Scroll compressor with intermediate injection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scroll compressors in HVACR systems lack efficient mechanisms for intermediate pressure injection, which can enhance energy efficiency and performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of intermediate injection chambers and bands within the compressor housing, forming compression pockets and connecting to intermediate injection ports, allowing for the injection of intermediate pressure working fluid into the compression mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If intermediate injection is implemented in scroll compressors, then energy efficiency and performance are enhanced, but device complexity increases due to additional chambers and bands
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate injection chamber is nested within the compressor housing, utilizing the annular space between the non-orbiting scroll member and the compressor housing. This nesting approach allows the injection chamber to be integrated into the existing compressor structure without requiring separate external components, thereby enhancing energy efficiency through intermediate injection while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bands serve multiple functions: they structurally support the compressor housing and simultaneously define the boundaries of the intermediate injection chamber. This multi-functionality allows the same components to fulfill both structural and injection chamber containment roles, reducing the need for additional dedicated components and thus limiting the increase in device complexity while enabling energy efficiency improvements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If intermediate injection chamber is defined by bands extending between non-orbiting scroll member and compressor housing, then intermediate pressure injection is enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bands function as flexible sealing elements that define the intermediate injection chamber boundaries. These bands can accommodate minor dimensional variations and manufacturing tolerances through their flexibility and elastic properties, enabling the injection capability to be implemented without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision on the rigid structural components.
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
Enhances energy efficiency and performance by optimizing the compression process through intermediate pressure injection, improving the overall operation of scroll compressors in HVACR systems.
Implementation Method 1
The first band forms a seal between the intermediate injection chamber and the discharge chamber, and the second band forms a seal between the intermediate injection chamber and the suction chamber.
Implementation Method 2
An upper portion of the compressor housing is interference fitted onto the non-orbiting scroll member via the bands.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A scroll compressor (100) includes a compressor housing (102) containing an orbiting scroll member (114), a non-orbiting scroll member (112), bands (180, 182) disposed between the non-orbiting scroll member and the compressor housing, a suction chamber (140), a discharge chamber (142), and one or more intermediate injection chamber (144) defined by the bands. The non-orbiting scroll member includes one or more intermediate injection ports (150) fluidly connecting the one or more intermediate injection chambers to at least one compression pocket (117) formed by the intermeshed scroll members. A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration system (1) includes a refrigerant circuit (5) with a condenser (20), an expander (30, 32), an evaporator (50), and the scroll compressor (10) fluidly connected. A method of making a scroll compressor includes placing an upper portion of a compressor housing over a non-orbiting scroll member with bands disposed therebetween, and interference fitting the upper portion onto the non-orbiting scroll member via the bands.