the construction of the inlet chamber 27 for the flow channel 16. The inlet chamber 27 is defined in the axial direction of the device 1 by the rear side of the base plate 2a of the fixed vortex member 3 and the wall of the housing member 2a-1, and in the radial direction by the molded part 24 of the fixed vortex member 3. The molded part 24 protruding from the fixed vortex member 3 corresponds to a contact surface 23 constructed on the housing member 2a-1, which is configured as the end face of the wall of the housing member 2a-1, pointing in the axial direction. Therefore, the molded part 24 of the fixed vortex member 3, together with the wall of the housing member 2a-1 in the axial direction of the device 1, encloses the inlet chamber 27. In addition to the axially protruding molded part 24, a recessed portion extending in the axial direction and opposing the molded part 24 can be constructed in the base plate 3a of the fixed scroll member 3 in the region of the inlet chamber 27. This recessed portion corresponds to the geometry of the molded part 24 in this region to accommodate the volume of the inlet chamber 27 or change the cross-section of the inlet chamber 27, and thus change the inlet of the flow channel 16. A sealing element corresponding to both the contact surface 23 constructed on the housing member 2a-1 and the molded part 24 protruding from the base plate 3a of the fixed scroll member 3 is provided between the contact surface 23 and the molded part 24.

[0069] The inlet chamber 27, constructed within the base plate 3a of the rear housing member 2a-1 or the fixed vortex member 3, has an elongated shape, particularly a substantially partially annular or crescent-shaped shape. The center point of the partially annular shape corresponds to the center point of the substantially circular housing member 2a-1.

[0070] By utilizing the elongated shape of the inlet chamber 27, the reduction in the volume of the outlet chamber 5b within the shell member 2a-1 can be minimized, and the flow resistance can be reduced. Thus, the cross-section of the transition from the inlet chamber 27 to the flow pipe 16, particularly to the inlet of the flow pipe 16, is configured such that, on the one hand, the flow resistance of the flow pipe 16 is unaffected or only minimally affected, and on the other hand, the inflow of oil into the inlet chamber 27 and the outflow of oil from the inlet chamber 27 are at least substantially the same.

[0071] Therefore, compared with the prior art devices, the inlet chamber 27 of the device 1 is not used as an oil reservoir, and in particular, it is not used as an oil storage chamber, because the amount of oil flowing from the oil separator 20 into the inlet chamber 27 corresponds to the amount of oil discharged from the inlet chamber 27 and reaching the suction side of the device 1 through the flow pipe 16.

[0072] Thus, by utilizing the protrusion 27a, the inlet chamber 27 also has a shape such that the inlet of the flow pipe 16, arranged along the direction of gravity 18 at the lowermost part of the inlet chamber 27, branches off from the inlet chamber 27, without creating a dead volume that constitutes an oil trap. The protrusion 27a, forming the lowermost part of the inlet chamber 27 in the direction of gravity 18, is located on the outer side of the cross-section of the inlet chamber 27, and therefore on the lateral surface of the annulus arranged on the outer radius. The inlet of the flow pipe 16 is arranged within the protrusion 27a of the inlet chamber 27. The shape of the inlet chamber 27 eliminates the oil trap, ensuring that all oil always flows from the inlet chamber 27 into the flow pipe 16.

[0073] The oil outlet 28 of the oil separator 20 leads to the inlet chamber 27 as the lowermost part of the oil separator 20 in the direction of gravity 18, so that all the oil always flows from the oil separator 20 to the inlet chamber 27 and flows through the protrusion 27a to the flow pipe 16 via the shortest flow path 29.

[0074] As the common longitudinal axis of the oil separator 20 and port 19, the indicated axes 22a and 22b illustrate that the alignment of the oil separator 20, especially the high-pressure side port 19, is variable within the inlet chamber 27 while the arrangement of the oil outlet 28 remains unchanged. Thus, axes 22a and 22b are each arranged in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 7 of the device 1 and rotate about the axis of the oil outlet 28 of the oil separator 20, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis 7 of the device 1.

[0075] To minimize the volume of the outlet chamber 5b within the same installation space, the volume of the inlet chamber 27, aligned in the axial direction, and particularly its cross-section in the radial direction, is constructed to be minimized. Furthermore, with Figure 1c Compared to the existing device 1', the contact surface 23 of the housing member 2a' has a smaller width and is arranged to be substantially completely circumferentially displaced outward in the radial direction. The radial extension of the annulus and therefore the volume of the inlet chamber 27 are minimized. Thus, the dimensions of the cross-section are predetermined by manufacturing feasibility. The inlet chamber 27 can be produced in one piece within the housing member 2a-1 and within the base plate 3a of the fixed scroll member 3 by molding or machining.

[0076] Since the pulsating behavior of device 1 is essentially determined by the total internal volume of the high-pressure side of device 1, which consists of the volume of outlet chamber 5b, the volume of unfilled oil in oil separator 20 and thus free, plus the volume of port 19, the volume of inlet chamber 27, and the volume of unfilled oil in flow pipe 16 up to the first expansion device 14, and remains unchanged compared to prior art device 1', the pulsating behavior of device 1 also remains unchanged compared to prior art known device 1'.

[0077] On the one hand, according to Figure 1c and Figure 1d Another significant difference between the prior art device 1' and the device 1 according to the invention is the construction of the ribbed web 2b of the rear housing member 2a-1 within the outlet chamber 5b. The web 2b serves to increase the rigidity of the housing member 2a-1 and is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the axis 22, which serves as the longitudinal axis of the oil separator 20 and the longitudinal axis of the port 19, and preferably extends along the longitudinal axis 7 of the device 1.

[0078] The web 2b is configured to extend along the longitudinal axis 7 of the device 1, such that a gap is formed between the free end face of the web 2b and the rear side of the base plate 3a of the stator 3. Thus, the end face of the web 2b and the rear side of the base plate 3a of the stator 3 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other, so that the outlet chamber 5b has a continuous volume, rather than a partial volume, in which substantially uniform pressure and high pressure coexist. Within the outlet chamber 5b, there is no or only negligible pressure difference.

[0079] The web 2b is constructed as a fixed component of the shell member 2a-1 that is always perpendicular to the axis 22, such that when the arrangement of the shell member 2a-1 changes by rotating about the longitudinal axis 7 of the device 1 by a certain angle, the arrangement of the web 2b changes in the same way.

[0080] according to Figure 3a and Figure 3b The special construction of the inlet chamber 27 results in: a wide alignment portion 26, the alignment portion 26 serving as the alignment of the port 19 with the oil separator 20 relative to the rotation angle of the housing 2 around the longitudinal axis 7 of the device 1, the housing 2 being otherwise unchanged, or the base plate 3a of the fixed vortex member 3 having a molded part 24 protruding from the rear side of the base plate 3a, particularly relating to the outlet opening of the high-pressure side port 19 for discharging refrigerant and the angular orientation and position of the oil outlet 28 of the oil separator 20, which is arranged to be aligned with the port 19.

[0081] Figure 3a and Figure 3bThe rear housing members 2a-2 and 2a-3 in the second and third embodiments are shown in plan view. Each rear housing member has a maximum deflection of the port 19 and the oil separator 20 around the longitudinal axis 7 of the device 1, particularly relative to the housing 2, which is otherwise unchanged and not shown. Thus, the inlet chamber 27 is constructed between the first end of the housing members 2a-2 and 2a-3 in the circumferential direction and the second end for the alignment portion 26, with an angular overlap of 96°. Depending on the shape and extension of the inlet chamber 27, the alignment portion 26 can cover an angle ranging from 30° to 150° relative to the horizontal plane.

[0082] Housing components 2a-2 and 2a-3—each having a port 19 and a different orientation of the axis 22 of the oil separator 20—have contact surfaces 23 with the same construction. The contact surfaces 23 are used to abut against the rear side of the base plate 3a of the housing 2 or the fixed scroll member 3. The fixed scroll member 3 has a molded part 24 corresponding to the contact surface 23, so that the device 1 can be connected to the port 19 in the refrigerant circuit using the corresponding housing components 2a-1, 2a-2, and 2a-3 according to the orientation requirements of the axis 22.

[0083] Thus, the cross-section of the axially oriented inlet chamber 27 can be constructed symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to the axis extending in the direction of gravity 18, such that the alignment portion 26 can extend within ±60° with respect to the axis oriented in the direction of gravity 18, which is also referred to as the normal axis of device 1. Therefore, the axes of port 19 and oil separator 20 can vary within ±60° with respect to the normal axis of device 1 extending in the vertical direction.

[0084] The high-pressure side port 19 and the oil separator 20 can be arranged such that the axis 22 of the port 19 and the oil separator 20 intersects with the longitudinal axis 7 of the device 1, particularly at the center point of the housing members 2a-2 and 2a-3. Thus, the longitudinal axis 7 and the axis 22 are oriented perpendicular to each other.

[0085] When the angular positions of the axis 22 of the high-pressure side port 19 and the oil separator 20 are the same, the axes 22a and 22b can also be arranged to be separated from the longitudinal axis 7 of the device 1. Figure 3a The axis 22a of the shell component 2a-2 is shown Figure 3b The orientation of axis 22 of shell component 2a-3, and Figure 3b The axis 22a of the shell component 2a-3 is shown Figure 3a The orientation of axis 22 of the shell component 2a-2 is shown. Axis 22b illustrates the midpoint of the orientation of the high-pressure side port 19 and the oil separator 20, respectively.

[0086] Regardless of the orientation of the axes 22, 22a, 22b of the high-pressure side port 19 and the oil separator 20, the oil outlet 28 of the oil separator 20 always leads to the inlet chamber 27 as the lowermost part of the oil separator 20 in the direction of gravity 18, so that all the oil flows from the oil separator 20 into the inlet chamber 27 and flows through the shortest flow path 29 via the protrusion 27a into the flow pipe 16. Because the amount of oil flowing from the oil separator 20 into the inlet chamber 27 corresponds to the amount of oil discharged from the inlet chamber 27, no oil is applied to the rest of the inlet chamber 27.

[0087] As the common longitudinal axis of oil separator 20 and port 19, axes 22a and 22b respectively illustrate that the orientation of oil separator 20, and especially the orientation of high-pressure side port 19, can vary independently of the arrangement of oil outlet 28 in inlet chamber 27, particularly between the first and second ends of inlet chamber 27, even when the arrangement of oil outlet 28 in inlet chamber 27 remains unchanged.

[0088] Furthermore, in any case, the entire housing components 2a-1, 2a-2, and 2a-3 having the inlet chamber 27 can also be arranged to rotate about the longitudinal axis 7 of the device 1. The variation in rotation is limited only to ensure that the protrusion 27a always forms the lowest point of the inlet chamber 27 and the inlet of the flow channel 16 in the direction 18 of gravity. The base plate 3a of the fixed vortex member 3, and especially the molded part 24 on the rear side of the base plate 3a, must be adjusted accordingly.

[0089] List of reference numerals

[0090] 1, 1' device

[0091] 2 shells

[0092] Shell components 2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3, 2a'

[0093] 2b, 2b' web

[0094] 3. Stator and fixed scroll components

[0095] 3a Fixed Scroll Component 3 Baseboard

[0096] 3b Fixed scroll component 3 wall

[0097] 4. Rotating components and movable vortex components

[0098] 4a Movable vortex component 4 base plate

[0099] 4b movable vortex component 4 wall

[0100] 5 workspaces

[0101] 5a Export

[0102] 5b Exit Room

[0103] 6 drive shafts

[0104] 7. Longitudinal axis

[0105] 8 intermediate components

[0106] 9 First Bearing

[0107] 10 Second Bearing

[0108] 11 Opposite Walls

[0109] 12 counter-pressure chambers

[0110] 13 Inhalation Chamber

[0111] 14 First expansion device

[0112] 15 Second expansion device

[0113] 16 Flowing Pipes

[0114] 17 Connecting pipes

[0115] 18. Direction of gravity

[0116] Port 19

[0117] 20 oil separator

[0118] 21 Overflow opening

[0119] Axis lines 22, 22a, and 22b

[0120] 23, 23' contact surface

[0121] 24, 24' molded parts

[0122] 25' entrance

[0123] 26, 26' Alignment Section

[0124] 27 Entrance Room

[0125] 27a protrusion

[0126] 28 oil exports

[0127] 29 Flow Path

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for compressing a gaseous fluid from a low pressure level in a low-pressure section to a high pressure level in a high-pressure section, the apparatus (1) having a housing (2) with housing members (2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3), a compression mechanism disposed between the low-pressure section and the high-pressure section, and a flow conduit (16) connecting the high-pressure section to the low-pressure section, wherein, The housing components (2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3) are configured to have a high-pressure side port (19) and an oil separator (20), the longitudinal axes of the high-pressure side port (19) and the oil separator (20) being arranged on a common axis (22, 22a, 22b), wherein the outlet opening of the port (19) and the oil outlet (28) are configured at the radial end of the oil separator (20), wherein the oil outlet (28) is arranged in the lowermost part of the oil separator (20) in the direction of gravity (18) and is hydraulically connected to the flow conduit (1 6) The inlet is characterized in that the shell members (2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3) are configured to have an inlet chamber (27), the oil outlet (28) is arranged to lead to the inlet chamber (27), and the inlet of the flow pipe (16) is arranged to branch from the inlet chamber (27) such that the high-pressure side port (19) can be arranged such that the common axis (22, 22a, 22b) is located within the inlet chamber (27) and between the first and second ends of the inlet chamber (27), regardless of the arrangement of the oil outlet (28). The inlet chamber (27) has a lateral surface facing outward in the radial direction of the shell members (2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3) and defining the inlet chamber (27). The inlet chamber (27) has a partially annular shape and has a protrusion (27a) projecting outward from the lateral surface arranged on the outer radius. The inlet of the flow pipe (16) is arranged to branch from the protrusion (27a).

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high-voltage side port (19) can be arranged such that the common axis (22, 22a, 22b) lies in a plane extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (7) of the device (1).

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high-pressure side port (19) can be arranged such that the common axis (22, 22a, 22b) can pivot variably within a certain angle range about the axis of the oil outlet (28) which is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis (7) of the device (1).

4. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet of the flow conduit (16) is arranged to branch off from the lowermost part of the inlet chamber (27) in the direction of gravity (18).

5. The apparatus (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lowermost portion of the lateral surface has a continuous gradient relative to the direction (18) of gravity, such that the inlet chamber (27) flows from the oil outlet (28) to the inlet of the flow pipe (16) without backflow.

6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The center point of the partial annulus corresponds to the center point of the substantially circular shell components (2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3).

7. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protrusion (27a) of the entrance chamber (27) is configured as a funnel shape that tapers in the radial direction of the entrance chamber (27), the funnel having a wide portion and a narrow portion, wherein the narrow portion of the funnel forms the lowermost portion of the entrance chamber (27) in the direction (18) of gravity.

8. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil outlet (28) of the oil separator (20) is arranged within the partial annulus of the inlet chamber (27), which has a first end and a second end in the circumferential direction of the housing members (2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3).

9. The apparatus (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The partial annulus of the entrance chamber (27) has an angle range of 30° to 150° between the first end and the second end.

10. The apparatus (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The partial annulus of the entrance chamber (27) has an angle range of 60° to 120° between the first end and the second end.

11. The apparatus (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The partial annulus of the entrance chamber (27) has an angle range of 80° to 100° between the first end and the second end.

12. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protrusion (27a) of the entrance chamber (27) is constructed symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to the shape of the partial annulus.

13. The apparatus (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The high-pressure side port (19) of the shell components (2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3) can be arranged in an angle range between 30° and 150° relative to the horizontal plane with the protrusion (27a) of the inlet chamber (27) being symmetrically constructed with respect to the shape of the partial annulus, and in an angle range from -60° to 60° relative to the direction of gravity (18).

14. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that, The high-pressure side port (19) of the housing component (2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3) can be arranged in an angular range of 30° to 150° relative to the longitudinal axis (7) of the device (1).

15. The apparatus (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The high-pressure side port (19) of the housing component (2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3) can be arranged in an angular range of 60° to 120° relative to the longitudinal axis (7) of the device (1).

16. The apparatus (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The high-pressure side port (19) of the housing component (2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3) can be arranged in an angular range of 80° to 100° relative to the longitudinal axis (7) of the device (1).

17. The apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The compression mechanism is configured with a fixed, immovable vortex member (3) and a movable, rotating member (4). The fixed vortex member (3) has a disc-shaped base plate (3a) and a vortex-shaped wall (3b) extending from the front side of the base plate (3a). The rotating member (4) has a disc-shaped base plate (4a) and a vortex-shaped wall (4b) extending from the front side of the base plate (4a). The wall (3b) of the fixed vortex member (3) and the wall (4b) of the rotating member (4) are arranged to engage with each other.

18. The apparatus (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The housing components (2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3) are arranged to seal against the rear side of the base plate (3a) of the fixed vortex member (3), such that the inlet chamber (27) is delimited by the rear side of the base plate (3a) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (7) of the device (1).

19. The apparatus (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that, The shell components (2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3) have contact surfaces (23) and the fixed vortex member (3) has a molded part (24) protruding from the base plate (3a), the contact surfaces (23) and the molded parts (24) are constructed corresponding to each other such that the contact surfaces (23) abut against the molded parts (24), and the inlet chamber (27) is completely defined in the radial direction by the molded parts (24) of the fixed vortex member (3).

20. The apparatus (1) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The entrance chamber (27) is at least partially constructed within the base plate (3a) of the fixed vortex member (3).

21. The apparatus (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The flow conduit (16) is configured to recirculate oil, which serves as a lubricant, from the high-pressure section to the low-pressure section, and the flow conduit (16) is configured as a component of a counter-pressure system for pressing the rotating member (4) against the fixed vortex member (3).

22. The apparatus (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The shell components (2a-1, 2a-2, 2a-3) have ribbed webs (2b) aligned perpendicular to the common axis (22, 22a, 22b) and extending along the longitudinal axis (7) of the device (1) and arranged within the outlet chamber (5b).

23. The apparatus (1) according to claim 22, characterized in that, The web (2b) is configured to extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis (7) of the device (1) such that a gap is formed between the free end face of the web (2b) and the rear side of the base plate (3a) of the fixed vortex member (3).

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