Rotational Oil Separation Structure for Screw Compressors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional screw compressors have low oil separation efficiency due to limited internal structural space and the need for a universal oil separation structure that can be applied to various types of compressors, particularly in one-unit double-stage screw compressors where the first-stage gas discharge is in communication with the second-stage gas suction.

Innovation Solution

An oil separation structure featuring a housing with a core and guiding members that direct gas flow rotationally around the core, enhancing multiple impacts and filtration by a filtering screen, allowing for improved oil-gas separation efficiency, and adaptable for different compressor configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional filtering device with perforated plate and oil separation filtering screen is used, then oil separation can be achieved, but more space is needed in the oil separation barrel and the oil separation efficiency is not high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil separation efficiencyVSAvoidspace in oil separation barrel
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding members are nested within the oil separation barrel, with multiple guiding members arranged in a circular pattern around the central axis. This nested arrangement allows the gas flow to rotate multiple times within a compact space, achieving multiple separation actions without requiring excessive barrel volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transforms the conventional linear flow path into a rotational multi-dimensional flow pattern by introducing guiding members with curved surfaces. The gas flow rotates around the central axis multiple times, utilizing the circumferential dimension to achieve repeated separation actions within the same axial space

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

2Reliability

If the gas flow impacts only once in the conventional structure, then the structure is simple, but the oil separation efficiency is not high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil separation efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding members are pre-configured with specific curved surfaces and angular arrangements to automatically guide the gas flow into rotational motion as it enters the oil separation barrel. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures multiple separation actions occur automatically without requiring complex control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The oil separation process is segmented into multiple sequential stages by dividing the barrel into zones created by different guiding members. Each guiding member creates a separate rotational zone where oil separation occurs, transforming a single separation action into multiple staged separations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 described oil separation structure significantly enhances oil separation efficiency by enabling multiple directional gas flow impacts and effective filtration, reducing oil content in the gas flow and being applicable to various compressor types and configurations.

Implementation Method 1

the guiding members are configured to guide the gas flow in the cavity to rotationally flow around the core

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

the filtering screen is provided on an outer periphery of the housing, and a cavity is formed between the filtering screen and the core

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3633200B1Oil separation structure and compressor
Publication Date: 2022.02.02 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES WUHAN
  • EP3633200B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3633200B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3633200B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Disclosed are an oil separation structure (10) and a compressor. The oil separation structure (10) includes a housing (1) and a filtering screen (2). A core (3) is disposed at a center of the housing (1), and a plurality of guiding members (4) for guiding gas flow are provided along circumferential directions of the core (3). The filtering screen (2) is disposed on a periphery of the housing (1), and a cavity (5) is formed between the filtering screen (2) and the core (3). The housing (1) is provided with a gas inlet (6) and a gas outlet (7) which are in communication with the cavity (5), and the gas inlet (6) is configured to introduce the gas flow into the cavity (5); the guiding members (4) are configured to guide the gas flow to rotationally flow around the core (3), and the gas outlet (7) is configured to discharge the gas flow from the cavity (5). With the oil separation structure (10), the gas flow in the cavity (5) can rotationally flow around the core (3) in multiple directions under guidance of the guiding members (4), and multiple impacts occur during rotational flow of the gas flow, so that oil-gas separation effect and separation efficiency are improved; moreover, the gas flow in the cavity (5) is filtered by the filtering screen (2), thereby oil and gas are further separated, and oil separation efficiency and oil separation effect are further improved.