Electrical and Liquid Feedthrough Systems for Compressors

Abstract

A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a compressor motor housing and a feed-through connector coupled to the motor housing. The feed-through connector includes a first passage and a second passage formed therethrough. The first passage is configured to receive a fluid conduit, and the second passage is configured to receive an electrical wire. The HVAC&R system also includes a bearing disposed within the motor housing. The bearing is configured to receive pressurized fluid through the fluid conduit. Additionally, the HVAC&R system includes a sensor disposed within the motor housing. The electrical wire is configured to transmit an electrical signal from the sensor through the feed-through connector.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 451,852, entitled "ELECTRICAL AND LIQUID FEEDTHROUGH FOR COMPRESSOR," filed March 13, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 443,921, entitled "BEARING SYSTEM FOR HVAC&R SYSTEM," filed February 7, 2023, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0003] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, as described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0003] Chiller systems, or vapor compression systems, utilize a working fluid (e.g., refrigerant, etc.) that changes phase between vapor, liquid, and mixtures thereof in response to exposure to different temperatures and pressures within the chiller system components. The chiller system may place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a conditioned fluid (e.g., water) and deliver the conditioned fluid to conditioning equipment provided by the chiller system and / or the environment being conditioned. In such applications, the conditioned fluid may be routed through downstream equipment, such as an air handler, to condition other fluids, such as building air. The chiller system may include a compressor configured to pressurize the working fluid and circulate it through the chiller system's working fluid circuit. In some applications, the compressor's shaft may be rotatably driven by a motor to drive rotation of the compressor's impeller, which pressurizes the working fluid. Traditionally, compressors include bearings configured to facilitate shaft rotation. Unfortunately, existing bearings utilized with compressors can be complex and expensive and / or contribute to inefficiencies in the operation of the chiller system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these particular embodiments, and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.

[0005] In one embodiment, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a compressor motor housing and a feed-through connector coupled to the motor housing. The feed-through connector includes a first passage and a second passage formed therethrough. The first passage is configured to receive a fluid conduit, and the second passage is configured to receive an electrical wire. The HVAC&R system also includes a bearing disposed within the motor housing. The bearing is configured to receive pressurized fluid through the fluid conduit. Additionally, the HVAC&R system includes a sensor disposed within the motor housing. The electrical wire is configured to transmit an electrical signal from the sensor through the feed-through connector.

[0006] In another embodiment, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a compressor having a rotor shaft disposed within a sealed housing. The HVAC&R system also includes a feed-through connector coupled to the sealed housing. The feed-through connector includes a first passageway and a second passageway formed therethrough. The HVAC&R system further includes a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the first passageway and an electrical wire extending through the second passageway. Additionally, the HVAC&R system includes a bearing disposed around the rotor shaft. The bearing is configured to receive pressurized fluid via the fluid conduit. Furthermore, the HVAC&R system includes a sensor disposed within the sealed housing. The electrical wire is configured to transmit an electrical signal between the sensor and an exterior of the sealed housing via the feed-through connector.

[0007] In another embodiment, a feedthrough system for a hermetic compressor includes a feedthrough body having a first passageway and a second passageway formed therethrough. The feedthrough system also includes a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the first passageway and configured to direct pressurized fluid toward a bearing of the hermetic compressor. Additionally, the feedthrough system includes one or more electrical wires extending through the second passageway and configured to transmit one or more electrical currents through the feedthrough body. The feedthrough system further includes a potting compound disposed within the second passageway and configured to block fluid flow through the second passageway. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] The various aspects of the present disclosure may be better understood by reading the following detailed description and by reviewing the drawings, in which:

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a building that may utilize a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system in a commercial environment, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vapor compression system according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a vapor compression system according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a vapor compression system according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a compressor of a vapor compression system illustrating a bearing system of the compressor according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a feedthrough connector for a bearing system of a compressor, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a feed-through connector for a bearing system of a compressor, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a compressor including a bearing system according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a vapor compression system including a compressor bearing system according to an aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] One or more specific embodiments are described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described herein. It should be understood that the development of any such actual implementation, as with any engineering or design project, will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to be made to achieve the developers' particular goals, including compliance with system- and business-related constraints that may vary from implementation to implementation. It should further be understood that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0011] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean that there are one or more elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to "one embodiment" or "embodiments" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of an additional embodiment that also incorporates the recited features.

[0012] As used herein, terms such as "approximately," "generally," and "substantially" are intended to convey, as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, that a stated property value can be within a relatively small range of the property value. For example, when an attribute value is described as being "approximately" equal to (or, e.g., "substantially similar to") a given value, this is intended to mean that the attribute value can be within + / -5%, + / -4%, + / -3%, + / -2%, + / -1% of the given value, or even close to it. Similarly, when a given feature is described as being "substantially parallel" to another feature, "generally perpendicular" to another feature, etc., this is intended to mean that the given feature is within + / -5%, + / -4%, + / -3%, + / -2%, + / -1%, or even close to having the stated property, such as being parallel to another feature or perpendicular to another feature. Furthermore, it should be understood that mathematical terms such as "planar," "inclined," "vertical," "parallel," etc. are intended to encompass characteristics of surfaces or elements as understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, and should not be interpreted strictly as they may be understood in the mathematical arts. For example, a "planar" surface is intended to encompass a surface that is machined, molded, or otherwise formed to be substantially flat or smooth (within relevant tolerances) using techniques and tools available to one of ordinary skill in the art. Similarly, a surface having an "inclined" is intended to encompass a surface that is machined, molded, or otherwise formed to be oriented at an angle (e.g., tilted) relative to a reference point using techniques and tools available to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system (e.g., a chiller) that includes a vapor compression system (e.g., a vapor compression circuit) having a compressor. During operation, the compressor may pressurize a working fluid in the vapor compression system and direct the working fluid to a condenser (e.g., a first heat exchanger), which may cool and condense the working fluid through heat exchange with a cooling fluid. The condensed working fluid may be directed to an expansion device that may reduce the pressure of the working fluid to further cool the working fluid. From the expansion device, the cooled working fluid may be directed to an evaporator (e.g., a second heat exchanger), where the working fluid is placed in a heat exchange relationship with a conditioned fluid and may cool the conditioned fluid. The conditioned fluid may be circulated between the evaporator and a structure, such as a building, and the conditioned fluid is used to cool an airflow delivered to a conditioned space of the structure. In some embodiments, an air handling unit (AHU) of the HVAC&R system may receive the conditioned fluid from the chiller and utilize the conditioned fluid to cool the airflow delivered to the conditioned space. The conditioning fluid can then be returned to the evaporator and cooled again.

[0014] In some embodiments, the compressor may include an impeller configured to rotate to compress the working fluid and facilitate directing the working fluid through the vapor compression system. For example, the impeller may be coupled to a shaft, which may be configured to rotate relative to the compressor housing to drive rotation of the impeller relative to the housing. Typically, the compressor includes one or more bearings configured to facilitate rotation of the shaft relative to the compressor housing. In particular, the bearing systems described herein are configured to utilize a pressurized fluid, such as a portion of the working fluid (e.g., refrigerant) circulating through the vapor compression system, to support loads (e.g., radial loads) on the compressor shaft and lubricate the rotation of the shaft within the compressor housing. To this end, the pressurized fluid may be supplied to the bearing system within the compressor housing from components external to the compressor housing. Additionally, the bearing system may be configured to transmit and / or receive electrical signals (e.g., sensor signals) to and / or from an electrical system (e.g., a control system) external to the compressor housing. In some embodiments, the compressor may be a hermetic compressor. That is, the components within the compressor housing may be hermetically sealed from the environment external to the housing. Therefore, it is desirable for the feedthrough system to deliver pressurized fluid to the bearing system within the housing and maintain the compressor's airtightness (e.g., sealed configuration) while allowing electrical signals to be transmitted in and out of the compressor housing.

[0015] Accordingly, the present embodiments relate to a feedthrough connector (e.g., a feedthrough system, a feedthrough attachment, a feedthrough adapter, a feedthrough coupling, a feedthrough assembly, a hermetic feedthrough) including fluid passages and electrical passages configured to enable delivery of fluid and electrical signals through a housing (e.g., a hermetic housing) of a compressor. In particular, the feedthrough connector is configured to transmit fluid flow and electrical current (e.g., electrical signals) between an environment external to the housing and a bearing system disposed within the housing. For example, the feedthrough connector may be coupled to (e.g., disposed within) an opening in the housing, and the feedthrough connector may allow fluid flow and electrical signals to pass through the opening via the feedthrough connector. A feedthrough body of the feedthrough connector may be secured to the housing within the opening to hermetically seal the opening while providing passages (e.g., first and second passages) through which fluid flow and electrical signals may pass through the opening. In some embodiments, the passages may be through-holes machined through the feedthrough body, and fluid conduits and electrical conduits (e.g., wires, cables, etc.) may extend through the opening via corresponding ones of the passages (e.g., through-holes). The respective junctions between each of the conduits and their corresponding passages or through-holes may be sealed (e.g., airtight, fluid-tight) to maintain an airtight seal of the compressor at the feed-through connector and the opening of the housing. For example, one or more O-rings may be disposed around the fluid conduits within the first passage of the feed-through body. As another example, the electrical conduits may be potted (e.g., stuffed, pressed, or constrained) within the second passage of the feed-through body using a potting compound such as resin, thermoplastic, silicone, or other suitable material. In this manner, fluid flow and electrical signal flow may enter and exit the housing through the feed-through connector while maintaining the airtightness of the compressor.

[0016] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system 10 within a building 12 for a typical commercial environment. The HVAC&R system may include a boiler 16 that provides a warm liquid for heating the building 12 and a vapor compression system 14 that provides a chilled liquid for cooling the building 12. The vapor compression system 14, sometimes referred to as a chiller, may circulate a working fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) that is cooled by a cooling fluid (e.g., a liquid such as water) in a condenser of the vapor compression system 14 and heated by a conditioning fluid (e.g., a liquid such as water) in an evaporator of the vapor compression system 14. The cooling fluid may be provided, for example, by a cooling tower that cools the cooling fluid via ambient air. The conditioning fluid, cooled by the working fluid as described above, may be utilized to cool an airflow provided to a conditioned space of the building 12.

[0017] HVAC&R system 10 may also include an air distribution system that circulates air through building 12. The air distribution system may also include air return ducts 18, air supply ducts 20, and / or air handlers 22. In some embodiments, air handlers 22 may include a heat exchanger connected to boiler 16 and vapor compression system 14 by conduits 24. The heat exchanger within air handler 22 may receive either a warm liquid from boiler 16 or a conditioned fluid (e.g., a cold liquid such as water) from vapor compression system 14, depending on the operating mode of HVAC&R system 10. Although HVAC&R system 10 is shown with a separate air handler for each floor of building 12, in other embodiments, HVAC&R system 10 may include air handlers 22 and / or other components that may be shared between floors.

[0018] 2 and 3 illustrate an embodiment of a vapor compression system 14 or chiller that can be used in HVAC&R system 10. Vapor compression system 14 may circulate a working fluid through a circuit (e.g., working fluid circuit, refrigerant loop) that begins with a compressor 32, such as a centrifugal compressor. The circuit may also include a condenser 34, expansion valve(s) or device(s) 36, and an evaporator 38. Vapor compression system 14 may further include a control panel 40 having an analog-to-digital (A / D) converter 42, a microprocessor 44, non-volatile memory 46, and / or an interface board 48.

[0019] Some examples of fluids that can be used as working fluids in vapor compression system 14 are hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-based working fluids (e.g., refrigerants), such as R-410A, R-407, R-134a, hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), "natural" refrigerants such as ammonia (NH), R-717, carbon dioxide (CO), R-744, or hydrocarbon-based working fluids, water vapor, or any other suitable working fluid. Other possible refrigerants include R-123, R-514A, R-1224yd, R-1233zd, R-134a, R-1228ze, R-1228yf, R-1311, R-32, and R-410A. In some embodiments, vapor compression system 14 may be configured to efficiently utilize a working fluid having a normal boiling point of approximately 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit) at one atmosphere pressure, also referred to as a low-pressure working fluid, compared to a medium-pressure working fluid such as R-134a. As used herein, "normal boiling point" may refer to the boiling point temperature measured at one atmosphere pressure.

[0020] In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 14 may use one or more of a variable speed drive device (VSD) 52, a motor 50, a compressor 32, a condenser 34, an expansion valve or device 36, and / or an evaporator 38. The motor 50 may drive the compressor 32 during normal operation and may be powered by the variable speed drive (VSD) 52. The VSD 52 receives alternating current (AC) power during normal operation, where the AC power includes a particular constant line voltage and constant line frequency from an AC power source, and provides power having a variable voltage and frequency to the motor 50. In other embodiments, the motor 50 may be powered directly from an AC or direct current (DC) power source. The motor 50 may include any type of electric motor that can be powered by a VSD or directly from an AC or DC power source, such as a switched reluctance motor, an induction motor, an electronically commutated permanent magnet motor, or another suitable motor.

[0021] The compressor 32 compresses a working fluid vapor and delivers the vapor to the condenser 34 through a discharge passage. In some embodiments, the compressor 32 may be a centrifugal compressor. The working fluid vapor delivered by the compressor 32 to the condenser 34 may transfer heat to a cooling fluid (e.g., water or air) in the condenser 34. The working fluid vapor may condense into a working fluid liquid in the condenser 34 as a result of the heat transfer with the cooling fluid. The liquid working fluid from the condenser 34 may flow through an expansion device 36 to an evaporator 38. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3 , the condenser 34 is water-cooled and includes a tube bundle 54 connected to a cooling tower 56 that supplies cooling fluid to the condenser 34.

[0022] The liquid working fluid delivered to the evaporator 38 may absorb heat from a conditioning fluid that is then sent to a load 62 (e.g., the building 12 of FIG. 1 ). For example, the conditioning fluid may be cooled by the working fluid in the evaporator 38 and then utilized in the building 12 of FIG. 1 to condition the airflow provided to condition the space within the building 12. The liquid working fluid in the evaporator 38 may undergo a phase change from a liquid working fluid to a working fluid vapor. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3 , the evaporator 38 may include a tube bundle 58 having a supply line 60S and a return line 60R connected to the cooling load 62. The conditioning fluid of the evaporator 38 (e.g., water, ethylene glycol, calcium chloride brine, sodium chloride brine, or any other suitable fluid) enters the evaporator 38 via the return line 60R and exits the evaporator 38 via the supply line 60S. The evaporator 38 may reduce the temperature of the conditioning fluid in the tube bundle 58 through heat transfer with the working fluid. The tube bundle 58 in the evaporator 38 may include multiple tubes and / or multiple tube bundles. In either case, the vapor working fluid exits the evaporator 38 and returns to the compressor 32 via a suction line to complete the cycle.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the vapor compression system 14 having an intermediate circuit 64 incorporated between the condenser 34 and the expansion device 36. The intermediate circuit 64 may have an inlet line 68 directly fluidly connected to the condenser 34. In other embodiments, the inlet line 68 may be indirectly fluidly coupled to the condenser 34. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the inlet line 68 includes a first expansion device 66 disposed upstream of an intermediate vessel 70. In some embodiments, the intermediate vessel 70 may be a flash tank (e.g., a flash intercooler). In other embodiments, the intermediate vessel 70 may be configured as a heat exchanger or a “surface economizer.” In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the intermediate vessel 70 is used as a flash tank, and the first expansion device 66 is configured to reduce the pressure of (e.g., expand) the liquid working fluid received from the condenser 34. During the expansion process, a portion of the liquid working fluid may evaporate; therefore, the intermediate vessel 70 may be used to separate the vapor working fluid and the liquid working fluid received from the first expansion device 66. Additionally, intermediate vessel 70 may provide further expansion of the liquid working fluid due to the drop in pressure the liquid working fluid experiences as it enters intermediate vessel 70 (e.g., due to the sudden increase in volume it experiences as it enters intermediate vessel 70). The vapor working fluid in intermediate vessel 70 may be drawn by compressor 32 through a suction line 74 of compressor 32. In other embodiments, the vapor working fluid in intermediate vessel 70 may be drawn into an intermediate stage (e.g., rather than the suction stage) of compressor 32. The liquid working fluid collecting in intermediate vessel 70 may be at a lower enthalpy than the liquid working fluid exiting condenser 34 due to the expansion of the working fluid in expansion device 66 and / or intermediate vessel 70. The liquid working fluid from intermediate vessel 70 may then flow through line 72 and through second expansion device 36 to evaporator 38.

[0024] According to this embodiment, the compressor 32 may be a centrifugal compressor (e.g., a hermetic compressor) having a floating rotor or shaft. To this end, the vapor compression system 14 includes a bearing system with one or more bearings configured to support the load of the shaft of the compressor 32. The bearing system is configured to direct a pressurized fluid (e.g., a liquid) through the bearing, which is configured to discharge the fluid toward and away from the shaft to enable the shaft to float within the compressor 32. Specifically, the bearing includes one or more porous bearing elements configured to receive and direct the pressurized fluid toward the shaft within a housing (e.g., a hermetic housing) of the compressor 32. For example, the bearing may cause the pressurized fluid to contact (e.g., impinge on) the shaft with sufficient force to suspend the shaft above or within the pressurized fluid. Additionally, the pressurized fluid may vaporize (e.g., flash) and / or expand when discharged from the bearing due to a change in pressure. As a result, the pressurized fluid may isolate the shaft from contact with other surfaces (e.g., bearings) of the compressor 32, thus providing a low-friction environment in which the shaft may rotate. For example, the shaft may be suspended within and / or by the pressurized fluid. In this manner, the bearing system may support loads on the shaft and enable it to rotate within the housing of the compressor 32 during operation of the vapor compression system 14. As discussed herein, the pressurized fluid may be a working fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) circulated through the vapor compression system 14. Thus, the vapor compression system 14 may not utilize a dedicated lubricant, such as oil, to support and enable rotation of the shaft of the compressor 32. Furthermore, the bearing system may incorporate a vapor compression system 14 at reduced cost compared to other existing bearing system designs.

[0025] With the foregoing in mind, FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a compressor 32 including a bearing system 100 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The compressor 32 may include a housing 102 (e.g., a hermetic housing, a motor housing, a compressor housing) and a shaft 104 extending through the housing 102. The compressor 32 may also include an impeller 106 coupled to the shaft 104 via a fastener 108 or the like. During operation of the compressor 32, the shaft 104 may rotate (e.g., via operation of the motor 50), causing rotation of the impeller 106. The rotation of the impeller 106 may drive a working fluid (e.g., refrigerant) (e.g., from the evaporator 38, from the intermediate vessel 70) to flow through a working fluid flow path 110, drawing the working fluid into the housing 102 toward the impeller 106 via a suction inlet 112. The impeller 106 may impart mechanical energy to the working fluid and may discharge the working fluid into a diffuser passage 114 of the compressor 32. The working fluid may be channeled from the diffuser passage 114 to a volute 116 of the compressor 32 and from the volute 116 to a condenser (e.g., condenser 34) for heat exchange with a fluid, such as a cooling fluid.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the compressor 32 (e.g., bearing system 100) includes a first bearing 118 (e.g., a radial bearing, a bearing assembly, a porous bearing) and a second bearing 120 (e.g., a radial bearing, a bearing assembly, a porous bearing) configured to control and / or adjust the position (e.g., radial position) of the shaft 104 relative to an axis 122 (e.g., a rotational axis, a central axis) of the shaft 104. For example, the first bearing 118 and the second bearing 120 may be configured to support a load (e.g., a radial load) of the shaft 104 such that the shaft 104 floats within the first bearing 118 and the second bearing 120. The first bearing 118 and the second bearing 120 may also be configured to prevent the shaft 104 from moving laterally (e.g., bending, moving radially, rotating eccentrically) relative to the axis 122. Compressor 32 (e.g., bearing system 100) further includes a third bearing 124 (e.g., a thrust bearing, an axial bearing, a bearing assembly, a porous bearing) configured to control and / or adjust the position (e.g., axial position) of shaft 104 along axis 122. For example, third bearing 124 may be configured to prevent or limit movement (e.g., translation) of shaft 104 along axis 122.

[0027] As described above, bearing system 100 is configured to direct pressurized fluid to bearings of bearing system 100, such as first bearing 118, second bearing 120, and / or third bearing 124. The pressurized fluid may be the same working fluid (e.g., refrigerant) circulating through vapor compression system 14 (e.g., working fluid circuit) having compressor 32. However, it should be appreciated that the pressurized fluid may be any suitable fluid, such as a refrigerant, a condensable vapor, or other fluid. In some embodiments, first bearing 118, second bearing 120, and / or third bearing 124 each include one or more porous elements 126 configured to direct pressurized fluid therethrough. For example, one or more porous elements 126 of first bearing 118 and second bearing 120 may be configured to receive and direct pressurized fluid toward shaft 104 to establish a high-pressure fluid film (e.g., a vapor film) around shaft 104 between first bearing 118, second bearing 120, and shaft 104. In this manner, the pressurized fluid may lift the shaft 104 off the first bearing 118 and the second bearing 120, thereby enabling desired rotation of the shaft 104 about the axis 122. One or more porous elements 126 of the third bearing 124 may receive the pressurized fluid and direct the pressurized fluid toward a collar 128 (e.g., a thrust collar) of the third bearing 124. In this manner, the pressurized fluid may apply a force to the collar 128 to enable adjustable positioning of the shaft 104 along the axis 122.

[0028] The bearing system 100 includes a fluid supply system 130 configured to supply pressurized fluid to the bearings of the bearing system 100 (e.g., the first bearing 118, the second bearing 120, and / or the third bearing 124). For example, the fluid supply system 130 may direct the pressurized fluid through the housing 102 of the compressor 32 via one or more fluid conduits 132 (e.g., pipes, tubes, etc.). In some embodiments, the fluid conduits 132 may fluidly couple the fluid supply system 130 to one or more bearing housings 134 (e.g., casings) of the first bearing 118, the second bearing 120, and the third bearing 124. Each fluid conduit 132 may extend through a feed-through connector 136 (e.g., an airtight feed-through, a feed-through system) coupled to the housing 102. For example, the housing 102 may include multiple feed-through connectors 136 coupled thereto, and each fluid conduit 132 may extend through one of the feed-through connectors 136. In some embodiments, multiple fluid conduits 132 may extend through one feed-through connector 136 .

[0029] The feed-through connector 136 provides a passageway for the fluid conduits 132 to extend into the housing 102. In some embodiments, the housing 102 includes openings for one or more of the fluid conduits 132, and the feed-through connector 136 is disposed within the openings and / or coupled to the housing 102 to seal the openings in the housing 102. In this manner, pressurized fluid can flow from the fluid supply system 130, through the fluid conduits 132, through the feed-through connector 136, into the housing 102, and to the bearing housings 134 of the first bearing 118, the second bearing 120, and / or the third bearing 124. The illustrated embodiment of the housing 102 includes two feed-through connectors 136. One feedthrough connector 136 accommodates one fluid conduit 132 extending through or into the feedthrough connector 136 that supplies pressurized fluid to the first bearing 118, and the other feedthrough connector 136 accommodates another fluid conduit 132 that supplies pressurized fluid to the second bearing 120 and the third bearing 124. That is, the compressor 32 includes one feedthrough connector 136 for one or more bearings at a first end of the shaft 104 and another feedthrough connector 136 for one or more bearings at a second end, opposite the first end, of the shaft 104. In some embodiments, a single feedthrough connector 136 may accommodate fluid conduits 132 and / or electrical lines for some or all of the bearings of the bearing system 100. In other embodiments, one fluid conduit 132 may extend from the fluid supply system 130 to the feed-through connector 136, and another fluid conduit 132 may extend from the feed-through connector 136 to one of the bearings in the housing 102, and the feed-through connector 136 may fluidly couple the two fluid conduits 132 (e.g., via a passage formed in the feed-through connector 136).

[0030] In some embodiments, the fluid conduits 132 may include a fluid supply conduit and a fluid drain conduit. Pressurized fluid may enter the housing 102 via the fluid supply conduit, flow through the bearing housing 134, and exit the housing 102 via the fluid drain conduit. In other words, the feed-through connector 136 may accommodate one fluid conduit 132 (e.g., a first fluid conduit, a fluid supply conduit) to direct the pressurized fluid into the housing 102 (e.g., to the bearing), and the feed-through connector 136 may also accommodate another fluid conduit 132 (e.g., a second fluid conduit, a fluid drain conduit) to direct the fluid out of the housing 102. Alternatively, separate feed-through connectors 136 may be incorporated into the separate fluid conduits 132 (e.g., a fluid supply conduit and a fluid drain conduit). In either case, the fluid drain conduit may direct the pressurized or depressurized fluid to a liquid conduit portion, a vapor conduit portion, or other conduits in the working fluid circuit (e.g., of vapor compression system 14). In this manner, the fluid utilized by bearing system 100 to lubricate the bearings may also be used as the working fluid in the working fluid circuit.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, one bearing housing 134 is associated with the first bearing 118 and another bearing housing 134 is associated with the second bearing 120. An additional bearing housing 134 may be utilized for the third bearing 124. In other embodiments, the second bearing 120 and the third bearing 124 may be packaged together within a common bearing housing 134. Pressurized fluid may be directed through the bearing housings 134 to corresponding porous elements 126 (e.g., bearing elements) retained within each bearing housing 134. The fluid supply system 130 is described in further detail below. It should be appreciated that the compressor 32 may include any suitable number or type of bearings (e.g., axial bearings, radial bearings) incorporating the present technology, and the bearings may be positioned in any suitable location within the housing 102 of the compressor 32.

[0032] Bearing system 100 also includes a monitoring system 138 (e.g., a controller, control system, control device) configured to monitor operating parameters of bearing system 100. For example, monitoring system 138 may include a controller, processing circuitry, and / or memory, as described in further detail below. Monitoring system 138 may receive sensor data or feedback from one or more sensors 140 (e.g., bearing sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors) disposed within housing 102. One or more sensors 140 may monitor one or more operating parameters of bearing system 100 and / or compressor 32, such as bearing temperature, fluid temperature, fluid pressure, fluid flow rate, shaft 104 speed, fluid force, shaft 104 position, bearing position, and / or any other suitable operating parameter of bearing system 100 and / or compressor 32. In some embodiments, monitoring system 138 may be integrated with a component of control panel 40 or another controller of bearing system 100 or vapor compression system 14.

[0033] As shown, the monitoring system 138 may be located external to the housing 102. To this end, the bearing system 100 includes electrical lines 142 (e.g., electrical conduits, wires, cables, etc.) configured to carry (e.g., transmit) electrical signals (e.g., sensor data, control signals, power, etc.) between the monitoring system 138 and the sensors 140. Thus, the electrical lines 142 extend from the monitoring system 138 through the housing 102 to the sensors 140. In accordance with the present technique, the electrical lines 142 may extend into the housing 102 via one or more feed-through connectors 136. For example, one of the electrical lines 142 may be a cable, wire, or set of wires extending through a passage (e.g., a through-hole, an opening) formed in the body of the feed-through connector 136. In some embodiments, the feed-through connector 136 may include one or more terminals configured to electrically couple an external segment (e.g., a first segment) of the electrical line 142 (e.g., external to the housing 102) to an internal segment (e.g., a second segment) of the electrical line 142 (e.g., within the housing 102). For example, the external segment of the electrical line 142 may be a first cable, wire, or set of wires that connects to the monitoring system 138 and terminates at a terminal of the feed-through connector 136, and the internal segment of the electrical line 142 may be a second cable, wire, or set of wires that extends from one or more of the sensors 140 and terminates at a terminal of the feed-through connector 136. In either case, the feed-through connector 136 may include multiple (e.g., 2, 3, 5, 10) passageways through which one or more electrical lines 142 and fluid conduits 132 may extend.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a feedthrough connector 136 illustrating the fluid conduits 132 and electrical lines 142 extending therethrough. The feedthrough connector 136 (e.g., a feedthrough system) includes a feedthrough body 150 (e.g., a puck, a cylindrical body) configured to couple to the housing 102 of the compressor 32. For example, the feedthrough body 150 may be inserted axially 154 into an opening in the housing 102. As described above, the feedthrough connector 136 may be disposed within the opening and attached or secured to the housing 102 to provide a sealed joint between the interior of the housing 102 and the external environment surrounding the housing 102. For example, the housing 102 may extend radially 156 and laterally 158, and the feedthrough body 150 may extend axially 154 (e.g., through an opening in the housing 102) into the housing 102 so as to be aligned with the housing 102 along the radial direction 156 and / or the lateral direction 158.

[0035] The feedthrough body 150 may include a plurality of passages 152 (e.g., ports, holes, channels, openings) extending through the feedthrough body 150, such as in an axial direction 154. In the illustrated embodiment, the passages 152 include a first passage 160 configured to receive a fluid conduit 132 and a second passage 162 configured to receive one or more electrical lines 142. In some embodiments, the first passage 160 may be configured to fluidly couple multiple fluid conduits 132, such as one fluid conduit 132 extending within the housing 102 and another fluid conduit 132 extending outside the housing 102. The first passage 160 and the second passage 162 may be fluidly and / or electrically isolated from one another. In other embodiments, the feed-through connector 136 may include more passages (e.g., 3, 4, 10) to accommodate additional fluid conduits 132 (e.g., a second fluid conduit, a third fluid conduit, etc.) and / or additional electrical lines 142 (e.g., a third electrical line). The feed-through connector 136 may include separate passages 152 for separate electrical lines 142. In some embodiments, multiple electrical lines 142 may extend through the same passage 152 (e.g., a second passage 162).

[0036] As discussed above, the compressor 32 may be a hermetic compressor (e.g., a centrifugal compressor). For example, the housing 102 may maintain a high pressure within the interior 164 of the housing 102 (e.g., a first side of the feedthrough body 150) relative to a lower pressure (e.g., atmospheric pressure) at the exterior 166 of the housing 102 (e.g., a second side of the feedthrough body 150). Thus, the feedthrough connector 136 is configured to form a seal (e.g., an airtight seal, a fluid seal) around the fluid conduit 132 and the electrical line 142 across the passage 152.

[0037] In some embodiments, the fluid conduit 132 may have a rigid portion 168 and a flexible portion 170. The rigid portion 168 may be a pipe, tube, or other component configured to transport a flow of pressurized fluid 172 from the fluid supply system 130 to the feedthrough body 150. The rigid portion 168 may enter and / or be fluidly coupled to the first passage 160 at a first end 174 (e.g., an outward-facing end, exterior) of the feedthrough body 150. In other words, the rigid portion 168 may be rigidly coupled to the first passage 160 at the first end 174. In this manner, the pressurized fluid may flow through the rigid portion 168 and into the first passage 160. The flexible portion 170 may be a tube or other flexible conduit configured to transport the flow of pressurized fluid 172 from the feedthrough body 150 to one or more of the bearing housings 134. Thus, the flexible portion 170 may be coupled to the first passageway 160 at the second end 176 (e.g., the inward-facing end, inside) of the feedthrough body 150. In this manner, pressurized fluid 172 may flow from the first passageway 160 into the flexible portion 170 and out of the first passageway 160. Alternatively, the flexible portion 170 may be coupled (e.g., directly coupled) to the rigid portion 168 such that the pressurized fluid 172 can flow directly between the rigid portion 168 and the flexible portion 170. In either case, the feedthrough connector 136 may join (e.g., fluidly couple) the two portions of the fluid conduit 132 to transport the pressurized fluid 172 between the exterior 166 of the housing 102 and the interior 164 of the housing 102.

[0038] In some embodiments, flexible portion 170 may include multiple tubes configured to divide (e.g., split, separate) the flow of pressurized fluid 172 into different flow directions as it exits feed-through connector 136. In this manner, flexible portion 170 may direct pressurized fluid 172 to different locations (e.g., different bearings) within housing 102.

[0039] The electrical line 142 may extend through the feedthrough body 150 via a second passage 162. The second passage 162 may be a through-hole formed through the feedthrough body 150. In some embodiments, the electrical line 142 may extend continuously through the feedthrough body 150 from the exterior 166 of the housing 102 to the interior 164 of the housing 102 via the second passage 162. A potting compound 178 (e.g., a filler material, a sealing material, an epoxy, a resin, a silicone, a cork, a thermoplastic, or another suitable polymer) may be disposed within the second passage 162 to hermetically seal the space within the second passage 162 between the electrical line 142 and a wall (e.g., an interior wall) of the feedthrough body 150 that defines the second passage 162. That is, the electrical line 142 may be tightly encapsulated within the potting compound 178 and the second passage 162. In this manner, the potting compound 178 may block the undesired flow of a fluid or substance (e.g., air or a working fluid) through the second passageway 162. In effect, the potting compound 178 may define a pressure barrier between the exterior 166 of the housing 102 and the interior 164 of the housing 102. In some embodiments, the potting compound 178 may electrically insulate multiple electrical lines 142 extending through the second passageway 162 from one another.

[0040] In some embodiments, each electrical line 142 may include an outer segment 180 connected to the monitoring system 138 and an inner segment 182 connected to one or more of the sensors 140. The second passageway 162 may include an electrical terminal (e.g., electrical terminal 194 shown in FIG. 7 ) to which one end of the outer segment 180 is electrically coupled (e.g., plugged, crimped, soldered, etc.) and to which one end of the inner segment 182 is electrically coupled. The electrical terminal may be inserted between (e.g., electrically coupled to) the outer segment 180 and the inner segment 182, thereby conducting a current (e.g., a signal) therebetween. In this manner, the electrical terminal may removably couple the outer segment 180 and the inner segment 182. The electrical connection between the monitoring system 138 and the sensors 140 may be connected and disconnected by connecting and disconnecting the outer segment 180 and / or the inner segment 182 from the electrical terminal. However, in other embodiments, the outer segment 180 may be in electrical contact directly with the inner segment 182 (eg, as a single wire) without a terminal disposed therebetween.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a feedthrough connector 136. As discussed above, the feedthrough connector 136 includes a feedthrough body 150 through which a first passageway 160 and a second passageway 162 may extend along an axial direction 154. A fluid conduit 132, which may include a rigid portion 168 and a flexible portion 170, extends through the first passageway 160 as shown. Electrical lines 142 extend through the second passageway 162. In the illustrated embodiment, each electrical line 142 includes a corresponding outer segment 180 and a corresponding inner segment 182. A first end 174 of the feedthrough body 150 may include one or more threaded holes 190 (e.g., mounting points, mounting features, mounting recesses) to enable coupling of the feedthrough connector 136 to the housing 102. For example, a screw may secure a plate to the feedthrough connector 136 via the threaded holes 190, and the plate may be secured to the housing 102.

[0042] To prevent the flow of fluid (e.g., air or refrigerant) through the feedthrough connector 136, one or more O-rings 191 (e.g., gaskets) may be disposed between one or more walls (e.g., interior walls) of the feedthrough body 150 defining the first passage 160 and one or more walls (e.g., exterior surfaces) of the fluid conduit 132. In some embodiments, the O-ring 191 may be disposed in a groove formed in the feedthrough body 150 along the first passage 160. In this manner, the O-ring 191 may block the flow of fluid through the first passage 160 (e.g., exterior to the fluid conduit 132) between the feedthrough body 150 and the fluid conduit 132. Additionally, the feedthrough body 150 may include a groove 192 formed in the exterior surface of the feedthrough body 150 adjacent to a flange 194 extending outwardly from the feedthrough body 150 (e.g., along the lateral direction 158). An O-ring 191 or other gasket may be disposed in groove 192 to function as a contact and / or sealing joint between feed-through connector 136 and housing 102 in an installed configuration of feed-through connector 136. That is, O-ring 191 may be captured between flange 194 and housing 102 and may block fluid flow between feed-through connector 136 and housing 102 (e.g., between exterior 166 of housing 102 and interior 164 of housing 102).

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the feed-through connector 136 also includes one or more electrical terminals 194 disposed within the second passageway 162. Each electrical terminal 194 is configured to electrically couple a respective outer segment 180 and a respective inner segment 182 of one of the electrical lines 142. As shown, each outer segment 180 and each inner segment 182 terminates in one of the electrical terminals 194. Thus, the electrical terminals 194 may conduct current and / or signals between the segments 180, 182 of the corresponding electrical line 142. The electrical terminals 194 may include ports (e.g., connectors) configured to receive corresponding ends of the segments 180, 182. In some embodiments, the segments 180, 182 may be crimped or bonded at the electrical terminals 194. In either case, the electrical terminals 194 provide continuity to the respective segments 180, 182 of the electrical line 142 when connected and interrupt the continuity when disconnected. The potting compound 178 may partially or completely encase (eg, encapsulate) any or all of the electrical terminals 194 , the outer segments 180 , and / or the inner segments 182 .

[0044] 8 is a schematic diagram of a portion of one embodiment of the compressor 32 and bearing system 100 illustrating the flow of pressurized fluid 172 (e.g., from the fluid supply system 130) within the housing 102 and the flow of electrical signals within the housing 102. In the illustrated embodiment, a bearing assembly 196 (e.g., first bearing 118, second bearing 120) is disposed around the shaft 104 within the housing 102 and includes a porous element 126 configured to direct pressurized fluid through the porous element 126 toward the shaft 104. However, in other embodiments, the bearing assembly 196 may additionally or alternatively include a thrust bearing assembly. The fluid conduit 132 is configured to direct the pressurized fluid 172 within the housing 102 toward a manifold 198 (e.g., a chamber) of the bearing system 100 via a feed-through connector 136. The manifold 198 is configured to receive the flow of pressurized fluid 172 from the fluid conduit 132 (e.g., the flexible portion 170) and distribute the pressurized fluid 172 to multiple locations, components, and / or elements of the bearing assembly 196, such as multiple porous elements 126, to enable support and lubrication of the shaft 104. For example, the manifold 198 may define a chamber configured to receive the flow of pressurized fluid 172 and distribute the pressurized fluid 172 to the porous elements 126 via distribution conduits 199 extending from the manifold 198 to corresponding porous elements 126.

[0045] Additionally, bearing assembly 196 includes one or more sensors 140, which may be coupled to porous element 126, manifold 198, feedthrough 136, fluid conduit 132, electrical line 142, and / or any other suitable components of bearing system 100. Sensor 140 may be configured to detect operating parameters of bearing system 100 (e.g., temperature, pressure, contact, position, flow rate, etc.), such as detecting whether bearing assembly 196 is in contact (e.g., physical contact) with shaft 104. As discussed above, sensor 140 is communicatively connected to monitoring system 138 (e.g., controller, control system) via electrical line 142. Electrical line 142 extends through feedthrough connector 136 into housing 102 and to sensor 140. In this manner, each of the sensors 140 may receive current (e.g., power) from a power source external to the housing 102, and / or the sensors 140 may transmit current (e.g., sensor data, electrical signals, feedback) from the interior 164 of the housing 102 to the monitoring system 138.

[0046] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a vapor compression system 14 (e.g., an HVAC&R system) including a bearing system 100 for a compressor 32. The vapor compression system 14 includes similar elements as discussed above, including a compressor 32, a condenser 34, and an evaporator 38 (e.g., a falling film evaporator) arranged along a working fluid circuit 200 (e.g., a refrigerant circuit). In accordance with the present technique, the bearing system 100 also includes a fluid supply system 130 configured to direct pressurized fluid to bearings (e.g., bearing assemblies 196) of the bearing system 100. In particular, the fluid supply system 130 is configured to direct a portion of the working fluid (e.g., refrigerant) circulated through the working fluid circuit 200 to the bearing assembly 196. To this end, the fluid supply system 130 includes a lubricant circuit 202 (e.g., a fluid supply circuit) extending from the working fluid circuit 200 to the bearing assembly 196. Bearing system 100 may also include one or more feedthrough connectors 136, discussed above, to facilitate the supply of pressurized fluid to the bearings of bearing system 100. Specifically, feedthrough connector 136 may be configured to receive pressurized fluid from lubricant circuit 202 and facilitate the supply of pressurized fluid to bearing assemblies 196 within housing 102 of compressor 32.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the lubricant circuit 202 extends from the liquid line portion 204 of the working fluid circuit 200 to the bearing assembly 196. The liquid line portion 204 extends from the condenser 34 to the evaporator 38. Thus, the working fluid in the liquid line portion 204 may be in a liquid phase. Various components are disposed along the lubricant circuit 202 and configured to enable a desired supply of working fluid to the bearing assembly 196 to enable the bearing assembly 196 to support the load of the shaft 104 of the compressor 32. For example, the fluid supply system 130 includes a pump 206 (e.g., a liquid pump) disposed along the lubricant circuit 202 and configured to direct a flow of working fluid (e.g., liquid working fluid) along the lubricant circuit 202 from the liquid line portion 204 of the working fluid circuit 200 to the bearing assembly 196 of the motor 50 (e.g., the compressor 32). The pump 206 may be a linear piston pump in some embodiments, and the pump 206 may be driven electrically, pneumatically, mechanically, electromechanically, and / or via another suitable technique. In some embodiments, the pump 206 may operate without utilizing oil or other dedicated lubricants.

[0048] The fluid supply system 130 also includes a pressure accumulator 208 fluidly coupled to the lubricant circuit 202. The pressure accumulator 208 is fluidly coupled to the lubricant circuit 202 downstream of the pump 206 with respect to the flow of working fluid along the lubricant circuit 202. Thus, the pressure accumulator 208 may receive a pressurized flow of working fluid (e.g., liquid working fluid, vapor working fluid, or both) from the pump 206 and the lubricant circuit 202. As will be appreciated, the pressure accumulator 208 is configured to store the pressurized working fluid therein. For example, the pressure accumulator 208 may include a container 210 and a separator 212 (e.g., a bladder, a diaphragm, a piston, etc.) disposed therein. In some embodiments, the separator 212 may divide the interior volume of the vessel 210 into a biasing chamber 214 (e.g., a gas chamber) on a first side of the separator 212 and a fluid chamber 216 (e.g., a liquid chamber, a refrigerant chamber) on a second side of the separator 212. The fluid chamber 216 of the pressure accumulator 208 is configured to receive pressurized working fluid from the lubricant circuit 202. The separator 212 may be a bladder or other flexible container pre-loaded with a gas (e.g., nitrogen) to enable maintaining the pressure of the working fluid in the fluid chamber 216. In other embodiments, the biasing chamber 214 may be pre-loaded with a gas. In still further embodiments, the biasing chamber 214 may instead include a spring or other mechanical biasing component. In either case, pressure accumulator 208 may operate as a mechanical battery configured to enable the supply (e.g., temporary supply) of pressurized working fluid from fluid chamber 216 to bearing assembly 196 via lubricant circuit 202, such as during periods of non-operation of pump 206. For example, during an interruption in operation of pump 206, pressure accumulator 208 may discharge pressurized working fluid into lubricant circuit 202 for supply to bearing assembly 196. In this manner, bearing assembly 196 may continue to operate to support a load on shaft 104 while operation of pump 206 is resumed and / or while operation of compressor 32 (e.g., motor 50) is paused in a controlled manner.In some embodiments, pressure accumulator 208 may also operate to dampen oscillations in the flow of compressed working fluid channeled to bearing assembly 196. Additionally, pressure accumulator 208 may be configured to supply compressed working fluid to bearing assembly 196 upon start-up of vapor compression system 14 (e.g., prior to operation of pump 206 and / or compressor 32).

[0049] Fluid supply system 130 may also include other components disposed along lubricant circuit 202, such as a check valve 218 disposed between pump 206 and pressure accumulator 208. Check valve 218 may be configured to close and interrupt the flow of liquid working fluid from pump 206 toward bearing assembly 196 based on the pressure of the liquid working fluid discharged by pump 206. For example, check valve 218 may close in response to the pressure of the liquid working fluid dropping below a threshold value (e.g., a threshold corresponding to a desired liquid working fluid pressure to supply to bearing assembly 196). In such a case, pressurized liquid working fluid stored within pressure accumulator 208 may be supplied to bearing assembly 196 (e.g., with closed check valve 218 interrupting the flow of refrigerant back to pump 206) to enable at least temporary continuous operation of bearing assembly 196 to support shaft 104.

[0050] As described above, the bearing assemblies 196 are configured to receive pressurized working fluid and discharge the working fluid toward the shaft 104 or the collar 128. In particular, the bearing assemblies 196 each include one or more porous elements 126 configured to channel the compressed working fluid therethrough, flash the compressed working fluid, and discharge the compressed vapor working fluid toward the shaft 104 or the collar 128. The working fluid may then flow through the housing 102 of the compressor 32 (e.g., the motor 50) to one or more drain lines 220 of the bearing system 100. For example, the bearing system 100 may include a first drain line 222 extending from the housing 102 to the liquid line portion 204 of the working fluid circuit 200. The first drain line 222 may include a valve 224 (e.g., an electronic expansion valve) and / or be configured to channel the vapor working fluid from the housing 102 to the liquid line portion 204 of the working fluid circuit 200. Additionally or alternatively, the bearing system 100 may include a second drain line 226 extending from the housing 102 to the evaporator 38 and / or a third drain line 228 extending from the housing 102 to the evaporator 38. In some embodiments, the second drain line 226 is configured to conduct vapor working fluid from the housing 102 to the evaporator 38, and the third drain line 228 is configured to conduct liquid working fluid from the housing 102 to the evaporator 38.

[0051] The vapor compression system 14 may also include a controller 230 (e.g., a control system, control board, control panel) communicatively coupled to one or more components of the vapor compression system 14 and / or bearing system 100. The controller 230 is configured to monitor, regulate, and / or otherwise control the operation of the components of the vapor compression system 14 and / or bearing system 100. For example, one or more control transmission devices, such as wires, cables, wireless communication devices, etc., may communicatively couple the compressor 32, the motor 50, the pump 206, and / or other components described herein. Such components may include network interfaces that enable the components of the vapor compression system 14 and / or bearing system 100 to communicate via various protocols, such as Ethernet / IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet, or any other communication network protocol. Alternatively, the communication components may enable the components of the vapor compression system 14 and / or bearing system 100 to communicate via mobile communication technology, Bluetooth, near-field communication technology, etc.

[0052] In some embodiments, controller 230 may comprise part or all of control panel 40 or may be another suitable controller included in vapor compression system 14 and / or bearing system 100. In some embodiments, controller 230 may be an embodiment and / or component of monitoring system 138, or monitoring system 138 may be a component of controller 230. In either case, controller 230 may be configured to control the components of vapor compression system 14 and / or bearing system 100 in accordance with the techniques discussed herein. Controller 230 includes processing circuitry 232, such as one or more microprocessors, which may execute software for controlling the components of vapor compression system 14 and / or bearing system 100. Processing circuitry 232 may include multiple microprocessors, one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, and / or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or some combination thereof. For example, processing circuitry 232 may include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processors.

[0053] Controller 230 may also include a memory device 234 (e.g., memory) that may store information such as, for example, instructions, control software, look-up tables, configuration data, and the like. Memory device 234 may include volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM) and / or non-volatile memory such as read-only memory (ROM). Memory device 234 may store a variety of information and may be used for a variety of purposes. For example, memory device 234 may store processor-executable instructions, including firmware or software, for execution by processing circuit 232, such as instructions for controlling components of vapor compression system 14 and / or bearing system 100. In some embodiments, memory device 234 is a tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable medium that may store machine-readable instructions for execution by processing circuit 232. Memory device 234 may include ROM, flash memory, a hard drive, or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium, or a combination thereof. Memory device 234 may store data, instructions, and any other suitable data.

[0054] Controller 230 may be configured to control operation of components of vapor compression system 14 and / or bearing system 100 based on detected operating parameters of vapor compression system 14 and / or bearing system 100. To this end, vapor compression system 14 includes one or more sensors 236, including bearing sensors 140, configured to detect operating parameters related to or indicative of the operating state of vapor compression system 14 and bearing system 100. For example, one or more of sensors 236 may be disposed along lubricant circuit 202 and configured to detect operating parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc. of the working fluid channeled through lubricant circuit 202. In some embodiments, one or more sensors 236 may be configured to detect operating parameters related to motor 50, such as the rotational speed of shaft 104, the torque on shaft 104, the temperature of motor 50, etc. One or more sensors 236 may be configured to detect operating parameters of bearing assemblies 196, such as detecting whether one or more bearing assemblies 196 are in contact (e.g., physical contact) with shaft 104. As also discussed above, one or more of the sensors 236 located within the housing 102 of the compressor 32 may be communicatively coupled to the controller 230 via electrical lines 142 extending through one or more feedthrough connectors 136 secured to the housing 102.

[0055] While only certain features and embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art, such as changes in the size, dimensions, structure, shape, and proportions of various elements, values ​​of parameters such as temperature and pressure, mounting arrangements, use of materials, color, orientation, etc., without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or rearranged according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations that fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.

[0056] Moreover, in an effort to provide a concise description of exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described, such as those not relevant to the best mode currently contemplated or not relevant to enablement. It will be understood that in developing any such actual implementation, as with any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made. While such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, it would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure without undue experimentation.

[0057] The technology presented and claimed herein refers to and applies to tangible objects and examples of practical nature that clearly improve the art, and is therefore not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Furthermore, if any claim appended at the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for [performing] ... [function]" or "steps for [performing] ... [function]," it is intended that such elements be construed under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claim containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements not be construed under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims

1. 1. A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system comprising: a compressor motor housing; a feedthrough connector coupled to the motor housing, the feedthrough connector including a first passageway and a second passageway formed therethrough, the first passageway configured to receive a fluid conduit and the second passageway configured to receive an electrical wire; and a bearing disposed within the motor housing, the bearing configured to receive pressurized fluid via the fluid conduit; and a sensor disposed within the motor housing, the electrical wire configured to transmit an electrical signal from the sensor through the feed-through connector.

2. 2. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, comprising: the fluid conduit; and a manifold disposed within the motor housing, the fluid conduit configured to direct the pressurized fluid to the manifold, and the manifold configured to direct the pressurized fluid to the bearing.

3. 3. The HVAC&R system of claim 2, wherein the fluid conduit is a first fluid conduit, and the HVAC&R system includes a second fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the first passage of the feed-through connector, the second fluid conduit configured to conduct the pressurized fluid to the feed-through connector.

4. 4. The HVAC&R system of claim 3, wherein the first fluid conduit is formed from a flexible material and the second fluid conduit is formed from a rigid material.

5. The HVAC&R system of claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid comprises a working fluid of the HVAC&R system.

6. The HVAC&R system of claim 1 , comprising a potting compound disposed within the second passageway and configured to hermetically seal the second passageway.

7. 7. The HVAC&R system of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of electrical wires extending through the second passage, the plurality of electrical wires including the electrical wire, each electrical wire of the plurality of electrical wires extending from the feed-through connector to a corresponding sensor of a plurality of sensors disposed within the motor housing, the plurality of sensors including the sensor.

8. 8. The HVAC&R system of claim 7, wherein the potting compound is configured to electrically insulate the plurality of electrical wires from one another.

9. an electrical terminal disposed within the second passage; the electrical wires include external segments extending from an environment external to the motor housing to the electrical terminals; the electrical wire includes an inner segment extending from the electrical terminal to the sensor; the electrical terminal is configured to electrically couple the outer segment and the inner segment; 7. The HVAC&R system of claim 6, wherein the electrical terminal is at least partially encased in the potting compound.

10. 10. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, comprising: the fluid conduit; and at least one gasket disposed within the first passageway and about the fluid conduit, the at least one gasket configured to block fluid flow through the first passageway outside of the fluid conduit.

11. 1. A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system comprising: a compressor having a rotor shaft disposed within a sealed housing; a feed-through connector coupled to the hermetic housing, the feed-through connector including a first passageway and a second passageway formed therethrough; a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the first passage; an electrical wire extending through the second passage; a bearing disposed about the rotor shaft, the bearing configured to receive pressurized fluid via the fluid conduit; and a sensor disposed within the sealed housing, the electrical wire configured to transmit an electrical signal between the sensor and an exterior of the sealed housing via the feed-through connector.

12. 12. The HVAC&R system of claim 11, further comprising a controller disposed outside the sealed housing, the electrical wires configured to transmit the electrical signals from the sensors to the controller, the sensors including temperature sensors or position sensors.

13. 12. The HVAC&R system of claim 11, wherein the compressor is configured to circulate a working fluid through a working fluid circuit of the HVAC&R system, the pressurized fluid including a portion of the working fluid, and the bearing is configured to discharge the pressurized fluid toward the rotor shaft.

14. 12. The HVAC&R system of claim 11, wherein the feed-through connector comprises a potting compound disposed within the second passage and configured to hermetically seal the second passage.

15. 15. The HVAC&R system of claim 14, wherein the feed-through connector comprises an O-ring disposed around the fluid conduit within the first passage, the O-ring configured to form a fluid seal within the first passage exterior to the fluid conduit.

16. 1. A feedthrough system for a hermetic compressor, comprising: a feedthrough body having a first passageway and a second passageway formed therethrough; a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the first passage and configured to direct pressurized fluid toward a bearing of the hermetic compressor; one or more electrical wires extending through the second passage and configured to carry one or more electrical currents through the feedthrough body; a potting compound disposed within the second passageway and configured to block fluid flow through the second passageway.

17. 17. The feedthrough system of claim 16, wherein the feedthrough body is configured to be attached to a housing of the hermetic compressor, the one or more electrical wires are configured to electrically couple to one or more sensors disposed within the housing, and the fluid conduit is configured to extend from the feedthrough body into the housing.

18. 17. The feed-through system of claim 16, wherein the one or more electrical wires comprise a plurality of electrical wires, and the potting compound is configured to electrically insulate the plurality of electrical wires from one another.

19. 17. The feed-through system of claim 16, comprising at least one O-ring or gasket disposed within the first passage and configured to block fluid flow through the first passage exterior to the fluid conduit.

20. an electrical terminal disposed within the second passage; an electrical wire of the one or more electrical wires comprising an external segment configured to extend from the feedthrough body to an exterior of the hermetic compressor and an internal segment configured to extend from the feedthrough body to an interior of the hermetic compressor; the electrical terminal is configured to electrically couple the outer segment and the inner segment of the electrical wire; 17. The feed-through system of claim 16, wherein the electrical terminal is at least partially encased in the potting compound.

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