Compressor Piston Oil Nozzle Layout for Lower Oil Carryover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluid compressors in vehicles experience significant oil carryover, which contaminates discharge air and affects downstream components, particularly increasing with piston/cylinder wall temperature.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of multiple nozzles directing oil streams substantially parallel to the compressor piston head's longitudinal axis to cool the piston assembly, increasing total oil flow to the bottom side, thereby reducing oil carryover by up to 50% compared to systems without such nozzles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If engine oil is splashed or sprayed towards the bottom side of the piston head to cool the piston assembly, then cooling efficiency is improved, but oil carryover to the working end increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepiston assembly temperatureVSAvoidoil carryover

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling function is segmented into multiple nozzles positioned at different locations around the piston head, with each nozzle directing oil streams to specific zones. This segmentation allows optimized cooling coverage while controlling oil migration patterns to reduce carryover to the working end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the piston head receive differentiated oil treatment through strategically positioned nozzles. The bottom side receives concentrated oil streams for cooling, while the working end is protected from excessive oil accumulation through careful nozzle positioning and angling, creating local quality variations in oil distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of substance

If total compressor oil flow towards the bottom side of the piston head is increased to reduce oil carryover, then oil carryover is reduced, but lubrication requirements must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil carryoverVSAvoidlubrication effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Oil is pre-cooled by directing streams to the bottom side of the piston head before the oil reaches the working end and cylinder bore. This preliminary cooling action reduces oil temperature and viscosity, preventing excessive oil from migrating to the working end while ensuring lubrication needs are met in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The bottom side of the piston head serves as an intermediary zone where excess oil is cooled and managed before it can reach the working end. The nozzles position oil streams to create a cooling barrier that intercepts oil migration, allowing the system to handle higher total oil flows without increasing carryover to the working end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration enhances cooling efficiency and reduces oil carryover, maintaining effective lubrication while minimizing contamination in the discharge air, with oil carryover decreasing as total compressor oil flow increases within specific ranges.

Implementation Method 1

a first nozzle arranged to direct a first oil stream towards the bottom side of the first compressor piston head to cool the first compressor piston assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The oil on the cylinder wall is required for lubrication of the piston assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10895191B2Fluid compressor and method of operating a fluid compressor to reduce oil carryover by a compressor piston assembly

Publication Date: 2021.01.19 BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

A compressor comprises a first compressor piston assembly including a first compressor piston head having a bottom side and a longitudinal central axis. The compressor also comprises a first nozzle arranged to direct a first oil stream towards the bottom side of the first compressor piston head to cool the piston assembly. The compressor further comprises a second nozzle arranged to direct a second oil stream towards the bottom side of the first compressor piston head to cool the piston assembly. Each of the oil streams is substantially parallel to each other and to the longitudinal central axis to provide a flow of oil to cool the piston assembly and to reduce an oil carryover by the first compressor piston assembly by up to about fifty percent as compared to a compressor having no nozzles directing oil streams towards the bottom side of the first compressor piston head.