Oil-gas balancing apparatus and compressor system with the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oil level control systems in refrigeration systems with multiple compressors connected in parallel are costly and unreliable, often leading to inadequate lubrication of compressors due to imbalanced oil levels and pressure differences.
Innovation Solution
An oil-gas balancing apparatus that includes a cylindrical body with a gas balancing opening and oil balancing holes, allowing for communication between compressor chambers and oil sumps to balance gas pressure and oil levels, preventing excessively low oil levels in compressors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an active oil-return apparatus is used for oil level control, then oil levels can be controlled, but the system structure becomes complicated and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gas balancing function and oil balancing function into a single integrated apparatus. The balancing apparatus includes both a gas balancing passage and an oil balancing passage, allowing simultaneous control of gas pressure and oil level distribution across parallel compressors through one unified component rather than separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancing apparatus serves multiple functions: it balances gas pressure between compressors, balances oil levels between compressors, and prevents oil starvation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate oil-return apparatus and gas balancing systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If pipe designs are adjusted to implement oil level control, then oil levels can be controlled, but the control reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing apparatus acts as an intermediary device between the compressors, providing controlled passages for both gas and oil flow. The apparatus includes specific structures like balancing passages, communication holes, and balancing chambers that mediate the pressure and flow distribution, ensuring reliable control that simple pipe design adjustments cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic and hydraulic principles through the gas balancing passage and oil balancing passage to control pressure and flow distribution. The balancing chamber and communication holes create pressure equilibrium between parallel compressors, ensuring reliable oil level control through fluid dynamics rather than simple mechanical pipe adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If compressors with different capacities are connected in parallel, then energy adjustment convenience is improved, but oil level imbalance occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing apparatus creates equipotential conditions between parallel compressors by establishing pressure equilibrium through the gas balancing passage and oil balancing passage. The balancing chamber equalizes pressure potentials, ensuring that compressors of different capacities operate under balanced oil levels and gas pressures, preventing oil starvation in lower-capacity compressors.
4Productivity
If a scroll compressor with low-pressure chamber is used, then compression efficiency is improved, but the compressor may be damaged due to lack of lubricating oil
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing apparatus performs preliminary action by pre-balancing oil levels and gas pressures before the compressors operate. The communication holes and balancing passages ensure that adequate lubricating oil is present in the low-pressure chamber of scroll compressors before compression begins, preventing oil starvation damage while maintaining compression efficiency.
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
Effectively balances gas pressure and oil levels between compressors, ensuring reliable lubrication and reducing the risk of oil starvation, while minimizing design and assembly complexities and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a gas balancing opening, wherein the gas balancing opening is disposed on a first portion of an end surface of the second end
Implementation Method 2
at least one oil balancing hole, wherein the at least one oil balancing hole is disposed on a second portion of the end surface of the second end
Data Source
AI summary
An oil-gas balancing apparatus includes: a body, a gas balancing opening and at least one oil balancing hole. The body has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and the first end can be fixedly connected to a shell of a compressor and in communication with an oil sump of the compressor and a chamber of the oil sump. The gas balancing opening is disposed on a first portion of an end surface of the second end. The at least one oil balancing hole is disposed on a second portion of the end surface of the second end. The second portion and the first portion are oppositely disposed. A compressor system can include the oil-gas balancing apparatus.