LIQUID COOLING OF A SCROLL DEVICE WITH LIQUID SUPPLY THROUGH INTEGRATED ROTARY UNIONS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of and priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/636,028, filed on Apr. 18, 2024, entitled “LIQUID COOLING OF A SCROLL DEVICE WITH LIQUID SUPPLY THROUGH INTEGRATED ROTARY UNIONS,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety, for all that it teaches and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

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 orbiting scroll devices, an orbiting scroll rotates eccentrically while a fixed scroll remains fixed. In a co-rotating or spinning scroll device, two opposing scrolls with misaligned scroll shafts co-rotate. In such devices, 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.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Scroll devices may include a first scroll having a first involute and a second scroll having a second involute that is nested in, or engaged with, the first involute. In the case of a scroll compressor, the working fluid moves from a periphery (e.g., an inlet) of the first involute and the second involute towards the center (e.g., a discharge port, or outlet, etc.) of the first involute and the second involute through increasingly smaller pockets, generating compression of the working fluid. Similar principles apply for a scroll vacuum pump and/or a scroll expander configuration.

Currently there are no liquid cooled co-rotating scroll devices being produced due to the difficulty of transmitting fluid from the stationary housing to the rotating scrolls (which generate most of the heat). Conventional co-rotating scrolls have typically been air cooled using fins on the back side of the scrolls. The major disadvantage to this approach is that it is highly reliant on the temperature of the gas surrounding the cooling fins. Also, for co-rotating scroll devices with a closed/semi-hermetic/hermetic housing, the gas that exchange heat with the cooling fins is trapped and can become hot over time.

Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure provide for supplying liquid coolant to the scroll instead of relying on air/fin cooling, which results in the scroll temperature being much cooler and more predictable. This can lead to durability and efficiency improvements. More specifically, liquid coolant may be supplied through the scroll shafts through integrated rotary unions. In some embodiments, at least one rotary union is provided for each scroll/scroll shaft combination.

The term “scroll device” as used herein may refer to scroll compressors, scroll vacuum pumps, and similar mechanical devices. The term “scroll device” as used herein may 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 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.

Numerous additional features and advantages are described herein and will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following Detailed Description and in view of the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

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.

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a scroll device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the scroll device, taken from arrow “1B” of FIG. 1A, illustrating the arrangement of the integrated rotary cooling system according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional detail view, taken from arrow “1C” of FIG. 1B, illustrating a portion of the integrated rotary cooling system for the scroll device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1D is a schematic cross-sectional detail view, taken from arrow “1C” of FIG. 1B, of the integrated rotary cooling system, illustrating coolant fluid flow channels of the scroll device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a scroll assembly including flexible coolant transfer conduits forming a portion of the cooling fluid flow path of the scroll device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional detail view, taken from arrow “1C” of FIG. 1B, illustrating an arrangement of the scroll device including aftercoolers according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the scroll device, taken from arrow “1B” of FIG. 1A, illustrating an integrated motor cooling system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 drawings. 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.

The ensuing description provides embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. Rather, the ensuing description will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the described embodiments. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Various aspects of the present disclosure will be described herein with reference to drawings that may be schematic illustrations of idealized configurations.

Scroll devices generate heat during operation, for example, when compressing or pumping a working fluid. The higher the pressure ratio, the higher the temperature of the compressed working fluid. The heat from the increasing temperature of the compressed working fluid transfers to the various components of the scroll device (e.g., involutes, bearings, shafts, etc.). Subjecting the components of a scroll device to increasing temperatures can cause damage, premature failure, and/or generally decrease the effective life of the components of the scroll device. Accordingly, the scroll device should be cooled to ensure the components of the scroll device are maintained within a reasonable temperature ranger. In the case of co-rotating scroll devices, this cooling is accomplished by blowing cool or ambient air over the scroll device components. On the other hand, scroll type expanders may experience a drop in temperature due to an expansion of the working fluid, which may result in reduced overall power output. As a result, scroll type expanders may be insulated to limit the temperature drop and corresponding decrease in power output.

Conventional co-rotating scrolls have been air cooled using cooling fins arranged on the back side of each of the scrolls (e.g., the side of the scrolls opposite the involutes). At least one major disadvantage to this air-cooling approach is that the cooling is completely dependent on the temperature of the gas (e.g., air, etc.) surrounding the cooling fins. Moreover, for co-rotating scroll devices with a closed, semi-hermetic, and/or hermetic housing, the gas or air that exchanges heat with the cooling fins is trapped and can become hot over time.

It is with respect to the above issues and other problems that the embodiments presented herein were contemplated.

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to co-rotating scroll devices with integrated rotary cooling systems. In some embodiments, the integrated rotary cooling system supplies liquid coolant to portions of the scroll device rather than relying on air cooling. The integrated rotary cooling system described herein provides a liquid cooled scroll device, which ensures the scroll temperatures are much cooler and more predictably controlled than in an air cooled scroll device. This liquid cooling of the scroll device leads to durability and efficiency improvements of the scroll device. In some embodiments, the liquid cooling of the scroll device may be provided by supplying liquid coolant through the scroll shafts via integrated rotary unions. In some embodiments, at least one rotary union is provided for each scroll/scroll shaft combination of the co-rotating scroll device.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1D, a scroll device 100 is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The scroll device 100 may correspond to a co-rotating scroll device. However, it should be appreciated that the scroll device 100 can be an orbiting scroll device in other embodiments. As shown, the scroll device 100 includes a first scroll 104A having a first involute 108A and a second scroll 104B having a second involute 108B. The first involute 108A and the second involute 108B are nested together, or enmeshed with one another. Relative motion of the first involute 108A and/or the second involute 108B causes working fluid to be trapped within pockets formed between the first involute 108A and the second involute 108B. These pockets continuously move the working fluid toward the center of the first involute 108A and the second involute 108B as the first involute 108A and the second involute 108B move relative to one another. During co-rotation, these pockets also decrease in size, thus compressing the working fluid (e.g., for scroll devices that are configured as scroll compressors, etc.). In scroll expanders, the first involute 108A and/or the second involute 108B may rotate in reverse such that the pockets are caused to increase in size.

Features of the scroll device 100 may be described in conjunction with a coordinate system 102. The coordinate system 102, as shown in the figures, includes three-dimensions comprising an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis. Additionally or alternatively, the coordinate system 102 may be used to define planes (e.g., the XY-plane, the XZ-plane, and the YZ-plane) of the scroll device 100. These planes may be disposed orthogonal, or at 90 degrees, to one another. While the origin of the coordinate system 102 may be placed at any point on or near the components of the scroll device 100, for the purposes of description, the axes of the coordinate system 102 are always disposed along the same directions from figure to figure. In some examples, reference may be made to dimensions, angles, directions, relative positions, and/or movements associated with one or more components of the scroll device 100 with respect to the coordinate system 102. For example, the width of the scroll device 100 may be defined as a dimension along the X-axis of the coordinate system 102, the height of the scroll device 100 may be defined as dimension along the Y-axis of the coordinate system 102, and the length of the scroll device 100 may be defined as a dimension along the Z-axis of the coordinate system 102. In some embodiments, the coordinate system 102 may be used to identify dimensions, angles, or relative positions of portions of subcomponents of the scroll device 100.

In some embodiments, the scroll device 100 may be a part of a larger scroll device assembly including one or more housings, fans, connections, mount surfaces, etc. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, the scroll device 100 is configured as a co-rotating scroll device including a housing extending a length from the first end 103 to the second end 105. The housing comprises a housing 110 (e.g., a scroll housing configured as a hollow cylindrical body), a first bearing housing 130A attached to a first end of the housing 110, and a second bearing housing 130B attached to a second end of the scroll device 100. The first and second bearing housings 130A, 130B may be attached to the housing 110 by one or more fasteners 150 (e.g., screws, bolts, rivets, pins, tab-in-slot connections, etc., and/or combinations thereof). In some embodiments, the first bearing housing 130A and/or the second bearing housing 130B may form portions of the housing 110. The scroll device 100 extends a length from a first end 103 of the scroll device 100 to a second end 105 of the scroll device 100. In some embodiments, the housing 110 may comprise a hollow interior space that is sealed or closed by the first bearing housing 130A and/or the second bearing housing 130B.

The scroll device 100 includes a plurality of bearings 147 (e.g., sealed ball bearings, unsealed ball bearings, roller bearings, thrust bearings, bushings, etc.) that are disposed inside the first bearing housing 130A and the second bearing housing 130B.

At the first end 103 of the scroll device 100, the bearings 147 support a first scroll shaft 124A that is configured to rotate about a first shaft axis 140A. The first scroll shaft 124A is interconnected and rotationally fixed to the first scroll 104A. In one embodiment, the first scroll shaft 124A may be fastened to the first scroll 104A via a plurality of fasteners 150. In any event, as the first scroll shaft 124A rotates about the first shaft axis 140A, the first scroll 104A rotates about the first shaft axis 140A. The rotation may be identical and synchronized between the first scroll shaft 124A and the first scroll 104A (e.g., such that one rotation of the first scroll shaft 124A corresponds to one rotation of the first scroll 104A). Although the first scroll shaft 124A and the first scroll 104A are rotationally fixed to one another, the first scroll shaft 124A and the first scroll 104A are allowed to rotate about the first shaft axis 140A relative to the first bearing housing 130A. Stated another way, the first bearing housing 130A and housing 110 are stationary, rotationally fixed, or unmoving (e.g., relative to the first shaft axis 140A), and the first scroll shaft 124A and the first scroll 104A are configured to rotate about the first shaft axis 140A inside the first bearing housing 130A and the housing 110, respectively. A first fluid port 120A may be attached to the first bearing housing 130A at the first end 103 of the scroll device 100. Depending on the operation of the scroll device 100, the first fluid port 120A may be configured to convey a working fluid into or out of scroll device 100 (e.g., via the gas discharge channel 170 of the first scroll shaft 124A). In one embodiment, the first fluid port 120A may correspond to a working fluid (e.g., gas) exit port.

At the second end 105 of the scroll device 100, the bearings 147 support a second scroll shaft 124B that is configured to rotate about a second shaft axis 140B. The second scroll shaft 124B is interconnected and rotationally fixed to the second scroll 104B. In one embodiment, the second scroll shaft 124B may be fastened to the second scroll 104B via a plurality of fasteners 150. In any event, as the second scroll shaft 124B rotates about the second shaft axis 140B, the second scroll 104B rotates about the second shaft axis 140B. The rotation may be identical and synchronized between the second scroll shaft 124B and the second scroll 104B (e.g., such that one rotation of the second scroll shaft 124B corresponds to one rotation of the second scroll 104B). Although the second scroll shaft 124B and the second scroll 104B are rotationally fixed to one another, the second scroll shaft 124B and the second scroll 104B are allowed to rotate about the second shaft axis 140B relative to the second bearing housing 130A. Stated another way, the second bearing housing 130A and housing 110 are stationary, rotationally fixed, or unmoving (e.g., relative to the second shaft axis 140B), and the second scroll shaft 124B and the second scroll 104B are configured to rotate about the second shaft axis 140B inside the second bearing housing 130A and the housing 110, respectively. A second fluid port 120B may be attached to the second bearing housing 130B at the second end 105 of the scroll device 100. Depending on the operation of the scroll device 100, the second fluid port 120B may be configured to convey a working fluid into or out of scroll device 100. In some embodiments, the working fluid may enter the second fluid port 120B and be compressed via the first and second scrolls 104A, 104B and exit the first fluid port 120A. In one embodiment, the working fluid may enter the first fluid port 120A and be compressed via the first and second scrolls 104A, 104B and exit the second fluid port 120B. In some embodiments, the working fluid may enter the third fluid port 120C and be compressed via the first and second scrolls 104A, 104B and exit through the first fluid port 120A or through the second fluid port 120B. In some cases, inlet gas may enter from a port either on the side of the housing 110 or axially through a flat face of a bearing housing 130 (e.g., first bearing housing 130A, second bearing housing 130B, etc.).

Since the scroll device 100 is configured as a co-rotating scroll device, the first shaft axis 140A is parallel to, but offset from, the second shaft axis 140B. For example, while the first shaft axis 140A and the second shaft axis 140B are shown disposed running in a direction parallel to the Z-axis, the first shaft axis 140A may be offset a distance from the second shaft axis 140B in the Y-axis direction and/or the X-axis direction. This offset (e.g., eccentric offset) between the first shaft axis 140A and the second shaft axis 140B causes the first involute 108A and the second involute 108B to co-rotate in a spiral fashion (e.g., as a scroll device 100). In some embodiments, the first scroll 104A and the second scroll 104B may be coupled together via a co-rotation coupling 116 disposed in the housing 110. For instance, the co-rotation coupling 116 may be interconnected to the first scroll 104A via a first set of coupling pins 114 and the co-rotation coupling 116 may be interconnected to the second scroll 104B via a second set of coupling pins 114. The connection shown in FIG. 1B between the first scroll 104A and the co-rotation coupling 116, in the YZ-plane may be the same as the connection between the second scroll 104B and the co-rotation coupling 116 in the XZ-plane (not shown). In one embodiment, the co-rotation coupling 116 may correspond to an offset coupling. The co-rotation coupling 116 may include a first set of flexible connections between the first scroll 104A and the co-rotation coupling 116 and a second set of flexible connections between the second scroll 104B and the co-rotation coupling 116. The co-rotation coupling 116 may control a rotation speed to be synchronized between the first scroll 104A and the second scroll 104B while still allowing the first scroll 104A to rotate about the first shaft axis 140A and the second scroll 104B to rotate about the second shaft axis 140B. The rotation speed may be controlled to be the same for the first scroll 104A and the second scroll 104B.

In some embodiments, the arrangement of the first bearing housing 130A, the first scroll shaft 124A, the bearings 147, and/or other components at the first end 103 of the scroll device 100 may be the same as, or be a mirrored version of, the second bearing housing 130B, the second scroll shaft 124B, the bearings 147, and/or other components at the second end 105 of the scroll device 100. In one embodiment, one or more components of the scroll device 100 may be identical or mirrored about a midplane of the scroll device 100. This identical or mirrored arrangement may provide at least some benefits associated with the manufacturing of the scroll device 100 when compared to conventional scroll devices. For example, a scroll device 100 using identical components at the first end 103 and the second end 105 may require fewer discrete (e.g., left-handed, right-handed, etc.) parts that need to be manufactured, cataloged, tracked, and inventoried. This approach can decrease manufacturing costs and complexity when compared to tracking multiple discrete parts that are different from one another.

In some embodiments, the scroll device 100 may include a motor 128. The motor 128 may be arranged at least partially inside the housing 110. The motor 128 may include a rotor 132 and a stator 136 that are connected to a power source (not shown) via an electrical interconnection 142. As power is supplied from the power source via the electrical interconnection 142, the rotor 132 is caused to rotate about the stator 136. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the rotor 132 is attached to the second scroll 104B and the stator 136 is attached to the second bearing housing 130B. Stated another way, the motor 128 causes the second scroll 104B to rotate about the second shaft axis 140B. This rotation of the second scroll 104B causes the first scroll 104A to rotate by transferring rotational motion from the second scroll 104B to the first scroll 104A via the co-rotation coupling 116.

Turning to FIGS. 1C and 1D, cross-sectional detail views of the integrated rotary cooling system for the scroll device 100 are shown according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Although the integrated rotary union 115 and the cooling system at the first end 103 of the scroll device 100 is shown, it should be appreciated that the second end 105 of the scroll device 100 may include the same integrated rotary union 115. In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes a cooling system that provides liquid cooling of a scroll device 100 (e.g., co-rotating scroll device) by transferring a cooling fluid (e.g., coolant) through the scroll shafts 124A, 124B using integrated rotary unions 115. One rotary union 115 may be used for each scroll/scroll shaft combination (e.g., a first scroll 104A and a first scroll shaft 124A and a second scroll 104B and a second scroll shaft 124B). In some embodiments, the integrated rotary union 115 may be same, or similar, at the first end 103 and the second end 105 of the scroll device 100. For the sake of brevity, the cooling system and integrated rotary union 115 at the first end 103 of the scroll device 100 is described below, but it should be appreciated that the same, or similar, arrangement may be arranged at the second end 105 of the scroll device 100. The integrated rotary union 115 is configured to transmit coolant through a sealed fluid flow path 144 running from an inflow channel 156A of the housing (e.g., the first bearing housing 130A) to a shaft inflow channel 160A of the first scroll shaft 124A, through a scroll coolant channel 152 the first scroll 104A, through a shaft outflow channel 160B of the first scroll shaft 124A, and to an outflow channel 156B of the housing (e.g., the first bearing housing 130A).

The scroll device 100 includes a first bearing housing 130A which is stationary (e.g., rotationally fixed). The first bearing housing 130A includes one or more ports where coolant feed (e.g., coolant in) and return (e.g., coolant out) lines can be interconnected. The coolant moves along a sealed fluid flow path 144 (shown as a sequence of arrows, etc., in FIG. 1C) radially inward from the inlet port 154A, along an inflow channel 156A, toward a first annulus cavity 157A disposed between an inner diameter of the first bearing housing 130A and an outer diameter of first scroll shaft 124A. This cavity is sealed axially (e.g., along the Z-axis) in both directions (left and right of the inflow channel 156A) with shaft seals 148 (e.g., a radial shaft seal or lip seal). In some embodiments, the shaft seals 148 may correspond to rotary shaft seals, gaskets, or O-rings, that are arranged to seat in a groove or recess disposed in the first bearing housing 130A and/or the first scroll shaft 124A. The shaft seals 148 may be at least partially compressed between the first bearing housing 130A and the first scroll shaft 124A providing a liquid-tight seal therebetween. For example, a portion of the first shaft seal, the second shaft seal, and the third shaft seal simultaneously contacts an outer diameter of the first scroll shaft 124A and an inner diameter of the first bearing housing 130A. The shaft seals 148 allow the first scroll shaft 124A to rotate relative to the inner diameter of the first bearing housing 130A while maintaining an axial liquid-tight seal between the first scroll shaft 124A and the first bearing housing 130A on either side of the inflow channel 156A.

The coolant then transfers into a shaft inlet hole 158A (e.g., a radial cross hole) disposed in the first scroll shaft 124A. The shaft inlet hole 158A fluidly connects with a shaft inflow channel 160A that runs along an axial length (e.g., parallel to the first shaft axis 140A) of the first scroll shaft 124A. As the coolant exits the shaft inflow channel 160A following the fluid flow path 144 (e.g., from left to right), the coolant enters the scroll inflow hole 162A of the first scroll 104A. The scroll inflow hole 162A may correspond to a hole that is arranged to run parallel to the first shaft axis 140A. The scroll inflow hole 162A is axially aligned with the shaft inflow channel 160A. After the coolant enters the scroll inflow hole 162A, the coolant enters the scroll inflow channel 164A and flows into the scroll coolant channel 152. The scroll coolant channel 152 may be a cavity, ring, or annulus that is disposed within the first scroll 104A, for example, in a space behind the first involute 108A. In this arrangement, the scroll coolant channel 152 on the back of the first scroll 104A exchanges heat generated from the hot first scroll 104A and/or second scroll 104B to the coolant flowing in the scroll coolant channel 152. The coolant may flow along the fluid flow path 144 around the first shaft axis 140A in the annulus of the scroll coolant channel 152 from one side of the first scroll 104A to the other side of the first scroll 104A (e.g., shown by the dashed lines connecting the arrows of the fluid flow path 144).

The warmed, or used, coolant may then flow from the scroll coolant channel 152 through the scroll outflow channel 164B and exit the first scroll 104A via the scroll outflow hole 162B. This used coolant continues to flow along the shaft outflow channel 160B (e.g., from right to left). The shaft outflow channel 160B runs along an axial length (e.g., parallel to the first shaft axis 140A) of the first scroll shaft 124A. The shaft outflow channel 160B is fluidly interconnected with a shaft outlet hole 158B (e.g., a radial cross hole) disposed in the first scroll shaft 124A. The shaft outlet hole 158B is axially aligned (radially) with the outflow channel 156B and the used coolant flows from the shaft outlet hole 158B toward a second annulus cavity 157B disposed between an inner diameter of the first bearing housing 130A and an outer diameter of first scroll shaft 124A. The coolant then flows along the outflow channel 156B and out of the first bearing housing 130A via the outlet port 154B. The axes of the inlet port 154A and the shaft inlet hole 158A are offset from the axes of the outlet port 154B and the shaft outlet hole 158B in the Z-axis direction. In this arrangement, a water-tight seal is provided on either side of the inlet port 154A and on either side of the outlet port 154B. Moreover, the shaft seals 148 provide a water-tight seal between the inlet port 154A and the outlet port 154B along the outer diameter of the first scroll shaft 124A.

It should be appreciated that the fluid flow path 144 may correspond to coolant that flows through the various channels and features of the integrated rotary union 115 and the cooling system of the scroll device 100.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a scroll assembly 210 of a scroll device 200 including flexible coolant transfer conduits 252A, 252B forming a portion of the cooling fluid flow path 244 of the scroll device 200 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Certain components and features of the scroll device 200 that are the same as those described in conjunction with the scroll device 100 may be designated by the same, or similar, reference numerals as used in conjunction with the description of the scroll device 100 and, as such, detailed description of those components and features is omitted. In one embodiment, the scroll device 200 shown in FIG. 2, only requires one integrated rotary union 115 to allow cooling of the entire scroll device 200, including the first scroll 204A and the second scroll 204B. For example, the integrated rotary union 115 described in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-1D may be used at the first end 103 of the scroll device 200 and the coolant may be directed to the scroll coolant channel 152 of the second scroll 204B via coolant transfer conduits 252A, 252B. In some embodiments, the coolant transfer conduits 252A, 252B may correspond to flexible coolant tubes (e.g., hollow tubing, etc.) that are fluidly connected at a first end to the scroll coolant channel 152 of the first scroll 204A and at a second end to the scroll coolant channel 152 of the second scroll 204B. The first coolant transfer conduit 252A is arranged in fluid communication with the scroll coolant channel 152 of the first scroll 104A and with the scroll coolant channel 152 of the second scroll 104B. The second coolant transfer conduit 252B is arranged in fluid communication with the scroll coolant channel 152 of the second scroll 104B and with the scroll coolant channel 152 of the first scroll 104A. The flexible coolant transfer conduits 252A, 252B between the first scroll 204A and the second scroll 204B may bend or flex slightly as the scrolls rotate over a full 360 degrees. The geometry and material selection of the coolant transfer conduits 252A, 252B may allow for repeated cyclic bending without fatigue failure. The coolant transfer conduits 252A, 252B arranged between the first scroll 204A and the second scroll 204B may be fluidly interconnected, or plumbed, in parallel or in series.

In one embodiment, as coolant enters the shaft inlet hole 158A of the first scroll shaft 224A, the coolant may follow the same path along the channels described in conjunction with FIGS. 1C and 1D into the scroll coolant channel 152 of the first scroll 204A (shown by the sequential arrows in FIG. 2). Once inside the scroll coolant channel 152 of the first scroll 204A, the coolant may enter the first coolant transfer conduit 252A and flow into the scroll coolant channel 152 of the second scroll 204B. Rather than including an integrated rotary union 115 at the second end 105 of the scroll device 200, the coolant may be moved in the scroll coolant channel 152 of the second scroll 204B and the warmed, or used, coolant may then flow into the second coolant transfer conduit 252B and back to the scroll coolant channel 152 of the first scroll 204A. Once returned to the scroll coolant channel 152 of the first scroll 204A, the used coolant may exit the first scroll shaft 224A and the first bearing housing 130A (not shown in FIG. 2), via the same path along the channels described in conjunction with FIGS. 1C and 1D.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional detail view is shown illustrating an arrangement of the scroll device 100 including one or more aftercooler devices 304A-304C according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The one or more after cooler devices 304A-304C may correspond to any device that is used to cool the gas compressed by the scroll device 100. The one or more after cooler devices 304A-304C may operate in accordance with heat transfer principles (e.g., between air and water) and reduce the temperature of the gas exiting the scroll device 100 (e.g., condensing water vapor present in the gas, etc.). For example, one or more aftercooler devices 304A-304C can be added to the scroll device 100 to remove heat from the high temperature discharge gas (e.g., working fluid) as it leaves the scroll device 100. Integrating one or more aftercooler devices 304A-304C in the scroll device 100 may provide a number of advantages including, but in no way limited to, lowering the temperature of the discharged gas and preventing damage to downstream components (e.g., from excess heat from the discharge gas). The heat exchange process offered by the aftercooler devices 304A-304C may be provided near the cooling channels on the back side of the first scroll 104A and/or the second scroll 104B, inside the first scroll shaft 124A and/or the second scroll shaft 124B, and/or as a separate component attached to a portion of the scroll device 100 (e.g., the first fluid port 120A, the first bearing housing 130A, the housing 110, etc., and/or combinations thereof). As illustrated in FIG. 3, a first aftercooler 304A is arranged adjacent to the first fluid port 120A with a portion of the first aftercooler 304A arranged in the path of the gas exiting the gas discharge channel 170 of the first scroll shaft 124A. In one embodiment, a second aftercooler 304B may be arranged inside the gas discharge channel 170 of the first scroll shaft 124A. As the working fluid (e.g., gas) exits through the gas discharge channel 170, the second aftercooler 304B cools the working fluid based on heat transfer principles associated with aftercooler devices. In some embodiments, a third aftercooler 304C may be arranged behind the first involute 108A and/or the second involute 108B to cool the temperature of the first scroll 104A and/or the second scroll 104B.

In one embodiment, an integrated air-to-liquid heat exchanger may also be integrated on the inlet of the scroll device 100 to pre-cool the incoming gas before compression (e.g., disposed on the second end 105 of the scroll device 100). This arrangement may help improve efficiency and lower the overall temperatures of the scroll device 100 during operation.

Turning to FIG. 4, a detailed cross-sectional view illustrating an integrated motor cooling system is shown according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scroll device 100 may include an electric motor 128 and a motor controller 408 for rotating the first scroll 104A and/or the second scroll 104B. Liquid cooling may be supplied to one or more components of the motor 128 (e.g., the stator 136 and/or the rotor 132) and the motor controller 408. For example, coolant can be routed inside the housing 110 to supply coolant to a hot motor stator 136 as well as one or more heat sink surfaces on the motor controller 408. In some embodiments, the liquid coolant directed to these components may be routed from the fluid flow path 144 using one or more flexible tubes or fluid conduit channels (e.g., stator cooling channels 404, etc.).

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.

Any of the steps, functions, and operations discussed herein can be performed continuously and automatically.

While the flowcharts have been discussed and illustrated in relation to a particular sequence of events, it should be appreciated that changes, additions, and omissions to this sequence can occur without materially affecting the operation of the disclosed embodiments, configuration, and aspects.

The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure have been described in relation to scroll devices and gland seat assemblies. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure, the preceding description omits a number of known structures and devices. This omission is not to be construed as a limitation of the scope of the claimed disclosure. Specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. It should, however, be appreciated that the present disclosure may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific detail set forth herein.

A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of the disclosure without providing others.

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. Further, where the meaning of the term “about” as used herein may 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.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with one embodiment, it is submitted that the description of such feature, structure, or characteristic may apply to any other embodiment unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the description. The present disclosure, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, subcombinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the systems and methods disclosed herein after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects 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 of the disclosure 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 embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects of the disclosure may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires 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 embodiment, configuration, or aspect. 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 of the disclosure has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects 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 embodiments, configurations, or aspects 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.

Exemplary aspects are directed to a co-rotating scroll device, comprising: a housing extending a length from a first end of the co-rotating scroll device to a second end of the co-rotating scroll device; a first scroll comprising a first involute disposed in the housing; a first scroll shaft comprising a first shaft axis, wherein the first scroll shaft is rotationally fixed to the first scroll, wherein the first scroll is configured to rotate about the first shaft axis relative to the housing; a second scroll comprising a second involute disposed in the housing; a second scroll shaft comprising a second shaft axis, wherein the second scroll shaft is rotationally fixed to the second scroll, wherein the second scroll is configured to rotate about the second shaft axis relative to the housing, wherein the first involute and the second involute are enmeshed with one another, wherein the first shaft axis is parallel to and offset from the second shaft axis; and an integrated rotary union arranged between the housing and the first scroll shaft, wherein the integrated rotary union is configured to transmit coolant through a sealed fluid flow path running from an inflow channel of the housing to a shaft inflow channel of the first scroll shaft, through a scroll coolant channel of the first scroll, through a shaft outflow channel of the first scroll shaft, and to an outflow channel of the housing.

Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: a second integrated rotary union arranged between the housing and the second scroll shaft, wherein the second integrated rotary union is configured to transmit a second coolant through a second sealed fluid flow path running from a second inflow channel of the housing to a shaft inflow channel of the second scroll shaft, through a scroll coolant channel of the second scroll, through a shaft outflow channel of the second scroll shaft, and to a second outflow channel of the housing. Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: a second integrated rotary union arranged between the housing and the second scroll shaft, wherein the second integrated rotary union is configured to transmit a second coolant through a second sealed fluid flow path running from a second inflow channel of the housing to a shaft inflow channel of the second scroll shaft, through a scroll coolant channel of the second scroll, through a shaft outflow channel of the second scroll shaft, and to a second outflow channel of the housing. Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: a first shaft seal arranged on a first side of the inflow channel of the housing; a second shaft seal arranged on a second side of the inflow channel of the housing, wherein the first shaft seal is offset a first axial distance from the second shaft seal defining a first sealed space between the first shaft seal and the second shaft seal; and a third shaft seal arranged on a first side of the outflow channel of the housing, wherein the third shaft seal is offset a second axial distance from the first shaft seal defining a second sealed space between the third shaft seal and the first shaft seal, and wherein a portion of the first shaft seal, the second shaft seal, and the third shaft seal simultaneously contacts an outer diameter of the first scroll shaft and an inner diameter of the housing. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein at least one of the first shaft seal, the second shaft seal, and the third shaft seal is configured as a rotary shaft seal. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the inflow channel of the housing is arranged orthogonal to the shaft inflow channel of the first scroll shaft, and wherein the outflow channel of the housing is arranged orthogonal to the shaft outflow channel of the first scroll shaft. Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: a first bearing arranged inside the housing; and a second bearing arranged inside the housing, wherein the first bearing is offset from the second bearing by a first axial distance, wherein the inflow channel of the housing and the outflow channel of the housing are arranged in a space between the first bearing and the second bearing, and wherein the first bearing and the second bearing rotationally support the first scroll shaft about the first shaft axis. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the first scroll comprises a scroll inflow hole and a scroll inflow channel arranged between the shaft inflow channel of the first scroll shaft and the scroll coolant channel of the first scroll. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the first scroll comprises a scroll outflow channel and a scroll outflow hole arranged between the scroll coolant channel of the first scroll the shaft outflow channel of the first scroll shaft. Any one or more of the above aspects include wherein the housing comprises: a scroll housing comprising a hollow interior space; and a bearing housing attached to the scroll housing at the first end of the co-rotating scroll device, wherein the bearing housing closes the hollow interior space at the first end of the co-rotating scroll device, and wherein the integrated rotary union is formed at an inner diameter of the bearing housing and an outer diameter of the first scroll shaft. Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: a first coolant transfer conduit extending from the first scroll to the second scroll, wherein the first coolant transfer conduit is arranged in fluid communication with the scroll coolant channel of the first scroll and with a scroll coolant channel of the second scroll; and a second coolant transfer conduit extending from the second scroll to the first scroll, wherein the second coolant transfer conduit is arranged in fluid communication with the scroll coolant channel of the second scroll and with the scroll coolant channel of the first scroll, and wherein the sealed fluid flow path extends through the first coolant transfer conduit and the second coolant transfer conduit. Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: an aftercooler device arranged at least partially in a working fluid path of the co-rotating scroll device, the working fluid path comprising at least one of the shaft inflow channel of the first scroll shaft, a gas discharge channel of the first scroll shaft, and a fluid exit port of the co-rotating scroll device.

Exemplary aspects are directed to a co-rotating scroll device, comprising: a housing extending a length from a first end of the co-rotating scroll device to a second end of the co-rotating scroll device; a first scroll comprising a first involute disposed in the housing; a first scroll shaft comprising a first shaft axis, wherein the first scroll shaft is rotationally fixed to the first scroll, wherein the first scroll is configured to rotate about the first shaft axis relative to the housing; a second scroll comprising a second involute disposed in the housing; a second scroll shaft comprising a second shaft axis, wherein the second scroll shaft is rotationally fixed to the second scroll, wherein the second scroll is configured to rotate about the second shaft axis relative to the housing, wherein the first involute and the second involute are enmeshed with one another, wherein the first shaft axis is parallel to and offset from the second shaft axis; a first integrated rotary union arranged between the housing and the first scroll shaft, wherein the first integrated rotary union is configured to transmit a first coolant through a first sealed fluid flow path running from an inflow channel of the housing to a shaft inflow channel of the first scroll shaft, through a scroll coolant channel of the first scroll, through a shaft outflow channel of the first scroll shaft, and to a first outflow channel of the housing; and a second integrated rotary union arranged between the housing and the second scroll shaft, wherein the second integrated rotary union is configured to transmit a second coolant through a second sealed fluid flow path running from a second inflow channel of the housing to a shaft inflow channel of the second scroll shaft, through a scroll coolant channel of the second scroll, through a shaft outflow channel of the second scroll shaft, and to a second outflow channel of the housing.

Exemplary aspects are directed to a co-rotating scroll device, comprising: a housing; a first scroll positioned in the housing and having a first involute; a second scroll positioned in the housing and having a second involute; and one or more integrated rotary unions configured to transmit coolant from the housing to the first scroll and/or the second scroll.

Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: integrated cooling channels to exchange heat from the first scroll or the second scroll to the coolant. Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: at least one flexible tube extending between the first scroll and the second scroll to transfer the coolant between the first scroll and the second scroll. Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: an integrated aftercooler positioned on a back side of the first scroll and/or the second scroll, wherein the integrated aftercooler uses the coolant to remove heat from gas discharged by the co-rotating scroll device. Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: an integrated aftercooler attached to the housing, wherein the integrated aftercooler uses the coolant to remove heat from a discharge gas. Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: an integrated air-to-liquid pre-cooler heat exchanger configured to lower an inlet gas temperature. Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: at least one integrated motor cooling channel. Any one or more of the above aspects further comprising: at least one integrated motor controller cooling channel.

Any one or more of the above aspects/embodiments as substantially disclosed herein.

Any one or more of the aspects/embodiments as substantially disclosed herein optionally in combination with any one or more other aspects/embodiments as substantially disclosed herein.

One or means adapted to perform any one or more of the above aspects/embodiments as substantially disclosed herein.

Any one or more of the features disclosed herein.

Any one or more of the features as substantially disclosed herein.

Any one or more of the features as substantially disclosed herein in combination with any one or more other features as substantially disclosed herein.

Any one of the aspects/features/embodiments in combination with any one or more other aspects/features/embodiments.

Use of any one or more of the aspects or features as disclosed herein.

It is to be appreciated that any feature described herein can be claimed in combination with any other feature(s) as described herein, regardless of whether the features come from the same described embodiment.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “include,” “including,” “includes,” “comprise,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

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.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” “or,” 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 a class of elements, such as X1-Xn, Y1-Ym, and Z1-Zo, 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 Zo).

The term “automatic” and variations thereof, as used herein, refers to any process or operation, which is typically continuous or semi-continuous, done without material human input when the process or operation is performed. However, a process or operation can be automatic, even though performance of the process or operation uses material or immaterial human input, if the input is received before performance of the process or operation. Human input is deemed to be material if such input influences how the process or operation will be performed. Human input that consents to the performance of the process or operation is not deemed to be “material.”

The terms “determine,” “calculate,” “compute,” and variations thereof, as used herein, are used interchangeably and include any type of methodology, process, mathematical operation, or technique.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and this disclosure.

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.