Scroll Compressor Vapor Injection Tube Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vapor-injection systems for scroll compressors require complex and costly conduit arrangements through the top portion of the compressor, necessitating multiple seals and precise alignment, which complicates manufacturing and increases the risk of damage due to axial movement of the non-orbiting scroll member during compression.
Innovation Solution
A vapor-injection system where the vapor injection tube is fixed to the non-orbiting scroll member and includes a seal assembly with a gasket that maintains fluid communication through axial and radial movement, eliminating the need for conduit extension through the discharge chamber and reducing the number of seals required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the conduit extends through the top portion of the scroll machine through the discharge chamber, then vapor injection is enabled, but multiple seals are required and precise alignment is necessary increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the conduit from the traditional path through the top portion and discharge chamber, and repositions it to extend through the suction chamber only. This eliminates the need for multiple seals and complex alignment requirements while preserving vapor injection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the conduit through the discharge chamber as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the approach by routing the conduit through the suction chamber to reach the non-orbiting scroll member, thereby simplifying the seal arrangement and alignment requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the non-orbiting scroll member is permitted to axially move during compression, then forces during compression and fault conditions are accommodated, but the conduit may be damaged due to this movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the conduit flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically accommodate the axial movement of the non-orbiting scroll member during compression and fault conditions without sustaining damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit is designed with flexible characteristics that allow it to bend and move with the non-orbiting scroll member during axial displacement, preventing damage while maintaining fluid communication.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the conduit extends through the discharge chamber requiring multiple seals, then vapor injection is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the conduit from the discharge chamber path entirely, extracting it from the region requiring high-precision alignment, and routes it through the suction chamber instead.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit routing is inverted from the conventional discharge chamber path to a suction chamber path, which naturally tolerates manufacturing variations and reduces alignment precision requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A scroll compressor includes a housing, a non-orbiting scroll member including a first spiral wrap, and an orbiting scroll member including a second spiral wrap. The first and second spiral wraps are interleaved to define at least one moving fluid pocket that decreases in size as it moves from a radially outer position to a radially inner position. A vapor-injection system may include a shell fitting in fluid communication with a fluid passageway of the non-orbiting scroll member via a vapor injection tube. The vapor injection tube may be fixed for movement with the non-orbiting scroll member for communicating vapor into the moving fluid pockets.