Scroll compressor with economizer injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scroll compressors face challenges in efficiently integrating economizer flow due to complex connections, which result in pressure drops and reduced effectiveness, making it difficult to increase system efficiency and capacity, especially when using new-age refrigerants.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an intermediate pressure chamber between the non-orbiting scroll member and the compressor housing, allowing for simpler and more efficient delivery of working fluid from the economizer to the compression chamber, thereby reducing pressure drops and enhancing system performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex connections are used to integrate economizer flow into scroll compressor, then economizer flow can be integrated, but pressure drops increase and effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeconomizer flow integrationVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate pressure chamber as a mediator between the economizer inlet and the compression chamber. This intermediate chamber receives economizer flow at an intermediate pressure level and facilitates its introduction into the compression chamber, thereby reducing the pressure drop that would occur with direct complex connections while maintaining economizer flow integration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex connections are used to integrate economizer flow into scroll compressor, then economizer flow can be integrated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeconomizer flow integrationVSAvoidconnection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate pressure chamber serves as a simplifying intermediary structure. Instead of requiring complex direct connections between the economizer and compression chamber, the patent uses this intermediate chamber with multiple ports to manage fluid flow paths, thereby reducing connection complexity while maintaining economizer integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate pressure chamber performs multiple functions: it receives economizer flow, maintains intermediate pressure, provides multiple compression inlet ports for different compression stages, and facilitates fluid communication with both the economizer and compression chamber. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components and connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If economizer flow is integrated with simpler connections, then device complexity decreases, but delivering working fluid efficiently becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidworking fluid delivery efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate pressure chamber acts as an efficient intermediary that receives working fluid from the economizer and distributes it to multiple compression inlet ports. This structure maintains simple connections while ensuring efficient working fluid delivery to the appropriate compression chambers at the correct pressure levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the compression inlet ports into multiple openings distributed across different locations and pressure levels within the compression chamber. The intermediate pressure chamber provides access to these segmented ports, allowing efficient working fluid delivery to various compression stages simultaneously while maintaining connection simplicity.

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

This design increases the effectiveness of the economizer, leading to increased subcooling in the condenser and larger evaporator capacity, while simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing the impact of using new-age refrigerants.

Implementation Method 1

The orbiting scroll member and the non-orbiting scroll member are intermeshed thereby forming a compression chamber within the compressor housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

An economizer injection inlet is formed through the compressor housing and in fluid communication with the compression chamber via the compression inlet ports

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11371505B2Scroll compressor with economizer injection

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A scroll compressor includes a compressor housing, an orbiting scroll member, a non-orbiting scroll member, an economizer injection inlet, and a discharge outlet. The orbiting scroll member and the non-orbiting scroll member are disposed within the compressor housing. The orbiting scroll member and the non-orbiting scroll member are intermeshed thereby forming a compression chamber within the compressor housing. The non-orbiting scroll includes a plurality of compression inlet ports. An economizer injection inlet is formed through the compressor housing and in fluid communication with the compression chamber via the compression inlet ports. The economizer injection inlet is disposed between the non-orbiting scroll member and the compressor housing. The discharge outlet is in fluid communication with the compression chamber.