Compression device and control mass flow separation method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerant compressors face issues with internal contamination, volumetric loss, and increased temperature due to the return of control mass flow containing gaseous refrigerant, liquid refrigerant, and particles, which affects compressor efficiency and component longevity.
Innovation Solution
A device with a configuration for separating a control mass flow from a fluid-lubricant mixture using distinct flow ducts, where the control mass flow is diverted through a calm-flow region and expanded to minimize particle loading and heat input, ensuring minimal return of liquid refrigerant and maximizing compressor efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control mass flow is returned to the suction side, then compression mechanism control is enabled, but volumetric loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes gaseous refrigerant from the control mass flow through a dedicated gas outlet duct before the flow returns to the suction side. This prevents the gaseous refrigerant from occupying compression chamber volume, thereby eliminating volumetric loss while maintaining the necessary control mass flow for mechanism operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mass flow is segmented into different components: gaseous refrigerant (removed via gas outlet duct), liquid refrigerant (returned to suction side), and lubricant (returned to suction side). This segmentation allows selective handling of each component to optimize system performance.
2Ease of operation
If control mass flow is returned to the suction side, then compression mechanism control is enabled, but temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts gaseous refrigerant from the control mass flow through a gas outlet duct positioned in the high-pressure chamber. By removing the gaseous phase before return, the heat content associated with compressed gas is eliminated from the return flow, preventing temperature increase on the suction side.
3Ease of operation
If control mass flow contains particles, then flow path is maintained, but particle-induced blocking and component damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes particles from the control mass flow by extracting gaseous refrigerant that carries particles through the gas outlet duct. The separated liquid-lubricant mixture returned to the suction side has reduced particle content, preventing blocking and component damage while maintaining flow path integrity.
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 minimizes volumetric loss, reduces heat input, and extends the operating limits of the compressor by isolating and managing the control mass flow effectively, preventing particle-induced blocking and lubricant leaching, thus enhancing compressor efficiency and component durability.
Implementation Method 1
Conventional oil separators of compressors, in particular of refrigerant compressors, are developed as impact separators or centrifugal separators in order to incur only low expenditures in a compact structural form with an adequate degree of separation
Implementation Method 2
a configuration (10) for separating a control mass flow from a fluid-lubricant mixture
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1, 1', 1") for the compression of a gaseous fluid, in particular of a refrigerant. The device (1, 1', 1") comprises a housing (2) with a suction pressure chamber (8) and a high pressure chamber (9), a compression mechanism as well as a configuration (10, 10', 10") developed in the proximity of the high pressure chamber (9), for the separation of a control mass flow from a fluid-lubricant mixture for the control of the compression mechanism. The configuration (10, 10', 10") is developed and disposed with a first flow duct (11, 11', 11") for diverting a main mass flow of the compressed fluid-lubricant mixture from the device (1, 1', 1") and a second flow duct (12, 12', 12") for conducting the control mass flow within the device (1, 1', 1") to the suction pressure chamber (8) in such manner as to separate a mass flow of the gaseous fluid as a control mass flow. The invention relates further to a method for the separation of a control mass flow in a device (1, 1', 1") for compressing a gaseous fluid with a configuration (10, 10', 10") for separating the control mass flow.