Variable Capacity Scroll Compressor Bypass Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scroll compressors face inefficiencies and increased electricity consumption when driven under low cooling loads, as they often operate at maximum capacity, leading to reduced efficiency and reliability due to limitations in speed reduction and refrigerant management.
Innovation Solution
A variable capacity compressor design that includes a bypass flow path with an on/off valve, supported by an elastic member, which connects the suction unit to the compression unit based on pressure differences between discharge and suction pressures, allowing for adaptive capacity adjustment to match cooling loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a compressor is driven at maximum cooling capacity, then the cooling capacity is sufficient for high load conditions, but the energy consumption increases and efficiency decreases when the cooling load is lower than the maximum capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable capacity structure that dynamically adjusts the compressor's cooling capacity based on actual load conditions. The bypass flow path with pressure-dependent on/off valve enables the system to transition between different capacity modes (full capacity and reduced capacity) rather than operating statically at maximum capacity, thereby reducing energy consumption when full capacity is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the compressor by introducing a bypass flow path that allows refrigerant to bypass the compression process under certain conditions. By monitoring pressure differences and activating the bypass valve when discharge pressure minus suction pressure is less than a predetermined value, the system adjusts its effective capacity parameter to match load requirements, reducing energy waste.
2Loss of energy
If a bypass structure is added to enable capacity adjustment, then energy efficiency improves under varying loads, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass valve in the patent is designed to operate automatically based on pressure differential conditions without requiring external control systems or complex sensors. When the discharge pressure minus suction pressure is less than a predetermined value, the bypass valve automatically opens to allow refrigerant to bypass the compression process, and closes when the pressure difference exceeds the threshold. This self-regulating mechanism achieves capacity adjustment while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a simple bypass flow path as an intermediary element between the suction and discharge units. This bypass path, controlled by a pressure-dependent valve, serves as a mediator that allows the system to adjust capacity without requiring complex variable speed drives or multiple compression stages, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while achieving energy efficiency.
3Productivity
If the compressor operates with on/off driving under low load, then the cooling capacity matches the load, but the electricity consumption increases and efficiency reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for on/off cycling by providing continuous capacity adjustment through the bypass flow path. Instead of turning the compressor on and off to match low cooling loads, the system continuously operates the compressor while using the bypass valve to modulate the effective capacity. This continuous operation with variable capacity maintains productivity matching while avoiding the energy inefficiencies associated with repeated start-stop cycles.
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 design reduces energy consumption and enhances efficiency by adjusting compressor capacity according to ambient temperature and cooling demands, minimizing energy loss and maintaining reliability across varying load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member disposed in the cylinder space to bias the on/off valve in an elastic manner so that the on/off valve may open the bypass flow path. The elastic member may include a coil spring.
Implementation Method 2
a compression unit formed by the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll and configured to have a volume that is reduced while moving toward the center of the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll according to the revolution (movement) of the orbiting scroll
Data Source
AI summary
A variable capacity scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll. The fixed scroll of the compressor includes a bypass flow path configured to connect a suction unit to a compression unit, a cylinder space provided on the bypass flow path, and an on/off valve disposed to be movable back and forth in the cylinder space to open/close the bypass flow path according to a difference between a discharge pressure of the discharge unit and a suction pressure of the suction unit. Thus a capacity of the compressor may be reduced by connecting the suction unit to the compression unit under a low load condition in which a difference between a discharge pressure and a suction pressure is relatively less.