Scroll Compressor Lubrication for Oldham Coupling Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scroll refrigeration compressors face efficiency and reliability issues due to insufficient lubrication of the Oldham coupling, particularly when using low-oil-content refrigerants like R290 or when the Oldham coupling is outside the refrigerant flow path.
Innovation Solution
A lubrication system is introduced that includes a lubrication channel on the drive shaft and oil lubrication passages on the support frame, ensuring adequate oil supply to the Oldham coupling's engaging elements, even under maximal load conditions, without high oil circulation rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the Oldham coupling is disposed inside the refrigerant flow path for lubrication, then the engaging elements can be lubricated by oil droplets in the refrigerant, but the lubrication is insufficient when the refrigerant has low oil content (e.g., R290) or when the Oldham coupling is disposed outside the refrigerant flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary lubrication system consisting of a lubrication channel and oil lubrication passage that mediates between the oil sump and the Oldham coupling. This intermediary system delivers oil directly to the engaging elements, bypassing the limitation of relying solely on oil droplets in the refrigerant, thus ensuring adequate lubrication even when refrigerant oil content is low.
2Reliability
If a high oil circulation rate is used to ensure adequate lubrication of the Oldham coupling, then the engaging elements are well-lubricated, but the energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system is designed with local quality by directing oil flow specifically to the Oldham coupling through dedicated lubrication channels and passages. Instead of circulating high volumes of oil system-wide, the system locally delivers adequate lubrication to the Oldham coupling's engaging elements, minimizing energy consumption while ensuring reliable lubrication where needed.
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 configuration optimizes the lubrication of the Oldham coupling, preventing wear and enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the scroll compressor, especially when using R290 refrigerant.
Implementation Method 1
a lubrication system configured to lubricate at least partially the first engaging elements of the anti-rotation device with oil supplied from the oil sump
Data Source
AI summary
A scroll compressor includes a scroll compression unit having a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll a drive shaft configured to drive the orbiting scroll in an orbital movement, and a support frame including a bearing configured to guide in rotation a guided portion of the drive shaft. The scroll compressor also includes an anti-rotation device including a pair of first engaging elements slidably engaged with a pair of complementary engaging elements on the support frame; and a lubrication system to lubricate at least partially the first engaging elements. The lubrication system includes a lubrication channel and hole on the drive shaft; the hole is fluidly connected to the channel and emerges in an outer wall of the guided portion. The system further includes an oil lubrication passage on the support frame, which includes an oil inlet aperture emerging in a receiving chamber, and an oil outlet aperture configured to supply with oil at least one of the first engaging elements.