Multi-Walled Oil Separation Barrel for Uniform Compressor Gas Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing semi-hermetic screw compressors with single-wall oil separation barrels face inefficiencies in gas flow uniformity and oil separation, and cyclone structures that improve efficiency increase machine size and cost.

Innovation Solution

An oil separation barrel with multiple circumferential walls that change the gas flow direction multiple times, enhancing flow field uniformity and separation efficiency through centrifugal and impact separation, while also reducing noise and vibration with a double-walled structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single-wall oil separation barrel is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing cost is low, but the gas flow uniformity is poor and oil separation efficiency is not high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidoil separation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The oil separation barrel is divided into multiple circumferential walls (first circumferential wall and second circumferential wall) that segment the oil separation cavity into multiple regions. This segmentation creates multiple flow paths for the gas, improving flow uniformity and oil separation efficiency without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-wall structure to a multi-wall structure by adding circumferential walls in the radial dimension. This dimensional change creates multiple oil separation cavities and improves gas flow distribution while maintaining a compact overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If a cyclone separation structure is added to improve oil separation efficiency, then the oil separation efficiency improves, but the machine body becomes excessively long and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil separation efficiencyVSAvoidmachine body length
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single long cyclone structure, the invention segments the oil separation function into multiple circumferential walls that create several shorter oil separation cavities. This achieves comparable or superior separation efficiency while keeping the axial length compact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than extending the machine length axially to achieve better separation, the invention inverts the approach by using radial segmentation with multiple circumferential walls. This creates multiple separation zones within a compact axial footprint, effectively reducing the machine body length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If a cyclone separation structure is added to improve oil separation efficiency, then the separation performance improves, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil separation efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The oil separation barrel is segmented into multiple circumferential walls forming multiple oil separation cavities. This segmentation approach distributes the separation function across multiple simpler components rather than requiring a single complex cyclone structure, potentially reducing manufacturing cost while improving efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple circumferential walls serve dual functions: they create multiple oil separation cavities for improved separation efficiency and also act as structural support elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby controlling manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 multi-walled oil separation barrel significantly improves gas flow uniformity and oil separation efficiency, reduces noise and vibration, and maintains a compact compressor design without increased manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The output gas flow flows in the oil separation cavity of the barrel body having two or more circumferential walls in such a manner that it changes the advance direction multiple times, which can make the flow field uniform, improve oil separation efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 2

the output gas flow impacts the circumferential wall surfaces in the oil separation barrel multiple times, which can further improve the efficiency of oil separation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact separation: Impact Force

Implementation Method 3

The output gas flow flows in the oil separation cavity of the barrel body having two or more circumferential walls in such a manner that it changes the advance direction multiple times, which can make the flow field uniform, improve oil separation efficiency and reduces noise and vibration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3330543B1Oil separation barrel, screw compressor and air conditioning unit
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE INC OF ZHUHAI
  • EP3330543B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3330543B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3330543B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed is an oil separation barrel, which comprises an oil separation and filtration structure (3) provided in the oil separation barrel, an oil separation cavity and an output port (4). An output gas flow is filtered by the oil separation and filtration structure (3), then enters the oil separation cavity, and finally is output from the output port (4). At least part of the oil separation cavity is provided with two or more layers of circumferential walls. The output gas flow flows in the oil separation cavity in such a manner that it changes the advance direction multiple times, which can make the flow field uniform and reduce noise and vibration; and the output gas flow impacts the circumferential wall surfaces in the oil separation barrel multiple times, which can further improve the efficiency of oil separation. The oil separation barrel is provided in a screw compressor, and the screw compressor is provided in an air conditioning unit.