Compressor-Expander Oil Balancing in Refrigerating Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerating apparatuses with separate casings for compressors and expanders, uneven distribution of lubricant oil leads to issues like seizing, as it is difficult to accurately set the ratio of oil returned to each component within the refrigerant circuit, resulting in insufficient lubrication.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerating apparatus with a refrigerant circuit connecting a compressor and an expander, featuring an oil distribution path and adjusting means, including an oil level detector and control valve, to manage the flow of lubricant oil between the casings, ensuring balanced lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate casings are used for compressor and expander, then each component can be independently lubricated, but uneven distribution of lubricant oil occurs causing seizing and insufficient lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
An oil distribution path is introduced as an intermediary system connecting the compressor casing and expander casing. This mediator enables controlled oil transfer between the two separate lubrication systems, ensuring balanced distribution while maintaining the benefits of separate casings for independent lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of oil flow distribution by introducing adjustable flow control mechanisms in the oil distribution path. This allows dynamic adjustment of oil flow rates to each component based on their specific lubrication requirements, resolving the uneven distribution problem while maintaining separate casing independence.
2Quantity of substance
If lubricant oil is circulated in the refrigerant circuit, then oil can be supplied to both compressor and expander, but it is difficult to set the ratio of oil returned to each component accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements feedback control mechanisms that monitor the lubrication status of both compressor and expander, and automatically adjust the oil distribution ratios through the oil distribution path. This feedback system ensures accurate oil return ratios by continuously adapting to actual lubrication needs, resolving the measurement and control difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil distribution system is designed to be dynamic rather than static, with adjustable flow control mechanisms that can adapt oil distribution ratios in real-time. This dynamic capability allows the system to respond to changing lubrication requirements and maintain accurate oil return ratios under varying operating conditions.
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 solution ensures reliable lubrication for both the compressor and expander, preventing damage from insufficient lubrication and optimizing the refrigeration cycle by maintaining a balanced oil distribution.
Implementation Method 1
one of the compressor casing and the expander casing being at high pressure of the refrigeration cycle while the other is at low pressure of the refrigeration cycle
Implementation Method 2
adjusting means for adjusting a flow state of the lubricant oil in the oil distribution path
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerant circuit (11) of an air conditioner (10) includes a compressor (20) and an expander (30). In the compressor (20), refrigerator oil is supplied from an oil reservoir (27) to a compression mechanism (21). In the expander (30), the refrigerator oil is supplied from an oil reservoir (37) to an expansion mechanism (31). The inner pressures of the compressor casing (24) and the expander casing (34) are the high pressure and the low pressure of the refrigeration cycle, respectively. An oil adjusting valve (52) is provided in an oil pipe (42) connecting the compressor casing (24) and the expander casing (34). The oil amount adjusting valve (52) is operated on the basis of an output signal of an oil level sensor (51). When the oil amount adjusting valve (52) is opened, the refrigerator oil flows from the oil reservoir (27) in the compressor casing (24) toward the oil reservoir (37) in the expander casing (34) through the oil pipe (42).