Electric Scroll Compressor Passive Pressure Recirculation for Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric compressors in battery-powered vehicles face challenges with high-speed operation leading to noise and reduced battery life due to continuous electrical energy consumption, and heat management issues limiting heat pump efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A scroll-type electric compressor with a passive pressure system that automatically recycles compressed refrigerant from the discharge volume to the intake volume in response to pressure differentials, enhancing efficiency and reducing noise by allowing recompression and heat extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the electric compressor operates at high speed to improve cooling efficiency, then the cooling performance is improved, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passive pressure system operates periodically by automatically opening and closing the passage between discharge and intake volumes based on pressure differentials. This periodic operation allows the compressor to recycle compressed refrigerant at specific cycles, reducing continuous high-speed operation noise while maintaining cooling efficiency through timed refrigerant recirculation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electric compressor runs continuously to provide heating or cooling, then the thermal management function is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The passive pressure system provides self-service by automatically recycling compressed refrigerant from the discharge volume to the intake volume based on pressure differentials. This self-regulating mechanism enables the compressor to maintain thermal management functions more efficiently, reducing continuous operation requirements and thereby extending battery life without compromising heating or cooling capabilities
3Power
If the electric compressor operates as a heat pump to move heat, then the heat pump efficiency is improved, but the saturation temperature of the refrigerant limits the efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The passive pressure system performs preliminary action by recycling compressed refrigerant back to the intake volume before it would normally be discharged. This pre-recirculation allows the refrigerant to undergo additional compression cycles, effectively bypassing the saturation temperature limitation and enabling the heat pump to operate at higher efficiencies by maintaining the refrigerant in a sub-saturated state
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 passive pressure system improves compressor efficiency, reduces noise, and extends battery life by optimizing refrigerant flow and heat management, particularly in electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The passive pressure system is configured to automatically open a passage between the discharge volume and the intake volume allowing compressed refrigerant to be recycled into the intake volume
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric compressor (10) includes a housing (12), refrigerant inlet port (68), a refrigerant outlet port (70), an inverter section (44), a motor section (54), a compression device (18), and a passive pressure system (150). The refrigerant inlet port is coupled to the housing and is configured to introduce the refrigerant to the intake volume (74). The compression device is a scroll-type compression device configured to compress the refrigerant. The refrigerant outlet port is coupled to the housing and is configured to allow compressed refrigerant to exit the scroll-type electric compressor from the discharge volume (82). The passive pressure system is located within the compression device and has a first end located adjacent the intake volume (74) and a second end located adjacent the discharge volume (82). The passive pressure system is configured to automatically open a passage between the discharge volume (82) and the intake volume (74) allowing compressed refrigerant to be recycled into the intake volume.