Scroll Compressor Fixed Scroll Axial Pillar Flow Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerant scroll compressors face flow restrictions and pressure drops due to sharp direction changes and small flow cross-sections in radial bores, which negatively affect their performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an internal fixed scroll with axially extending pillar portions and an annular array of spaced flow openings between these pillars, allowing for smoother refrigerant flow and reducing pressure drops by eliminating sharp turns and enlarging the flow area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radial bores are used to introduce refrigerant into the compression chamber, then the fixed scroll structure can be positioned and sealed, but the refrigerant experiences sharp direction changes and flow restrictions causing pressure drops
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from radial bore openings to axial flow openings in the circumferential wall. This dimensional change allows refrigerant to flow axially through the wall rather than radially inward, eliminating sharp 90-degree direction changes and reducing flow restrictions while maintaining the structural integrity and sealing of the fixed scroll.
2Device complexity
If radial bores with small flow cross-section are used, then the fixed scroll structure is compact, but the refrigerant flow is restricted and pressure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention opens flow passages axially through the circumferential wall rather than creating radial bores. This creates larger flow cross-sectional areas in the axial direction, allowing significantly more refrigerant to enter the compression chamber while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferential wall is segmented with multiple axial flow openings distributed around the perimeter, allowing refrigerant to enter the compression chamber through multiple paths simultaneously, thereby increasing total flow rate without increasing the size of individual openings.
3Ease of operation
If radial bores are formed in the circumferential wall, then refrigerant can enter the compression chamber, but sharp edges and small flow cross-section negatively affect flow performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the orientation of flow openings from radial to axial, allowing refrigerant to flow parallel to the axis of the compressor rather than perpendicular to it. This eliminates sharp 90-degree turns and associated flow separation, reducing pressure drops and improving flow performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixed scroll for a scroll compressor includes a plurality of pillar portions extending axially from a first face of the fixed scroll to an opposing second face thereof. Each of the plurality of the pillar portions is spaced radially outwardly of a spiral structure at least partially defining a compression chamber of the scroll compressor. The fixed scroll further includes an annular array of spaced flow openings into the compression chamber of the scroll compressor with each of the flow openings formed between adjacent ones of the pillar portions.