Compression apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil equalization techniques in refrigerant circuits require all compressors to have an oil discharge outlet, limiting their applicability when a compressor without such an outlet is included in series-connected compressors.
Innovation Solution
A compression apparatus with an oil separator in one compressor's discharge passage, an oil return passage to reintroduce separated oil, and an oil discharge passage to manage oil levels, allowing for oil equalization across multiple compressors without requiring an oil discharge outlet in all compressors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an oil separator is provided in the discharge passage of one compressor with an oil discharge outlet, then oil can be separated and returned to maintain oil levels, but the technique cannot be applied when compressors without oil discharge outlets are included in the series connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the oil equalization system universally applicable to both compressors with and without oil discharge outlets. The compressor without an oil discharge outlet (second compressor) can still participate in oil equalization by receiving oil from the discharge passage of the first compressor, which has the oil discharge outlet. This multi-functional design allows the system to handle different compressor types.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge passage of the first compressor serves as an intermediary medium for oil equalization. Instead of requiring direct oil discharge outlets in all compressors, the system uses the discharge passage of one compressor to transfer oil to another compressor, acting as a mediator that enables oil equalization between compressors with different configurations.
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
Enables versatile oil equalization across series-connected compressors, maintaining consistent oil levels even when some compressors lack an oil discharge outlet, by controlling oil flow and separation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an oil separator (30) provided in a discharge passage (50) of one compressor (10) of the plurality of compressors (10, 20), and configured to separate oil from the refrigerant discharged from the one compressor (10)
Implementation Method 2
an oil discharge passage (60) configured to connect the oil discharge outlet (10A) to an inlet of the oil separator (30)
Implementation Method 3
an oil return passage (70) provided with the one compressor (10) and configured to return the oil separated by the oil separator (30) to an intake passage (40) of the one compressor (10)
Data Source
AI summary
A technique that allows a plurality of series-connected compressors in a refrigerant circuit to have equal amounts of oil in a more versatile manner is provided. A compression apparatus according to an embodiment in the disclosure includes series-connected compressors 10, 20 in a refrigerant circuit 1 that is to circulate a refrigerant; an oil separator 30 is provided in a discharge passage 50 of the compressor 10 of the compressors 10, 20, and separates oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 and causes the refrigerant separated from the oil to flow downstream (intake passage 80); an oil return passage 70 returns the oil separated by the oil separator 30 to the compressor 10 neighboring upstream; an oil discharge outlet 10A is provided in the compressor 10; and an oil discharge passage 60 connects the oil discharge outlet 10A to an inlet of the oil separator 30.