Scroll Compressor Motor Cooling Using Extracted Suction Refrigerant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressors in refrigeration systems face heat generation issues due to motor losses and friction, leading to reduced efficiency and potential damage from high temperatures, particularly in scroll compressors where lubricant supply disruptions can exacerbate friction and temperature problems.
Innovation Solution
The compressor utilizes a portion of the low-temperature refrigerant received at the suction port to cool the motor and other components by extracting it from the compression chamber before compression begins, allowing it to circulate around the motor and lubricant reservoir, thereby addressing heat generation without the need for additional cooling components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the compressor operates under load, then the compression function is achieved, but the temperature of the compressor increases due to heat losses and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts a portion of the refrigerant from the compression chamber at low temperature and uses it to cool the motor and lubricant reservoir. This converts the cold refrigerant (which would otherwise be wasted) into a useful cooling medium, transforming a potentially harmful temperature rise into a beneficial cooling effect that offsets the heat generated during compression
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling circuit that uses the extracted refrigerant as a heat transfer medium. This intermediary system allows thermal energy to be transferred from the hot components (motor, lubricant reservoir) to the cold refrigerant without direct contact between the compression process and the cooling function, effectively mediating the temperature management
2Temperature
If additional cooling components are added to reduce temperature, then cooling performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the refrigerant serve multiple functions: it is both the working fluid for compression and the cooling medium for the motor and lubricant reservoir. The extraction and redistribution of the refrigerant allows the same substance to perform both compression and cooling functions, eliminating the need for separate cooling components
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor system cools itself by utilizing its own refrigerant. The refrigerant extracted from the compression chamber is redirected to cool the motor and lubricant reservoir, allowing the system to manage its own thermal load without external cooling equipment, thereby reducing device complexity
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 solution effectively reduces the temperature of the compressor components, improving efficiency and preventing damage from high temperatures, while maintaining the refrigerant's low pressure and temperature, thus enhancing the overall cooling performance of the compressor.
Implementation Method 1
supplying the extracted portion of the refrigerant to the motor (3) and/or to a lubricant reservoir (5)... effectively reduces the temperature of the compressor components
Implementation Method 2
compressing the refrigerant in a means for compressing of the compressor... the compression of the refrigerant causes the temperature of the refrigerant to rise
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A compressor for compressing a refrigerant is provided. The compressor may be a scroll compressor. The compressor comprises a suction port configured to receive the refrigerant at the compressor. Further, the compressor comprises a means for compressing the refrigerant, a discharge port configured for discharging the compressed refrigerant from the compressor, and a motor. The compressor is characterized in that the means for compressing comprises at least one opening for extracting a portion of the refrigerant from the compression chamber and supplying the extracted portion of the refrigerant to the motor. Also, a method for compressing a refrigerant is provided, wherein the method comprises receiving a refrigerant at a suction port of the compressor, compressing the refrigerant in a means for compressing of the compressor, and discharging the refrigerant from the compressor at a discharge port of the compressor. The method is characterized by extracting a portion of the refrigerant from the means for compressing and supplying the extracted portion of the refrigerant to a motor of the compressor.