Scroll Device Integrated Cooling Loop Heat Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scroll devices face challenges with air cooling, particularly in tight installations or where high heat dissipation is required, as air cooling is ineffective, and conventional designs are limited to single-stage operation and intermittent use due to temperature management issues.

Innovation Solution

A scroll device with an integrated cooling loop that includes a cooling fluid reservoir, a fixed scroll, an orbiting scroll with cross holes, and a flexible conduit for routing cooling fluid, along with a heatsink for enhanced heat transfer, allowing for continuous operation and efficient heat management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If air cooling is used for scroll devices, then the device structure remains simple, but cooling effectiveness is insufficient in tight installations or high heat dissipation scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies hydraulic cooling by circulating liquid coolant through channels formed in the scroll components. The cooling system includes a coolant reservoir, pump, and flow paths integrated into the scroll housing and moving scroll, enabling efficient heat removal through liquid convection rather than air cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system is merged with the scroll compressor structure by forming cooling channels directly within the scroll components themselves. The coolant flow paths are integrated into the housing and moving scroll, combining the compression and cooling functions into a unified system rather than separate external cooling apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Duration of action of moving object

If conventional air-cooled compressors are used, then the device can operate intermittently to manage temperature, but continuous operation is not achievable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation continuityVSAvoidtemperature management

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous operation capability through liquid hydraulic cooling that efficiently removes heat during compression. The coolant circulation system maintains thermal balance enabling the compressor to run continuously without the temperature management limitations of air-cooled intermittent systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system enables continuous useful action by maintaining effective heat removal throughout operation. The liquid coolant continuously circulates through the scroll components, ensuring sustained cooling performance that supports uninterrupted compressor operation rather than intermittent cycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Power

If scroll expanders are insulated to limit temperature drop, then power output is maintained, but heat transfer efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower outputVSAvoidtemperature control

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies hydraulic heating/cooling to scroll expanders by circulating liquid through channels in the expanders. The liquid medium efficiently transfers thermal energy to or from the expanding gas, maintaining optimal temperature control and power output without the limitations of insulation-based approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 integrated cooling loop effectively manages heat transfer, enabling continuous operation and reducing temperature differences between scrolls, thus preventing thermal expansion issues and improving overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

an integrated cooling loop comprising a cooling fluid flow path running from the cooling fluid reservoir to the set of cross holes and back to the cooling fluid reservoir, wherein cooling fluid routes along the cooling fluid flow path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

along with a heatsink for enhanced heat transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a heatsink for enhanced heat transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11885328B2Scroll device with an integrated cooling loop

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 AIR SQUARED LLC

AI summary

A scroll device has a fixed scroll, and orbiting scroll, and at least an integrated cooling loop configured to receive coolant to cool the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll. A flexible conduit is provided that curves radially around an orbital axis of the orbiting scroll to transfer coolant along integrated cooling loop. The integrated cooling loop separates coolant used to cool the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll from the involutes of the scroll device providing clean operation of the scroll device. The integrated cooling loop may be defined by the flexible conduit, one or more cooling chambers, and/or one or more cooling passageways.