Scroll Compressor Oil Pump Bypass Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
In scroll compressors, the positive-displacement pump used for oil supply increases oil loss during high-speed operations due to its constant volume design, leading to inefficiencies and potential wear on bearings and the compression unit.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an oil pump with a bypass valve that returns excess oil to the oil pan when the pressure in the oil passage exceeds a threshold, reducing the amount of oil supplied during high-speed operations and minimizing oil loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a positive-displacement pump with constant volume is used for oil supply, then the pump structure is simple and reliable, but the amount of oil supplied increases excessively during high-speed operation leading to oil loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the oil pump's delivery volume variable rather than constant. The bypass valve dynamically adjusts the amount of oil returned to the pan based on operating conditions, allowing the pump to adapt its effective displacement to match the actual lubrication needs at different rotation speeds, thereby reducing oil loss during high-speed operation while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a positive-displacement pump with constant volume is used for oil supply, then the pump design is straightforward, but oil supply exceeds requirements at high rotation speeds causing inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the effective delivery volume parameter of the oil pump through the bypass valve mechanism. The valve changes the system's operational parameter (oil flow rate) based on rotation speed, allowing the pump to maintain high efficiency across varying operating conditions without requiring a completely different pump design, thus preserving ease of manufacture while improving productivity.
3Reliability
If more oil is supplied to the compression unit during high-speed operation, then lubrication should be sufficient, but excessive oil causes loss and potential harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the bypass valve to create a closed-loop control system for oil supply. The valve responds to pressure differential feedback between the oil passage and oil pan, automatically adjusting the return flow to maintain optimal oil pressure and quantity in the lubrication system, ensuring sufficient lubrication while preventing harmful effects of excessive oil during high-speed operation.
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 bypass valve mechanism effectively reduces oil loss and ensures a consistent oil supply, enhancing the reliability of the compressor by managing oil distribution based on operational speed.
Implementation Method 1
when a pressure of oil flowing in the oil passage is higher than a threshold pressure, to return part of the oil to the oil pan
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor includes: a shell forming an outer portion thereof and having lower part in which an oil pan is formed to store oil; a motor provided in the shell; a compression unit provided in the shell to compress a working gas when being driven by the motor; a frame fixed to the shell and supporting the compression unit; a shaft supported by the frame, connecting the motor and the compression unit, provided to transmit a turning force of the motor to the compression unit, and including an oil passage; and an oil pump provided at lower part of the shaft to draw oil from the pan and supply the oil into the oil passage. The pump includes a bypass valve that is opened, when a pressure of oil flowing in the oil passage is higher than a threshold pressure, to return part of the oil to the pan.