Compressor Rotor Cooling Passageway with Independent Stator Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration systems with centrifugal compressors face inefficiencies in motor cooling, as the refrigerant used to cool the stator is also required to cool the rotor, necessitating continuous monitoring for phase change, which complicates the system and reduces reliability and safety.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of independent rotor and stator cooling passageways within the compressor housing, where the rotor cooling passageway receives a flow of fluid leaked over a seal, allowing for parallel cooling of the rotor and stator without relying on the same refrigerant flow, eliminating the need for continuous phase change monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the same refrigerant flow is used to cool both the stator and rotor, then the cooling system is simpler, but continuous monitoring for phase change is required which reduces reliability and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two independent passageways: a stator cooling passageway and a rotor cooling passageway. Each passageway has its own refrigerant flow path, allowing independent cooling of the stator and rotor without requiring phase change monitoring, thus improving reliability while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Temperature
If the refrigerant is directed between the rotor and stator to cool the rotor, then rotor cooling is achieved, but the system requires continuous monitoring which complicates operation
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor cooling function is segmented into a dedicated rotor cooling passageway that receives refrigerant independently from the stator cooling system. This allows the rotor to be cooled effectively without requiring the complex phase change monitoring that would be needed in a shared cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal is introduced as an intermediary component that directs refrigerant flow from the compression chamber to the rotor cooling passageway. This seal-mediated flow path enables effective rotor cooling while eliminating the need for continuous phase change monitoring, simplifying operation.
3Device complexity
If a single cooling passageway is used for both stator and rotor, then the housing structure is simpler, but phase change monitoring is required reducing system stability
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is segmented to include separate stator cooling passageways and rotor cooling passageways. This segmentation provides independent cooling paths that stabilize system operation by eliminating the need for phase change monitoring, thereby improving system stability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
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 the reliability and safety of the refrigeration system by allowing independent cooling of the rotor and stator, simplifying the cooling process and eliminating the need for continuous monitoring of the refrigerant phase change, thereby improving system efficiency and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor cooling passageway provided within the housing, and provided with a flow of fluid leaked over the seal, wherein the rotor cooling passageway is independent of the stator cooling passageway
Implementation Method 2
The rotor cooling passageway is provided with a flow of fluid leaked over the seal
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal compressor for a refrigeration system is disclosed. The centrifugal compressor includes an electric motor, which includes a rotor and a stator. The compressor further includes a housing enclosing the electric motor, a stator cooling passage provided within the housing, and a rotor cooling passageway provided within the housing. The rotor cooling passageway is independent of the stator cooling passageway.