Valve arrangement for refrigerant compressor

Abstract

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor comprising: a first cooling line configured to cool power electronics; a second cooling line configured to cool a motor of the compressor; a first valve operable to selectively restrict flow through the first cooling line, where the first valve is mounted to the substrate; and a second valve operable to selectively restrict flow through a second cooling line, where the second valve is mounted to the substrate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Refrigerant compressors are used to circulate refrigerant in a chiller or heat pump via a refrigerant circuit. Known refrigerant circuits include a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. Some compressors provide cooling for motors and / or associated power electronics by delivering refrigerant from the main circuit to the motors and / or other power electronics. Summary of the invention

[0002] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor, comprising: a first cooling line configured to cool a power electronic device; a second cooling line configured to cool a motor of the compressor; a first valve operable to selectively limit flow through the first cooling line, wherein the first valve is mounted to a base plate; and a second valve operable to selectively limit flow through the second cooling line, wherein the second valve is mounted to the base plate.

[0003] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor wherein the fluid flowing into the first valve and the second valve comes from a common source.

[0004] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor, wherein: the base plate includes an inlet orifice and a first conduit connected to the inlet orifice, and the first conduit leads to a junction, the junction being configured to direct a portion of the flow from the first conduit toward a first valve and the other flow toward a second valve.

[0005] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor wherein: a first inlet conduit connects a first valve and a junction, and a second inlet conduit connects a second valve and a junction.

[0006] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor, wherein: the base plate includes a first outlet orifice, a first outlet conduit connects the first valve and the first outlet orifice, and the base plate includes a second outlet orifice, and a second outlet conduit connects the second valve and the second outlet orifice.

[0007] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor wherein: a first rib connects an inlet aperture to a first outlet aperture, a second rib connects the inlet aperture to a second outlet aperture, and the first and second ribs protrude outwardly from the remainder of the surface of the substrate.

[0008] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor wherein the base plate is brass.

[0009] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor, wherein the substrate is mounted within a power electronics housing of the refrigerant compressor.

[0010] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor wherein the base plate includes an opening configured to receive a fastener.

[0011] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor wherein the first valve and the second valve are electronic expansion valves.

[0012] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system comprising: a main refrigerant circuit connected to a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor, wherein the compressor comprises: a first cooling line configured to cool a power electronic device; a second cooling line configured to cool a motor of the compressor; a first valve operable to selectively limit flow through the first cooling line, wherein the first valve is mounted to a base plate; and a second valve operable to selectively limit flow through the second cooling line, wherein the second valve is mounted to the base plate.

[0013] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system wherein the fluid flowing into the first valve and the second valve comes from a common source.

[0014] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system wherein: the substrate includes an inlet orifice and a first conduit connected to the inlet orifice, and the first conduit leads to a junction configured to direct a portion of the flow from the first conduit toward a first valve and to direct other flow toward a second valve.

[0015] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system wherein: a first inlet conduit connects the first valve and a junction, and a second inlet conduit connects the second valve and a junction.

[0016] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system, wherein: the substrate includes a first outlet orifice, a first outlet conduit connects the first valve and the first outlet orifice, and the substrate includes a second outlet orifice, a second outlet conduit connects the second valve and the second outlet orifice.

[0017] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system wherein: a first rib connects an inlet aperture to a first outlet aperture, a second rib connects the inlet aperture to a second outlet aperture, and the first and second ribs protrude outwardly from the remainder of the surface of the substrate.

[0018] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system wherein the base plate is brass.

[0019] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system wherein the substrate is mounted within a power electronics housing of a refrigerant compressor.

[0020] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system wherein the base plate includes an opening configured to receive a fastener.

[0021] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system wherein the first valve and the second valve are electronic expansion valves. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant circuit.

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example compressor cooling arrangement.

[0024] Figure 3 is a close-up view of an example valve arrangement.

[0025] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the compressor, and particularly shows the Figure 3 Example installation positions of the valve arrangement.

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of one of the valves. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Figure 1 A refrigerant cooling system 10 is schematically shown. The refrigerant system 10 includes a main refrigerant circuit or loop 12, which is in communication with one or more compressors 14, a condenser 16, an evaporator 18, and an expansion device 20. The refrigerant system 10 can be used, for example, in a chiller or a heat pump. It is worth noting that although a specific example of a refrigerant system 10 is shown, the application can be extended to other refrigerant system configurations. For example, the main refrigerant circuit 12 can include an economizer located downstream of the condenser 16 and upstream of the expansion device 20. For example, the refrigerant cooling system 10 can be an air conditioning system.

[0028] Figure 2 An example compressor 14 is schematically shown. The example compressor 14 is a two-stage compressor. A first impeller 22 is located upstream of a second impeller 24. The example compressor 14 is a two-stage centrifugal compressor. Other multi-stage compressors may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, one stage includes an impeller and shroud arrangement, while another stage includes an alternative arrangement. The impellers 22, 24 are driven by a motor 26.

[0029] The compressor 14 may be a split type cooling compressor. The first cooling line 30 is connected from the main refrigerant circuit 12 (such as Figure 1 2 (shown) to extract cooling fluid for power electronic devices, such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs). In the example shown, the cooling line 30 has a first heat exchange portion 31 for cooling the IGBTs and a second heat exchange portion 35 for cooling the SCRs. For example, a second cooling line 80 from the main refrigerant loop 12 cools the motor 26. The first valve 29 can communicate with the first controller 38 to control the fluid entering the first cooling line 30. The second valve 79 can communicate with the second controller 78 to control the fluid entering the second cooling line 80. Although shown as two controllers 38, 78, it should be understood that a single controller can be used for both cooling lines 30, 80. Either or both of the controllers 38, 78 can be provided by a bearing motor compressor controller (BMCC). For example, the controller 78 can communicate with sensors 84, 86 arranged along the cooling line 80. In the example shown, the first temperature sensor 84 provides the temperature at the motor windings, and the second temperature sensor 86 provides the temperature at the motor cavity.

[0030] The cooling line 30 returns the cooling fluid to the main refrigerant circuit 12 near the compressor 14. In this example, the cooling line 30 is selectable to return the cooling fluid to one of at least two locations at the junction 32. The cooling line 30 can be configured to be in a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, the cooling line 30 is configured to return the cooling fluid via a first line 34, which returns or dumps the cooling fluid between the first and second impellers 22, 24. In some examples, this is referred to as an interstage return. In the second mode, the cooling line 30 is configured to return the cooling fluid via a second line 36 upstream of the first impeller 22. Specifically, the second line 36 can return the fluid to the evaporator 18 or directly to the suction side of the compressor 14.

[0031] The first and second modes may be selected manually or automatically. The first mode may be used for conventional comfort cooling applications, while the second mode may be used for high saturated suction temperature (SST) cooling applications, such as data centers. In some examples, a controller 38 is used to switch between the first mode and the second mode. For example, the controller 38 may communicate with sensors 40, 42 arranged along the cooling line 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the first temperature sensor 40 provides the temperature at the IGBT and the second temperature sensor 42 provides the temperature at the SCR. In one embodiment, a directional flow control valve 33 is used to switch between the first mode and the second mode.

[0032] In some examples, the controller 38 can monitor the suction pressure of the compressor 14. In some examples, if the suction pressure of the compressor 14 is above a preset value, the controller 38 will direct the valve 33 to return the cooling fluid via the second line 36. This is the second mode with suction return. If the suction pressure is below a preset value, the valve 33 will return the cooling fluid via the first line 34. This is the inter-stage return of the first mode. For example, the first mode can be a default mode.

[0033] The controller 38 can monitor the pressure differential in the cooling line in real time as well as the temperature sensors 40 and 42. In the event of low pressure differential and the temperature sensor readings are continuously above the set point, the controller 38 can direct the valve 33 to return to the second line 36. If the pressure differential is sufficient to maintain the temperature set point, the valve can return directly to 34 to improve the overall system efficiency.

[0034] Figure 3 An exemplary arrangement of the first and second valves 29, 79 is shown. In this example, the first and second valves 29, 79 are mounted to a base plate 90, which in one example may be made of brass. The base plate 90 includes various openings 91 for connecting to fluid conduits and for receiving fasteners, such that the base plate 90 facilitates fluid and mechanical connection with the compressor 14. In one example, the base plate 90 and the first and second valves 29, 79 may be approximately Figure 4 The location shown is mounted to the compressor 14. In this example, the base plate 90 is mounted adjacent to and within a power electronics housing 92 of the compressor 14.

[0035] Continue to refer Figure 3 , the substrate 90 includes an inlet orifice 94 and first and second outlet orifices 96, 98. The orifices 94, 96, 98 each include a flange that extends outwardly from the remainder of the surface S of the substrate 90, which surface S is substantially planar. The flanges of the orifices 94, 96, 98 facilitate the connection between the substrate 90 and the fluid conduit. In addition, first and second ribs 100, 102 protrude outwardly from the remainder of the surface S of the substrate 90 to provide rigidity to the flanges of the orifices 94, 96, 98 and, in turn, to provide a Figure 3 The overall arrangement increases rigidity.

[0036] In this example, a first conduit 104 is attached to the inlet orifice 94. The first conduit 104 leads to a junction 106. In one example, the first conduit 104 and the junction 106 can be a unitary structure, such as a brass tee. At the junction 106, the fluid is split and fed along first and second inlet conduits 108, 110, which lead to the first and second valves 29, 79, respectively. The direction of fluid flow is generally indicated by Figure 3Downstream of the first and second valves 29, 79, the arrangement includes first and second outlet conduits 112, 114 leading from the respective first and second valves 29, 79 to first and second outlet orifices 96, 98. The first outlet orifice 96 is fluidly coupled to the cooling line 30, and the second outlet orifice 98 is fluidly coupled to the cooling line 80, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 Approximately shown.

[0037] In one example, each of the conduits 104, 108, 110, 112, 114 may be connected to the base plate 90, the junction 106, and the first and second valves 29, 79 by brazing. Alternative attachment techniques are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Figure 3 The arrangement is relatively easy to manufacture, easy to assemble, low cost and capable of withstanding high fluid pressures. The arrangement also provides a higher level of adjustability than an arrangement that employs only a solenoid valve (i.e., an on-off valve). In turn, the compressor 14 exhibits greater cooling capacity and reduced energy consumption, thereby improving the efficiency of the refrigerant system 10 as a whole.

[0038] Figure 5 A cross section of the first valve 29 is shown. The second valve 79 is substantially identical. Typically, in the present disclosure, the first valve 29 and the second valve 79 are not solenoid valves or switch valves. Instead, the first and second valves 29, 79 are adjustable. The first and second valves 29, 79 are selectively controlled to expand the fluid so that the fluid directed through the outlet conduits 114, 116 is a low pressure, low temperature fluid compared to the fluid upstream of the first and second valves 29, 79. The first valve 29 and the second valve 79 may be electronic expansion valves (EEV or EXV). In a specific example, the first and second valves 29, 79 are provided by ETS5M valves.

[0039] refer to Figure 5 , the first valve 29 includes an orifice plate 117 having a narrow opening 118 located between the first inlet conduit 108 and the first outlet conduit 112. A plunger 120 having a protrusion sized and shaped to fit into the opening 118 can be selectively moved toward and away from the opening 118 via a motor 122 to selectively open and close the valve 29. Specifically, the plunger 120 can be moved into a fully closed position, a fully open position, and an almost infinite number of positions therebetween. In this regard, the first valve 29 can be considered to be infinitely adjustable.

[0040] It should be appreciated that although particular component arrangements are disclosed and illustrated in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements may benefit from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0041] Although the different examples have specific components shown in the drawings, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these specific combinations. Some components or features from one of the examples may be used in combination with features or components from another example.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above embodiments are exemplary rather than restrictive. That is, modifications of the present disclosure will fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerant compressor, comprising: a first cooling line configured to cool the power electronics; a second cooling line configured to cool a motor of the compressor; a first valve operable to selectively restrict flow through the first cooling line, wherein the first valve is mounted to a base plate; as well as A second valve is operable to selectively restrict flow through the second cooling line, wherein the second valve is mounted to the base plate.

2. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 1, wherein: The fluid flowing into the first valve and the second valve comes from a common source.

3. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 1, wherein: The substrate includes an inlet aperture and a first conduit connected to the inlet aperture, and The first conduit leads to a junction configured to direct a portion of flow from the first conduit toward the first valve and to direct the rest of the flow to the second valve.

4. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 3, wherein: a first inlet conduit connecting the first valve and the junction, and A second inlet conduit connects the second valve and the junction.

5. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 4, wherein: The substrate comprises a first outlet opening, a first outlet conduit connecting the first valve and the first outlet orifice, The base plate includes a second outlet aperture, and A second outlet conduit connects the second valve and the second outlet orifice.

6. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 5, wherein: a first rib connecting the inlet aperture to a first outlet aperture, a second rib connects the inlet aperture to the second outlet aperture, and The first and second ribs protrude outwardly from a remainder of the surface of the substrate.

7. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 1, wherein: The base plate is brass.

8. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 1, wherein: The substrate is mounted within a housing of power electronics of the refrigerant compressor.

9. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 8, wherein: The base plate includes an opening configured to receive a fastener.

10. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 1, wherein: The first valve and the second valve are electronic expansion valves.

11. A refrigerant system, comprising: A primary refrigerant circuit in communication with the condenser, the evaporator and the compressor, wherein the compressor comprises: a first cooling line configured to cool the power electronics; a second cooling line configured to cool a motor of the compressor; a first valve operable to selectively restrict flow through the first cooling line, wherein the first valve is mounted to a substrate; and a second valve operable to selectively restrict flow through the second cooling line, Wherein the second valve is mounted to the base plate.

12. The refrigerant system according to claim 11, wherein: The fluid flowing into the first valve and the second valve comes from a common source.

13. The refrigerant system of claim 11, wherein: The substrate includes an inlet aperture and a first conduit connected to the inlet aperture, and The first conduit leads to a junction configured to direct a portion of flow from the first conduit toward the first valve and to direct the rest of the flow to the second valve.

14. The refrigerant system of claim 13, wherein: a first inlet conduit connecting the first valve and the junction, and A second inlet conduit connects the second valve and the junction.

15. The refrigerant system of claim 14, wherein: The substrate comprises a first outlet opening, a first outlet conduit connecting the first valve and the first outlet orifice, The base plate includes a second outlet aperture, and A second outlet conduit connects the second valve and the second outlet orifice.

16. The refrigerant system of claim 15, wherein: a first rib connecting the inlet aperture to the first outlet aperture, a second rib connects the inlet aperture to the second outlet aperture, and The first and second ribs protrude outwardly from a remainder of the surface of the substrate.

17. The refrigerant system according to claim 11, wherein: The base plate is brass.

18. The refrigerant system according to claim 11, wherein: The substrate is mounted within a power electronics housing of a refrigerant compressor.

19. The refrigerant system according to claim 18, wherein: The base plate includes an opening configured to receive a fastener.

20. The refrigerant system according to claim 11, wherein: The first valve and the second valve are electronic expansion valves.

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