Polymeric Composite Insert for Scroll Compressor Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scroll compressors face challenges in maintaining a fluid seal between the floating seal assembly and the partition plate due to excessive wear and deformation under varying operating conditions, leading to reduced compressor efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A polymeric composite insert component is introduced, comprising a polymer and reinforcing or lubricating particles, designed with an annular body and axial projection to engage both the partition plate and the floating seal assembly, providing enhanced sealing capabilities through conformability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal-to-metal floating seal assembly is used to seal the interface between the partition plate and the scroll compressor, then the sealing capability is initially adequate, but excessive wear occurs under varying operating conditions leading to loss of sealing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by replacing the conventional metal-to-metal floating seal assembly with a polymeric composite seal component. This composite material combines the benefits of polymer flexibility and wear resistance with reinforcement from particulate additives, creating a seal that maintains sealing capability throughout its service life without the excessive wear problems of metal seals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the seal from metal to polymeric composite, fundamentally altering the friction and wear characteristics. The polymeric composite material provides lower friction coefficients and better adaptability to operating condition variations, maintaining sealing effectiveness over extended periods.
2Reliability
If a rigid metal seal is used to maintain sealing under high pressure, then the sealing capability is improved, but the seal cannot conform to deformation of the partition leading to sealing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible polymeric composite seal component that can deform and conform to the partition plate surface even when the partition deforms under operating conditions. This flexibility allows the seal to maintain continuous contact and sealing capability, unlike rigid metal seals that would fail to adapt.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical properties of the seal from rigid metal to flexible polymeric composite, enabling the seal to adapt to partition deformation while maintaining sealing effectiveness. The polymeric material's elastic properties allow it to deform with the partition and return to its original shape, ensuring continuous sealing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a polymeric composite insert component is used to provide conformability and flexibility for sealing, then adaptability to partition deformation is improved, but the structural strength may be reduced compared to metal seals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials to overcome the strength limitation of pure polymers. The polymeric composite seal incorporates reinforcing particulate materials that significantly enhance the structural strength and load-bearing capacity of the seal component, allowing it to withstand high pressure and mechanical stresses while maintaining the flexibility and conformability of the polymeric matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating reinforcing particles specifically in regions requiring higher strength and wear resistance, while maintaining the flexible polymeric structure in areas requiring conformability. This creates a heterogeneous composite structure with optimized properties in different locations of the seal component.
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 polymeric composite insert component improves sealing performance by conforming to the partition and floating seal assembly, even under deformation, thereby maintaining a fluid seal and enhancing overall compressor efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The polymeric composite insert component is configured to fluidly seal both a first interface and a second interface during operation of the scroll compressor. The first interface is defined between the first contact surface and the partition plate. The second interface is defined between the second contact surface and the floating seal assembly.
Implementation Method 2
The polymeric composite insert component comprises a polymer and at least one reinforcing or lubricating particle
Data Source
AI summary
An insert component for a scroll compressor comprises a polymer and at least one reinforcing or lubricating particle. The insert component comprises an annular body and an axial projection. The annular body defines a first centrally-disposed opening having has a central axis extending therethrough. The annular body has a first side comprising a first contact surface configured to engage a partition plate and a second side a second contact surface configured to engage a floating seal assembly. The first contact surface defines a slope between first and second radial locations. The axial projection extends from the annular body and can be received in a second centrally-disposed opening of the partition plate. The insert component can fluidly seal both a first interface between the first contact surface and the partition plate and a second interface between the second contact surface and a floating seal assembly during operation of the scroll compressor.