Idler Shaft Liquid Cooling for Scroll Compressor Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scroll type devices, such as compressors, expanders, and vacuum pumps, face limitations in cooling efficiency due to the complexity of multiple stages, leading to high temperatures that can damage hardware, and existing liquid cooling methods like bellows are expensive and have limited lifespan.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating liquid cooling through idler shafts with channels and seals to transfer heat away from the scroll device, using idler shafts to channel cooling fluid, and employing dynamic and mechanical shaft seals to prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If air cooling is used to cool the compressor components, then the structure is simple, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient when heat dissipation requirements are high or space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from air cooling to liquid cooling by introducing a cooling liquid circulation system with channels formed in the idler shaft. The cooling liquid flows through these channels to directly cool the bearing and other components, providing superior heat transfer efficiency compared to air cooling while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channels are nested within the idler shaft structure itself, with the channels formed inside the shaft and the bearing positioned within the shaft. This integration allows the cooling system to be compact and space-efficient while maintaining high cooling performance.
2Temperature
If liquid cooling with bellows is used to transfer heat from the compressor, then the cooling efficiency improves, but the cost increases and the lifespan is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bellows component from the cooling system and replaces it with a direct liquid circulation approach through channels formed in the idler shaft. This eliminates the bellows' limited lifespan and high cost while maintaining effective heat transfer from the compressor components to the cooling liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The idler shaft itself serves dual functions: supporting the orbiting scroll through the bearing and conducting cooling liquid through its internal channels. The shaft's own structure is utilized for cooling without requiring separate bellows components, improving reliability and reducing cost.
3Productivity
If multiple stages of compression are implemented, then the compression capability improves, but the complexity and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The idler shaft is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: supporting the orbiting scroll via the bearing, providing structural alignment, and conducting cooling liquid through internal channels. This multi-functionality allows for more compression stages or higher pressure ratios without proportionally increasing system 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
The solution enables lower operating temperatures, extended device lifespan, and reduced heat generation by effectively cooling the bearings and other components within the scroll device.
Implementation Method 1
a channel formed in the idler shaft for receiving the cooling liquid
Implementation Method 2
The channel receives the cooling liquid to flow through the idler shaft
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A scroll device is disclosed having a housing, a motor having a shaft, an orbiting scroll connected to the shaft for moving the orbiting scroll, a fixed scroll mated to the orbiting scroll, an idler shaft for aligning the orbiting scroll and the fixed scroll, an inlet formed in the housing and/or the fixed scroll for receiving a cooling liquid, and a channel formed in the idler shaft for receiving the cooling liquid.