Scroll Compressor Motor Cooling with an Independent Coolant Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positive displacement machines, such as scroll compressors, suffer from reduced cooling capacity and increased drive power due to the working medium absorbing heat from the electric motor and inverter, leading to decreased density and pressure losses, which affect the compressor section's efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device independent of the working medium circuit is used to cool the electric motor and inverter, utilizing a separate cooling medium circuit to maintain the working medium's temperature and density, thereby enhancing the cooling capacity of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the working medium is guided through the motor section to cool the electric motor and inverter, then the cooling of the motor and inverter is achieved, but the working medium temperature increases and density decreases, reducing the cooling capacity of the compressor section
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling function into two independent parts: a first cooling circuit using the working medium for the compressor section, and a second cooling circuit using a separate cooling medium for the motor section. This segmentation allows each circuit to operate independently without interfering with the other, maintaining working medium density while providing motor cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a separate cooling medium as an intermediary substance to cool the motor section, instead of using the working medium directly. This intermediary cooling medium absorbs heat from the motor section without affecting the working medium's temperature and density, thus preserving the compressor section's cooling capacity.
2Loss of energy
If the working medium absorbs heat from the motor section, then the motor cooling is achieved, but the working medium enters the compressor section at reduced density, reducing overall system cooling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat dissipation function by creating separate cooling circuits: the working medium circuit handles compressor section cooling, while a separate cooling medium circuit handles motor section heat dissipation. This ensures that motor heat removal does not compromise the working medium's cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the motor cooling function from the working medium circuit and places it in a separate cooling medium circuit. This extraction allows the working medium to maintain its original temperature and density characteristics, preserving the system's overall cooling capacity while still achieving motor heat dissipation.
3Quantity of substance
If a separate cooling device independent of the working medium circuit is used, then the working medium density is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the separate cooling medium circuit to serve multiple functions: cooling the motor section and potentially the inverter section. This multi-functionality justifies the additional system complexity by providing comprehensive cooling without compromising working medium performance.
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 independent cooling system maintains the working medium's density and temperature, improving the overall cooling capacity and reducing the need for increased drive power, thus enhancing the thermal efficiency of the positive displacement machine.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device (18) is provided for cooling the electric motor (11), wherein the cooling device (18) is independent of the working medium circuit (40)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a positive displacement machine working according to the spiral principle, in particular a scroll compressor, comprising a compressor section and a motor section, wherein an orbiting displacement spiral and a counter spiral are arranged in the compressor section, which engage into one another in such a way that variable compression chambers are formed between the displacement spiral and the counter spiral in order to receive and compress a working medium flowing through a working medium circuit, wherein an electric motor is arranged in the motor section, which is drive-connected to the displacement spiral, and wherein a cooling device is provided for cooling the electric motor. The invention is characterized in that the cooling device is independent of the working medium circuit.