Compressor Coolant Return Line With Damping Chamber Flow Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigeration systems face challenges in cooling compressors without disturbing the flow of refrigerant at the low pressure side, leading to reduced performance, efficiency, and longevity of the compressor.

Innovation Solution

A compressor system is designed with a damping chamber that distributes coolant from the high pressure side into the low pressure line at multiple angular flow directions, minimizing disturbance to the refrigerant flow and enhancing cooling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If coolant is diverted from the high pressure side of the main refrigeration circuit, then the compressor components can be cooled effectively, but the flow of low pressure refrigerant entering the compressor may be disturbed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor component temperatureVSAvoidrefrigerant flow stability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction inlet passage is segmented into multiple zones with separate coolant injection points, allowing coolant to be introduced at different locations without interfering with the main refrigerant flow path. This segmentation enables independent control of cooling zones while preserving refrigerant flow stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A damping chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the coolant source and the suction inlet passage. The damping chamber receives coolant from the high pressure side and distributes it through multiple outlets into the suction inlet passage, acting as a buffer that prevents direct disruption of the low pressure refrigerant flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If coolant flow rate is increased to improve cooling efficiency, then compressor components are cooled better, but disturbance to refrigerant flow increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor component temperatureVSAvoidrefrigerant compression efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant flow is segmented into multiple smaller streams through multiple injection points distributed along the suction inlet passage. This segmentation allows the total cooling capacity to be maintained while each individual coolant stream has minimal impact on refrigerant flow, preventing turbulence and maintaining compression efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Coolant is injected at specific locations within the suction inlet passage where cooling is most needed, rather than introducing all coolant at a single point. This local quality approach ensures that cooling is applied precisely where compressor components require it, minimizing overall disturbance to the refrigerant flow while maintaining effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution effectively reduces disturbances in the refrigerant flow, improving the performance, efficiency, and longevity of the compressor by ensuring efficient cooling without disrupting the refrigerant flow.

Implementation Method 1

a damping chamber fluidly connected between the motor chamber and the suction inlet passage, and one or more damping chamber outlets fluidly connecting the damping chamber to the suction inlet passage to allow coolant to flow from the damping chamber into the suction inlet passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow distribution:

Implementation Method 2

The compressor housing defines an internal coolant return line extending between and fluidly connecting the motor chamber and the damping chamber to allow coolant to flow from the motor chamber to the damping chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-driven flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

The coolant is channeled through a housing of the compressor where it provides cooling to the components of the compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Heat Sink

Data Source

PatentUS20250137696A1Compressor for refrigeration system including internal coolant return line

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 COPELAND LP

AI summary

A compressor for a refrigeration system includes a compressor housing, a shaft, an impeller, and a motor. The compressor housing includes a main body defining a motor chamber and a coolant inlet port for coolant to enter the motor chamber and an end cap assembly connected to the main body. The end cap assembly defines a suction inlet passage, a damping chamber fluidly connected between the motor chamber and the suction inlet passage, and one or more damping chamber outlets fluidly connecting the damping chamber to the suction inlet passage to allow coolant to flow from the damping chamber into the suction inlet passage. The compressor housing defines an internal coolant return line extending between and fluidly connecting the motor chamber and the damping chamber to allow coolant to flow from the motor chamber to the damping chamber.