Compressor cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressors in refrigeration systems face heat generation issues due to motor losses and friction, leading to reduced efficiency and potential damage from high temperatures, particularly in systems using lubricants.
Innovation Solution
The compressor utilizes a portion of the low-temperature refrigerant from the suction port to cool the motor and lubricant reservoir by extracting it from the compression chamber before compression, eliminating the need for additional cooling components and maintaining cooling at a pressure similar to the suction pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the compressor operates under load, then the compression function is achieved, but the temperature of the compressor increases due to heat losses from the motor and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts a portion of the refrigerant from the compression chamber and uses it as a cooling medium for the motor and lubricant reservoir. The refrigerant, which would otherwise be compressed and discharged at high temperature, is instead utilized to absorb heat from the motor and lubricant, converting the thermal management challenge into a beneficial cooling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor system cools itself by utilizing its own refrigerant as the cooling medium. The refrigerant extracted from the compression chamber circulates through the motor and lubricant reservoir, absorbing heat and then returning to the compression chamber to be reused in the compression cycle, creating a self-sustaining thermal management system.
2Temperature
If additional cooling components are added to the compressor, then the cooling effect is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant serves multiple functions within the compressor system: it is compressed to achieve the desired pressure increase, it cools the motor through heat absorption, and it cools the lubricant reservoir. By making the refrigerant a multi-functional medium, the patent eliminates the need for separate cooling components, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective thermal management.
3Temperature
If the refrigerant is extracted from the compression chamber for cooling, then the cooling effect is improved, but the compression efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only a portion of the refrigerant from the compression chamber for cooling purposes, rather than extracting all of it. This partial extraction provides sufficient cooling for the motor and lubricant reservoir while maintaining adequate refrigerant in the compression chamber to sustain effective compression, thus balancing cooling needs with compression efficiency.
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 approach effectively reduces heat-related issues in the compressor, enhancing its operational efficiency and extending its lifespan by using the refrigerant's low temperature for cooling, without requiring additional components like pumps.
Implementation Method 1
The compressor utilizes a portion of the low-temperature refrigerant from the suction port to cool the motor and lubricant reservoir by extracting it from the compression chamber before compression
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor comprises a suction port configured to receive a refrigerant and means for compressing the refrigerant. The means for compressing forms at least one compression chamber, a discharge port configured for discharging the compressed refrigerant from the compressor, and a motor. The means for compressing comprises at least one opening for extracting a portion of the refrigerant from the at least one compression chamber and supplying the extracted portion of the refrigerant to the motor. A method comprises receiving a refrigerant at a suction port of the compressor, compressing the refrigerant in at least one compression chamber formed by a means for compressing of the compressor, discharging the refrigerant from the compressor at a discharge port of the compressor, and extracting a portion of the refrigerant from the at least one compression chamber and supplying the extracted portion of the refrigerant to a motor of the compressor.