Scroll Compressor with 3.5 Rotation Wraps for Low Ambient Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pumps are inefficient in providing heating in low ambient outdoor temperatures, often requiring an additional heat source like a furnace, which increases reliance on non-renewable fuel sources.
Innovation Solution
A unique scroll compressor design with a characteristic volume ratio approximately matching the highest anticipated compression ratio, featuring a fixed and orbiting scroll member with spiral shapes and bypass ports to prevent over-compression, enhancing efficiency across various operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional heat pumps are used in low ambient temperatures, then heating efficiency deteriorates, but adding additional heat sources increases system complexity and fuel reliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the scroll wraps, specifically increasing the number of rotations from conventional values to at least 3.5 rotations. This parameter modification optimizes the compression ratio characteristics to maintain efficiency across a broader ambient temperature range, eliminating the need for supplemental heating systems
2Productivity
If scroll wraps with at least 3.5 rotations are used, then compression ratio efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved scroll wrap geometries with at least 3.5 rotations, utilizing spiral curvature to achieve optimized compression ratios. While the curvature increases design complexity, the continuous spiral form follows established manufacturing methods for scroll compressors, making the complex geometry producible with standard techniques
3Reliability
If bypass ports are added to prevent over-compression, then operational reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass ports are integrated directly into the scroll assembly structure, allowing the compressor to self-regulate compression pressure without external control systems. The ports automatically activate when over-compression conditions occur, providing reliability enhancement through passive, self-actuating design that minimizes additional complexity
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 enables efficient heating in low ambient temperatures without additional heat sources, maintaining high efficiency in moderate conditions, thus reducing reliance on non-renewable fuels and improving overall HVAC system performance.
Implementation Method 1
fluid entering the inlet port of the compressor is compressed from a first volume to a second volume via movement of the orbiting scroll member
Implementation Method 2
In the cooling mode, air is cooled via heat transfer with refrigerant flowing through the HVAC system and returned to the space to provide cooling. In the heating mode, air is heated via heat transfer with the refrigerant flowing through the HVAC system and returned to the space to provide heating.
Data Source
AI summary
An HVAC system includes a compressor with an inlet port, an outlet port, and a scroll set. The scroll set includes a fixed scroll member and an orbiting scroll member. The fixed scroll member includes a first scroll wrap extending vertically from a base of the fixed scroll wrap. The first scroll wrap has an approximately spiral shape with at least 3.5 rotations from the center to the end of the spiral. The orbiting scroll member includes a second scroll wrap extending vertically from a base of the orbiting scroll wrap. The second scroll wrap has an approximately spiral shape with at least 3.5 rotations from the center to the end of the spiral. The orbiting scroll moves in an elliptical pattern such that fluid entering the inlet port of the compressor is compressed from a first volume to a second volume via movement of the orbiting scroll member.