Compressor Housing Refrigerant Passages to Cut Leakage and Weight

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional compressors in vapor cycle refrigeration systems face inefficiencies and leakage issues due to external conduits and connections, which add weight and compromise performance.

Innovation Solution

The compressor design features inboard refrigerant pathways within the housing, eliminating external connections and ensuring the refrigerant flow is entirely vapor state, thereby reducing leakage and weight while providing direct cooling to the motor stator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If external conduits and connections are used to convey refrigerant between impellers, then the compressor can be designed with simpler internal structure, but the system weight increases and leakage risk is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal structure complexityVSAvoidleakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the refrigerant pathway with the housing structure by integrating passages directly into the housing walls. This eliminates the need for separate external conduits and connections, thereby reducing leakage risk while maintaining design simplicity. The housing serves dual purposes: structural support and refrigerant transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the refrigerant transport function from external conduits and relocates it within the housing structure itself. By removing the need for external connections and integrating pathways into the housing, the design eliminates leakage points while preserving the essential refrigerant conveyance capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If external conduits are used for refrigerant transport, then installation flexibility is improved, but the compressor weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidcompressor weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the refrigerant transport function with the housing structure by creating integrated passages within the housing walls. This eliminates the need for separate external conduits, thereby reducing overall compressor weight while maintaining installation flexibility through the unified design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If cooling jackets are added around the stator to cool it, then the stator temperature is reduced, but the device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestator temperatureVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the housing structure multi-functional by having it serve both as the structural enclosure and as the cooling system. The housing passages carry refrigerant that cools the stator, eliminating the need for separate cooling jackets. This reduces device complexity and weight while achieving effective stator cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the cooling function with the housing structure by integrating refrigerant passages directly into the housing walls adjacent to the stator. This eliminates the need for separate cooling jackets and external cooling systems, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining effective heat removal from the stator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enhances operational efficiency by eliminating external hardware, reducing leakage, and maintaining the refrigerant in a vapor state for improved rotor dynamics and reduced weight, thus improving overall system performance.

Implementation Method 1

the refrigerant flow cools the stator portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The rapid expansion causes an evaporation of at least a portion of the refrigerant resulting in a lowering of the temperature of the refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

The liquid portion of the refrigerant is then evaporated in the evaporator and heat is absorbed from a fluid, typically air for example, flowing thru the evaporator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8061151B2Refrigerant compressor

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

Disclosed is a compressor (12) for a refrigeration system (10) including a housing (30) and at least one compressor impeller (24, 26) located in the housing (30) capable of compressing a refrigerant flow (14) through the compressor (12). At least one refrigerant pathway (44, 62) is located inboard of an outer surface (48) of the housing (30) and extends from a first compressor impeller (24). Further disclosed is a refrigeration system (10) including a compressor (12) having at least one refrigerant pathway (44, 62) located inboard of an outer surface (48) of the housing (36) and extending from a first compressor impeller (24) of at least one compressor impeller (24, 26). Further disclosed is a method of flowing refrigerant through a compressor (12).