Multi-Compressor Climate System Without Oil Equalization Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional climate systems with multiple compressors face challenges in efficiently managing compressor oil entrainment, leading to uneven lubrication distribution and reduced efficiency, especially in parallel configurations, requiring complex and costly oil equalization systems.
Innovation Solution
A climate system with parallel compressors that lacks an oil equalization system, utilizing a controller to independently manage compressor oil by operating compressors at low speed ranges to draw back oil to their respective sumps, allowing for flexible compressor sizing and installation, and improving efficiency through thermal load-based control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an oil equalization line system is used to connect compressor crankcases, then lubrication distribution is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the oil equalization line system entirely from the multi-compressor configuration. Each compressor operates with its own independent oil sump and oil management system, extracting the oil equalization function from the overall system. This eliminates the complexity of connecting compressors via oil lines while maintaining proper lubrication through individual compressor oil draw-back mechanisms controlled by the controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the oil management system into independent units for each compressor. Instead of a centralized oil equalization system, each compressor has its own oil sump and oil draw-back control, allowing independent oil management. This segmentation simplifies the overall system architecture while ensuring reliable lubrication distribution to each compressor individually.
2Productivity
If compressors are arranged in parallel, then cooling capacity is improved, but oil management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each compressor in the parallel configuration serves itself regarding oil management. The controller independently controls each compressor to draw back oil to its respective sump without requiring external oil equalization infrastructure. This self-service approach maintains high cooling capacity from parallel operation while eliminating the oil management complexity that would otherwise be required.
3Reliability
If oil separators are used to separate oil from refrigerant, then lubrication is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes oil separators from the system architecture. Instead of using separate oil separation devices, the system relies on the compressors' inherent oil draw-back capability, where the controller controls each compressor to actively draw oil back to its sump. This extraction of the oil separation function simplifies the system while maintaining effective lubrication.
4Reliability
If compressors are mounted at the same level, then oil equalization is improved, but installation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the oil management into independent compressor units with separate oil sumps. This segmentation eliminates the need for oil equalization between compressors at different levels, as each compressor manages its own oil independently. Consequently, compressors can be installed at different locations and orientations without compromising oil management, greatly enhancing installation flexibility.
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 simplifies system design, reduces costs, and enhances efficiency by allowing compressors of different sizes and capacities to be used without the need for precise mounting, while maintaining effective lubrication and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
The controller is electrically coupled to the first and second compressors and configured to automatically and independently control operation of the first and second compressors to draw back compressor oil to the first and second compressors
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors, a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of the compressors and a second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger. The compressors and heat exchangers are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system.