compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressors, particularly the upper compression type, suffer from high oil content rates due to lubricant oil being discharged with refrigerant, leading to reduced cooling efficiency and the need for frequent oil recovery or separate oil separators.
Innovation Solution
A compressor design that utilizes the discharge space as a centrifugation space, featuring a rotating member and guide to enhance centrifugal separation, and modifies the shape of the first shell and terminal placement to reduce flow resistance, achieving efficient oil separation without the need for separate oil recovery apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the upper compression type compressor is used, then the refrigerant can be compressed and discharged, but lubricant oil is discharged together with the refrigerant causing high oil content rate
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge space is segmented into a centrifugation space and a non-centrifugation space by the rotating member. This segmentation allows the refrigerant-oil mixture to be separated into different zones based on centrifugal force, with the centrifugation space handling separation and the non-centrifugation space allowing free flow, thereby reducing oil content in discharged refrigerant while maintaining compression efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
A rotating member is introduced into the discharge space to create dynamic centrifugal force. The rotating member spins to generate centrifugal force that actively separates oil from refrigerant in real-time during operation, transforming the static discharge space into a dynamic separation zone that continuously reduces oil content rate
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a separate oil recovery apparatus or oil separator is installed, then the oil content rate can be reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oil separation function is merged with the existing discharge space of the compressor. Instead of adding a separate oil separator or recovery apparatus, the invention integrates the centrifugation space directly into the discharge space, combining the refrigerant discharge function with oil separation in a single integrated zone, thereby reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor's own discharge space is made to perform oil separation through the rotating member. The system uses its own operational characteristics (discharge flow, space configuration) to achieve oil separation without requiring external or additional dedicated oil recovery equipment, making the compressor self-sufficient in oil separation
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the discharge space is used as centrifugation space, then the oil content rate is reduced, but the flow resistance increases due to shape modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge space is designed with different local qualities: the centrifugation space has a shape optimized for centrifugal separation (first shell configuration), while the non-centrifugation space maintains a shape optimized for free refrigerant flow. This local differentiation allows each zone to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall flow resistance while achieving oil separation
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
Significantly reduces oil content rate to less than 0.01 weight percent, improving cooling efficiency and eliminating the need for separate oil recovery systems, while maintaining compressor performance.
Implementation Method 1
Rotational flow may be generated in the discharge space by a rotor and a rotation shaft of the driving motor. That is, the discharge space may be referred to as a centrifugation space. The rotational flow is generated around a center portion of the discharge space, that is, a center portion of the centrifugation space. Thus, centrifugation of the refrigerant and the lubricant oil may occur by such rotational flow.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a compressor, specifically, to a compressor that may effectively separate lubricant oil and compressed refrigerant within the compressor. A compressor including a case, a driving motor including a stator mounted inside the case and a rotor disposed radially inward of the stator and rotatable, a centrifugation space defined inside the case by one side (downstream side) of the driving motor and the case, wherein centrifugation of compressed refrigerant and lubricant oil is performed in the centrifugation space, a discharge pipe passing through the case and having a distal end defining a refrigerant inlet hole extending into the centrifugation space, a rotation shaft coupled to the rotor to rotate, a compressing portion defined at the other side (upstream side) of the driving motor, wherein the refrigerant is compressed by rotation of the rotation shaft, and a terminal disposed on a side of the case that is a side of the centrifugation space, wherein the terminal is connected to a coil of the stator may be provided.