Compressor Internal Oil Drainage Passage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressor systems face issues with oil drainage, particularly due to external plumbing that can leak, necessitating a more reliable and leak-proof method for draining lubrication oil from compressor components.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a compressor system with internal oil drainage passages that allow oil to be drained from bearings and other components directly into a gearbox or oil tank, eliminating the need for external plumbing and enabling operation at various rotational orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external plumbing is used for oil drainage, then the compressor can drain oil from bearings and components, but the system is prone to leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil drainage reliabilityVSAvoidleakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the oil drainage function directly into the compressor housing by forming an internal oil drainage passage within the housing structure. This eliminates the need for separate external plumbing components, thereby removing leakage-prone joints and connections while maintaining effective oil drainage from bearings and components to the oil tank.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If internal oil drainage passages are formed in the compressor housing, then leakage is eliminated, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidhousing manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The oil drainage passage is designed as an integrated feature within the compressor housing that can be formed during the casting or manufacturing process. This segmentation approach allows the passage to be created as a separate functional element within the housing structure, simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring leak-free operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution ensures reliable and leak-free oil drainage, reducing the risk of leakage and allowing the compressor to be installed at different rotational angles, thereby enhancing its versatility and reducing size, weight, and cost.

Implementation Method 1

The passage may be configured to drain oil from bearings and other oil-lubricated components of the compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9828995B2Compressor and oil drain system

Publication Date: 2017.11.28 INGERSOLL RAND IND IRELAND LTD

AI summary

A unique compressor system may include a compressor having a compressor housing. The compressor housing may include an oil drainage passage formed therein. The passage may be configured to drain oil from bearings and other oil-lubricated components of the compressor. The compressor may be coupled to a gearbox or an oil tank. The gearbox or oil tank may include a passage that is in fluid communication with the oil drainage passage. The gearbox or oil tank passage may be operative to receive the drained oil and to direct the drained oil to an oil tank.