Scroll Compressor Valve for Back Pressure Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing scroll compressor designs face issues with sealing of the back pressure cavity due to dynamic contact seals, leading to pressure leaks and potential malfunction when the moving scroll component tilts, affecting the axial compliance and overall performance.

Innovation Solution

A valve component is integrated into the communication passage between the moving and fixed scroll components, providing a first opening when the pressure difference is high and a second, smaller opening when the pressure difference is low, to maintain stable back pressure and improve compressor performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a dynamic contact seal is used between the moving scroll component and fixed scroll component to seal the back pressure cavity, then the structure is simple, but pressure leaks occur when the moving scroll component tilts, causing reduction of back pressure and potential malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing structureVSAvoidback pressure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A valve component is introduced as an intermediary element in the communication passage between the compression pocket and back pressure cavity. This valve component dynamically controls the communication between these two spaces, replacing the reliance on dynamic contact seal integrity. The valve component maintains reliable back pressure by preventing direct leakage paths while allowing controlled pressure equalization, thus resolving the contradiction between simple sealing structure and back pressure stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the moving scroll component is allowed to tilt for axial compliance protection, then compressor safety is improved, but sealing performance deteriorates due to pressure leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial complianceVSAvoidpressure leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve component is designed to automatically respond to pressure differences between the compression pocket and back pressure cavity. When the moving scroll component tilts, the valve component self-adjusts its position based on the pressure differential, opening or closing passages as needed. This self-service mechanism maintains sealing performance during axial compliance movements without requiring external control systems, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a valve component is added to control pressure differential, then back pressure stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveback pressure stabilityVSAvoidcommunication passage structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve component utilizes changes in pressure differential parameters to control its operation. By designing the valve to respond naturally to pressure differences between the compression pocket and back pressure cavity, the system achieves reliable back pressure control through parameter-based actuation rather than complex mechanical linkages or electronic controls. This approach improves back pressure stability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration ensures quick establishment and stabilization of back pressure, enhances axial compliance, and maintains high compressor performance while keeping the design simple and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

the valve component is configured to provide a first opening and a second opening in response to the pressure difference between the compression pocket and the back pressure cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3032103B1Scroll compressor
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 COPELAND CLIMATE TECN (SUZHOU) CO LTD
  • EP3032103B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3032103B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3032103B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a scroll compressor (100). The scroll compressor comprises a shell (10); a fixed scroll component (80) and a moving scroll component (70) arranged in the shell, wherein the fixed scroll component is fixed relative to the shell, and the moving scroll component can float in the axial direction relative to the fixed scroll component; a main bearing base (40) is arranged in the shell to support the moving scroll component, a back pressure cavity (B) is formed between the moving scroll component and the main bearing base and communicated with fluid of a compression cavity (C2) through a communication channel (73), the communication channel (73) is formed in the moving scroll component, and the compression cavity (C2) is formed between the fixed scroll component and the moving scroll component; and valve components (90, 90A) arranged in the communication channel (73) are formed to respond the pressure difference between the compression cavity and the back pressure cavity so as to provide a first aperture and a second aperture, and the second aperture is smaller than the first aperture.