Scroll Compressor Fluid Injection for Capacity Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressors in cooling, refrigeration, and heat-pump systems face inefficiencies in capacity modulation and fluid management, particularly in fluid injection systems, which affect the systems' ability to provide consistent cooling and heating performance.
Innovation Solution
The compressor design incorporates a modulation assembly with variable volume ratio mechanisms and fluid injection mechanisms, including pistons and valve assemblies that control fluid communication between suction and discharge pressure regions and a fluid injection source, allowing for selective injection of refrigerant into fluid pockets to adjust capacity and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fluid injection mechanisms are added to the compressor, then capacity modulation and operational efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fluid injection mechanism with the existing piston and valve assemblies, integrating multiple functions into unified components. The injection ports are incorporated into the piston structure, and valve assemblies serve dual purposes for both compression control and fluid injection timing, thereby achieving capacity modulation without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston and valve assemblies are designed to perform multiple functions: traditional compression control and additional fluid injection capabilities. The injection ports in the pistons allow refrigerant injection during compression strokes, enabling the same mechanical components to serve dual purposes of capacity control and efficiency enhancement.
2Use of energy by moving object
If fluid injection mechanisms are added to the compressor, then operational efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The injection ports are integrated directly into the existing piston and end plate structures rather than being separate components. This merging approach allows the fluid injection functionality to be manufactured as part of the base components using standard casting or machining processes, avoiding the need for separate injection mechanism assemblies that would significantly complicate manufacturing.
3Reliability
If capacity modulation is enhanced through fluid injection, then cooling and heating performance consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor utilizes its own discharge pressure fluid as the injection medium through the fluid injection source. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external injection systems or additional fluid storage, allowing the compressor to regulate its own performance consistency using internally generated resources, thereby improving reliability without adding external complexity.
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 enhances the compressor's operational efficiency and capacity modulation, enabling better performance in climate control systems by allowing for increased or reduced capacity based on demand, thereby improving the overall efficiency and reliability of cooling and heating processes.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second scroll wraps may cooperate to define a plurality of fluid pockets
Implementation Method 2
a second passage in communication with the fluid-injection source, wherein the second passage may be fluidly isolated from the suction pressure region
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor may include a fluid-injection source, a shell, and first and second scroll members. The shell may define a suction pressure region. The first scroll member may include a first end plate and a first scroll wrap extending therefrom. The second scroll member may include a second end plate and a second scroll wrap extending therefrom. The first and second scroll wraps may cooperate to define a plurality of fluid pockets. The second end plate may include a first passage and a second passage. The second end plate may also include a first port and a second port extending through the second end plate and communicating with at least one of the fluid pockets. The first passage may be in communication with the suction pressure region. The second passage may be in communication with the fluid-injection source.