Patent Application
20220170462
The present disclosure relates to scroll devices such as compressors, expanders, or vacuum pumps, and more particularly to scroll devices with liquid cooling.
Scroll devices have been used as compressors, expanders, pumps, and vacuum pumps for many years. In general, they have been limited to a single stage of compression (or expansion) due to the complexity of two or more stages. In a single stage scroll vacuum pump, a spiral involute or scroll orbits within a fixed spiral or scroll upon a stationery plate. A motor turns a shaft that causes the orbiting scroll to orbit eccentrically within the fixed scroll. The eccentric orbit forces a gas through and out of pockets created between the orbiting scroll and the fixed scroll, thus creating a vacuum in a container in fluid communication with the scroll device. An expander operates with the same principle, but with expanding gas causing the orbiting scroll to orbit in reverse and, in some embodiments, to drive a generator. When referring to compressors, it is understood that a vacuum pump can be substituted for a compressor and that an expander can be an alternate usage when the scrolls operate in reverse from an expanding gas.
Scroll type compressors and vacuum pumps generate heat as part of the compression or pumping process. The higher the pressure ratio, the higher the temperature of the compressed fluid. In order to keep the compressor hardware to a reasonable temperature, the compressor must be cooled or damage to the hardware may occur. In some cases, cooling is accomplished by blowing cool ambient air over the compressor components. On the other hand, scroll type expanders experience a drop in temperature due to the expansion of the working fluid, which reduces overall power output. As a result, scroll type expanders may be insulated to limit the temperature drop and corresponding decrease in power output.
Existing scroll devices suffer from various drawbacks. In some cases, such as in tight installations or where there is too much heat to be dissipated, air cooling of a scroll device may not be effective. In semi-hermetic or hermetic applications, air cooling of a scroll device may not be an option. The use of a liquid to cool a scroll device may be beneficial because liquid has a much higher heat transfer coefficient than air. In the case of scroll expanders, the use of a liquid to heat the scroll expander may be beneficial for the same reason.
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a crankshaft with one or more channels extending through the crankshaft to transport a liquid for cooling and temperature regulation purposes. The crankshaft can include two channels generally extending through the crankshaft parallel to a longitudinal axis of the crankshaft. Liquid can flow through the one channel in one direction and the other channel in the other direction to circulate liquid through the crankshaft and to other components. Each end of the crankshaft can include multiple seals to segregate the liquid flowing in and out of each channel, respectively, into separate volumes. In some embodiments, one channel is aligned with a longitudinal axis or centerline of the crankshaft and one channel is offset from the longitudinal axis or centerline. The offset channel can transport liquid to the orbiting scroll, and the other channel can transport liquid away from the orbiting scroll.
One particular embodiment of the present disclosure is a scroll device comprising an orbiting scroll operably connected to a fixed scroll; a crankshaft operably connected to the orbiting scroll, wherein the crankshaft extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end; a first seal positioned about an outer surface of the crankshaft to form a seal with the outer surface; a second seal positioned about an outer surface of the crankshaft to form a seal with the outer surface, wherein a first volume is defined between the first seal and the second seal, and a second volume is at least partially defined by the second seal; a first channel extending through the crankshaft from the first end to the second end, and the first channel has an opening in fluid communication with the first volume; and a second channel extending through the crankshaft from the first end to the second end, and the second channel has an opening in fluid communication with the second volume.
In some embodiments, the scroll device further comprises one or more idler shafts through which a liquid can be transported to or from the orbiting scroll and at least one of the first channel and the second channel. In various embodiments, the scroll device further comprises one or more flexible tubes to transport a liquid to or from the orbiting scroll and at least one of the first channel and the second channel. In some embodiments, the scroll device further comprises a reservoir, and a liquid can flow through the crankshaft, an exit of the orbiting scroll, and into the reservoir.
In some embodiments, the first channel and the second channel are offset from a center axis of the crankshaft. In various embodiments, the crankshaft comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion offset from the a center axis of the crankshaft and the first channel extends through the first protrusion and the second channel extends through the second protrusion. In some embodiments, the first seal and the second seal comprise a dynamic seal. In some embodiments, the first channel delivers cooling fluid to the orbiting scroll and the second channel carries cooling fluid away from the orbiting scroll. In various embodiments, the device further comprises one or more bearings configured to support the crankshaft.
In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a scroll device comprises an orbiting scroll operably connected to a fixed scroll; a crankshaft operably connected to the orbiting scroll, wherein the crankshaft extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end; at least one seal positioned about an outer surface of the crankshaft to form a seal with the outer surface; and at least one channel extending through the crankshaft from the first end to the second end, and the first channel has an opening in fluid communication with a fluid source, wherein fluid is supplied from the fluid source to the orbiting scroll via the at least one channel.
In some embodiments, the device further comprises a reservoir configured to receive a liquid from an exit of the orbiting scroll. In various embodiments, the at least one channel comprises a first channel and a second channel extending from the first end to the second end. In some embodiments, the first channel delivers cooling fluid to the orbiting scroll and the second channel carries cooling fluid away from the orbiting scroll. In some embodiments, the device further comprises one or more flexible conduits to transport a liquid to or from the orbiting scroll and at least one of the first channel and the second channel. In various embodiments, the device further comprises one or more idler shafts through which a liquid can be transported to or from the orbiting scroll and at least one of the first channel and the second channel. In some embodiments, the at least one channel is offset from a center axis of the crankshaft. In some embodiments, the crankshaft comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion offset from a center axis of the crankshaft. In various embodiments, the at least one seal comprises a dynamic seal. In some embodiments, the device further comprises one or more bearings configured to support the crankshaft.
In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a scroll device comprises an orbiting scroll operably connected to a fixed scroll; a crankshaft operably connected to the orbiting scroll, wherein the crankshaft extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end; at least one first seal positioned about an outer surface of the crankshaft to form a seal with the outer surface; seal; a first channel extending through the crankshaft from the first end to the second end; and a second channel extending through the crankshaft from the first end to the second end, wherein the first channel and the second channel are offset from a center axis of the crankshaft, and wherein a cooling fluid travels in a first direction through the first channel and a second direction through the second channel to circulate the cooling fluid to and from the orbiting scroll.
The term “scroll device” as used herein refers to scroll compressors, scroll vacuum pumps, and similar mechanical devices. The term “scroll device” as used herein also encompasses scroll expanders, with the understanding that scroll expanders absorb heat rather than generating heat, such that the various aspects and elements described herein for cooling scroll devices other than scroll expanders may be used for heating scroll expanders (e.g., using warm liquid).
The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. When each one of A, B, and C in the above expressions refers to an element, such as X, Y, and Z, or class of elements, such as X1-Xn, Y1-Ym, and Z1-Z0, the phrase is intended to refer to a single element selected from X, Y, and Z, a combination of elements selected from the same class (e.g., X1 and X2) as well as a combination of elements selected from two or more classes (e.g., Y1 and Z0).
The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.
It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every lower numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every higher numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.
The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification to illustrate several examples of the present disclosure. These drawings, together with the description, explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings simply illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how the disclosure can be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure to only the illustrated and described examples. Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following, more detailed, description of the various aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure, as illustrated by the drawings referenced below.
Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the figures. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Further, the present disclosure may use examples to illustrate one or more aspects thereof. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the use or listing of one or more examples (which may be denoted by “for example,” “by way of example,” “e.g.,” “such as,” or similar language) is not intended to and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Turning now to
The fixed scroll 106 is mated to the orbiting scroll. The orbiting scroll has a first involute and the fixed scroll 106 has a second involute. In order to balance the rotary motion of the orbiting scroll, a pair of balance weights may be positioned co-axially with the first involute to dynamically balance the orbiting scroll. Also, a pair of counterweights may be positioned on the crankshaft to dynamically balance the orbiting scroll. The orbiting scroll is coupled to the crankshaft that moves or orbits the orbiting scroll eccentrically, following a fixed path with respect to the fixed scroll 106, creating a series of crescent-shaped pockets between the two scrolls. In the case of a scroll compressor, the working fluid moves from the periphery (inlet) towards the center (discharge) through increasingly smaller pockets, generating compression. Similar principles apply for a scroll vacuum pump and a scroll expander. The idler shafts 108, 110, 112 are supported by the front bearings in the orbiting scroll and the rear bearings in the fixed scroll 106. A center line of the idler shaft is offset from a center line of the crankshaft. To seal any working fluid within the crankshaft, a labyrinth seal may be used. The labyrinth seal may be positioned between the bearings or after the rear bearing. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments any seal may be used to seal working fluid within the crankshaft.
Turning now to
To prevent or reduce the likelihood of coolant leakage from one or more of the cooling chambers 212, 224, and 264, one or more 0-rings or other seals or gaskets may be provided between the fixed scroll 204 and the fixed scroll jacket 208; between the orbiting scroll 216 and the orbiting scroll jacket 220; and/or between the coupling 276 and the coupling jacket 260.
As described elsewhere herein, the crankshaft 240 is operably connected (either directly or indirectly, e.g., by a belt or chain) at one end to a motor (e.g., a motor such as the motor 104 shown in
Rotation of the crankshaft 240 causes rotation of the bearings 244, 248, and 252, which may result in the generation of a significant amount of heat. To cool the bearings 244, 248, and 252, coolant may be routed into and through the cooling chamber 264 defined by the coupling 276 and coupling jacket 260. Cooling the bearings 244, 248, and 252 in this way may beneficially increase the useful life of the bearings 244, 248, and 252 and reduce the likelihood of premature failure thereof
Use of a coupling jacket 260 to form a cooling chamber 264 is not limited to the scroll device 200. Any of the scroll devices described herein may be modified to include a coupling jacket 260 and a cooling chamber 264, so as to enable cooling of bearings such as the bearings 244, 252, and 256.
Turning to
The crankshaft 300 comprises a body 306 extending from a first end 308 to a second end 310 along a longitudinal axis 338 (shown in
The crankshaft 300 also includes a plurality of steps 322 that each decrease in diameter from the flange 320 to the second end 310. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the plurality of steps 322 may increase in diameter from the flange 320 to the second end 310 or may have any combination of diameters. In the illustrated embodiment, the crankshaft 300 comprises a first step 322A, a second step 322B, a third step 322C, a fourth step 322D, and a fifth step 322E. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the plurality of steps 322 may comprise any number of steps.
Turning to
It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments, the crankshaft 300 may not include the second channel 304. In other embodiments, the crankshaft 300 may comprise more than two channels. In embodiments where the crankshaft 300 may comprise one channel (e.g., the first channel 302), the cooling fluid may be delivered to the orbiting scroll via the first channel 302 and may exit the orbiting scroll via, for example, an outlet to a reservoir, an idler shaft such as the idler shafts 108, 110, 112, and/or a flexible conduit such as the flexible conduits 268, 272. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments one or more of the idler shafts 108, 110, 112 may comprise a channel that passes through the idler shaft 108, 110, 112 for cooling fluid to pass therethrough. The channel may be the same as or similar to the first channel 302 and/or the second channel 304. Further, each idler shaft 108, 110, 112 may comprise one channel, two channels, or more than two channels.
Turning to
The first seal 328 and the second seal 340 may be dynamic seals such as, for example, lip seals, face seals, bushings, floating bushings, and/or ferro seals. The first seal 328 and the second seal 340 may be formed from any material or any composite of materials. It is desirable to seal the liquid as any leakage may contaminate lubricant in the bearings (e.g., the crankshaft bearing 312, the front bearing 324, the rear bearing 326, and/or any other bearing).
As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a first inlet or opening 330 and a first outlet or opening 332 are positioned at the first end 308 and a second inlet or opening 334 and a second outlet or opening 336 are positioned at the second end 310. The first inlet 330 and the first outlet 332 may be in fluid communication with the orbiting scroll 216. In some embodiments, the two first seals 328 are positioned at the first end 308 such that a first volume is defined by at least one of the first seals 328 at the first outlet 332 and a second volume is defined by the two first seals 328 at the first inlet 330. In such embodiments, the first channel 302 may be in fluid communication with the first volume and the second channel 304 may be in fluid communication with the second volume. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments a first volume and a second volume may be defined by two second seals 340 at the second end 310.
The second inlet 334 and the second outlet 336 may be in fluid communication with a fluid source 342 and a fluid reservoir 344, respectively. In some embodiments, the fluid source 342 and the fluid reservoir 344 may be the same component. In other embodiments, the fluid source 342 and the fluid reservoir 344 may be separate components.
Cooling fluid may flow in a first direction in one of the first channel 302 or the second channel 304 and flow in a second direction in another one of the first channel 302 or the second channel 304 to circulate a cooling fluid to one or more components such as, for example, the orbiting scroll 216. More specifically in some embodiments, the first outlet 332 delivers cooling liquid from the second inlet 334 to the orbiting scroll 216 via the first channel 302 and the first inlet 330 receives cooling liquid from the orbiting scroll 216 and delivers the cooling liquid to the second outlet 336 via the second channel 304. Thus, cooling liquid is easily and simply delivered to and from the orbiting scroll through the crankshaft 300. The crankshaft 300 may reduce a number of components for cooling a scroll device such as the devices 100, 200, or provide supportive cooling to additional cooling components or act as a primary cooling mechanism.
Turning to
It will be appreciated that cooling fluid may be delivered to the orbiting scroll 216, 348 using any combination of delivery mechanisms and/or components. In will also be appreciated that a cooling loop may be open or closed. In other words, in some embodiments, the cooling loop may be self-contained, whereas in other embodiments, the cooling loop may comprise an separate cooling source and/or reservoir for receiving spent cooling fluid. In some embodiments, cooling fluid may be delivered to and from the orbiting scroll 216, 348 using the crankshaft 300. In such embodiments, the scroll device may not include, for example, flexible conduits. In other embodiments, cooling fluid may be delivered to the orbiting scroll 216, 348 using the crankshaft 300 and one or more idler shafts 108, 110, 112. Further background, context, and description of the idler shafts 108, 110, 112 can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 10,865,793, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. In other embodiments, cooling fluid may be delivered to the orbiting scroll 216, 348 using the crankshaft 300 and flexible conduits 268, 272. Further background, context, and description of the flexible conduits 268, 272, 346 can be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020/0408201, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. In still other embodiments, cooling fluid may be delivered to and from the orbiting scroll 216, 348 via the crankshaft 300, one or more idler shafts 108, 110, 112, and/or the flexible conduits 268, 272, 346. In still other embodiments, cooling fluid may be delivered to the orbiting scroll 216, 348 using the crankshaft 300 and may exit the orbiting scroll 216, 348 into a reservoir.
Ranges have been discussed and used within the forgoing description. One skilled in the art would understand that any sub-range within the stated range would be suitable, as would any number or value within the broad range, without deviating from the invention. Additionally, where the meaning of the term “about” as used herein would not otherwise be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the term “about” should be interpreted as meaning within plus or minus five percent of the stated value.
Throughout the present disclosure, various embodiments have been disclosed. Components described in connection with one embodiment are the same as or similar to like-numbered components described in connection with another embodiment.
Although the present disclosure describes components and functions implemented in the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations with reference to particular standards and protocols, the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations are not limited to such standards and protocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are in existence and are considered to be included in the present disclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein and other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are periodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents having essentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents included in the present disclosure.
The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments, subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation.
The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
Moreover, though the description has included description of one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
Any of the steps, functions, and operations discussed herein can be performed continuously and automatically.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/119,399, filed Nov. 30, 2020 and entitled “LIQUID COOLING OF A SCROLL TYPE COMPRESSOR WITH LIQUID SUPPLY THROUGH THE CRANKSHAFT,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63119399 | Nov 2020 | US |
