Multi-Stage Compressor Oil Balancing by Pressure Reversal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerating cycle apparatuses with multiple compressors, oil unbalance occurs due to differential oil flow during multi-stage compression, leading to frictional losses, increased power consumption, and compressor damage, and existing solutions complicate the structure and reduce cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerating cycle apparatus with a determination device to assess oil balance between compressors and an oil collection device that utilizes a pressure difference to redistribute oil, ensuring balanced oil levels across compressors, thereby preventing oil concentration in one compressor and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple compressors are connected in series for multi-stage compression, then compression efficiency is improved, but oil unbalance occurs between compressors leading to frictional loss and increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
An oil balancing container is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second compressors. This container receives oil discharged from the second compressor and redistributes it to the first compressor, acting as a mediator to balance oil distribution across the series-connected compressors, thereby reducing frictional loss and power consumption while maintaining compression efficiency
2Reliability
If an oil balancing container is separately installed outside the compressors, then oil unbalance is addressed, but the apparatus occupies more space and has complicated structure with increased flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The oil balancing container is merged with the refrigerant passage system by integrating it into the existing refrigerant flow path between the compressors. The container utilizes the refrigerant flow to transport oil from the second compressor to the first compressor, combining the oil balancing function with the refrigerant circulation system, thereby avoiding additional complex piping and reducing space occupation
3Reliability
If complicated pipes and oil balancing container are installed, then oil unbalance is corrected, but cooling efficiency is reduced due to increased flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes pneumatic principles by employing refrigerant gas flow to transport oil through the balancing container. The refrigerant pressure and flow dynamics naturally drive oil from the second compressor through the balancing container to the first compressor, eliminating the need for mechanical pumps or complex valve systems, thereby minimizing flow resistance and preserving cooling 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
The solution effectively prevents oil-related losses and damage by maintaining balanced oil levels, simplifying the apparatus structure, and improving cooling efficiency by reducing air flow resistance and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an oil balancing container configured to perform an oil balancing operation between the first compressor and the second compressor by utilizing a pressure difference between the first compressor and the second compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerating cycle apparatus and a method of operating the same are provided. For a refrigerating cycle having a plurality of compressors connected in series for multi-stage compression, an inner space of each compressor and a pipe of the refrigerating cycle may be connected via an oil collection pipe, and oil may be discharged into the refrigerating cycle by pressure reversal during a pressure balancing operation, so as to allow the discharged oil to be collected into a high-stage compressor or a low-stage compressor. Accordingly, an amount of oil may be uniformly maintained in each of the plurality of compressors to prevent losses due to friction and/or increases in power consumption due to a lack of oil in one or more of the compressors. The structure of a device and pipes for performing oil balancing between the compressors may be simplified to enhance efficiency of the compressors.