Hermetic Compressor Oil Recollection to Prevent Refrigerant Backflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hermetic compressors face issues with oil deficiency and reduced refrigeration cycle performance due to oil and refrigerant mixing, leading to decreased cooling capability and compressor reliability, as conventional oil recollectors allow refrigerant backflow and increase refrigerant temperature, affecting the volume ratio and heat exchange efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hermetic compressor design incorporating an oil separator and dual oil pumps to separate and recollect oil effectively, preventing refrigerant backflow and ensuring oil is reintroduced at the correct pressure, with the first oil pump recollecting oil from the separator and the second pump distributing it to the crankshaft and compression unit, maintaining optimal oil levels and refrigerant separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an oil separator is installed at the outlet of the compressor to separate oil from refrigerant, then oil recollection is improved, but refrigerant backflow to the compressor inlet occurs causing reduced cooling capability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the oil recollection function into two separate systems: a first oil pump dedicated to recollecting oil from the oil separator, and a second oil pump dedicated to supplying oil to the compression unit. This segmentation prevents refrigerant backflow by isolating the oil recollection path from the refrigerant circulation path, thereby maintaining cooling capability while improving oil recollection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediate chamber that receives oil from the first oil pump and supplies it to the second oil pump. This intermediary structure acts as a buffer zone that prevents direct communication between the oil separator outlet and the compressor inlet, eliminating refrigerant backflow while enabling effective oil recollection.
2Reliability
If high-temperature oil and refrigerant are sucked to the inlet of the compressor, then oil separation occurs, but suction refrigerant temperature increases reducing the amount of refrigerant sucked
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the oil supply function into two distinct pumps: the first oil pump handles oil recollection from the separator, and the second oil pump handles oil supply to the compression unit. This separation ensures that only properly separated oil enters the compression unit, preventing high-temperature oil-refrigerant mixture from being sucked in, thus maintaining refrigerant quantity while achieving effective oil separation.
3Productivity
If oil separated by the oil separator is mixed with sucked refrigerant and discharged from the compression unit, then compression occurs, but oil deficiency occurs in the inner space of the casing lowering reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides oil management into two independent functions performed by separate pumps. The first oil pump recollects oil from the separator, and the second oil pump supplies oil to the compression unit through a controlled path. This segmentation ensures continuous oil supply to the compression unit independent of the recollection process, preventing oil deficiency while maintaining compression productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention ensures continuous oil supply to the compression unit by using a dedicated second oil pump that operates independently from the recollection process. This continuous supply mechanism prevents oil deficiency in the inner space of the casing, maintaining reliability while allowing uninterrupted compression operations.
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
Enhances refrigeration cycle performance and cooling capability by preventing refrigerant backflow and maintaining optimal oil levels within the compressor, reducing the risk of oil deficiency and improving compressor reliability while maintaining efficient heat exchange.
Implementation Method 1
an oil separator fluidly coupled to an outlet of the compressor and configured to separate oil from the compressed refrigerant discharged from the compression unit
Implementation Method 2
an oil pump in fluid communication with the oil separator and configured to pump oil separated by the oil separator into the inner space of the casing
Implementation Method 3
a crankshaft coupled to the driving motor, the compression unit, and the oil pump and configured to transmit a driving force of the driving motor to both the compression unit and the oil pump
Implementation Method 4
a compression unit installed within the inner space of the casing and configured to compress a refrigerant when driven by the driving motor
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a hermetic compressor and a refrigeration cycle device having the same. An oil separator for separating oil from a refrigerant is installed outside a casing. The oil separated by the oil separator is recollected into the casing by an oil pump driven by a driving force of a driving motor. The oil is recollected from the refrigerant and fabrication costs are be reduced. A cooling capability of the refrigeration cycle device is enhanced, the compressor has a simplified configuration, and the fabrication costs are reduced. Because an outlet of a discharge opening through which oil is discharged to the casing from the oil pump is installed at a position lower than a minimum level of oil in the casing, the refrigerant is prevented from backflowing into an oil passage, and the occurrence of air bubbles on the surface of oil in the compressor may be prevented.