Performance improvements in low side scroll compressor with extended operation speeds

Scroll-type compressors (STCs) are widely used in modern air conditioners for higher efficiency and durability. However, the internal leakage, caused during un-rating operated speed, reduces the volumetric efficiency and influences the performance of STCs. This paper has proposed an axial-compliant mechanism (ACM), composed of a suspension structure and a limiting ring, to solve the leakage problem of a low side STC running in extended speeds. The aim of this ACM design is to control the leakage by keeping optimum clearance. By integrating the verified STC performance simulation package with the internal leakage model, the optimum clearance between scroll tip and bottom plate has been investigated. After the numerical simulation, by employing suitable designs, an improved ACM prototype has been developed and tested. The experimental results show that low leakage, noise, and power consumption are achieved during compression processes even with extended operation speeds, and moreover, the overall coefficient of performance is increased from 0.61% to 13.53%. In this study, the proposed design is useful for enhancing the performance of low side type STCs.

► We proposed an axial-compliant mechanism (ACM) to solve leakage with extended speeds.
► Clearance has been investigated with a new compressor numerical model.
► ACM solves the leakage by keeping optimum clearance within 6 μm.
► Experimental results show overall performance increased from 0.61% to 13.53%.
► The proposed design is very useful for enhancing the performance of low side STCs.