Hermetic Compressor Motor Cooling to Prevent Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for compressor motors in refrigeration systems are ineffective in preventing condensation on the motor housing, leading to water dripping onto the floor due to over-cooling, which can cause health hazards and damage to electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant-based cooling system with a stator and rotor design that includes internal channels, electromagnetic bearings, and a flow control mechanism, utilizing a temperature monitoring device and controller to regulate refrigerant flow and maintain motor temperatures above the dew point, preventing condensation while avoiding overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If refrigerant is used to cool the motor, then the motor temperature is reduced, but the motor becomes too cool causing condensation to form on the motor housing
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature monitoring device continuously measures the motor temperature and provides feedback to a controller. The controller adjusts the refrigerant flow through the flow control device based on this feedback to maintain the motor temperature within a safe range that prevents condensation while avoiding overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow rate parameter of the refrigerant dynamically. By adjusting the refrigerant flow through the flow control device, the system optimizes the cooling effect to maintain motor temperature above the dew point, preventing condensation while still providing adequate cooling.
2Reliability
If refrigerant flow is increased to prevent overheating, then motor cooling is improved, but the motor temperature drops below the dew point causing water to drip onto the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature monitoring device and controller work together to monitor motor temperature continuously and adjust refrigerant flow in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures the motor temperature is maintained within the optimal range, preventing both overheating and condensation-related water dripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static cooling to dynamic control. The flow control device dynamically adjusts refrigerant flow based on actual motor temperature conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying operational demands while maintaining temperature within the safe range that prevents both overheating and condensation.
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
Effectively maintains motor temperatures within a safe range, preventing condensation on the motor housing and ensuring the system operates within predetermined limits to avoid shutdowns, thus maintaining operational safety and reducing the risk of water-related hazards.
Implementation Method 1
heat is generated by the motor as electrical current is passed through a series of windings forming a stator... Cooling must be provided to remove heat
Implementation Method 2
liquid refrigerant undergoes a phase change in the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor that condenses the high pressure refrigerant gas to a high pressure liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for cooling a compressor motor (152)having a motor stator (162) and rotor (166)in a refrigerant system(100). The method cools the rotor and the stator, electromagnetic bearings (160)located within a compressor housing providing refrigerant liquid to the stator internal channels, the channels being in fluid communication with a rotor passageway (172), and a flow-control device (168) controlling refrigerant flow into the stator. A temperature monitoring device (176) in communication with a controller (140) monitors motor temperature. The controller (140)evaluates the motor temperature and adjusts refrigerant flow through the flow control device (168), maintaining the motor (152) within a predetermined temperature range.