Compressor Sensor Mount with Vapor-Cooled Motor Housing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vapor compression systems face challenges in reducing power consumption and weight, particularly due to the high energy requirements and heat generation of compressor components, which often necessitate external cooling systems that are inefficient and heavy.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal compressor system with a compressor housing that uses incoming vapor refrigerant to cool the compressor motor and other components, eliminating the need for external cooling and integrating a refrigerant accumulator to manage liquid refrigerant, thereby reducing energy consumption and system weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external cooling systems are used to cool compressor components, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but system weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor system uses its own refrigerant vapor to cool the motor and other components through integrated cooling channels, eliminating the need for separate external cooling systems. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the motor during compression, providing self-cooling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is merged with the compression function by integrating cooling channels into the compressor housing and motor structure. The same refrigerant flow path serves both compression and cooling purposes, combining two functions into one system.
2Temperature
If external cooling systems are used to manage heat from compression, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are integrated into the compressor housing and motor structure, merging the cooling system with the compression system. This eliminates separate cooling components and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant serves multiple functions: it cools the motor during compression, cools other hot components through integrated channels, and performs the primary cooling function in the evaporator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cooling systems.
3Reliability
If refrigerant accumulators are integrated into the compressor housing, then liquid refrigerant management is improved, but housing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant accumulators are nested within the compressor housing structure, with the accumulators positioned inside the housing volume. This nested arrangement allows liquid refrigerant management functionality to be integrated without significantly increasing external housing dimensions or complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulator function is merged with the compressor housing by integrating accumulators into the housing structure. This combines the compression and liquid refrigerant management functions into a single integrated unit, reducing the number of separate components.
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 system achieves reduced power consumption and weight by utilizing vapor refrigerant for cooling and managing liquid refrigerant, enhancing efficiency and reliability while maintaining effective cooling capacity.
Implementation Method 1
The incoming vapor, when flowing through the first portion, is configured to cool the compressor motor
Implementation Method 2
Compression of the refrigerant may use substantial amounts of power, produce substantial amounts of heat
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology generally relates to a compressor housing that includes a main housing portion and an end housing portion. The main housing portion is configured to house a compressor motor and an inlet housing. The inlet housing is configured to receive vapor refrigerant downstream of the compressor motor. The main housing portion and the end housing portion are configured to interface at a mating surface of the respective housing portions and define a volume. The end housing portion includes a sensor cavity extending into the volume toward an opening of the inlet housing.