Scroll Compressor Back-Pressure Chamber Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scroll-type fluid machines face challenges with gas leakage and reduced design freedom due to the need for a back-pressure chamber in a compact space, especially when using high-pressure, high-density refrigerants, as conventional sealing members require significant installation space and suffer from uneven pre-load forces and increased sliding loss.
Innovation Solution
The use of an annular U sealing member oriented orthogonally to the revolving scroll member, combined with an annular plate member having an L-shaped cross-section, reduces the installation space and sliding surface area, allowing for a more efficient and compact back-pressure chamber configuration, eliminating the need for internal pre-load springs and enhancing sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional sealing member with internal pre-load spring is used in the back-pressure chamber, then sealing function is provided, but installation space in radial direction increases and design freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is reoriented from horizontal installation (parallel to sliding direction) to vertical installation (orthogonal to back side of revolving scroll member). This dimensional change allows the sealing function to be achieved without requiring significant radial space, as the sealing action now occurs in the axial direction where space is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal pre-load spring is removed from the sealing member structure. The pre-load function is replaced by the elastic deformation of the sealing member itself when pressed by the high-pressure gas in the back-pressure chamber, simplifying the structure and reducing radial installation space requirements.
2Reliability
If annular U sealing member is installed horizontally with internal pre-load spring, then sealing is achieved, but sliding surface area increases causing increased sliding loss
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member orientation is changed from horizontal to vertical, so that the sealing surface is perpendicular to the sliding direction. This reduces the sliding surface area to only the narrow edge of the sealing member that contacts the revolving scroll member, minimizing sliding loss while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
3Reliability
If sealing member is pressed by internal pre-load spring, then sealing force is provided, but pre-load force becomes uneven causing increased sliding loss
Solution Approach 1:
The internal pre-load spring is removed from the sealing member. Instead, the sealing force is generated by the high-pressure gas in the back-pressure chamber pressing the sealing member against the revolving scroll member. This external pressure source provides uniform sealing force across the sealing surface, eliminating uneven pre-load forces and reducing sliding loss.
4Reliability
If back-pressure chamber is formed with conventional sealing member, then high-pressure gas containment is achieved, but radial space consumption increases reducing design freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is installed vertically (orthogonally to the back side of the revolving scroll member) rather than horizontally. This allows the back-pressure chamber to be formed with minimal radial space consumption, as the sealing action occurs in the axial direction. The high-pressure gas containment is maintained while freeing up radial space for other components, significantly improving design freedom and allowing for more compact compressor designs.
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 configuration minimizes gas leakage, maintains constant gas pressure, reduces the radial installation space, and enhances the design freedom of the scroll compressor, enabling size reduction and performance improvement by reducing sliding loss and improving durability.
Implementation Method 1
a side surface contacts a sealed surface of the fixed support member
Implementation Method 2
a back-pressure chamber to which high-pressure gas is introduced is partitioned between the revolving scroll member and the fixed support member
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is scroll-type fluid machine that facilitates the formation of a back-pressure chamber so as to increase the design freedom in the space on the back side of the revolving scroll member, where it is difficult to ensure sufficient space, by decreasing, as much as possible, the installation space of the sealing member partitioning the back-pressure chamber. In the scroll-type fluid machine, a back-pressure chamber to which high-pressure gas is introduced is partitioned between the revolving scroll member and a fixed support member, a sealing member is constructed of an annular U sealing member, the annular U sealing member is oriented in a direction orthogonal to the back side of the revolving scroll member, and one side contacts a side surface (sealed surface) of a fixed support member.