Compressor Outlet Collector Oil Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressors in heat pumps and air conditioning systems suffer from oil contamination of downstream components, leading to thermal resistance and decreased performance due to the inability to reliably prevent oil accumulation and separation before compression.
Innovation Solution
A compressor design with an outlet-side collector and filter element to absorb oil from the compressed fluid, combined with a valve system for controlled oil return to a sump, eliminating the need for a separate oil separator and enhancing operational reliability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oil separation is performed before compression, then oil accumulation in downstream components is prevented, but oil contamination of subsequent components cannot be reliably prevented due to re-contamination during compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing oil separation after compression rather than before, addressing the root cause of re-contamination. The compression device compresses the refrigerant-oil mixture first, then the separated oil is removed from the compressed refrigerant in the outlet collector, preventing oil from entering downstream components in the first place
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts oil from the compressed refrigerant using a separation element positioned in the outlet collector. The extraction occurs after compression, removing the harmful oil substance from the refrigerant flow before it can contaminate downstream components like the condenser and evaporator
2Reliability
If a separate oil separator is installed, then oil can be separated from refrigerant, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil separation function with the existing outlet collector of the compression device. The separation element is integrated into the outlet collector structure, combining two functions (collection and separation) into a single component, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining oil separation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet collector is given multiple functions: it serves as both the collection chamber for compressed refrigerant and the location for oil separation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate dedicated oil separator, simplifying the overall device structure
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 reduces oil contamination of downstream components, increases compressor efficiency, and eliminates the risk of oil accumulation, thereby improving the performance and reliability of heat pumps and air conditioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one filter element in the collector on the outlet side, the filter element being designed to at least partially absorb the oil from the fluid
Implementation Method 2
The valve can be a float valve
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a compressor (1) with a compression device (2) having an inlet (21) and an outlet (22) and with an inlet-side collector (31) and an outlet-side collector (32), wherein the compression device (2) is configured to pump a fluid from the inlet-side collector (31) to the outlet-side collector (32), wherein a filter element (4) is further provided in the outlet-side collector (32), which is configured to at least partially absorb oil from the fluid and transport it to a collection point (325) in the outlet-side collector (32), wherein the inlet-side collector (31) and the outlet-side collector (32) are further connected to each other via a return line (5) which connects to the collection point (325) and can be closed with a valve (6), wherein the valve is configured to open when oil is present in the outlet-side collector (32) for return to the inlet-side collector. (31) is pending.Furthermore, the invention relates to a heat pump or air conditioning system or refrigeration machine with at least one such compressor and a method for compressing a fluid.