Motor-Driven Turbo Compressor Intermediate Pressure Port Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor-driven turbo compressors experience power loss due to large channel resistance and increased axial length, which hampers reductions in manufacturing costs, size, and durability improvements.
Innovation Solution
The compressor design features a housing with impeller and motor chambers arranged in the axial direction, where the first and second impellers are smaller in diameter than the motor chamber, and an intermediate pressure port facilitates communication between the first discharge chamber and motor chamber, reducing the compressor's body diameter and power loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first and second communication paths extend to the outside of the housing, then the refrigerant can be cooled and motor durability is improved, but the body diameter of the compressor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication paths are nested within the housing structure by forming passages through the housing walls rather than extending externally. The first communication path passes through the housing wall between the first discharge chamber and motor chamber, while the second communication path passes through the housing wall between the motor chamber and second suction port, eliminating the need for external path extensions.
2Reliability
If the first and second communication paths extend to the outside of the housing, then the refrigerant can be cooled and motor durability is improved, but the axial length of the compressor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication paths are redirected from an axial extension configuration to a radial configuration through the housing walls. By changing the dimensional orientation of the communication paths from axial to radial, the patent reduces the axial length while maintaining the cooling function.
3Loss of energy
If the communication paths are shortened, then power loss is reduced and efficiency is improved, but the refrigerant cooling effect on the motor may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The communication paths are positioned to pass through specific regions of the housing where refrigerant flow can effectively cool the motor. The first communication path is formed through the housing wall in proximity to the motor chamber, and the second communication path similarly passes through the housing wall near the motor, ensuring adequate cooling while minimizing path length.
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 configuration minimizes power loss while achieving cost reduction, size minimization, and enhanced durability by optimizing the arrangement of impellers and motor components.
Implementation Method 1
The first impeller increases kinetic energy of a refrigerant in the first impeller chamber by rotating of the first impeller. Thereafter, the first impeller converts the kinetic energy of the refrigerant into pressure energy through the first diffuser, and compresses the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
The second impeller increases kinetic energy of the refrigerant in the second impeller chamber by rotating of the second impeller. Thereafter, the second impeller converts the kinetic energy of the refrigerant into pressure energy through the second diffuser, and compresses the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant discharged to the first discharge chamber is introduced into the motor chamber by the first communication path, it is possible to cool the electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
In a compressor of the present invention, an intermediate pressure port through which a first discharge chamber and a motor chamber communicate with each other is formed in a front housing. A refrigerant having an intermediate pressure is discharged to the first discharge chamber. Consequently, it is possible to guide the refrigerant having the intermediate pressure in the first discharge chamber to the motor chamber, and cool an electric motor, which generates heat during actuation, with the refrigerant having the intermediate pressure. In the compressor, a first impeller and a second impeller are disposed such that large diameter portions of the first impeller and the second impeller face each other. The second impeller is smaller in diameter than the first impeller.