Compressor Coolant Jacket Layout for Motor and Bearing Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compressors face challenges in efficiently cooling bearings and motors, leading to inefficient operation and premature wear, with bulky and expensive cooling systems that are difficult to manufacture effectively.
Innovation Solution
A compressor design featuring a motor cooling system with a coolant jacket that includes radial and axial portions, integrated with a bearing cooling system, utilizing a heat exchanger arrangement to transfer heat between coolant fluids, enhancing thermal performance and manufacturability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cooling systems are used to cool the motor and bearing, then cooling function is provided, but the system becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the motor cooling system and bearing cooling system into a single integrated cooling apparatus. The cooling system includes a cooling chamber that accommodates both the motor and bearing, with cooling channels that serve both components simultaneously. This merging of functions reduces the overall system complexity and eliminates the need for separate cooling systems for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is designed as a multi-functional apparatus that performs multiple cooling tasks through a single structure. The cooling channels are configured to provide cooling flow to both the motor and bearing, making the cooling system universal in its application. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall system design.
2Reliability
If separate cooling systems are provided for motor and bearing, then each component is cooled effectively, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the motor cooling and bearing cooling into a single manufacturing process. The housing is designed with integrated cooling channels that are formed as part of the overall structure, allowing both cooling functions to be achieved through one manufacturing operation rather than requiring separate assemblies. This reduces manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Volume of moving object
If cooling channels are arranged to cool both motor and bearing, then system compactness is improved, but heat transfer efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are designed with varying cross-sectional areas and flow paths tailored to the specific cooling requirements of different components. The channels provide optimized cooling flow distribution, with larger flow sections for components generating more heat. This localized optimization of cooling flow ensures efficient heat transfer while maintaining system compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system utilizes three-dimensional cooling channels that extend in multiple directions within the housing. The channels are arranged to provide cooling from different spatial dimensions, improving heat transfer efficiency by increasing the surface area for heat exchange without increasing the overall system volume. This spatial optimization allows effective cooling in a compact configuration.
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 design provides improved cooling performance, reduces weight and manufacturing costs, and increases the operational efficiency and longevity of the compressor by effectively managing thermal conditions and integrating cooling systems for both motors and bearings.
Implementation Method 1
The first flow section and the second flow section are disposed in a heat exchanger arrangement configured to transfer heat between the second fluid and the first fluid
Implementation Method 2
transfer heat between the second fluid and the first fluid
Implementation Method 3
provides a first flow of a first fluid through the housing for cooling the motor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A compressor device includes a coolant jacket cooperatively defined by a motor case and an outer motor housing. The coolant jacket includes a radial portion that spans about the motor case in a circumferential direction and an axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the motor. The coolant jacket includes an axial portion that spans in a radial direction across an axial end of the motor case. At least one of the plurality of flow passages fluidly connects the radial portion and the axial portion.