Compressor bearing housing drain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scroll compressors face inefficiencies due to lubricant accumulation in the housing drain cavity, leading to unwanted drag and reduced compressor lifespan, particularly during startup when lubrication is insufficient.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bearing housing drain angled between 0 to 65 degrees, which directs lubricant from the housing drain cavity to a lubricant sump, forming a pool that accelerates lubrication to the thrust bearing, thereby reducing startup time and enhancing compressor reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lubricant is accumulated in the housing drain cavity, then lubrication is available for startup, but unwanted drag increases and compressor efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing housing drain extracts excess lubricant from the housing drain cavity and returns it to the lubricant sump, removing the harmful accumulation while preserving necessary lubrication supply
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing housing drain creates a dynamic lubricant management system that adapts to operational states: during operation, lubricant flows to the sump; during shutdown, lubricant returns to the cavity for startup lubrication
2Loss of energy
If lubricant is drained quickly during operation, then drag is reduced, but lubrication may be insufficient during startup
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing housing drain allows lubricant to be pre-positioned in the housing drain cavity during shutdown periods, creating a ready supply for immediate startup lubrication before the compressor begins operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates periodically, draining lubricant during operation to reduce drag, then allowing lubricant to return to the cavity during shutdown for startup preparation, creating a rhythmic lubrication management cycle
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 angled bearing housing drain ensures quicker lubrication to the thrust bearing, increasing compressor lifetime and reducing component failures by optimizing lubricant distribution and reducing drag during operation.
Implementation Method 1
the bearing housing drain can be disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal axis... the lubricant can drain toward the housing drain cavity when the compressor is not in operation
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing housing drain in a scroll compressor and method for controlling lubrication of a thrust bearing in the scroll compressor are disclosed. The compressor includes a compressor housing; a non-orbiting scroll member and an orbiting scroll member; an orbiting scroll hub having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being disposed at a vertical elevation that is lower than the upper end; a thrust bearing; a lubricant sump; a housing drain cavity disposed within the compressor housing and configured to receive lubricant from the lubricant sump and to deliver the lubricant to the thrust bearing; and a bearing housing drain fluidly connected to the housing drain cavity and the lubricant sump.