Scroll Compressor Shutdown Valve With Angled Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressor systems face challenges in efficiently managing fluid flow during shutdown or low-capacity operations, leading to potential reverse rotation of the orbiting scroll and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
The compressor incorporates a shutdown valve assembly with a valve housing, retainer, and valve member, featuring angled apertures and a gas-return aperture, which allows for precise control of fluid flow by moving the valve member between open and closed positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional shutdown valve is used in the compressor, then the compressor can be shut down, but fluid backflow and reverse rotation of the orbiting scroll occur during shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is segmented into multiple functional zones with different aperture configurations. The first region has apertures angled at a first angle, the second region has apertures angled at a second angle, and the third region has apertures angled at a third angle. This segmentation allows different portions of the valve to handle fluid flow at different angles, preventing backflow and reverse rotation while maintaining shutdown capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the valve member have locally optimized aperture angles tailored to specific functional requirements. The first region's apertures are angled to handle primary fluid flow, the second region's apertures are angled to prevent backflow, and the third region's apertures are angled to control discharge flow. This local quality optimization ensures that each region performs its specific function effectively, eliminating the harmful effects of uniform aperture design.
2Reliability
If the valve member is moved to control fluid flow, then fluid flow can be restricted, but response time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member can be positioned at intermediate locations between the fully open and fully closed positions, allowing partial fluid flow control. The multiple angled aperture regions enable the valve to achieve effective flow restriction even at partial positions, reducing the travel distance required for the valve member to achieve the desired flow control, thereby decreasing response time while maintaining reliable fluid flow restriction.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple valve structure is used, then manufacturing is easier, but sound performance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a simple planar valve design, the invention introduces a three-dimensional aperture configuration with angles in multiple dimensions. The apertures are angled at different angles (first angle, second angle, third angle) relative to the valve member's central axis, creating a multi-dimensional fluid flow path. This dimensional complexity improves sound performance by better controlling fluid flow dynamics while remaining manufacturable using conventional machining techniques.
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 solution enhances the compressor's operational efficiency by reducing backflow and reverse rotation during shutdown, improving sound performance, and achieving faster response times, thereby maintaining system reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The valve housing may include a plurality of angled apertures that are angled relative to a direction in which the valve member moves between the open and closed positions
Implementation Method 2
a radially outer surface of the valve member covers the openings of the angled apertures when the valve member is in the closed position
Implementation Method 3
the gas-return aperture and the angled apertures are in fluid communication with a discharge-pressure region (e.g., a discharge chamber) of the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor may a first scroll, a second scroll, and a valve assembly. The second scroll may include a discharge passage. The valve assembly may include a valve housing fixed relative to the second scroll and a valve member movably received in the valve housing. The valve housing may include a plurality of angled apertures that are angled relative to a direction in which the valve member moves between the open and closed positions. The valve member is movable relative to the valve housing and valve retainer between an open position and a closed position. When the valve member is in the open position, fluid is allowed to flow through the discharge passage and the angled apertures in the valve housing. When the valve member is in the closed position, fluid flow through the discharge passage and the angled apertures is restricted.