Vertical Compressor Oil Return Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vertical compressors, the efficient return of oil from the upper portion to the bottom portion of the housing is hindered due to the oil discharge pipe's lower end being positioned away from the motor stator cut, leading to interference with refrigerant flow, which complicates the oil's downward movement.
Innovation Solution
A compressor design featuring a first oil return path within the housing that extends vertically and includes an oil outlet portion to guide oil from the upper portion to the bottom, minimizing contact with refrigerant, along with a radial bearing support that forms a second oil return path to facilitate efficient oil recovery, and a sight glass for monitoring oil flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lower end of the oil discharge pipe is disposed at a position away from the upper end of the stator cut, then the motor stator can be properly positioned, but it becomes difficult to efficiently guide the oil from the lower end of the oil discharge pipe to the upper end of the stator cut
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an oil guide member as an intermediary component between the oil discharge pipe and the stator cut. This oil guide member actively guides the oil flow from the oil discharge pipe to the stator cut, mediating the connection and ensuring efficient oil return despite the spatial separation between components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by extending the oil discharge pipe upward and positioning its lower end above the motor stator. This dimensional arrangement allows the oil discharge pipe to clear the stator while the oil guide member provides the necessary flow path connection
2Ease of manufacture
If the rotary compression portion immersed in the oil is disposed below the motor, then the compression mechanism can be properly arranged, but the oil flowing out from the lower end of the oil discharge pipe comes into contact with the refrigerant moving upward, making it difficult to move downward
Solution Approach 1:
The oil guide member serves as a mediator that directs oil flow away from the upward-moving refrigerant. By providing a dedicated guidance path, it prevents the harmful interaction between oil and refrigerant flows while maintaining the beneficial vertical arrangement of the compression mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the oil guidance function from the general flow field and creates a dedicated oil guide member. This separates the oil flow path from the refrigerant flow, allowing independent control of each fluid's movement and preventing their adverse interaction
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 design enables efficient oil return from the upper to the bottom housing portion by reducing refrigerant interference, ensuring effective oil recovery and preventing oil outflow, thus enhancing the compressor's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first oil return path (45) having an oil return path main body (51) that is internally provided in the housing (11) and extends in a vertical direction, and an oil outlet portion (52) that is formed in the housing main body (41) to allow a lower end of the oil return path main body (51) and a bottom portion in the housing (11) to communicate with each other and guiding oil, which has moved to an upper portion in the housing (11), to the bottom portion of the housing
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A compressor (10) provided with a housing (11), which extends in the vertical direction and in a bottom portion (11A) of which an oil reservoir (39) formed by the accumulation of oil (38) is arranged, and a compression mechanism (25), which is driven by a motor (23) and compresses the refrigerant, wherein a first oil return passage (45) for leading oil that has moved to an upper portion inside the housing (11) to the bottom portion (11A) inside the housing (11) is provided, and the first oil return passage (45) has an oil return passage main body (51) provided inside the housing (11) and extending in the vertical direction, and an oil outlet portion (52) formed in the housing (11) and connecting the lower end of the oil return passage main body (51) and the bottom portion (11A) inside the housing (11).