Scroll Compressor Check Valve Venting for Rapid Shutdown Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scroll compressors face issues with the washer of the check valve failing to close quickly due to adhesion of lubricating oil or insufficient pressure difference, leading to reverse noise and component wear during shutdown.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design with a valve plate, washer, and valve stopper, featuring reverse flow holes and ventilation ports that enhance the pressure on the washer to ensure rapid closure by increasing the area of refrigerant gas acting on it, using a support ring to facilitate movement and integration of components for improved sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the washer is designed to close the valve hole using only pressure difference, then the structure remains simple, but the closing speed is insufficient due to adhesion of lubricating oil or insufficient pressure difference
Solution Approach 1:
The valve stopper is segmented into multiple edges (outer stopper edge, middle stopper edge, inner stopper edge) that create multiple gaps with the washer. This segmentation allows refrigerant fluid to access different areas of the washer through reverse flow holes and ventilation ports, generating enhanced and distributed pressure forces that improve closing speed without requiring a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reverse flow holes and ventilation ports as intermediary pathways that allow refrigerant fluid to reach the gaps between the washer and valve stopper edges. These intermediaries transmit fluid pressure to the washer, enabling rapid closure without direct mechanical actuation or complex control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the washer moves slowly during shutdown, then the pressure difference across the washer is insufficient, but this causes reverse noise and risk of wear and damage of components
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse flow holes and ventilation ports are pre-configured in the valve stopper structure to enable rapid fluid pressure buildup in the gaps before the washer completes its closure motion. This preliminary action of pressure buildup ensures the washer accelerates quickly, preventing reverse flow and noise before they can occur during shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic pressure from refrigerant fluid flowing through reverse flow holes and ventilation ports to act on the washer. This hydraulic/pneumatic force mechanism provides rapid and forceful closure action, eliminating reverse noise and preventing component wear without requiring mechanical actuators or complex control systems.
3Area of stationary object
If the washer is in contact with multiple edges of the valve stopper, then the sealing area increases, but the structure becomes more complex with multiple edges and flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The valve stopper structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: the outer stopper edge, middle stopper edge, and inner stopper edge each create gaps with the washer that serve dual purposes of sealing and fluid pressure transmission. The reverse flow holes and ventilation ports simultaneously enable fluid flow and pressure buildup. This multi-functionality increases sealing area without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sealing function and pressure transmission function into a single integrated valve stopper structure. The gaps between the washer and the multiple edges of the valve stopper serve both as sealing interfaces and as pathways for refrigerant fluid to generate closing pressure. This merging eliminates the need for separate sealing mechanisms and pressure transmission components, achieving increased sealing area with moderate structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The enhanced pressure from refrigerant gas and lubricating oil adhesion improves the washer's separation speed, ensuring rapid closure of the valve hole and preventing reverse fluid flow, thus reducing noise and wear.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid flows into the gap between the outer stopper edge and the middle stopper edge through the reverse flow hole, then flows into the gap between the middle stopper edge and the inner stopper edge through the ventilation port, the washer moves to a bottom dead center along the valve stem under a pressure of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
in a case that there is fluid flowing out of the valve hole, the washer moves to a top dead center along the valve stem... in a case that there is no more fluid flowing out of the valve hole, the washer moves to a bottom dead center along the valve stem under a pressure of the fluid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
A check valve and a scroll compressor are provided. The check valve (1) includes a valve plate (11), a washer (12), a valve stem (13), and a valve stopper (14). The valve stem is fixedly arranged between the valve plate and the valve stop, and the valve plate is provided with a valve hole (111) for fluid to flow through. An outer stopper edge (142), a middle stopper edge (143), and an inner stopper edge (144) each having an annular shape are provided on a bottom surface of the valve stopper from the edge to the center. A reverse flow hole (141) is provided between the outer stopper edge and the middle stopper edge, and a ventilation port (145) is provided on the middle stopper edge. The ventilation port is configured to connect a gap between the outer stopper edge and the middle stopper edge with the gap between the middle stopper edge and the inner stopper edge in a case that the washer is in contact with the outer stopper edge, the middle stopper edge, and the inner stopper edge. A closing speed of the check valve after the scroll compressor is shut down can be effectively improved, ensuring the normal operation of the scroll compressor, extending the service life of the scroll compressor.