Compressor Oil Separator Pulsation Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerant gas compressors face challenges in reducing pulsation and pressure loss, with large volume mufflers increasing size and throttling methods leading to reduced cooling efficiency and oil separation inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A compressor design featuring a cylindrical oil separator with a large-diameter portion, a small-diameter portion, and an intermediate tapered portion, along with plural holes on the small-diameter portion, where refrigerant gas swirls to separate lubricating oil and then exits through the large-diameter portion, minimizing pressure loss and pulsation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a large volume muffler is provided to reduce pulsation of discharge refrigerant gas, then pulsation is reduced, but the size of the compressor increases and installation space is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The oil separator is nested within the discharge chamber, with the cylindrical oil separator positioned inside the discharge chamber volume. This allows the oil separator functionality to be integrated into the existing discharge chamber space, avoiding the need for an additional large volume muffler while still achieving pulsation reduction through the oil separator's throttling and separation functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge chamber serves multiple functions: it acts as the discharge space for compressed refrigerant gas, contains the oil separator for oil-refrigerant separation, and functions as a pulsation reduction chamber. By combining these functions into a single integrated structure, the compressor avoids the need for separate large volume components while achieving pulsation reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cross sectional area of the refrigerant gas passage is reduced to throttle flow and reduce pulsation, then pulsation is reduced, but pressure loss of refrigerant gas increases and cooling efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The oil separator features variable cross-sectional area along its length, with a smaller cross-sectional area at the discharge end compared to the inlet end. This gradual parameter change allows effective pulsation reduction through controlled throttling while minimizing pressure loss by avoiding abrupt flow restrictions. The cylindrical shape with varying diameter provides progressive flow resistance rather than sudden constriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil separator provides localized flow resistance at specific positions along its length, with the smallest cross-sectional area positioned at the discharge end where pulsation reduction is most needed. The passage cross-sectional area varies along the length of the oil separator, creating different flow characteristics in different regions to optimize both pulsation reduction and pressure loss minimization.
3Quantity of substance
If refrigerant gas is throttled through small holes in the discharge pipe to separate oil, then oil separation occurs, but pressure loss increases and cooling efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using small holes that create abrupt flow restriction, the oil separator uses a cylindrical structure with gradually varying cross-sectional area. The passage cross-sectional area changes continuously along the length of the oil separator, providing smooth flow transition and reduced turbulence. This gradual parameter change achieves effective oil separation through centrifugal force and phase separation while minimizing pressure loss compared to sharp-edged hole throttling.
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 effectively reduces pulsation and pressure loss of refrigerant gas while maintaining cooling efficiency and preventing oil from blocking the flow, ensuring efficient refrigerant gas flow and separation.
Implementation Method 1
The passage is directed toward the small-diameter portion of the oil separator in such a manner that the refrigerant gas flowed through the passage into the oil separation chamber swirls around the small-diameter portion, so that the refrigerant gas from which lubricating oil is separated
Implementation Method 2
The pipe has a throttling portion which is opened at its lower end to the discharge chamber and a diffuser portion which is connected at its upper end to the external refrigerant circuit. The pressure of the refrigerant gas flowing through the pipe is reduced at the throttling portion, but recovered at the diffuser portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor includes a housing having a discharge chamber into which compressed refrigerant gas is discharged, an oil separation chamber, a passage connecting between the discharge chamber and the oil separation chamber, and an outlet port through which the refrigerant gas passed through the oil separation chamber flows out of the housing; and a cylindrical oil separator provided in the oil separation chamber. The oil separator includes a large-diameter portion, a small-diameter portion, and an intermediate portion formed between the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion and tapered toward the small-diameter portion. Plural holes are formed in the periphery of the small-diameter portion of the oil separator. The passage is directed toward the small-diameter portion of the oil separator in such a manner that the refrigerant gas swirls around the small-diameter portion, so that the refrigerant gas from which lubricating oil is separated enters the oil separator through the hole.