Hermetic Compressor Suction Muffler Oil Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hermetic compressors used in refrigerators, the transfer of oil into the refrigeration cycle leads to decreased oil levels within the compressor, excessive heating, and impaired refrigeration performance due to oil adhering to heat exchanger surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A suction muffler with an oil separator plate and oil flow channel within the muffler head separates refrigerant from oil, preventing oil from entering the refrigeration cycle, and a barrier and protrusion enhance oil separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oil is placed into the compressor casing to lubricate mechanical components, then the abrasion of movable components is decreased, but oil is transferred into the refrigeration cycle causing decreased oil levels in the compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The oil separator plate extracts oil from the refrigerant-oil mixture in the suction muffler, separating it from the refrigerant before the refrigerant enters the compression cycle. This extracted oil is returned to the compressor casing, preventing oil loss to the refrigeration cycle while maintaining adequate lubrication levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction muffler acts as an intermediary chamber where refrigerant and oil mix temporarily, allowing the oil separator plate to remove oil before the refrigerant proceeds to the compressor. This intermediary step prevents direct transfer of oil to the refrigeration cycle while ensuring continuous lubrication.
2Productivity
If oil is transferred into the refrigeration cycle with the refrigerant, then the refrigerant circulates through the system, but heat transfer is decreased due to oil adhering to heat exchanger surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The oil separator plate removes oil from the refrigerant stream before the refrigerant enters the compression and refrigeration cycles. By extracting oil at this point, the refrigerant proceeds without oil contamination, preventing oil from adhering to heat exchanger surfaces and maintaining optimal heat transfer efficiency.
3Volume of moving object
If the bend portion of the muffler head is disposed into the suction chamber, then the structure is compact, but oil separation from refrigerant becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The suction muffler is segmented into distinct functional zones: a suction chamber for initial refrigerant intake, a muffler head with the bend portion for compact configuration, and an oil separation section with the oil separator plate. This segmentation allows the compact bend structure to coexist with effective oil separation by providing dedicated spaces for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil separator plate is positioned at a specific location within the muffler head where refrigerant flow conditions are optimal for separation. The local geometry and flow characteristics at this position are designed to maximize oil-refrigerant separation efficiency despite the compact overall structure.
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
Effective separation of oil from refrigerant reduces oil transfer into the refrigeration cycle, maintaining lubrication levels, improving heat transfer, and enhancing compressor efficiency and refrigeration performance.
Implementation Method 1
a suction muffler that provides decrease in the temperature of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle
Implementation Method 2
an oil separator plate inside the muffler head that extends vertically from the refrigerant inlet orifice at its lower side towards the bend portion at its end and also an oil flow channel that remains between the oil separator plate and the side wall of the muffler head
Implementation Method 3
The oil separator plate and the oil flow channel provide the refrigerant circulating inside the suction muffler to be separated from the oil at the last portion wherefrom it leaves the suction muffler
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a compressor (1) comprising a suction muffler (8) that provides decrease in the temperature of the refrigerant used in the refrigeration cycle in refrigerators and attenuation of the noise originating from the refrigerant and produced from plastic material, and wherein the amount of oil transferred to the refrigeration cycle is decreased by separating the oil mixed in the refrigerant that passes through the suction muffler (8).