Compressor and compressor system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressor configurations that cool discharge gas using refrigerant liquid injection can lead to excessive frost formation on compressor surfaces, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heat medium flow path opposite to the discharge space across a partition wall, allowing for increased casing temperature through heat medium or lubricant oil circulation, thereby suppressing frost formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If refrigerant liquid is injected into the discharge space to cool the compressed discharge gas, then the overheating of the compressor is suppressed, but a large amount of frost occurs on the surface of the compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the thermal management system into two separate pathways: (1) refrigerant liquid injection into the discharge space for cooling the discharge gas, and (2) heat medium circulation through the heat medium flow path for heating the partition wall and preventing frost. This segmentation allows independent control of cooling and anti-frost functions, resolving the contradiction between cooling effectiveness and frost prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat medium flow path acts as an intermediary heating system that introduces a heat medium (such as hot water or heated lubricant oil) to warm the partition wall forming the discharge space. This intermediary heating layer prevents the wall surface temperature from dropping to the frost point, while the refrigerant liquid continues to cool the discharge gas through latent heat of vaporization, thus resolving the frost occurrence issue without compromising cooling effectiveness.
2Productivity
If refrigerant liquid injection is used to cool discharge gas, then compressor efficiency is maintained, but additional cooling systems and costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The heat medium flow path can utilize the compressor's existing lubricant oil system by heating the lubricant oil and circulating it through the flow path. This multi-functional approach allows the lubricant oil to serve both its traditional lubrication function and as a heat carrier for frost prevention, reducing the need for separate dedicated heating systems and lowering overall system complexity and cost.
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
Effectively prevents frost occurrence on compressor surfaces by maintaining a higher temperature, reducing the need for additional cooling systems and potentially lowering costs.
Implementation Method 1
cooling a compressed discharge gas with latent heat of vaporization of the refrigerant liquid
Implementation Method 2
a heat medium flow path located opposite to the discharge space across a partition wall forming the discharge space... increase the temperature of the compressor casing which includes the partition wall forming the discharge space
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor according to an embodiment includes: a discharge valve; a discharge space formed downstream of the discharge valve; a liquid injection hole for injecting a refrigerant liquid into the discharge space; and a heat medium flow path located opposite to the discharge space across a partition wall forming the discharge space.