Radial-Axial Coolant Jacket for Compact Compressor Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compressors face challenges in efficiently cooling bearings and motors, leading to inefficient operation and premature wear, with bulky and expensive cooling systems that are difficult to manufacture effectively.
Innovation Solution
A compressor design featuring a motor cooling system with a coolant jacket having radial and axial portions, integrated with a bearing cooling system using air from the volute passage, both configured in a heat exchanger arrangement to enhance thermal performance and manufacturability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cooling systems are used for motor and bearing, then cooling function is provided, but the system becomes bulky and expensive with difficult manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor cooling system and bearing cooling system into a single integrated cooling arrangement. The coolant jacket for the motor and the bearing cooling passages share a common coolant source and are positioned adjacent to each other, allowing simultaneous cooling of both components without requiring separate bulky cooling systems. This integration reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective cooling function.
2Reliability
If separate cooling systems are provided for motor and bearing, then cooling function is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor cooling jacket and bearing cooling passages are designed as an integrated assembly that can be manufactured as a single unit or pre-assembled module. The coolant distribution manifold connects both cooling circuits, reducing the number of separate components and assembly steps required. This integrated design simplifies manufacturing processes while ensuring both motor and bearing receive adequate cooling.
3Reliability
If cooling system components are added, then cooling performance improves, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated cooling system combines motor and bearing cooling functions into a single compact arrangement, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing overall system weight. The shared coolant circuit and integrated manifold design minimize the volume and mass of cooling system components while maintaining effective thermal management for both the motor and bearing.
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 design provides improved cooling efficiency, reduces wear, and results in a compact, lightweight, and cost-effective compressor with enhanced manufacturability and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The first flow section and the second flow section are disposed in a heat exchanger arrangement configured to transfer heat between the second fluid and the first fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor device includes a coolant jacket cooperatively defined by a motor case and an outer motor housing. The coolant jacket includes a radial portion that spans about the motor case in a circumferential direction and an axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the motor. The coolant jacket includes an axial portion that spans in a radial direction across an axial end of the motor case. At least one of the plurality of flow passages fluidly connects the radial portion and the axial portion.