Liquid Injection Ring Layout for Uniform Refrigerant Bearing Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerant lubrication methods for bearings are inefficient due to poor lubrication effects, especially when refrigerants with certain viscosities are used, which can impact heat exchange performance and require additional separation and purification processes.
Innovation Solution
A liquid injection ring with a circular liquid storage chamber and uniformly distributed liquid guide holes is used to uniformly disperse refrigerant onto the bearing, improving lubrication consistency and effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If refrigerant is used for lubrication, then the need for additional separation and purification equipment is eliminated, but the lubrication effect is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The injection ring divides the refrigerant flow into multiple streams through several injection holes distributed around the circumference, creating segmented lubrication zones that collectively provide comprehensive bearing surface coverage. This segmentation transforms a single poor lubrication point into multiple effective lubrication points.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection ring creates locally optimized lubrication conditions at different angular positions around the bearing, with each injection hole providing targeted refrigerant delivery to specific bearing zones. This local quality approach ensures that each region of the bearing receives appropriate lubrication attention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If refrigerant with certain viscosity is used for lubrication, then it can serve both refrigeration and lubrication functions, but the heat exchange performance is impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating bearing continuously brings different zones into contact with the injected refrigerant, creating a periodic lubrication action that maintains both refrigeration and lubrication functions while managing the viscosity-related heat exchange trade-off through continuous motion and fresh refrigerant delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the viscosity parameter of the refrigerant to enable dual functionality, accepting the heat exchange performance impact as a necessary parameter change that allows the refrigerant to serve both refrigeration and lubrication purposes simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If liquid guide holes are uniformly distributed, then lubrication uniformity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining overall uniform distribution, the injection holes can be positioned at asymmetric angular intervals that are easier to manufacture, or the ring itself can be designed with asymmetric features that simplify fabrication while still achieving adequate lubrication uniformity across the bearing surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring perfectly uniform distribution of injection holes, the design accepts partial uniformity with some variation in spacing, or uses slightly excessive number of injection holes to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, thereby achieving sufficient lubrication uniformity without demanding extreme manufacturing precision.
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 ensures uniform refrigerant distribution across the bearing, enhancing lubrication performance and maintaining refrigerant purity, thus improving the overall efficiency of the lubrication process.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant is dispersed into each liquid guide hole through the liquid storage chamber, and the plurality of liquid guide holes are uniformly distributed in a spaced manner along the circumferential direction of the ring body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present application relates to a liquid injection ring and a refrigerant lubricated bearing assembly, the liquid injection ring includes a ring body; the ring body is provided with a liquid storage chamber and a plurality of liquid guide holes; the liquid storage chamber is arranged in a circle around the axis of the ring body; the inlets of the liquid guide holes communicate with the liquid storage chamber; the outlets of the liquid guide holes face the end surface of a to-be-lubricated bearing; and the plurality of liquid guide holes are uniformly distributed in a spaced manner along the circumferential direction of the ring body.