Scroll Compressor Motor Cooling With Split Refrigerant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scroll compressors face challenges in efficiently cooling the motor due to high suction resistance and energy inefficiency caused by refrigerant gas passing through a small cross-sectional area between the stator and rotor, leading to increased power loss and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A scroll compressor design that incorporates an upper chamber with an inlet hole and an air gap between the stator and rotor, allowing refrigerant gas to enter the compression chamber partially through the inlet hole and partially through the air gap to cool the motor, while minimizing power loss by controlling the amount of gas through the air gap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If all refrigerant gas is forced into the lower wire wrap for cooling, then the motor cooling effect is improved, but the suction resistance increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant gas flow path is segmented into multiple channels: part of the gas flows through the lower wire wrap for cooling, while another part flows through the air gap between stator and rotor. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of motor cooling and reduced suction resistance, as the air gap provides a low-resistance path that does not force all gas through the narrow wire wrap channels.
2Loss of energy
If refrigerant gas flows through the gap between stator and rotor, then the suction resistance is reduced, but the motor cooling effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the motor are assigned different functions: the air gap between stator and rotor is optimized for low-resistance gas flow to reduce suction loss, while the lower wire wrap region is specifically designed for heat dissipation. The refrigerant gas is directed to flow through both regions, with the lower wire wrap providing localized cooling where it is most needed, while the air gap maintains overall flow efficiency.
3Temperature
If a diversion pipeline is added to bypass the gap for cooling, then the motor cooling effect is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air gap between stator and rotor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a magnetic circuit path for the motor, provides a low-resistance flow path for refrigerant gas to reduce suction loss, and enables motor cooling when refrigerant gas passes through it. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling structures like diversion pipelines, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving effective motor cooling.
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
Effectively cools the motor without significant power loss, prolongs its service life, and enhances energy efficiency by balancing cooling and suction loss, with a simpler and less costly manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
Refrigerant gas entering from the gas inlet has a lower temperature than the motor, and is configured to enter the compression chamber partly from the upper inlet hole and partly from the air gap, to absorb heat of the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A scroll compressor is provided, which includes an outer shell including a gas inlet, an inner shell in the outer shell, a motor in the inner shell and including a stator and a rotor in the stator, and a scroll component. A compression chamber for compressing refrigerant gas is formed in the scroll component, and is configured to compress the refrigerant gas via the motor. An air gap is provided between the stator and the rotor and/or between the stator and the inner shell. An upper chamber is formed in the inner shell between the motor and the scroll component, and includes an upper inlet hole. The refrigerant gas entering from the gas inlet has a lower temperature than the motor, and enters the compression chamber partially through the upper inlet hole and partially through the air gap to absorb heat of the motor.