Screw compressor and gas compression facility

By using a non-circular profile and oil storage area design in the radial sliding bearing of the screw compressor, the friction loss and oil supply between the rotating shaft and the bearing in the large-load screw compressor is solved, achieving more efficient cooling and lower friction loss.

JP2025038543APending Publication Date: 2025-03-19MAYEKAWA MFG CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023145218
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-09-07
Publication Date
2025-03-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In a large load spiral compressor, the large diameter of the rotating shaft increases the circumferential speed of the rotating shaft, thereby increasing the friction loss between the rotating shaft and the radial sliding bearing, requiring a large amount of oil to remove the heat generated by the friction, while excessive supply of oil will increase the stirring loss of the compression section.

Method used

Radial sliding bearings with non-circular-profiles are used, wherein the inner surface of the bearing has a long and a short shaft, and the oil utilization efficiency is improved by forming an oil storage area on the bearing surface, and by optimizing the oil supply path.

Benefits of technology

It effectively reduces the oil supply of rotating bearings in the screw compressor, reduces friction loss and stirring loss, and improves the cooling efficiency of the bearing, supports appropriate rotating shafts, and has the potential to reduce the size of the bearing.

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Abstract

To provide a screw compressor and a gas compression facility that can support a rotor shaft appropriately while reducing an oil supply amount to a bearing or allowing for downsizing of a bearing.SOLUTION: A screw compressor comprises a rotor shaft, and a radial slide bearing including a sleeve having a bearing surface on an inner periphery and rotatably supporting the rotor shaft. The bearing surface of the sleeve has a non-circular contour defined by a major axis and a minor axis in a cross section perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotor shaft, and comprises an oil supply path communicating with an oil reservoir part formed between a portion of the bearing surface including the end part of the major axis and an outer peripheral surface of the rotor shaft.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to screw compressors and gas compression equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Slide bearings are used as radial bearings in rotating machines.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a radial sliding bearing in which the bearing surface has a contour that is perfectly circular in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of a rotating shaft. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-332364 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in screw compressors that are subject to a large load, a rotor shaft with a large diameter is used. When the diameter of the rotor shaft is large, the peripheral speed of the rotor shaft increases, which increases the friction loss between the rotor shaft and the radial bearing, and a large amount of oil must be supplied to remove the heat generated by friction. In addition, in screw compressors, part of the oil supplied to the bearing enters the compression section and is pressurized together with the gas, so as described above, if the amount of oil supplied is large, the mixing loss in the compression section increases.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a screw compressor and gas compression equipment that can properly support a rotor shaft while reducing the amount of oil supplied to the bearings or enabling the bearings to be made smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] At least one embodiment of the screw compressor according to the present invention comprises: A rotor shaft; a radial plain bearing including a sleeve having a bearing surface on an inner circumference thereof and rotatably supporting the rotor shaft; the bearing surface of the sleeve has a non-circular contour defined by a major axis and a minor axis in a cross section perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotor shaft, An oil supply passage is provided which communicates with an oil reservoir formed between a portion of the bearing surface including the end of the long shaft and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft.

[0008] In addition, the gas compression equipment according to at least one embodiment of the present invention includes: a screw compressor as described above configured to compress a gas; an oil separator for separating the oil from a mixture of compressed gas and oil discharged from the screw compressor; Equipped with The oil from the oil separator is configured to be supplied to the oil sump. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a screw compressor and gas compression equipment that can adequately support a rotor shaft while reducing the amount of oil supplied to the bearings or enabling the bearings to be made smaller. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a gas compression facility according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a screw compressor according to one embodiment in a plan view. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of a rotor shaft and a radial plain bearing of a screw compressor according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a view showing a BB cross section of the radial sliding bearing shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a view showing a BB cross section of the radial sliding bearing shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of a rotor shaft and a radial plain bearing of a screw compressor according to one embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of components described as the embodiments or shown in the drawings are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0012] (Gas Compression Equipment Configuration) 1 is a schematic diagram of a gas compression facility including a screw compressor according to some embodiments. As shown in the figure, the gas compression facility 1 includes a screw compressor 2, an oil separator 4, a cooler 6, and a pump 8.

[0013] The screw compressor 2 is configured to compress and discharge the sucked gas. In the drawing, the symbol Ps indicates the suction pressure of the screw compressor 2, and the symbol Pd indicates the discharge pressure of the screw compressor 2. Oil is supplied to the screw compressor 2 via an oil supply line 10 for cooling, lubrication, etc. The oil supplied to the screw compressor 2 is discharged together with the compressed gas.

[0014] The configuration of the screw compressor 2 will be described later, but generally, the screw compressor 2 includes a pair of screw rotors (a male rotor 15 and a female rotor 17) each including a rotor shaft 14, 16, and a radial plain bearing 18 for rotatably supporting the rotor shafts 14, 16. The radial plain bearing 18 includes a radial plain bearing 18A located on the suction side in the axial direction, and a radial plain bearing 18B located on the discharge side in the axial direction. Oil is supplied to the radial plain bearing 18 via an oil supply line 10 for lubrication and cooling.

[0015] The oil separator 4 is configured to separate oil from a mixture of compressed gas and oil discharged from the screw compressor 2. The oil separated in the oil separator 4 is supplied again to the screw compressor 2 (radial plain bearing 18, etc.) via an oil supply line 10. Typically, the oil separated in the oil separator 4 is pressurized by a pump 8 and then supplied to the screw compressor 2 via the oil supply line 10. In this case, the pressure Poil of the oil supplied to the screw compressor 2 is higher than the discharge pressure Pd (Poil=Pd+α). The oil separated in the oil separator 4 may be cooled in a cooler 6 and then pressurized by the pump 8.

[0016] (Screw Compressor Configuration) Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view in a plan view of a screw compressor according to one embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the screw compressor 2 includes a pair of screw rotors (a male rotor 15 and a female rotor 17) including a pair of rotor shafts 14, 16, and a casing 12 that houses the pair of screw rotors.

[0017] The pair of rotor shafts 14, 16 are rotatably supported by radial plain bearings 18A, 18B and a thrust bearing 20. Oil under pressure Poil is supplied to each bearing via an oil supply line 10.

[0018] The male rotor 15 and the female rotor 17 have helical teeth that mesh with each other. A plurality of tooth gap spaces (chambers) are formed along the axial direction of the rotor shafts 14, 16 by the meshing of the teeth of the male rotor 15 and the female rotor 17 and the casing 12.

[0019] The rotor shaft 14 that constitutes the male rotor 15 is connected to the output shaft of a motor (not shown) and is configured to be rotated and driven by the motor. The female rotor 17 that meshes with the male rotor 15 is rotated and driven by the rotation of the male rotor 15. The female rotor 17 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation of the male rotor 15. When the male rotor 15 and the female rotor 17 rotate in a meshed state, the tooth groove space moves in the axial direction from the suction side to the discharge side.

[0020] A shaft seal 24 for suppressing leakage of gas through the penetration part of the casing 12 by the rotor shaft 14 is provided at the penetration part. Oil under pressure Poil may be supplied to the shaft seal 24 through the oil supply line 10.

[0021] The oil supplied to the bearings and shaft seals 24 is discharged from the casing 12 and returned to the relatively low-pressure space of the screw rotor housing of the casing 12 via a return line 28 (see Figs. 1 and 2). Note that the oil supply lines branching off from the oil supply line 10 to the bearings and shaft seals, and the return lines 28 from each part are shown as external lines in Fig. 2, but may be lines provided inside the casing.

[0022] Gas is drawn into the tooth groove space from the suction space 50 formed in the casing 12 through the suction port 52. When the male rotor 15 and the female rotor 17 rotate, the tooth groove space moves axially from the suction side to the discharge side in accordance with the rotation of these screw rotors. During this process, the volume of the tooth groove space decreases after the suction port 52 is closed, and the gas in the tooth groove space is compressed. When the tooth groove space reaches the discharge port 54 and communicates with the discharge space (not shown) formed in the casing 12, the compressed gas in the tooth groove space is discharged to the discharge space. The discharge port 54 is formed by an opening provided in the end face of the casing 12.

[0023] The screw compressor 2 may include a balance piston 30 provided on at least one of the pair of rotor shafts 14, 16. The balance piston 30 is accommodated in an accommodation space 45 formed inside the casing 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the balance piston 30 is provided at the end of the discharge side of the rotor shaft 14 constituting the male rotor 15. A relatively high-pressure oil is supplied from the oil supply line 10 to a balance piston chamber 42 facing the end face of the suction side of the balance piston 30. As a result, a force (a force in the axial direction from the suction side to the discharge side) in the opposite direction to the thrust gas load acting on the rotor shaft 14 (a thrust load acting on the rotor shaft 14 in the axial direction from the discharge side to the suction side due to the difference between the suction pressure Ps and the discharge pressure Pd of the screw compressor 2) acts on the rotor shaft 14 via the end face of the balance piston 30. As a result, the load on the thrust bearing 20 can be reduced.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotor shaft 14 and radial plain bearings 18 (18A, 18B) of the screw compressor 2 according to one embodiment. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are respectively diagrams showing the BB cross section of the radial plain bearing shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows a cross section of the suction side radial plain bearing 18A, and Fig. 5 shows a cross section of the discharge side radial plain bearing 18B.

[0025] In the following, the radial plain bearings 18 (18A, 18B) that support the rotor shaft 14 that constitutes the male rotor 15 will be explained with reference to the figures, but the same explanation can be applied to the radial plain bearings 18 (18A, 18B) that support the rotor shaft 16 that constitutes the female rotor 17.

[0026] 3 to 5, the radial plain bearing 18 includes a sleeve 60 having on its inner periphery a bearing surface 62. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the sleeve 60 has an axial end face 60a on the suction side and an axial end face 60b on the discharge side.

[0027] 4 and 5, the suction side end 62a and the discharge side end 62b of the bearing surface 62 in the axial direction do not have to coincide with the suction side end face 60a and the discharge side end face 60b of the sleeve 60. That is, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the bearing surface 62 may be formed only in a partial region of the extending range of the sleeve 60 in the axial direction.

[0028] The sleeve 60 may include a flange 61 for axial positioning of the sleeve 60. As shown in the figure, the flange 61 of the radial plain bearing 18A provided on the suction side in the axial direction may be provided at the suction side end of the radial plain bearing 18A. The flange 61 of the radial plain bearing 18B provided on the discharge side in the axial direction may be provided at the discharge side end of the radial plain bearing 18A.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the bearing surface 62 of the sleeve 60 has a non-circular contour defined by a major axis AL and a minor axis AS in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotor shaft 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 3, the contour of the bearing surface 62 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction has a generally elliptical shape having a major axis AL and a minor axis AS.

[0030] An oil reservoir 64 is formed between a portion of the bearing surface 62 including the ends EL1, EL2 of the long shaft AL and the outer circumferential surface 19 of the rotor shaft 14. The oil reservoir 64 is a portion where the distance between the bearing surface 62 and the outer circumferential surface 19 of the rotor shaft 14 is relatively wide. Note that the distance between the portion of the bearing surface 62 including the ends ES1, ES2 of the short shaft AS and the outer circumferential surface 19 of the rotor shaft 14 is relatively narrow.

[0031] The screw compressor 2 includes an oil supply passage 66 communicating with the oil reservoir 64. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the oil supply passage 66 includes an oil supply hole 68 provided in the sleeve 60. The oil supply passage 66 may include a passage 56 (see FIG. 2) provided in the casing 12. The oil supply passage 66 may also include a groove 70 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) provided circumferentially on the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 60. Oil from the oil separator 4 (see FIG. 1) is supplied to the oil reservoir 64 via the oil supply line 10 (see FIG. 1) and the oil supply passage 66 (the passage 56, the groove 70, and the oil supply hole 68).

[0032] In the above embodiment, the bearing surface 62 of the sleeve 60 has a noncircular contour defined by the long axis AL and the short axis AS in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, so that a relatively large oil reservoir 64 is formed between a portion of the bearing surface 62 including the ends EL1, EL2 of the long axis AL and the outer circumferential surface 19 of the rotor shaft 14. Therefore, fresh oil (relatively cold oil) supplied to the relatively large oil reservoir 64 through the oil supply passage 66 is easily drawn into the sliding surface as the rotor shaft 14 rotates, improving the cooling efficiency. In addition, since the bearing surface 62 of the sleeve 60 has the above noncircular contour, the circumferential range R1 where the gap between the bearing surface 62 and the outer circumferential surface 19 of the rotor shaft 14 is narrow (i.e., the range where the gap between the portion including the ends ES1, ES2 of the short axis AS and the outer circumferential surface 19 of the rotor shaft 14 is narrow; see FIG. 3) becomes relatively small. Therefore, the friction loss between the rotor shaft and the sleeve can be reduced. Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the rotor shaft 14 can be appropriately supported while reducing the amount of oil supplied to the radial plain bearing 18 or while enabling the radial plain bearing 18 to be made smaller.

[0033] 3 to 5 , in some embodiments, a recess 72 into which the oil supply passage 66 opens is provided in the bearing surface 62 of the sleeve 60. The recess 72 may include a bottom surface 74 into which the oil supply passage 66 opens, and a side wall surface 76 provided so as to surround the bottom surface 74.

[0034] In the embodiment described above, the bearing surface 62 of the sleeve 60 is provided with the recess 72 into which the oil supply passage 66 opens, so that the oil supplied from the oil supply passage 66 can be retained in the recess 72. As a result, oil can be smoothly supplied to the space between the bearing surface 62 and the outer circumferential surface 19 of the rotor shaft 14 via the recess 72.

[0035] 3 to 5, the recess 72 provided in the bearing surface 62 may be surrounded by a dam. That is, when viewed from the radial direction, the recess 72 may be closed by a side wall surface 76 that surrounds the recess 72.

[0036] In a conventional screw compressor having a relatively large rotor shaft diameter, in order to supply a large amount of oil to the bearing, it was necessary to provide an oil escape groove (a groove provided on the bearing surface so as to communicate with the recess) for discharging the oil from the recess in the bearing surface where the oil may accumulate. In this regard, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as already described, the amount of oil supplied to the bearing is small, so it is possible to realize a configuration in which the recess 72 is surrounded by a dam and there is no oil escape groove, and this makes it possible to reduce the amount of oil supplied to the bearing.

[0037] In some embodiments, the axial distance L1 (see Figures 4 and 5) between the axial suction end 72a of the recess 72 and the opening 69 of the oil supply passage 66 on the bearing surface 62 is shorter than the axial distance L2 (see Figures 4 and 5) between the axial discharge end 72b of the recess 72 and the opening 69 of the oil supply passage 66 on the bearing surface 62.

[0038] According to the embodiment described above, the opening 69 of the oil supply passage 66 is located axially closer to the suction side end 72a than to the discharge side end 72b of the recess 72. That is, since the opening 69 of the oil supply passage 66 is provided at a position on the relatively high pressure side of the recess 72, the oil supplied from the oil supply passage 66 to the recess 72 flows in a balanced manner toward the suction side end 72a on the relatively high pressure side and the discharge side end 72b on the relatively low pressure side, making it easier to appropriately lubricate and cool the radial plain bearing 18.

[0039] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotor shafts 14, 16 of the screw compressor 2 according to one embodiment and the radial plain bearing 18 supporting the rotor shafts 14, 16, respectively. In Fig. 6, reference numerals 15a and 17a indicate the orbits (positions of the outermost circumference) of the tooth tips of the male rotor 15 and the female rotor 17, respectively.

[0040] 6, when viewed from the axial direction, the discharge port 54 of the screw compressor 2 is located between the axial center O1 of the rotor shaft 14 and the axial center O2 of the rotor shaft 16 in the horizontal direction, and is positioned offset from the axial center O1 of the rotor shaft 14 and the axial center O2 of the rotor shaft 16 in the vertical direction. In addition, when viewed from the axial direction, the discharge port 54 is formed in a region including an intersection P0 of the orbit 15a of the tooth tips of the male rotor 15 and the orbit 17a of the tooth tips of the female rotor 17.

[0041] The magnitude and direction of the radial loads FA, FB generated in the radial plain bearing 18 are determined by the pressure distribution around the rotor shafts 14, 16. Around the rotor shafts 14, 15, the pressure is highest at the position on the discharge port 54 side and lowest at the opposite position (the suction side position). Due to this pressure difference, the radial loads FA, FB generated in the radial plain bearing 18 are directed diagonally upward as shown in Figure 6.

[0042] Therefore, in some embodiments, the radial plain bearing 18 is provided so that the minor axis AS of the contour of the bearing surface 62 is aligned along the directions of the radial loads FA and FB described above so that the radial plain bearing 18 can appropriately receive the radial load in the obliquely upward direction described above. That is, in some embodiments, the radial plain bearing 18 supporting the rotor shaft 14 constituting the male rotor 15 is provided so that the minor axis AS of the contour of the bearing surface 62 is aligned along the direction connecting the discharge port 54 and the axial center O1 of the rotor shaft 14 when viewed from the axial direction. Also, the radial plain bearing 18 supporting the rotor shaft 16 constituting the female rotor 17 is provided so that the minor axis AS of the contour of the bearing surface 62 is aligned along the direction connecting the discharge port 54 and the axial center O2 of the rotor shaft 16 when viewed from the axial direction.

[0043] For example, when viewed from the axial direction, the radial plain bearing 18 may be arranged so that the minor axis AS of the contour of the bearing surface 62 of the radial plain bearing 18 follows the direction of the straight line L3, L4 passing through the intersection P0 of the orbit 15a of the tooth tips of the male rotor 15 and the orbit 17a of the tooth tips of the female rotor 17, and the axial center O1 of the rotor shaft 14 or the axial center O2 of the rotor shaft 16.

[0044] In one embodiment, the radial plain bearing 18 may be arranged so that, when viewed from the axial direction, the angle θ1 or θ2 (see Figure 6) between the straight line L3 or L4 passing through the above-mentioned intersection point P0 and the axial center O1 or O2 of the rotor shaft 14 or 16 and the straight line L1 or L2 extending in the direction of the minor axis AS of the contour of the bearing surface 62 is 30 degrees or less.

[0045] Alternatively, in one embodiment, the radial plain bearing 18 may be provided such that, when viewed from the axial direction, the minor axis AS of the contour of the bearing surface 62 is located within the region Z1 or Z2 between the above-mentioned straight line L3 or L4 and the straight line L5 or L6. Here, the straight lines L5 and L6 are straight lines passing through the point in the opening region of the discharge port 54 that is farthest from the straight line L0 in the circumferential direction and the axial centers O1 and O2 of the rotor shafts 14 and 16, respectively (see FIG. 6).

[0046] In addition, for example, the radial plain bearing 18 may be provided so that, when viewed from the axial direction, the angle B (see Figure 6) between a straight line L0 passing through the axial center O1 or O2 of the pair of rotor shafts 14 or 16 and a straight line L1 or L2 in the direction of the short axis AS satisfies the following formula (a). B=(A+C) / 2 …(a) Here, A in the above formula (a) represents the angle between the above-mentioned straight line L0 and the above-mentioned straight line L5 or L6, and C in the above formula (a) represents the angle between the above-mentioned straight line L0 and the above-mentioned straight line L3 or L4 (see FIG. 6). Note that the above-mentioned angle A is determined by the design volume ratio of the screw compressor 2.

[0047] As described above, in the screw compressor 2, the magnitude and direction of the radial loads FA, FB generated on the radial plain bearing 18 are determined by the pressure distribution around the rotor shafts 14, 16, and the radial loads FA, FB generated on the radial plain bearing 18 are obliquely upward as shown in Fig. 6. In this regard, according to the above-mentioned embodiment, the radial plain bearing 18 is provided so that the minor axis AS of the contour of the bearing surface 62 is along the direction connecting the discharge port 54 and the axial centers O1, O2 of the rotor shafts 14, 16. Therefore, the radial plain bearing 18 can appropriately bear the load of the rotor shafts 14, 16, and, as already described, the amount of oil supplied to the radial plain bearing 18 can be reduced or the radial plain bearing 18 can be made smaller in size.

[0048] The contents described in each of the above embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0049] [1] At least one embodiment of the screw compressor (2) of the present invention comprises: A rotor shaft (14, 16), a radial plain bearing (18) including a sleeve (60) having a bearing surface (62) on an inner periphery thereof, and rotatably supporting the rotor shaft; The bearing surface of the sleeve has a non-circular profile defined by a major axis (AL) and a minor axis (AS) in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotor shaft, The bearing surface includes an oil supply passage (66) that communicates with an oil reservoir (64) that is formed between a portion of the bearing surface that includes the ends (EL1, EL2) of the long shaft and the outer circumferential surface (19) of the rotor shaft.

[0050] In the configuration [1] above, the bearing surface of the sleeve has a non-circular contour defined by the major axis and the minor axis in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, so that a relatively large oil reservoir is formed between the portion of the bearing surface including the end of the major axis and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft. Therefore, fresh oil (relatively cold oil) supplied to the relatively large oil reservoir through the oil supply passage is easily drawn into the sliding surface as the rotor shaft rotates, improving cooling efficiency. In addition, since the bearing surface of the sleeve has the non-circular contour described above, the circumferential range in which the gap between the bearing surface and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft is narrow is relatively small. Therefore, friction loss between the rotor shaft and the sleeve can be reduced. Therefore, according to the configuration [1] above, the rotor shaft can be properly supported while reducing the amount of oil supplied to the bearing or while enabling the bearing to be made smaller.

[0051] [2] In some embodiments, in the configuration of [1] above, The screw compressor comprises: a discharge port (54) for discharging a fluid compressed by a screw rotor (e.g., a male rotor 15 and a female rotor 17) including the rotor shaft; The radial plain bearing is provided such that, when viewed from the axial direction, the minor axis of the contour of the bearing surface is aligned along a direction connecting the discharge port and an axial center (O1, O2) of the rotor shaft.

[0052] In a screw compressor, the magnitude and direction of the radial load generated in the radial plain bearing are determined by the pressure distribution around the rotor shaft, and the radial load generated in the radial plain bearing is obliquely upward when viewed from the axial direction. In this regard, according to the configuration of [2] above, the radial plain bearing is provided so that the minor axis of the outline of the bearing surface is aligned with the direction connecting the discharge port and the axial center of the rotor shaft, so that the load of the rotor shaft can be appropriately borne by the radial bearing, and as described in [1] above, the amount of oil supplied to the bearing can be reduced or the bearing can be made smaller.

[0053] [3] In some embodiments, in the configuration of [1] or [2] above, The screw compressor comprises: The bearing surface has a recess (72) into which the oil supply passage opens.

[0054] According to the above configuration [3], since the bearing surface of the sleeve is provided with a recess into which the oil supply passage opens, the oil supplied from the oil supply passage can be retained in the recess, and therefore the oil can be smoothly supplied to the space between the bearing surface and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft via the recess.

[0055] [4] In some embodiments, in the configuration of [3] above, The recess is surrounded by a dam (eg, including a sidewall surface 76).

[0056] In conventional screw compressors with a relatively large rotor shaft diameter, in order to supply a large amount of oil to the bearings, it was necessary to provide an oil escape groove to drain the oil from the recesses where the oil could accumulate. In this regard, in the configuration of [4] above, as described in [1] above, the amount of oil supplied to the bearings is small, so by using a configuration in which the recesses are surrounded by a dam and there is no oil escape groove, the amount of oil supplied to the bearings can be reduced.

[0057] [5] In some embodiments, in the configuration of [3] or [4] above, The recess has a suction end (72a) and a discharge end (72b) which are opposite ends in the axial direction, A distance (L1) in the axial direction between an opening (69) of the oil supply passage that opens into the recess and the suction side end is shorter than a distance (L2) in the axial direction between the opening and the discharge side end.

[0058] According to the configuration [5] above, the opening of the oil supply passage is located axially closer to the suction end of the recess than to the discharge end of the recess. In other words, the opening of the oil supply passage is provided at a relatively high-pressure side position in the recess, so that the oil supplied from the oil supply passage to the recess flows in a balanced manner toward the relatively high-pressure suction end and the relatively low-pressure discharge end, making it easier to properly lubricate and cool the bearing.

[0059] [6] At least one embodiment of the gas compression equipment of the present invention comprises: A screw compressor (2) according to any one of the above [1] to [5] configured to compress a gas; an oil separator (4) for separating the oil from a mixture of compressed gas and oil discharged from the screw compressor; Equipped with The oil from the oil separator is configured to be supplied to the oil sump.

[0060] In the configuration of [6] above, since the bearing surface of the sleeve has a non-circular contour defined by the major axis and the minor axis in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, a relatively large oil supply passage is formed between the portion of the bearing surface including the end of the major axis and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft. Therefore, the fresh oil (relatively cold oil) supplied to the relatively large oil reservoir through the oil supply passage is easily drawn into the sliding surface as the rotor shaft rotates, improving the cooling efficiency. In addition, since the bearing surface of the sleeve has the non-circular contour described above, the circumferential range in which the gap between the bearing surface and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft is narrow is relatively small. Therefore, the friction loss between the rotor shaft and the sleeve can be reduced. Therefore, according to the configuration of [6] above, the rotor shaft can be properly supported while reducing the amount of oil supplied to the bearing or while enabling the bearing to be made smaller.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and also includes modifications to the above-described embodiments and appropriate combinations of these modifications.

[0062] In this specification, expressions expressing relative or absolute configuration, such as "in a certain direction," "along a certain direction," "parallel," "orthogonal," "center," "concentric," or "coaxial," do not only strictly represent such a configuration, but also represent a state in which there is a relative displacement with a tolerance or an angle or distance to the extent that the same function is obtained. For example, expressions indicating that things are in an equal state, such as "identical," "equal," and "homogeneous," not only indicate a state of strict equality, but also indicate a state in which there is a tolerance or a difference to the extent that the same function is obtained. Furthermore, in this specification, expressions describing shapes such as a rectangular shape or a cylindrical shape do not only refer to shapes such as a rectangular shape or a cylindrical shape in the strict geometric sense, but also refer to shapes that include uneven portions, chamfered portions, etc., to the extent that the same effect can be obtained. In addition, in this specification, the expressions "comprise," "include," or "have" a certain element are not exclusive expressions that exclude the presence of other elements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 Gas compression equipment 2 Screw compressor 4 Oil separator 6 Cooler 8. Pump 10 Oil supply line 12 Casing 14 Rotor shaft 15 Male Rotor 15a orbit 16 Rotor shaft 17 Female Rotor 17a orbit 18 Radial plain bearing 18A Radial plain bearing 18B radial plain bearing 19 Outer surface 20 Thrust bearing 24 Shaft seal 28 Return Line 30 Balance piston 42 Balance piston chamber 45 Containment Space 50 Suction space 52 Intake port 54 Discharge port Aisle 56 60 Sleeve 60a End face 60b end face 61 Flange 62 Bearing surface 62a Suction side end 62b Discharge side end 64 Oil Reservoir 66 Fuel Line 68 Oil hole 69 Aperture 70 groove 72 Recess 72a Suction side end 72b Discharge side end 74 Bottom 76 Side wall AL long axis AS short axis EL1 End EL2 end ES1 End ES2 end O1 axis center O2 axis center P0 intersection Pd Discharge pressure Poil pressure Ps Intake pressure R1 Circumferential range

Claims

1. A rotor shaft; a radial plain bearing including a sleeve having a bearing surface on an inner circumference thereof and rotatably supporting the rotor shaft; the bearing surface of the sleeve has a non-circular contour defined by a major axis and a minor axis in a cross section perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotor shaft, an oil supply passage communicating with an oil reservoir formed between a portion of the bearing surface including an end of the long shaft and an outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft; Screw compressor.

2. a discharge port for discharging a fluid compressed by the screw rotor including the rotor shaft; The radial plain bearing is provided such that, when viewed from the axial direction, the minor axis of the contour of the bearing surface is aligned along a direction connecting the discharge port and an axial center of the rotor shaft. The screw compressor according to claim 1.

3. a recess provided on the bearing surface and into which the oil supply passage opens The screw compressor according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The recess is surrounded by a dam. The screw compressor according to claim 3.

5. The recess has a suction end and a discharge end which are opposite ends in the axial direction, A distance in the axial direction between an opening of the oil supply passage that opens into the recess and the suction side end is shorter than a distance in the axial direction between the opening and the discharge side end. The screw compressor according to claim 3.

6. A screw compressor according to claim 1 or 2 configured to compress a gas; an oil separator for separating the oil from a mixture of compressed gas and oil discharged from the screw compressor; Equipped with The oil from the oil separator is supplied to the oil reservoir. Gas compression equipment.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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