Scroll Compressor Flow Path Guide for Enhanced Oil Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scroll compressors face challenges in effectively separating oil from liquid refrigerant or gas refrigerant, leading to increased friction loss, abrasion, and delayed start-up, particularly in low-temperature environments, due to low oil concentration and inefficient oil separation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A scroll compressor design incorporating a flow path guide with a guide outlet positioned closer to the rotation shaft and a balance weight, enhancing oil separation by stirring refrigerant and applying centrifugal force, which increases oil concentration and reduces the discharge space height, allowing for improved oil separation and quicker start-up.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a flow path guide with outlet opened toward inner passage and air gap passage is used, then refrigerant moves quickly to upper space, but oil separation effect is not effective
Solution Approach 1:
The guide outlet is repositioned from the axial direction (toward inner passage) to the radial direction (toward air gap), changing the dimension of refrigerant flow. This radial orientation allows refrigerant to pass through the air gap where centrifugal force acts more effectively, improving oil separation while maintaining quick refrigerant movement to upper space.
2Length of stationary object
If discharge space height is reduced, then compressor size is minimized, but oil separation effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide outlet position is changed from axial orientation to radial orientation, and positioned closer to the rotation shaft. This parameter change directs refrigerant flow through the air gap region where centrifugal force is strongest, enabling effective oil separation in a reduced discharge space height.
Solution Approach 2:
The air gap between stator and rotor serves as an intermediary region where centrifugal force acts on the refrigerant-oil mixture. By orienting the guide outlet radially toward the air gap, the system utilizes this intermediary zone to enhance oil separation effectiveness without requiring increased discharge space height.
3Device complexity
If guide outlet is positioned away from rotation shaft, then refrigerant flow path is simplified, but oil concentration increases insufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The guide outlet is positioned at a specific location closer to the rotation shaft in the radial direction, creating a localized high-velocity flow region near the air gap. This local quality change ensures that refrigerant passes through the zone of maximum centrifugal force, significantly increasing oil concentration without complicating the overall flow path.
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 enhanced oil separation effect increases oil concentration within the compressor, reduces friction loss and abrasion, and enables quicker start-up of cooling or heating operations, improving the reliability and efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Implementation Method 1
A scroll compressor design incorporating a flow path guide with a guide outlet positioned closer to the rotation shaft and a balance weight, enhancing oil separation by stirring refrigerant and applying centrifugal force
Data Source
AI summary
A scroll compressor includes a motor portion fixed in an inner space of a casing, a compression portion fixed to the inner space of the casing at one side of the motor portion in an axial direction, a rotation shaft to transmit a driving force from the motor portion to the compression portion, and a flow path guide provided in a discharge space between the motor portion and the compression portion and provided with a guide outlet communicating with the discharge space and opened in a direction toward the rotation shaft. Therefore, most of refrigerant discharged to the discharge space through the flow path guide is moved toward an air gap to enhance an oil separation effect, and thus a normal operation point of the air conditioner can be accelerated.