Compressor Oil Return Control for Fast Multi-Unit Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In air conditioning systems with multiple compressors, oil balancing is inefficient due to non-uniform oil distribution, leading to abnormal operation and potential compressor failure, as existing methods take too long to achieve oil balance.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner includes oil separators connected to each compressor, with a network of return passages and valves that actively collect and distribute oil based on real-time oil level sensor data, allowing for immediate adjustment of oil flow to maintain balance between compressors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oil separators are connected to each compressor in a multi-compressor system, then oil separation function is improved, but oil distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil return passages of multiple compressors into a common oil return line that connects to a single oil separator. This allows the oil separator to collect oil from all compressors centrally, ensuring uniform oil distribution across all compressors while maintaining effective oil separation functionality.
2Device complexity
If traditional oil return methods are used in multi-compressor systems, then system simplicity is maintained, but oil balancing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates oil level sensors in each compressor that provide feedback to a control unit. The control unit monitors oil levels in real-time and automatically adjusts oil return valve openings to maintain uniform oil levels across all compressors, significantly reducing oil balancing time while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
3Speed
If compressors operate with non-uniform oil amounts, then immediate operation is possible, but compressor reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary oil balancing through oil level sensors that detect oil levels before compressors operate. The system pre-adjusts oil distribution by controlling oil return valves to ensure uniform oil levels in all compressors before operation begins, preventing reliability issues while allowing immediate operation.
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 enables quick and effective oil balancing, improving compressor operation reliability by ensuring uniform oil distribution and reducing the time required to stabilize oil levels.
Implementation Method 1
an oil separator may be connected to a discharge tube of the compressor to separate the oil included in the discharged refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
separate the oil included in the discharged refrigerant and re-collect the separated oil into the compressor
Implementation Method 3
A first oil level sensor 17 and a second oil level sensor 18 may be disposed in or at the first and second compressors 11 and 12, respectively. Each of the oil level sensors 17 and 18 may detect an amount of oil
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner and a method for controlling and air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include at least one compressor, a main suction passage to guide a refrigerant into the at least one compressor, at least one oil separator connected to the at least one compressor, that separates oil from the refrigerant discharged from the at least one compressor, at least one oil level sensor disposed in the at least one compressor to detect whether the at least one compressor lacks oil, a return passage to collect the oil separated from the at least one oil separator into the at least one compressor, a distribution return passage branched from the at least one return passage and connected to the main suction passage, and a valve disposed in each of the at least one return passage and the distribution return passage.