Valve Arrangement for Refrigerant Compressor

Refrigerant compressors are used to circulate refrigerant in a chiller or heat pump via a refrigerant loop. Refrigerant loops are known to include a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. Some compressors provide cooling to the motor and/or associated power electronics by conveying refrigerant from the main loop to the motor and/or other power electronics.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant compressor, including: a first cooling line configured to cool power electronics; a second cooling line configured to cool a motor of the compressor; a first valve operable to selectively restrict flow through the first cooling line, wherein the first valve is mounted to a baseplate; and a second valve operable to selectively restrict flow through the second cooling line, wherein the second valve is mounted to the baseplate.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant compressor, wherein fluid flowing into the first and second valves is from a common source.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant compressor, wherein: the baseplate includes an inlet orifice and a first conduit connected to the inlet orifice, and the first conduit leads to a junction configured to direct some flow from the first conduit toward the first valve and other flow to the second valve.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant compressor, wherein: a first inlet conduit connects the first valve and the junction, and a second inlet conduit connects the second valve and the junction.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant compressor, wherein: the baseplate includes a first outlet orifice, a first outlet conduit connects the first valve and the first outlet orifice, the baseplate includes a second outlet orifice, and a second outlet conduit connects the second valve and the second outlet orifice.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant compressor, wherein: a first rib connects the inlet orifice to the first outlet orifice, a second rib connects the inlet orifice to the second outlet orifice, and the first and second ribs project outward of a remainder of a surface of the baseplate.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant compressor, wherein the baseplate is brass.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant compressor, wherein the baseplate is mounted within a power electronics housing of the refrigerant compressor.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant compressor, wherein the baseplate includes openings configured to receive fasteners.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant compressor, wherein the first and second valves are electronic expansion valves.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, including: a main refrigerant loop in communication with a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor, wherein the compressor includes: a first cooling line configured to cool power electronics; a second cooling line configured to cool a motor of the compressor; a first valve operable to selectively restrict flow through the first cooling line, wherein the first valve is mounted to a baseplate; and a second valve operable to selectively restrict flow through the second cooling line, wherein the second valve is mounted to the baseplate.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein fluid flowing into the first and second valves is from a common source.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein: the baseplate includes an inlet orifice and a first conduit connected to the inlet orifice, and the first conduit leads to a junction configured to direct some flow from the first conduit toward the first valve and other flow to the second valve.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein: a first inlet conduit connects the first valve and the junction, and a second inlet conduit connects the second valve and the junction.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein: the baseplate includes a first outlet orifice, a first outlet conduit connects the first valve and the first outlet orifice, the baseplate includes a second outlet orifice, and a second outlet conduit connects the second valve and the second outlet orifice.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein: a first rib connects the inlet orifice to the first outlet orifice, a second rib connects the inlet orifice to the second outlet orifice, and the first and second ribs project outward of a remainder of a surface of the baseplate.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the baseplate is brass.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the baseplate is mounted within a power electronics housing of the refrigerant compressor.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the baseplate includes openings configured to receive fasteners.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the first and second valves are electronic expansion valves.

schematically illustrates a refrigerant cooling system. The refrigerant systemincludes a main refrigerant loop, or circuit,in communication with a compressor or multiple compressors, a condenser, an evaporator, and an expansion device. This refrigerant systemmay be used in a chiller or heat pump, for example. Notably, while a particular example of the refrigerant systemis shown, this application extends to other refrigerant system configurations. For instance, the main refrigerant loopcan include an economizer downstream of the condenserand upstream of the expansion device. The refrigerant cooling systemmay be an air condition system, for example.

schematically illustrates an example compressor. The example compressoris a two-stage compressor. A first impelleris upstream of a second impeller. The example compressoris a two stage centrifugal compressor. Other multiple-stage compressors may be utilized in other embodiments. In some embodiments, one stage includes an impeller and shroud arrangement, and another stage includes an alternative arrangement. The impellers,are driven by a motor.

The compressormay be a split cooling compressor. A first cooling linedraws cooling fluid from the main refrigerant loop(shown in) for the power electronics, such as an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR), for example. In the illustrated example, the cooling linehas a first heat exchanging portionfor cooling an IGBT and a second heat exchanging portionfor cooling an SCR. A second cooling linefrom the main refrigerant loopcools the motor, for example. A first valvemay be in communication with a first controllerto control the fluid entering the first cooling line. A second valvemay be in communication with a second controllerto control the fluid entering the second cooling line. Although illustrated as two controllers,, it should be understood that a single controller may be used for both cooling lines,. Either or both of the controllers,may be provided by a bearing motor compressor controller (BMCC). The controllermay be in communication with sensors,arranged along the cooling line, for example. In the illustrated example, a first temperature sensorprovides a temperature at the motor windings and a second temperature sensorprovides a temperature at the motor cavity.

The cooling linereturns the cooling fluid to the main refrigerant loopnear the compressor. In this example, the cooling lineis selectable to return the cooling fluid to one of at least two places at a juncture. The cooling linemay be configured in a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, the cooling lineis configured to return cooling fluid via a first linethat returns, or dumps, cooling fluid between the first and second impellers,. This is known as an inter-stage return, in some examples. In the second mode, the cooling lineis configured to return cooling fluid via a second lineupstream of the first impeller. Specifically, the second linemay return fluid to the evaporatoror directly into the suction side of the compressor.

The first and second modes may be selected manually or automatically. The first mode may be used for regular comfort cooling applications, while the second mode may be used for high saturated suction temperature (SST) cooling applications, such as data centers. In some examples, the controlleris used to switch between the first and second modes. The controllermay be in communication with sensors,arranged along the cooling line, for example. In the illustrated example, a first temperature sensorprovides a temperature at the IGBT and a second temperature sensorprovides a temperature at the SCR. In one embodiment, a directional flow control valveis used to switch between the first mode and the second mode.

The controllermay monitor the suction pressure of the compressor, in some examples. In some examples, the controllerwill direct the valveto return the cooling fluid via the second lineif the suction pressure of the compressoris above a preset value. This is the second mode with a suction return. If the suction pressure is below the preset value, the valvewill return the cooling fluid via the first line. This is the first mode inter-stage return. The first mode may be the default mode, for example.

The controllermay monitor the pressure difference in the cooling line and temperature sensorsandin real time. In case of low-pressure difference and the temperature sensor readings continuously above the set points, the controllercan direct the valveto return to the second line. If the pressure difference is enough to keep the temperature set points, it can direct the return toto increase the total system efficiency.

illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the first and second valves,. In this example, the first and second valves,are mounted to a baseplatewhich may be made of brass, in one example. The baseplateincludes various openingsfor connection to fluid conduits and for the receipt of fasteners, such that the baseplatefacilitate both fluid and mechanical connections to the compressor. In one example, the baseplateand first and second valves,can be mounted to the compressorgenerally in the location shown in. The baseplateis mounted adjacent and within the power electronics housingof the compressor, in this example.

With continued reference to, the baseplateincludes an inlet orificeand first and second outlet orifices,. The orifices,,each include flanges that project outward from a remainder of the surface S of the baseplate, which is substantially planar. The flanges of the orifices,,facilitate connections between the baseplateand fluid conduits. Further, first and second ribs,project outward from the remainder of surface S the baseplateto provide rigidity to the flanges of the orifices,,, and, in turn, to add rigidity to the overall arrangement of.

In the example, a first conduitis attached to the inlet orifice. The first conduitleads to a junction. The first conduitand junctioncould be one integral structure, such as a three-way brass tube, in one example. At the junction, fluid splits and is fed along first and second inlet conduits,, which respectively lead to the first and second valves,, respectively. The direction of fluid flow is generally represented by the relatively thick arrows in. Downstream of the first and second valves,, the arrangement includes first and second outlet conduits,, which lead from respective first and second valves,to first and second outlet orifices,. The first outlet orificeis fluidly coupled to the cooling line, and the second outlet orificeis fluidly coupled to the cooling line, as generally shown in.

Each of the conduits,,,,may be joined to the baseplate, junction, and first and second valves,by brazing, in one example. Alternative attachment techniques come within the scope of this disclosure. The arrangement ofis relatively easy to manufacture, easy to assemble, low cost, and withstands high fluid pressures. The arrangement also provides a greater level of adjustability relative to arrangements with mere solenoid (i.e., on-off) valves. In turn, the compressorexhibits greater cooling capacity and a reduction in energy consumption, thereby improving efficiency of the refrigerant systemoverall.

illustrates the first valvein cross-section. The second valveis substantially identical. Generally, the first and second valves,are not solenoid, or on-off, valves in this disclosure. Rather, the first and second valves,are adjustable. The first and second valves,are selectively controlled to expand fluid such that fluid directed to through the outlet conduits,is low pressure, low temperature fluid compared to fluid upstream of the first and second valves,. The first and second valves,may be electronic expansion valves (EEVs or EXVs). In a particular example, the first and second valves,are provided by ETS 5M valves.

With reference to, the first valveincludes an orifice platewith a narrow openingbetween the first inlet conduitand the first outlet conduit. A plungerhaving a projection sized and shaped to fit into the openingis selectively moveable toward and away from the openingvia motorto selectively open and close the valve. Specifically, the plungercan move to a fully closed position, a fully open position, and a nearly infinite number of positions in between. In this regard, the first valvemay be considered infinitely adjustable.

It should be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed and illustrated in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements could also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure.

Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples.

One of ordinary skill in this art would understand that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and non-limiting. That is, modifications of this disclosure would come within the scope of the claims.