Scroll Compressor Oil Extraction via Venturi Nozzle

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Solution Overview

Problem

The accumulation of lubricating oil in the counter-pressure chamber of scroll compressors leads to undesirable pressure changes, causing leaks and reducing efficiency due to excessive oil content.

Innovation Solution

A Venturi nozzle is integrated into the fluid passage connecting the counter-pressure chamber to the compression chamber, utilizing the principle of a suction jet pump to extract oil from the counter-pressure chamber, thereby maintaining optimal pressure and preventing efficiency loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lubricating oil is added to the fluid being compressed, then the moving components are lubricated, but oil accumulates in the back pressure chamber causing excessive pressure changes and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication of moving componentsVSAvoidoil accumulation and pressure changes in back pressure chamber
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful oil accumulation from the back pressure chamber by introducing a separate oil drainage chamber that collects and removes oil through a drainage passage, preventing oil from interfering with the pressure regulation function of the back pressure chamber

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the back pressure chamber into two functional zones: a first chamber for pressure regulation and a second drainage chamber for oil collection. This segmentation allows the pressure regulation function to operate independently without interference from oil accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If oil concentration in the back pressure chamber becomes excessively high, then pressure changes occur causing leakage, but reducing oil would compromise lubrication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing between displacement spiral and stationary spiralVSAvoidoil concentration in back pressure chamber
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a drainage passage as an intermediary channel that selectively removes oil from the back pressure chamber while allowing the regulated pressure to remain. The gas connection channel acts as another intermediary, providing a controlled path for pressure equalization without oil contamination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If contact pressure between displacement spiral and stationary spiral is increased for tight sealing, then leakage is prevented, but performance of the spiral compressor is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing between spiralsVSAvoidperformance of spiral compressor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The back pressure chamber provides feedback pressure that automatically adjusts the contact pressure between the displacement spiral and stationary spiral. When compression chamber pressure increases, the back pressure chamber pressure increases accordingly, maintaining optimal sealing force without excessive contact pressure, thus preserving compressor performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 Venturi nozzle effectively removes excess oil from the counter-pressure chamber, ensuring reliable operation and maintaining the efficiency of the scroll compressor by preventing oil-induced pressure changes and leaks.

Implementation Method 1

By providing a Venturi nozzle in the fluid passage, which has at least one transverse opening at its constriction, wherein the transverse opening is fluidically connected to the back pressure chamber, thus creating a suction jet pump, oil is extracted from the back pressure chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

creating a suction jet pump, oil is extracted from the back pressure chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction jet pump principle: Injector

Data Source

PatentEP4062067B1Scroll compressor
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 PIERBURG GMBH
  • EP4062067B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4062067B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4062067B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a scroll compressor with a high-pressure chamber (80), a low-pressure chamber (87), an orbiting displacement spiral (60) which is arranged on a driven eccentric unit (50) and which engages into a stationary spiral (62), said displacement spiral (60) and stationary spiral (62) delimiting a compression chamber (61), and a counter pressure chamber (82) which adjoins the displacement spiral (60) and which is fluidically connected to the high-pressure chamber (80) via a gas connection channel (100) and to the compression chamber (61) via a fluid passage (70) provided on the displacement spiral (60). The fluid passage (70) is equipped with a Venturi nozzle (71) which has at least one transverse opening (741, 742) at the constricted section (72) of the Venturi nozzle, wherein the transverse opening (741, 742) is fluidically connected to the counter pressure chamber (82).