Oil conduit systems for HVAC&R systems

Abstract

The heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system (10) includes a compressor (32) and an oil conduit system (100). The compressor (32) includes an inlet (162) configured to receive refrigerant channeled along a refrigerant flow path (118) and through the compressor (32), a displacement component (110), and an actuator (108) configured to drive operation of the displacement component (110) to pressurize refrigerant in a chamber (144) of the compressor (32). The oil conduit system (100) includes a channel (117) configured to channel oil into the refrigerant flow path (118), the channel (117) configured to place the oil in heat exchange relationship with refrigerant channeled along the refrigerant flow path (118) and flowing at least partially along a direction extending from the inlet (162) to the chamber (144).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 448,944, entitled "OIL CONDUIT SYSTEM FOR HVAC&R SYSTEM," filed February 28, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. [Background technology]

[0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the art, which may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and / or claimed 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 components of the chiller system. The chiller system may place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a conditioning fluid (e.g., water) and deliver the working fluid to conditioning equipment and / or the environment being conditioned by the chiller system. For example, a chiller system may include a heat exchanger configured to receive the working fluid and the conditioning fluid and place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with the conditioning fluid. The conditioning fluid may be channeled from the heat exchanger to other equipment, such as an air handler, to condition other fluids, such as air within a building. The working fluid may be channeled from the heat exchanger through other components of the chiller system, such as a compressor and / or condenser, configured to process (e.g., compress, cool) the working fluid to enable the working fluid to provide further conditioning of the conditioned fluid. Chiller systems may also utilize oil to facilitate the operation of certain components of the chiller system, such as the compressor. 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 and an oil conduit system. The compressor includes an inlet configured to receive refrigerant channeled along a refrigerant flow path and through the compressor, a displacement component, and an actuator configured to drive operation of the displacement component to pressurize refrigerant in a chamber of the compressor. The oil conduit system includes a channel configured to channel oil into the refrigerant flow path, the channel configured to place the oil in heat exchange relationship with refrigerant channeled along the refrigerant flow path and flowing at least partially along a direction extending from the inlet to the chamber.

[0006] In another embodiment, an oil conduit system for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes an oil filter configured to remove impurities from an oil flow and a channel positioned adjacent to a refrigerant flow path through a compressor, the channel configured to receive the oil flow from the oil filter and direct the oil flow in heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant directed along the refrigerant flow path.

[0007] In another embodiment, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a compressor and an oil conduit system. The compressor includes a support having a plurality of ribs extending inwardly to support an actuator of the compressor, the plurality of ribs defining a plurality of passages configured to receive and direct a refrigerant through the plurality of passages. The oil conduit system includes a channel configured to direct oil therethrough, the channel formed through at least one of the plurality of ribs, the channel configured to place the oil in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant directed through the plurality of passages. [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 a building utilizing an embodiment of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and / or refrigeration (HVAC&R) system in a commercial environment, according to one 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] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the vapor compression system of FIG. 2, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the vapor compression system of FIG. 2, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a vapor compression system having an oil conduit system according to an aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a compressor of a vapor compression system according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional overhead view of an embodiment of a compressor of a vapor compression system according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of a compressor of a vapor compression 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 in developing any such actual implementation, as with any engineering or design project, many implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, which may vary from implementation to implementation, such as compliance with system-related and industry-related constraints. Moreover, it should be recognized that such a development effort may 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 of the 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 noted that references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

[0012] As used herein, terms such as "approximately," "generally," and "substantially" are intended to convey that a described characteristic value may fall within a relatively small range of characteristic values, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, when a characteristic value is described as "approximately" equal to (or, e.g., "substantially similar to") a given value, this is intended to mean that the characteristic value may be within ±5%, ±4%, ±3%, ±2%, ±1% of the given value, or even close to it. Similarly, when a given feature is described as "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 described property, such as being parallel to another feature or perpendicular to another feature. Mathematical terms such as "parallel" and "perpendicular" should not be interpreted strictly in the strict mathematical sense, but should be interpreted as one of ordinary skill in the art would interpret such terms. For example, one skilled in the art will understand that two lines that are substantially parallel to one another are parallel to a substantial degree, but may deviate slightly from exact parallelism.

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and / or refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems, such as chiller systems, having a vapor compression system. The vapor compression system may include a compressor configured to pressurize a working fluid and discharge the pressurized working fluid to a condenser configured to cool the working fluid. The condenser discharges the cooled working fluid to an expansion valve configured to reduce the pressure of the working fluid, thereby further cooling the working fluid. The expansion valve may direct the cooled working fluid to an evaporator, which may be configured to place the cooled working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a conditioned fluid to cool the conditioned fluid and heat the working fluid. The evaporator may then discharge the working fluid to a compressor, which may recompress the working fluid received from the evaporator.

[0014] In some embodiments, oil may be used to facilitate operation of certain components of a vapor compression system, such as to improve the efficiency of the component's operation and / or to extend the component's useful life. For example, oil may be circulated through a compressor to facilitate operation of various components of the compressor, such as bearings, linkages, displacement components, actuators, etc. Unfortunately, in some situations, oil flow characteristics may be undesirable, and as a result, the oil may not facilitate operation of the vapor compression system components. For example, the oil's viscosity, dilution, pressure, and / or temperature may be outside of desired ranges. As a result, operation of the vapor compression system may be undesirable.

[0015] It is now recognized that treating oil to adjust the oil flow characteristics toward a desired range can improve the operation of a vapor compression system. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an oil conduit system configured to place oil in a heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant flow channeled through a compressor of a vapor compression system. For example, the refrigerant flow may be channeled from an inlet of the compressor to a chamber where the refrigerant flow is pressurized by a displacement component of the compressor. The oil conduit system may place the oil in a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant flow before the refrigerant flow is pressurized by the displacement component. In this manner, the refrigerant flow channeled in a heat exchange relationship with the oil may be at a relatively low temperature, allowing for higher heat transfer from the oil to the refrigerant flow, thereby lowering the temperature of the oil. The oil, cooled by the refrigerant flow, may then be channeled within the refrigerant flow and flow across the compressor components. Cooling the oil via the refrigerant flow may place the oil in a more desirable state (e.g., a more desirable temperature, a more desirable dilution, a more desirable viscosity) to facilitate compressor operation.

[0016] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the environment of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and / or refrigeration (HVAC&R) system 10 within a building 12 for a typical commercial environment. The HVAC&R system 10 may include a vapor compression system 14 (e.g., a chiller) that supplies chilled liquid, which may be used to cool the building 12. The HVAC&R system 10 may also include a boiler 16 to supply warm liquid for heating the building 12, and an air distribution system that circulates air throughout the building 12. The air distribution system may also include an air return duct 18, an air supply duct 20, and / or an air handler 22. In some embodiments, the air handler 22 may include a heat exchanger connected to the boiler 16 and the vapor compression system 14 by a conduit 24. The heat exchanger within the air handler 22 may receive either heated liquid from the boiler 16 or chilled liquid from the vapor compression system 14, depending on the operating mode of the HVAC&R system 10. Although HVAC&R system 10 is shown with a separate air handler on 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 or within floors.

[0017] 2 and 3 are embodiments of a vapor compression system 14 that can be used within HVAC&R system 10. Vapor compression system 14 may circulate a refrigerant through a circuit that begins with a compressor 32. The circuit may also include a condenser 34, an expansion valve(s) or device(s) 36, and a liquid chiller or 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.

[0018] Some examples of fluids that can be used as refrigerants in vapor compression system 14 include hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, such as R-410A, R-407, R-134a, R-1234ze, R1233zd, R513A, R515B, R516A, hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), ammonia (NH), R-717, carbon dioxide (CO), R-744, R290, or “natural” refrigerants such as hydrocarbon-based refrigerants, water vapor, or any other suitable refrigerant. In some embodiments, vapor compression system 14 can be configured to efficiently utilize refrigerants having a normal boiling point of approximately 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit) at 1 atmosphere, also referred to as low-pressure refrigerants, compared to medium-pressure refrigerants such as R-134a. As used herein, “normal boiling point” can refer to the boiling point temperature measured at 1 atmosphere.

[0019] In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 14 may use one or more of a variable speed drive (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 and may be powered by the variable speed drive (VSD) 52. The VSD 52 receives AC power having a particular fixed line voltage and fixed line frequency from an alternating current (AC) 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) source. The motor 50 may include any type of motor that can be powered by a VSD or directly from an AC or DC source, such as a switched reluctance motor, an induction motor, an electronically commutated permanent magnet motor, or another suitable motor.

[0020] The compressor 32 compresses a refrigerant 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 refrigerant 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 refrigerant vapor may condense into a refrigerant liquid in the condenser 34 due to heat transfer with the cooling fluid. The liquid refrigerant 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.

[0021] The liquid refrigerant delivered to the evaporator 38 may absorb heat from another refrigeration fluid, which may or may not be the same refrigeration fluid used in the condenser 34. The liquid refrigerant in the evaporator 38 may undergo a phase change from liquid refrigerant to a refrigerant 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 a cooling load 62. The evaporator 38's refrigeration fluid (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 refrigeration fluid in the tube bundle 58 through heat transfer with the refrigerant. The tube bundle 58 in the evaporator 38 may include multiple tubes and / or multiple tube bundles. In either case, the vapor refrigerant exits the evaporator 38 and returns to the compressor 32 via a suction line, completing the cycle.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic of a 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 positioned upstream of an intermediate vessel 70. In some embodiments, the intermediate vessel 70 may be a flash tank (e.g., a flash intercooler, an economizer, etc.). 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 refrigerant received from the condenser 34. During the expansion process, a portion of the liquid may vaporize, and thus, intermediate vessel 70 may be used to separate the vapor from the liquid received from first expansion device 66 .

[0023] Additionally, intermediate vessel 70 may provide further expansion of the liquid refrigerant due to the drop in pressure the liquid refrigerant experiences as it enters intermediate vessel 70 (e.g., due to the sudden increase in volume it experiences as it enters intermediate vessel 70). Vapor within intermediate vessel 70 may be drawn by compressor 32 through suction line 74 of compressor 32. In other embodiments, vapor within intermediate vessel 70 may be drawn into an intermediate stage (e.g., rather than the suction stage) of compressor 32. The liquid collecting in intermediate vessel 70 may be at a lower enthalpy than the liquid refrigerant exiting condenser 34 due to expansion within expansion device 66 and / or intermediate vessel 70. Liquid from intermediate vessel 70 may then flow in line 72 through second expansion device 36 to evaporator 38.

[0024] It should be appreciated that any of the features described herein may be incorporated into vapor compression system 14 or any other suitable HVAC&R system. For example, the present technology may be incorporated into an HVAC&R system having an economizer, such as intermediate vessel 70, and a compressor, such as compressor 32. The following discussion describes the technology as incorporated into an embodiment of compressor 32 configured as a single-stage compressor. However, it should be noted that the systems and methods described herein may be incorporated into other embodiments of compressor 32 and HVAC&R system 10.

[0025] The present disclosure relates to HVAC&R systems that utilize oil to regulate certain components. For example, the oil may cool and / or lubricate the components. The HVAC&R system may include an oil conduit system configured to place the oil in a heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant flow channeled through a compressor of the HVAC&R system. For example, the oil conduit system may place the oil in a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant flow upstream of where the refrigerant flow is pressurized by the compressor relative to the direction the refrigerant flow is channeled through the compressor. Thus, the oil conduit system transfers more heat from the oil to the refrigerant flow, allowing the oil to be in a desirable condition for cooling and / or lubricating the compressor components. In this manner, compressor operation may be improved.

[0026] With the foregoing in mind, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a vapor compression system 14 having a compressor 32 and a condenser 34. The vapor compression system 14 also includes an oil conduit system 100 configured to circulate oil through the compressor 32 to facilitate operation of the compressor 32. For example, the oil conduit system 100 may include an oil separator 102 configured to discharge the oil to an oil filter 104 of the oil conduit system 100, which may be configured to purify the oil. For example, the oil filter 104 may remove impurities from the oil. The oil filter 104 may discharge the purified oil to the compressor 32, where it may mix with the refrigerant within the compressor 32. The compressor 32 may then discharge the oil / refrigerant mixture back to the oil separator 102 of the oil conduit system 100. The oil separator 102 may be configured to separate the oil and refrigerant from one another, direct the oil to the oil filter 104, and direct the refrigerant to the condenser 34. In certain embodiments, a pressure differential between the oil separator 102 and an internal volume of the compressor 32 (e.g., a location within the compressor 32 where the oil filter 104 is disposed) may drive oil from the oil separator 102 to the oil filter 104 through the oil conduit system 100 and through the compressor 32. For example, the oil separator 102 may be at a higher pressure compared to the internal volume of the compressor 32 where the oil filter 104 is disposed. Thus, this pressure differential may drive oil from the high-pressure oil separator 102 to the oil filter 104 (which may also be at a higher pressure compared to the internal volume of the compressor 32), which may discharge the oil into a lower-pressure region within the internal volume of the compressor 32 (e.g., a bearing cavity). In other embodiments, the oil separator 102 may include an oil pump 106 configured to facilitate discharging the oil toward the oil filter 104 and toward the compressor 32. It should be noted that the oil conduit system 100 may include any suitable components, such as valves, conduits (e.g., tubing, piping), fittings, etc., to facilitate directing oil between the oil separator 102, the oil filter 104, the compressor 32, and / or the oil condenser 34.

[0027] The oil may regulate various components of the compressor 32. For example, the compressor 32 may include an actuator 108 (e.g., a motor, a linear actuator, a rotary actuator) configured to drive the movement of a displacement component or device 110. The displacement component 110 may be configured to move to pressurize the refrigerant, for example, by driving the refrigerant from a larger volume into a smaller volume. For example, the displacement component 110 may include a screw, a piston, a scroll, an impeller, a diaphragm, etc. The compressor 32 may also include a linkage 112 that may connect the actuator 108 and the displacement component 110 to each other and enable the actuator 108 to drive the movement of the displacement component 110. The compressor 32 may further include one or more bearings 114 (e.g., axial bearing(s), radial bearing(s)) that may provide support and / or desired positioning of the components of the compressor 32. For example, the bearing(s) 114 may constrain movement of the displacement component 110 in a particular direction (e.g., a rotational direction) and / or may facilitate movement of the displacement component 110 in other directions (e.g., a linear direction).

[0028] The oil conduit system 100 may place the oil in one or more heat exchange relationships with aspects and / or components of the compressor 32 to enable heat transfer between the oil and aspects and / or components of the compressor 32 before the oil conduit system 100 directs the oil into the compressor 32 to mix with the refrigerant. For example, the oil conduit system 100 may be configured to transition between a first operating mode (e.g., a normal operating mode) and a second operating mode (e.g., an oil cooling mode) to place the oil in a desired condition (e.g., having a more desired temperature, a more desired dilution, a more desired viscosity) before directing the oil into the compressor 32.

[0029] In a first operating mode (e.g., a normal operating mode), the oil conduit system 100 may direct oil toward the compressor 32 without placing the oil in a heat exchange relationship with aspects and / or components of the compressor 32. For example, in certain embodiments, the oil discharged from the oil separator 102 and directed toward the oil filter 104 may already be in a desired state. Thus, the oil conduit system 100 may direct the oil through a channel 116 (e.g., a conduit, an intermediate channel, an intermediate conduit) such that the oil passes through the compressor 32 without undergoing a heat exchange relationship. For example, the channel 116 may be formed (e.g., machined) through the housing of the compressor 32 and positioned a threshold distance away from various components and / or aspects of the compressor 32 such that minimal heat exchange occurs between the components and / or aspects of the compressor 32 and the oil flow directed through the channel 116.

[0030] In a second operating mode, the oil conduit system 100 may place the oil in a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant stream to enable heat transfer between the refrigerant stream and the oil. For example, the oil conduit system 100 may direct the oil through a channel 117 (e.g., an oil cooling channel), which may place the oil in a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant stream 118 at the suction of the compressor 32. The refrigerant stream 118 may generally be at a lower temperature than the oil in the channel 117. Thus, heat may be transferred from the oil to the refrigerant stream 118, thereby cooling the oil. Cooling the oil via the refrigerant stream 118 may adjust certain properties of the oil (e.g., temperature, pressure, dilution, and / or viscosity) toward a desired range, such as 1 to 2.5 kappa or greater than 1 kappa, for a ratio of viscosity at operating temperature to the viscosity specified for the bearing(s) 114. Thus, the oil may be in a more desirable condition for being drawn into the compressor 32 and flowing throughout the various components of the compressor 32. For example, under desirable conditions, the oil may better reduce friction between components (e.g., between linkage 112 and displacement component 110), facilitate movement of components (e.g., within displacement component 110), reduce temperatures of components (e.g., of bearing(s) 114), etc. As a result, the compression of refrigerant (e.g., refrigerant flow 118) by compressor 32 may be increased and / or the life of compressor 32 may be extended.

[0031] In certain embodiments, oil conduit system 100 may include a valve 120 (e.g., a solenoid valve) positioned between oil filter 104 and compressor 32. Valve 120 may be configured to transition between a first position (e.g., a solenoid closed position) in which oil from oil filter 104 is directed through channel 116 and a second position (e.g., a solenoid open position) in which oil from oil filter 104 is directed through channel 117. In this manner, valve 120 may determine in which operating mode oil conduit system 100 operates. For example, when valve 120 transitions to the first position (e.g., when the solenoid is closed), oil may be directed through channel 116, thereby not subjecting the oil to a heat exchange relationship with aspects and / or components of compressor 32, thereby allowing oil conduit system 100 to operate in a first operating mode (e.g., a normal operating mode). Conversely, when valve 120 is transitioned to a second position (e.g., when the solenoid is opened), oil may be directed through channel 117, which allows the oil to be cooled by refrigerant flow 118 before being introduced into compressor 32, thereby enabling oil conduit system 100 to operate in a second operating mode (e.g., an oil-cooled mode). It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments, oil conduit system 100 may operate such that oil is directed into channel 117 when valve 120 is in a first position (e.g., when valve 120 is closed) and oil is directed into channel 116 when valve 120 is in a second position (e.g., when valve 120 is open).

[0032] In certain embodiments, the vapor compression system 14 may include one or more sensors 122 configured to detect conditions of the oil channeled toward the compressor 32. For example, the one or more sensors 122 may be disposed throughout the vapor compression system 14 and / or the compressor 32 and configured to detect data indicative of the temperature, pressure, viscosity, and / or dilution of the oil. The one or more sensors 122 may communicate such data to a controller 130 (e.g., a control system, an automation controller), thereby enabling the controller 130 to transition the oil conduit system 100 between a first operating mode and a second operating mode (e.g., by controlling the position of the valve 120 between a first position and a second position) based on the data. In certain embodiments, as described in further detail below, certain components of the vapor compression system 14 may be communicatively coupled to the controller 130 (e.g., the control panel 40), thereby enabling the controller 130 to receive data from the components, control the operation of the vapor compression system 14, and / or control the operation of the oil conduit system 100.

[0033] In certain embodiments, the controller 130 may include a processing circuit 132 (e.g., one or more microprocessors) and a memory 134. For example, the controller 130 may include non-transitory code or instructions stored on a machine-readable medium (e.g., the memory 134) used by the processing circuit 132 to implement the techniques disclosed herein. The memory 134 may include volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), an optical drive, a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, or any other non-transitory computer-readable medium, that stores instructions that, when executed by the processing circuit 132, control the operation of the vapor compression system 14 and / or the oil conduit system 100. The controller 130 may monitor and control the operation of the oil conduit system 100, for example, by adjusting the position of the valve 120 based on feedback received from one or more sensors 122. For example, the controller 130 may control the valve 120 to transition the oil conduit system 100 between a first operating mode and a second operating mode upon receiving sensor data indicating that the current characteristics of the oil deviate from the desired characteristics. In this manner, the oil may be cooled as desired. It should be appreciated that certain features discussed herein may be omitted from certain embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in certain embodiments, one or more of channel 116, valve 120, sensor 122, and / or controller 130 may be omitted, and oil conduit system 100 may operate in a single mode (e.g., an oil cooling mode) to direct oil through channel 117 (e.g., to cool the oil).

[0034] 6 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of compressor 32. In the illustrated embodiment, compressor 32 includes a support 140 (e.g., an enclosure). Support 140 may define or include a first chamber 142 (e.g., a first section, a first volume, a first space, a suction section), a second chamber 144 (e.g., a second section, a second volume, a second space, a pressure section), and a third chamber 146 (e.g., a third section, a third volume, a third space, a discharge section). During operation of compressor 32, refrigerant (e.g., refrigerant stream 118) may flow sequentially through first chamber 142, second chamber 144, and third chamber 146 along refrigerant flow path 150.

[0035] For example, the compressor 32 may include a motor 148 (e.g., motor 50, actuator 108) positioned within the first chamber 142 and a screw 152 (e.g., rotor, displacement component 110) extending through the first chamber 142, the second chamber 144, and the third chamber 146. The motor 148 may be coupled to a first shaft 154 of the screw 152 within the first chamber 142. The screw 152 may include lobes 156 (e.g., threads) extending through the second chamber 144 and a second shaft 158 ​​extending through the third chamber 146. Refrigerant may flow into the first chamber 142 of the compressor 32 (e.g., from the evaporator 38) via an inlet 160 (e.g., a suction port) of the compressor 32. The coolant may flow along the coolant flow path 150 into a passage 162 formed between the motor 148 and the support 140 and toward the second chamber 144. The coolant may then flow from the first chamber 142 into the second chamber 144 through the first opening 164.

[0036] The motor 148 may drive rotation of the first shaft 154 about an axis 166 during operation of the compressor 32. Rotation of the shaft 154 may drive rotation of the screw 152 about the axis 154, thereby allowing the screw 152 to compress the refrigerant and drive the refrigerant to flow into the third chamber 146 through the second opening 168. The cross-sectional area of ​​the third chamber 146 may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first chamber 142. Thus, the refrigerant may be at a higher pressure in the third chamber 146 compared to the pressure in the first chamber 142. The refrigerant may then flow through the third chamber 146, along the refrigerant flow path 150, and out of the compressor 32 through an outlet 170 (e.g., a discharge outlet).

[0037] As described above, the oil conduit system 100 may be configured to transition between a first operating mode (e.g., a normal operating mode) and a second operating mode (e.g., an oil cooling mode) to condition the oil in a more desirable state before introducing it into the chamber of the compressor 32. For example, when the oil conduit system 100 is operating in the first operating mode (e.g., in the normal operating mode and with the solenoid valve 120 closed), the oil conduit system 100 may direct the oil along the oil flow path 171 via the channel 116, which may result in less than a threshold amount of heat exchange between the oil and various components and / or aspects of the compressor 32. To this end, the channels 116 may be positioned and / or machined through the support 140 such that the channels 116 are at least a threshold distance away from the refrigerant flow passages 118 through which the refrigerant flows and / or are at least a threshold distance away from other components and / or aspects of the compressor 32 that may direct the oil flow into a heat exchange relationship (e.g., moving components (e.g., motor 148) of the compressor 32). In this manner, minimal heat exchange may occur between the oil channeled through the channels 116 and the various components and / or aspects of the compressor 32 before the oil is introduced into the compressor 32.

[0038] When oil conduit system 100 is operating in the second operating mode (e.g., in an oil cooling mode and with the solenoid valve open), oil conduit system 100 may direct oil through channel 117, placing the oil in heat exchange relationship with refrigerant flowing along refrigerant flow path 150. In the illustrated embodiment, oil may flow along oil flow path 172 through compressor 32 via channel 117. For example, when oil conduit system 100 is operating in the second operating mode, oil filter 104 may discharge oil toward valve 120, which may direct the oil into channel 117 extending through support 140. Channel 117 may extend along passage 162, thereby placing the oil in heat exchange relationship with refrigerant flowing through passage 162 in first chamber 142. As an example, the passage 162 may extend at least partially along a direction extending from the inlet 160 to the second chamber 144 (e.g., at least partially along the axis 166). Thus, the oil may be in heat exchange relationship with refrigerant flowing at least partially along the refrigerant flow path 150 in a direction extending from the inlet 160 to the second chamber 144.

[0039] The refrigerant flowing through the first chamber 142 (e.g., upstream of the second chamber 144, where the threads 152, such as the lobes 156, begin to pressurize the refrigerant) may be at a lower temperature than the oil (e.g., the oil discharged by the oil filter 104) placed in a heat exchange relationship with such refrigerant. Thus, heat may be transferred from the oil to the refrigerant, cooling the oil. Such heat transfer may adjust the properties of the oil, placing the oil in a condition that improves operation of the compressor 32. For example, as a result of the heat transfer, the temperature of the oil may decrease and / or the viscosity of the oil may increase, allowing the oil to provide desired cooling of the components of the compressor 32, enable desired movement of the components of the compressor 32, extend the useful life of the components of the compressor 32, etc.

[0040] Such benefits may also improve the efficiency of the compressor 32 and pressurize the refrigerant. For example, the motor 148 may more easily and / or more efficiently drive the movement of the screw 152, allowing the screw 152 to more efficiently pressurize the refrigerant. Indeed, desired operation of the compressor 32 may be maintained and / or achieved at different ambient temperatures. As an example, the benefits provided by oil cooling via refrigerant may enable the compressor 32 to achieve desired operation in higher ambient temperature conditions, but may otherwise increase the temperature of the oil, increase the temperature of the refrigerant, and / or affect the operation (e.g., movement) of components of the compressor 32.

[0041] Moreover, such benefits may be achieved without implementing equipment dedicated to cooling the oil (e.g., external oil coolers, additional cooling systems), thereby reducing costs associated with installing and / or operating such equipment. Additionally, the oil may be cooled without substantially affecting the condition (e.g., temperature, flow rate) of the refrigerant flowing through the compressor 32. Thus, the oil conduit system 100 may be easily retrofitted into existing HVAC&R systems without requiring adjustments to the operation of the compressor 32.

[0042] As described above, in certain embodiments, the controller 130 may be configured to control the position of the valve 120 to transition the oil conduit system 100 between a first and a second operating mode based on data from one or more sensors 122 disposed about the compressor 32. For example, the one or more sensors 122 may be positioned within the first chamber 142 (e.g., within the oil filter 104), within the second chamber 144, and / or within the third chamber 146 (e.g., proximate the bearing 114). The sensors 122 may collect data indicative of operating parameters of the oil (e.g., temperature, pressure, viscosity, dilution), and the controller 130 may utilize such data to control the position of the valve 120. For example, when the controller 130 receives data from the one or more sensors 122 indicating that the temperature of the oil is above a desired threshold temperature, the controller 130 may transition the valve 120 toward an open position, thereby directing the oil through the channel 117 to be cooled. Conversely, when the controller 130 receives data from one or more sensors 122 indicating that the oil temperature is within a desired temperature range, it may transition the valve 120 toward a closed position, thereby directing the oil through the channel 116, thereby minimizing heat exchange between the oil flowing through the channel 116 and other components and / or aspects of the compressor 32.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, channel 116 and channel 117 discharge their respective oil flows into an oil discharge assembly 174 extending along second chamber 144. Oil discharge assembly 174 may include a first conduit 175 fluidly coupled to channels 116, 117, a first port 176, a second conduit 177, a second port 178, and a valve 179 (e.g., an orifice). For example, channels 116, 117 may discharge oil into first conduit 175, which may discharge oil into refrigerant flow path 150 adjacent to second chamber 144. In certain embodiments, oil discharge assembly 175 may discharge oil into the refrigerant flow path via first port 176 and / or second port 178. As an example, the first port 176 may be positioned upstream of the second chamber 144, such as in the first opening 164. The second port 178 may be positioned downstream of the second chamber 144, such as in the third chamber 146. Thus, the ports 176, 178 may discharge oil received from the channels 116, 117 into the refrigerant flow path 150 at a location proximate to and outside of the second chamber 144.

[0044] In certain embodiments, valve 179 may be configured to control the distribution of oil flow between first port 176 and second port 178. For example, in certain embodiments, valve 179 may be a modulating valve that may direct a portion of the oil through first conduit 175 toward first port 176, while the remaining portion of the oil is directed through second conduit 177 toward second port 178. In certain embodiments, valve 179 may be communicatively coupled to controller 130, thereby enabling controller 130 to control the position of valve 179 and therefore the distribution of oil between first port 176 and second port 178, respectively. Further, in other embodiments, the valve 179 may correspond to a static orifice having a specified diameter to allow at least a portion of the oil flow channeled through the oil discharge assembly 174 to flow through the first port 176, while the remaining portion of the oil flow is channeled through the second conduit 177 and into the compressor 32 via the second port 178. That is, in certain embodiments, the size, configuration, and / or diameter of the static orifice 179 may be selected based on particular design conditions to thereby enable the oil discharge assembly 174 to distribute the oil flow between the first port 176 and the second port 178.

[0045] Oil discharged into the refrigerant flow path 150 may flow through the second chamber 144 and / or the third chamber 146 of the compressor 32. For example, oil discharged into the refrigerant flow path 150 via the second port 178 may flow through the third chamber 146, exit the compressor 32 via the outlet 170, flow toward the oil filter 104 to be separated from the refrigerant, and be redirected toward the oil separator 106. Oil discharged into the refrigerant flow path 150 via the first port 176 may flow through the second chamber 144, through the third chamber 146, exit the compressor 32 via the outlet 170, and flow toward the oil separator 106. In additional or alternative embodiments, the oil conduit system 100 may include ports configured to discharge oil to different locations in the refrigerant flow path 150. For example, another port may discharge oil into second chamber 144 (e.g., onto lobe 156), into first chamber 142 (e.g., onto motor 148), or any suitable location that allows the oil to mix with the refrigerant.

[0046] The compressor 32 may also include a bearing 114 positioned adjacent the ports 176, 178 to allow oil discharged into the refrigerant flow path 150 to flow across the bearing 114. As an example, the compressor 32 may include one or more first bearings 180 positioned downstream of the first port 176 (e.g., upstream of the second chamber 144), such as within the first opening 164, with respect to the flow of refrigerant through the compressor 32. The compressor 32 may additionally or alternatively include one or more second bearings 182 positioned downstream of the second port 178 with respect to the flow of refrigerant through the compressor 32. Thus, oil discharged into the refrigerant flow path 150 (e.g., cooled via the refrigerant flowing through the first chamber 142) may be directed across the first bearing 180 and the second bearing 182 via the first port 176 and the second port 178, respectively. Bearings 180, 182 may support screw 152 to position and / or orient screw 152 in a desired manner, prevent undesired movement of screw 152, etc. Positioning bearings 180, 182 adjacent ports 176, 178, respectively, may allow oil to more desirably flow (e.g., flow more readily or easily across bearings 180, 182) in response to release into coolant flow passage 150.

[0047] In some embodiments, the oil filter 104 may be coupled to the support 140 to facilitate positioning the oil filter 104 to discharge oil into the channel 116 or the channel 117. In additional or alternative embodiments, the oil filter 104 may be separate from the support 140 or positioned in any other suitable manner to discharge oil into the channels 116, 117. As one example, the oil filter 104 may be positioned in any suitable portion of the refrigerant flow path 150 in a position to discharge oil into the channel 117 to place the oil in the first chamber 142 in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant flow. As another example, the oil filter 104 may be oriented to discharge oil in any suitable direction, such as along a direction extending from the inlet 160 to the second chamber 144 (e.g., substantially parallel to) the inlet 160 or transversely (or perpendicularly) to the direction extending from the inlet 160 to the second chamber 144.

[0048] 7 is a cross-sectional overhead view of one embodiment of the compressor 32. Certain features, such as the support 140, are not shown for visualization purposes. In the illustrated embodiment, the compressor 32 includes a first screw 152A and a second screw 152B. For example, the first screw 152A (e.g., a male screw) may be coupled to the motor 148 and directly driven to rotate by the motor 148. The second screw 152B (e.g., a female screw) may be engaged with the first screw 152A, and movement of the first screw 152A may drive corresponding movement of the second screw 152B. Each of the first screw 152A and the second screw 152B may compress the refrigerant as it rotates, increasing the rate or amount at which the refrigerant is compressed compared to a compressor having a single screw.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the first port 176 discharges oil into the refrigerant flow passage 150 adjacent the first screw 152A (e.g., upstream of the lobe 156 of the first screw 152A, relative to the flow of refrigerant through the compressor 32), and the second port 178 discharges oil into the refrigerant flow passage 150 adjacent the second screw 152B (e.g., downstream of the lobe 156 of the first screw 152A, relative to the flow of refrigerant through the compressor 32). The oil filter 104 (shown in phantom) removes impurities and may direct the oil through either the channel 116 or 117, through the valve 120, before the oil is directed towards the oil discharge assembly 174. The oil discharge assembly 174 may then direct the oil flow to the first port 176 and / or the second port 178 to distribute the oil for discharge into the refrigerant flow path 150, such as across the first bearing(s) 180 and the second bearing(s) 182 that support the first screw 152A. In additional or alternative embodiments, the first port 176 may discharge the oil into the refrigerant flow path 150 adjacent the second screw 152B (e.g., upstream of the lobes 208, e.g., threads, of the second screw 152B, relative to the flow of refrigerant through the compressor 32) and / or the second port 178 may discharge the oil into the refrigerant flow path 150 adjacent the second screw 152B (e.g., downstream of the threads 208 of the second screw 152B, relative to the flow of refrigerant through the compressor 32).

[0050] In some embodiments, oil may flow from the first screw 152A to the second screw 152B. For example, the pressure in the first screw 152A may be greater than the pressure in the second screw 152B. The pressure differential may drive the flow of oil from the first screw 152A to the second screw 152B. Thus, the pressure differential may facilitate the distribution of oil across the screws 152 (e.g., oil discharged into the refrigerant flow path 150 via the first port 176). In additional or alternative embodiments, the oil discharge assembly 174 of the oil conduit system 100 may include a third port 210 and / or a fourth port 212. The third port 210 may discharge oil into the refrigerant flow passage 150 adjacent the second screw 152B (e.g., upstream of the threads 208 of the second screw 152B with respect to the flow of refrigerant through the compressor 32), and the third port 212 may discharge oil into the refrigerant flow passage 150 adjacent the second screw 152B (e.g., downstream of the threads 208 of the second screw 152B with respect to the flow of refrigerant through the compressor 32). For example, the third port 210 and the fourth port 212 may direct the oil to flow across one or more third bearings 214 and one or more fourth bearings 216, respectively, that may support the second screw 152B. The oil released by the oil filter 104 can be distributed across each of the ports 176, 178, 210, 212, thereby allowing the oil to be released into the refrigerant flow path 150 at different locations (e.g., adjacent to each screw 152).

[0051] Although the compressor 32 of FIG. 7 includes two screws 152, additional or alternative embodiments of the compressor 32 may include two or more screws 152 with any suitable number of ports to discharge oil into the refrigerant flow path 150 and flow across each of the screws 152. Additionally, each of the compressors 32 of FIGS. 6 and 7 may include a single oil filter 104 (e.g., a centralized oil filter), which may reduce the number of components in the oil conduit system 100 to facilitate installation and / or maintenance (e.g., to replace, repair, or inspect the oil conduit system 100). However, additional or alternative embodiments may utilize multiple oil filters 104 (e.g., oil filters 104 coupled to and / or separate from the support 140) to facilitate oil purification and / or oil direction.

[0052] 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of one embodiment of the compressor 32. The support 140 may include a body 238 and a plurality of ribs 240 extending inwardly from the body 238 to support the motor 148. For example, the ribs 240 may abut the motor 148 (e.g., a stator 242 of the motor 148) and cooperatively capture and maintain the position of the motor 148. The ribs 240 may be offset from one another circumferentially around the motor 148 to form a plurality of passages 162 that allow refrigerant to flow along the refrigerant flow path 150 through the first chamber 142.

[0053] Each of the channels 116, 117 of the oil conduit system 100 may be formed through the body 238 and / or one of the ribs 240. For example, the channel 116 may extend through the body 238, and the channel 117 may extend through one of the ribs 240. As described above, the channel 116 may be formed (e.g., machined) through the support 140 (e.g., through the body 238 of the support 140) and positioned at least a threshold distance from the passages 162 through which the refrigerant may flow and / or at least a threshold distance from the motor 148 (e.g., the stator 242 of the motor 148). In this manner, minimal heat exchange may occur between the oil flowing through the channel 116 and various components and / or aspects of the compressor 32 (e.g., the refrigerant flowing through the passages 162, the stator 242 of the motor 148).

[0054] The channels 117 may be formed (e.g., machined) through one of the ribs 240 (e.g., rib 240A) and positioned within a threshold distance from the passages 162 through which the coolant may flow, thereby enabling a heat exchange relationship between the coolant flow and the oil (e.g., enabling cooling of the oil flow through the channels 117). In certain embodiments, the rib (e.g., rib 240A) may be formed from an electrically conductive material (e.g., metal) to facilitate heat transfer between the coolant flowing through the passages 162 adjacent to the rib 240A and the oil flowing through the channels 117 formed in the rib 240A. In the illustrated embodiment, the rib 240A terminates before abutting the motor 148, thereby forming a gap 244 between the rib 240A and the motor 148. The coolant may flow along the coolant flow path 150 and through the gap 244. Thus, ribs 240A may have a greater amount of surface area exposed to refrigerant flow along refrigerant flow path 150, thereby increasing heat transfer between the oil flowing through channel 117 and the refrigerant flowing through first chamber 142 compared to channels formed through ribs that extend against motor 242. Thus, ribs 240A may allow for desirable conditioning of the oil. However, in additional or alternative embodiments, at least a portion of ribs 240A may extend against motor 242, allowing ribs 240A to support motor 242. In some embodiments, ribs 240A may also include fins to increase surface area and facilitate heat transfer between the refrigerant and oil.

[0055] Each rib 240 of the support 140 may have a dimension or size (e.g., width, thickness) that provides sufficient support for the motor 148 and / or forms a passage 162 with a desired size. For example, the rib 240 may define the passage 162, which may be sized sufficiently to allow refrigerant flow therethrough at a desired rate and / or velocity, e.g., to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the passage 162. For example, for a larger sized support 140, the size of the rib 240 may be increased. Furthermore, the ribs 240 may have different sizes from one another. As an example, the rib 240A in which the channel 117 is formed may be a different size than the rib 240 that does not include the channel 117. Additionally, the channel 117 may be sized to allow sufficient oil flow therethrough (e.g., directing a target flow rate of oil that allows desired heat transfer between the oil and the refrigerant) while allowing the structure of the rib 240A to support the motor 148. Furthermore, while in the illustrated embodiment, channels 116, 117 are formed through a single portion of body 238 and / or through one of ribs 240A, respectively, in additional or alternative embodiments, channels 116, 117 may be formed through multiple portions of body 238 and / or through multiple ribs 240A. In such embodiments, oil may flow through channels 116, 117 parallel to one another (e.g., to increase the overall flow rate of oil through channels 116, 117) and / or in series with one another (e.g., to be in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant along multiple flow paths and to increase the overall amount of heat exchanged between the oil and the refrigerant).

[0056] As described above, the present disclosure may provide one or more technical effects useful in operating an HVAC&R system. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include an oil conduit system configured to transition between a first operating mode (e.g., a normal operating mode) and a second operating mode (e.g., an oil cooling mode) to place the oil in a more desirable state (e.g., a more desirable temperature, a more desirable dilution, a more desirable viscosity) before introducing the oil into a compressor of the HVAC&R system. For example, the oil conduit system discussed herein may include a first channel and a second channel and a valve configured to transition between a first position in which the oil is channeled through the first channel and a second position in which the oil is channeled through the second channel. The first channel may be positioned (e.g., extending) within a support of the compressor and configured to minimize heat exchange relationships between the oil flow channeled through the first channel and various aspects and / or components of the compressor. The second channel may also be positioned within a support of the compressor. However, the second channel may be positioned proximate to the refrigerant flow path directed through the compressor, thereby allowing the oil directed through the second channel to enter into a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant directed along the refrigerant flow path. In this manner, the oil may be conditioned (e.g., cooled) in a desired manner to enable efficient operation of the compressor. The oil conduit system may also include one or more sensors configured to detect one or more characteristics of the oil directed toward the oil conduit system, and a controller configured to control a valve position to transition the oil conduit system between the first and second operating modes based on the sensor data. By including each of the above-described components, the oil directed toward the compressor may enter one or more heat exchange relationships to place the oil in a more desirable condition before the oil is introduced into the compressor, thereby increasing compressor efficiency and / or reducing costs associated with compressor repair and maintenance.

[0057] While only certain features and embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, those skilled in the art may conceive numerous modifications and changes, such as variations in the size, dimensions, structure, shape, and proportions of various elements, values ​​of parameters including temperature and pressure, mounting arrangements, use of materials, color, orientation, and the like, without substantially 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 changed or re-ordered 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. Moreover, in order to provide a concise description of example embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described (e.g., those that are unrelated to the currently contemplated best mode for carrying out the disclosure or that are unrelated to enabling the claimed disclosure, etc.). It should be noted that, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made in the development of any such actual implementation. 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.

[0058] The technology presented and claimed herein refers to and applies to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that clearly improve the art, and is thus not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Furthermore, if any claim appended at the end of this specification includes one or more elements designated as "means for [performing] [function]" or "step 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. An HVAC&R system that is a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration system, comprising: A compressor, an inlet configured to receive refrigerant channeled along a refrigerant flow path and through the compressor; a displacement component; an actuator configured to drive movement of the displacement component to pressurize the refrigerant in a chamber of the compressor; an oil conduit system including a channel configured to direct oil into the refrigerant flow path, the channel configured to place the oil in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant that is directed along the refrigerant flow path and flows at least partially along a direction extending from the inlet to the chamber.

2. 2. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, wherein the channel is configured to place the oil in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant channeled along the refrigerant flow path between the inlet and the chamber for flow of the refrigerant along the refrigerant flow path.

3. 2. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, wherein the compressor includes a support defining the chamber, the channel being formed through the support.

4. The HVAC&R system of claim 3 , wherein the displacement component comprises a screw, the screw comprising threads positioned within the chamber.

5. 4. The HVAC&R system of claim 3, wherein the chamber is a first chamber and the support defines a second chamber, and the compressor includes a motor, the motor coupled to the displacement component and configured to drive movement of the displacement component to cause the displacement component to pressurize the refrigerant.

6. 6. The HVAC&R system of claim 5, wherein the motor and the support cooperatively define a passageway through which the refrigerant flows along the refrigerant flow path at least partially along the direction extending from the inlet to the chamber, the channel configured to place the oil in the heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant flowing through the passageway.

7. The HVAC&R system of claim 1 , comprising an oil filter configured to discharge the oil into the channel.

8. 2. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, wherein the oil conduit system comprises: a first port configured to discharge the oil into the refrigerant flow path upstream of the chamber relative to the flow of the refrigerant along the refrigerant flow path; a second port configured to discharge the oil into the refrigerant flow path downstream of the chamber relative to the flow of the refrigerant through the refrigerant flow path; or both.

9. 9. The HVAC&R system of claim 8, comprising a first bearing configured to support the displacement component, a second bearing configured to support the displacement component, or both, wherein the first bearing is positioned upstream of the chamber with respect to the flow of the refrigerant along the refrigerant flow path, and the second bearing is positioned downstream of the chamber with respect to the flow of the refrigerant along the refrigerant flow path.

10. 2. The HVAC&R system of claim 1, wherein the channel is configured to place the oil in the heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant upstream of a location where the displacement component begins pressurizing the refrigerant for flow of the refrigerant along the refrigerant flow path.

11. The HVAC&R system of claim 1 , wherein the displacement component comprises a screw, a scroll, a piston, an impeller, or a diaphragm.

12. 1. An oil conduit system for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, the oil conduit system comprising: an oil filter configured to remove impurities from the oil stream; a channel positioned adjacent a refrigerant flow path through the compressor, the channel configured to receive the oil flow from the oil filter and to direct the oil flow in heat exchange relationship with refrigerant directed along the refrigerant flow path.

13. The oil conduit system of claim 12 , wherein the channel is configured to discharge the oil flow into the refrigerant flow path through one or more ports.

14. 14. The oil conduit system of claim 13, wherein a first port of the one or more ports is positioned upstream of a screw of the compressor relative to a flow direction of the refrigerant through the refrigerant flow path, and a second port of the one or more ports is positioned downstream of the screw of the compressor relative to the flow direction of the refrigerant through the refrigerant flow path.

15. The oil conduit system of claim 14 , comprising a valve configured to control the distribution of the oil flow between the first port and the second port.

16. an oil separator, receiving a mixture of oil and refrigerant from the compressor; separating the oil and refrigerant mixture into an oil stream and a refrigerant stream; and The oil conduit system of claim 12 configured to discharge the oil flow toward the oil filter.

17. An HVAC&R system that is a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration system, comprising: a compressor including a support having a plurality of ribs extending inwardly to support an actuator of the compressor, the plurality of ribs defining a plurality of passages configured to receive a refrigerant and direct the refrigerant therethrough; an oil conduit system including a channel configured to direct oil therethrough, the channel being formed through at least one of the plurality of ribs, the channel being configured to place the oil in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant directed through the plurality of passages.

18. 18. The HVAC&R system of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of ribs is circumferentially offset from one another about the actuator of the compressor.

19. 18. The HVAC&R system of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of ribs is made of a conductive material to facilitate the heat exchange relationship between the oil channeled through the channel and the refrigerant channeled through the plurality of passages.

20. 18. The HVAC&R system of claim 17, wherein the at least one rib having the channel formed therethrough is offset from the actuator to form a gap, the gap configured to receive the refrigerant and direct the refrigerant through the gap to facilitate the heat exchange relationship between the oil directed through the channel and the refrigerant directed through the gap.

Images