Screw Compressor Integrated Oil Cooler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Screw compressors for commercial vehicles face challenges with increased thermal inertia and system complexity due to external oil coolers, which require additional space, mounting means, and increased oil volume, leading to higher system inertia and leak risks.
Innovation Solution
A screw compressor design with a heat exchanger mounted directly on the housing, reducing the overall volume and oil volume required, and utilizing a ring attachment and hollow screw for easy positioning and sealing, allowing for efficient oil circulation and reduced thermal inertia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an external oil cooler is used to regulate oil temperature, then the oil temperature can be controlled, but the system complexity increases and the thermal inertia increases due to additional oil volume in external lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the oil cooler directly into the compressor housing, merging two previously separate components (compressor and external cooler) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for external oil lines and separate mounting brackets, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining oil temperature control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the oil cooling function from the external system and incorporates it directly into the compressor housing. By taking out the cooling capability and integrating it internally, the system eliminates external connections and reduces overall system complexity while preserving the temperature regulation function.
2Temperature
If an external oil cooler with long connection lines is used, then oil temperature regulation is achieved, but the oil volume increases leading to higher thermal inertia
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the oil cooler with the compressor housing into a single integrated component, the patent eliminates the need for long external oil lines. This integration dramatically reduces the volume of oil required in the cooling system while maintaining effective heat exchange capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the compressor housing itself as an intermediary structure that serves dual purposes: containing the compressor components and housing the oil cooler. This eliminates the need for separate external cooling lines and reduces the overall oil volume required in the system.
3Temperature
If an external oil cooler is used, then oil temperature control is possible, but the risk of leaks increases due to more connection points and longer oil lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil cooler with the compressor housing, eliminating multiple external connection points where leaks could occur. By integrating the cooling system internally, the number of potential leak points is dramatically reduced, improving system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the oil cooler from the external system and incorporates it into the housing, thereby taking out the vulnerability of external connections. This integration removes the need for external hoses and mounting hardware that would create additional leak risks.
4Temperature
If an external oil cooler is used, then oil temperature regulation is achieved, but additional mounting space and hardware are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil cooler with the compressor housing, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets and additional installation space. The integrated design uses the existing housing structure, thereby reducing the overall space requirements for mounting and installing the system.
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
This design reduces thermal inertia, minimizes the risk of leaks, and enables quicker oil temperature regulation, particularly during startup, by eliminating long oil-filled lines and simplifying the mounting and sealing process.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger is placed and mounted directly on the housing, by means of which heat exchanger the temperature of the oil contained in the housing can be regulated
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a screw compressor (10) for a utility vehicle, comprising a housing (20), the housing (20) being filled with oil (22), and comprising at least one pair of compressor screws (16, 18), which are mounted in the housing (20) and serve to compress air supplied to the screw compressor (10), wherein in the assembled state a heat exchanger (74) is directly placed onto and installed on the housing (20), by means of which heat exchanger the temperature of the oil (22) contained in the housing (20) can be controlled.