Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a compressor, a refrigeration cycle device, and
a heat pump hot-water supply device.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a hot-water supplying compressor having a compressing
element and an electric actuating element in a sealed container. The compressor includes:
an intake pipe (first intake passage) for guiding a refrigerant on a low pressure
side directly to the compressing element; a discharge pipe (first discharge passage)
for discharging a high pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressing element
directly to an outside of the sealed container without releasing the high pressure
refrigerant into the sealed container; a refrigerant reintroduction pipe (second intake
passage) for reintroducing the refrigerant discharged from the discharge pipe and
subjected to heat exchange into the sealed container; and a refrigerant redischarge
pipe (second discharge passage) for discharging the refrigerant reintroduced into
the sealed container and having passed through the electric actuating element to the
outside of the sealed container.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2006-132427
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0004] Generally, refrigerator oil is supplied into a compression chamber of a compressing
element of a compressor in order to lubricate and seal a slide portion and reduce
friction and gap leakage. The refrigerator oil refers to a lubricant for a compressor
of a refrigeration cycle device. For the compressor disclosed in Patent Literature
1, a large amount of refrigerator oil together with a compressed high pressure refrigerant
gas flows through the first discharge passage to the outside of the compressor. The
high pressure refrigerant gas and the refrigerator oil form a gas-liquid two-phase
flow, which passes through an external heat exchanger. Thus, heat transfer in the
heat exchanger is inhibited by the refrigerator oil, or the refrigerator oil increases
pressure loss, thereby reducing performance of a refrigeration cycle. Also, an amount
of the refrigerator oil in the compressor is reduced, which may affect reliability.
[0005] The present invention is achieved to solve the above described problems, and has
an object to provide a compressor including a first intake passage, a first discharge
passage, a second intake passage, and a second discharge passage, and allowing an
amount of refrigerator oil flowing out of the first discharge passage together with
a refrigerant to be reduced with a simple configuration, and further has an object
to provide a refrigeration cycle device and a heat pump hot-water supply device including
the compressor.
Solution to Problem
[0006] A compressor of the invention includes: a sealed container; a compressing element
provided in the sealed container; a first intake passage for guiding sucked low pressure
refrigerant to the compressing element without releasing the low pressure refrigerant
to an internal space of the sealed container; a first discharge passage for discharging
high pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressing element directly to an outside
of the sealed container without releasing the high pressure refrigerant to the internal
space of the sealed container; a second intake passage for guiding the high pressure
refrigerant having passed through the first discharge passage and an external heat
exchanger provided downstream of the first discharge passage to the internal space
of the sealed container; a second discharge passage for discharging the high pressure
refrigerant in the internal space of the sealed container to the outside of the sealed
container; and an oil return flow path for guiding refrigerator oil, the refrigerator
oil having flowed out of the compressing element to the first discharge passage, to
the internal space of the sealed container or into the second intake passage. Due
to pressure loss occurring when the high pressure refrigerant passes through the external
heat exchanger, a second high pressure which is a pressure in the internal space of
the sealed container and the second intake passage being lower than a first high pressure
which is a pressure in the first discharge passage. Owing to a difference between
the first high pressure and the second high pressure, the refrigerator oil moves in
the oil return flow path.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007] According to the present invention, in a compressor including a first intake passage,
a first discharge passage, a second intake passage, and a second discharge passage,
an amount of refrigerator oil flowing out of the first discharge passage together
with a refrigerant can be reliably reduced with a simple configuration. This can prevent
inhibition of heat transfer in a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange of a refrigerant
discharged from the first discharge passage and an increase in pressure loss, and
also prevent a reduction in refrigerator oil in the compressor.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0008]
[Figure 1] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump hot-water supply device
including a compressor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[Figure 2] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a storage type hot-water supply
system including the heat pump hot-water supply device in Figure 1.
[Figure 3] Figure 3 is a sectional view of the compressor according to Embodiment
1 of the present invention.
[Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of a flow state of a refrigerant
gas and refrigerator oil.
[Figure 5] Figure 5 is a sectional view of an oil return flow path included in the
compressor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of an inner pipe of a first discharge
passage included in a compressor according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[Figure 7] Figure 7 is a sectional view of an oil return flow path included in a compressor
according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[Figure 8] Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of around a downstream end of
a second intake passage included in a compressor according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of around the downstream end of the
second intake passage included in the compressor according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[Figure 10] Figure 10 is a view of around a downstream end of a second intake passage
included in a compressor according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
Description of Embodiments
[0009] Now, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be
described. In the drawings, like components are denoted by like reference numerals
and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.
Embodiment 1
[0010] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump hot-water supply device including
a compressor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 is a configuration
diagram of a storage type hot-water supply system including the heat pump hot-water
supply device in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the heat pump hot-water supply device
1 of this embodiment includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor 3, a first
water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4 (first heat exchanger), a second water-refrigerant
heat exchanger 5 (second heat exchanger), an expansion valve 6 (expansion means),
and an evaporator 7, and water channels that cause water to flow through the first
water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4 and the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger
5. The evaporator 7 in this embodiment is constituted by an air-refrigerant heat exchanger
that performs heat exchange between air and refrigerant. The heat pump hot-water supply
device 1 according to this embodiment further includes a fan 8 that blows air to the
evaporator 7, and a high and low pressures heat exchanger 9 that performs heat exchange
between a high pressure side refrigerant and a low pressure side refrigerant. The
compressor 3, the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4, the second water-refrigerant
heat exchanger 5, the expansion valve 6, the evaporator 7, and the high and low pressures
heat exchanger 9 are connected by a pipe through which the refrigerant passes to form
a refrigerant circuit. During heating operation, the heat pump hot-water supply device
1 actuates the compressor 3 to operate a refrigeration cycle.
[0011] As shown in Figure 2, the heat pump hot-water supply device 1 according to this embodiment
may be combined with a tank unit 2 and used as a storage type hot-water supply system.
In the tank unit 2, a hot water storage tank 2a that stores water, and a water pump
2b are provided. The heat pump hot-water supply device 1 and the tank unit 2 are connected
via pipes 11 and 12 through which water flows, and electric wires (not shown). One
end of the pipe 11 is connected to a water inlet 1a of the heat pump hot-water supply
device 1. The other end of the pipe 11 is connected to a lower portion of the hot
water storage tank 2a in the tank unit 2. The water pump 2b is provided in a middle
of the pipe 11 in the tank unit 2. One end of the pipe 12 is connected to a hot water
outlet 1b of the heat pump hot-water supply device 1. The other end of the pipe 12
is connected to an upper portion of the hot water storage tank 2a in the tank unit
2. Instead of the shown configuration, the water pump 2b may be placed in the heat
pump hot-water supply device 1.
[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the compressor 3 in the heat pump hot-water supply device 1
includes a sealed container 31, a compressing element 32 and an electric actuating
element 33 provided in the sealed container 31, a first intake passage 34, a first
discharge passage 35, a second intake passage 36, and a second discharge passage 37.
A low pressure refrigerant sucked through the first intake passage 34 flows directly
into the compressing element 32 without being released to an internal space 311 of
the sealed container 31. The compressing element 32 is driven by the electric actuating
element 33, and compresses the low pressure refrigerant into a high pressure refrigerant.
The high pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressing element 32 is discharged
through the first discharge passage 35 directly to the outside of the sealed container
31 without being released to the internal space 311 of the sealed container 31. The
high pressure refrigerant discharged from the first discharge passage 35 flows through
a pipe 10 and reaches the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4. The high pressure
refrigerant having passed through the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4 flows
through a pipe 17 and reaches the second intake passage 36. The second intake passage
36 guides the high pressure refrigerant to the internal space 311 of the sealed container
31 of the compressor 3. The high pressure refrigerant having flowed to the internal
space 311 of the sealed container 31 passes between a rotor and a stator of the electric
actuating element 33 to cool the electric actuating element 33, and is then discharged
through the second discharge passage 37 to the outside of the sealed container 31.
The high pressure refrigerant having been discharged from the second discharge passage
37 passes through a pipe 18 and reaches the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger
5. The high pressure refrigerant having passed through the second water-refrigerant
heat exchanger 5 passes through a pipe 19 and reaches the expansion valve 6. The high
pressure refrigerant passes through the expansion valve 6 to turn into a low pressure
refrigerant. The low pressure refrigerant passes through a pipe 20 and flows into
the evaporator 7. The low pressure refrigerant having passed through the evaporator
7 passes through a pipe 21 and reaches the first intake passage 34, and is sucked
into the compressor 3. The high and low pressures heat exchanger 9 performs heat exchange
between the high pressure refrigerant passing through the pipe 19 and the low pressure
refrigerant passing through the pipe 21.
[0013] The heat pump hot-water supply device 1 further includes a water channel 23 that
connects the water inlet 1a and an inlet of the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger
5, a water channel 24 that connects an outlet of the second water-refrigerant heat
exchanger 5 and an inlet of the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4, and a water
channel 26 that connects an outlet of the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4
and the hot water outlet 1b. During heating operation, water having flowed in from
the water inlet 1a flows through the water channel 23 into the second water-refrigerant
heat exchanger 5, and is heated by heat from the refrigerant in the second water-refrigerant
heat exchanger 5. Hot water generated by heating in the second water-refrigerant heat
exchanger 5 flows through the water channel 24 into the first water-refrigerant heat
exchanger 4, and is further heated by heat from the refrigerant in the first water-refrigerant
heat exchanger 4. The hot water further increased in temperature by being further
heated in the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4 passes through the water channel
26 and reaches the hot water outlet 1b, and is fed through the pipe 12 to the tank
unit 2.
[0014] An appropriate refrigerant includes refrigerants that can generate a high temperature
hot water, for example, refrigerants such as carbon dioxide, R410A, propane, or propylene,
but not limited to them.
[0015] The high temperature and high pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the first
discharge passage 35 of the compressor 3 releases heat and is reduced in temperature
while passing through the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4. Due to pressure
loss that occurs in the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4, the pipes 10, 17,
of the like, pressure of the high pressure refrigerant in the second intake passage
36 is slightly lower than pressure of the high pressure refrigerant in the first discharge
passage 35. In this embodiment, the high pressure refrigerant reduced in temperature
while passing through the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4 is sucked from
the second intake passage 36 to the internal space 311 of the sealed container 31
to cool the electric actuating element 33, thereby reducing a temperature of the electric
actuating element 33 and a surface temperature of the sealed container 31. This can
increase motor efficiency of the electric actuating element 33, and reduce heat dissipation
loss from a surface of the sealed container 31. The high pressure refrigerant gas
guided from the second intake passage 36 to the internal space 311 of the sealed container
31 draws heat from the electric actuating element 33 and is increased in temperature,
and then discharged from the second discharge passage 37 in a high pressure state.
The high pressure refrigerant discharged from the second discharge passage 37 flows
into the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger 5, and releases heat and is reduced
in temperature while passing through the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger 5.
The high pressure refrigerant reduced in temperature heats the low pressure refrigerant
while passing through the high and low pressures heat exchanger 9, and then passes
through the expansion valve 6. The high pressure refrigerant passes through the expansion
valve 6, and is thus reduced in pressure into a low pressure gas-liquid two-phase
state. The low pressure refrigerant having passed through the expansion valve 6 absorbs
heat from outside air while passing through the evaporator 7, and is evaporated and
gasified. The low pressure refrigerant coming out of the evaporator 7 is heated by
the high and low pressures heat exchanger 9, and then sucked from the first intake
passage 34 into the compressor 3.
[0016] If the high pressure side refrigerant pressure is critical pressure or more, the
high pressure refrigerant in the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4 and the
second water-refrigerant heat exchanger 5 is reduced in temperature and releases heat
still in a supercritical state without gas-liquid phase transition. If the high pressure
side refrigerant pressure is the critical pressure or less, the high pressure refrigerant
is liquefied and releases heat. In this embodiment, carbon dioxide is preferably used
as a refrigerant to bring the high pressure side refrigerant pressure to the critical
pressure or more. When the high pressure side refrigerant pressure is the critical
pressure or more, the liquefied refrigerant can be reliably prevented from flowing
through the second intake passage 36 to the internal space 311 of the sealed container
31. This can reliably prevent the liquefied refrigerant from adhering to the electric
actuating element 33, and reduce rotational resistance of the electric actuating element
33. Also, the liquefied refrigerant does not flow through the second intake passage
36 to the internal space 311 of the sealed container 31, thereby preventing the refrigerator
oil from being diluted by the refrigerant.
[0017] As shown in Figure 2, a water supply pipe 13 is further connected to a lower portion
of the hot water storage tank 2a of the tank unit 2. Water supplied from an external
water source such as a water supply flows through the water supply pipe 13 into the
hot water storage tank 2a and is stored. The hot water storage tank 2a is always filled
with water flowing in from the water supply pipe 13. A hot-water supplying mixing
valve 2c is further provided in the tank unit 2. The hot-water supplying mixing valve
2c is connected via a hot water delivery pipe 14 to the upper portion of the hot water
storage tank 2a. A water supply branch pipe 15 branching off from the water supply
pipe 13 is connected to the hot-water supplying mixing valve 2c. One end of the hot-water
supply pipe 16 is further connected to the hot-water supplying mixing valve 2c. The
other end of the hot-water supply pipe 16 is connected to a hot-water supply terminal
such as a tap, a shower, or a bathtub (not shown).
[0018] During heating operation in which water stored in the hot water storage tank 2a is
heated, the water stored in the hot water storage tank 2a is fed by the water pump
2b through the pipe 11 to the heat pump hot-water supply device 1, and heated in the
heat pump hot-water supply device 1 to be high temperature hot water. The high temperature
hot water generated in the heat pump hot-water supply device 1 returns through the
pipe 12 to the tank unit 2, and flows into the hot water storage tank 2a from above.
By such heating operation, in the hot water storage tank 2a, the high temperature
hot water is stored in an upper side and low temperature water is stored in a lower
side.
[0019] When hot water is supplied from the hot-water supply pipe 16 to the hot-water supply
terminal, the high temperature hot water in the hot water storage tank 2a is supplied
through the hot water delivery pipe 14 to the hot-water supplying mixing valve 2c,
and low temperature water is supplied through the water supply branch pipe 15 to the
hot-water supplying mixing valve 2c. The high temperature hot water and the low temperature
water are mixed by the hot-water supplying mixing valve 2c, and then supplied through
the hot-water supply pipe 16 to the hot-water supply terminal. The hot-water supplying
mixing valve 2c has a function of adjusting a mixture ratio between the high temperature
hot water and the low temperature water so as to reach a hot-water supply temperature
set by a user.
[0020] The storage type hot-water supply system includes a control unit 50. The control
unit 50 is electrically connected to actuators and sensors (not shown) included in
the heat pump hot-water supply device 1 and the tank unit 2, and user interface devices
(not shown), and functions as control means for controlling operation of the storage
type hot-water supply system. In Figure 2, the control unit 50 is provided in the
heat pump hot-water supply device 1, but the control unit 50 may be provided other
than in the heat pump hot-water supply device 1. The control unit 50 may be provided
in the tank unit 2. The control unit 50 may be provided in the heat pump hot-water
supply device 1 and the tank unit 2 in a divided manner so as to be able to mutually
communicate.
[0021] During heating operation, the control unit 50 performs control so that a temperature
of the hot water supplied from the heat pump hot-water supply device 1 to the tank
unit 2 (hereinafter referred to as "hot water delivery temperature") reaches a target
hot water delivery temperature. The target hot water delivery temperature is set to,
for example, 65°C to 90°C. In this embodiment, the control unit 50 adjusts a rotation
speed of the water pump 2b to control the hot water delivery temperature. The control
unit 50 detects the hot water delivery temperature using a temperature sensor (not
shown) provided in the water channel 26. When the detected hot water delivery temperature
is higher than the target hot water delivery temperature, the rotation speed of the
water pump 2b is corrected to be higher, and when the hot water delivery temperature
is lower than the target hot water delivery temperature, the rotation speed of the
water pump 2b is corrected to be lower. As such, the control unit 50 can perform control
so that the hot water delivery temperature matches the target hot water delivery temperature.
The hot water delivery temperature may be controlled by controlling a temperature
of the refrigerant discharged from the first discharge passage 35 of the compressor
3, a rotation speed of the compressor 3, or the like.
[0022] Figure 3 is a sectional view of the compressor according to Embodiment 1 of the present
invention. Now, with reference to Figure 3, the compressor 3 according to this embodiment
will be further described. As shown in Figure 3, the sealed container 31 of the compressor
3 according to this embodiment has a substantially cylindrical shape. An accumulator
27 is provided adjacent to the sealed container 31 of the compressor 3. The low pressure
refrigerant passes through the accumulator 27, and is then sucked from the first intake
passage 34 into the compressor 3. The accumulator 27 is not shown in Figure 1 mentioned
above.
[0023] The compressing element 32 is placed under the electric actuating element 33 in the
sealed container 31. The electric actuating element 33 drives the compressing element
32 via a rotating shaft 331. The compressing element 32 includes a compression chamber
321, a muffler 322, and a frame 323. A low pressure refrigerant gas sucked from the
first intake passage 34 flows into the compression chamber 321, and is compressed
in the compression chamber 321 into a high pressure refrigerant gas. The high pressure
refrigerant gas compressed in the compression chamber 321 is discharged into the muffler
322. The high pressure refrigerant gas discharged into the muffler 322 passes in the
frame 323, and is discharged through the first discharge passage 35 to the outside
of the sealed container 31. As described above, the high pressure refrigerant gas
discharged from the first discharge passage 35 passes through the first water-refrigerant
heat exchanger 4, and is sucked from the second intake passage 36 to the internal
space 311 of the sealed container 31. The internal space 311 of the sealed container
31 is brought into high pressure atmosphere filled with the high pressure refrigerant
gas having flowed in from the second intake passage 36. However, as described above,
the pressure in the internal space 311 of the sealed container 31, that is, the pressure
in the second intake passage 36 is slightly lower than the pressure in the muffler
322, that is, the pressure in the first discharge passage 35 due to pressure loss
that occurs in the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4, the pipes 10, 17, or
the like.
[0024] In the description below, pressure in the muffler 322 and the first discharge passage
35 is referred to as first high pressure, and pressure in the internal space 311 of
the sealed container 31 and the second intake passage 36 is referred to as second
high pressure. A difference between the first high pressure and the second high pressure
corresponds to pressure loss that occurs when the high pressure refrigerant passes
through the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4 or the like.
[0025] The first intake passage 34, the first discharge passage 35, and the second intake
passage 36 protrude from side surfaces of the sealed container 31. The second intake
passage 36 is placed above the first discharge passage 35. An outlet of the second
intake passage 36 opens into a space below the electric actuating element 33 in the
internal space 311 of the sealed container 31. Specifically, the outlet of the second
intake passage 36 is lower than the electric actuating element 33. An oil reservoir
312 that stores refrigerator oil (not shown) is located in a lower portion of the
internal space 311 of the sealed container 31. An oil surface of the refrigerator
oil in the oil reservoir 312 in the sealed container 31 is lower than an opening of
the outlet of the second intake passage 36. An inlet of the second discharge passage
37 opens into a space above the electric actuating element 33 in the internal space
311 of the sealed container 31. As such, the outlet of the second intake passage 36
and the inlet of the second discharge passage 37 are located on opposite sides with
the electric actuating element 33 therebetween.
[0026] The high pressure refrigerant gas having flowed from the second intake passage 36
into the space below the electric actuating element 33 in the internal space 311 of
the sealed container 31 passes through a gap between the rotor and the stator of the
electric actuating element 33, or the like, and moves to the space above the electric
actuating element 33 in the internal space 311. Then, the high pressure refrigerant
gas is discharged through the second discharge passage 37 to the outside of the sealed
container 31. As described above, the refrigerant discharged from the second discharge
passage 37 passes through the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger 5, the expansion
valve 6, the evaporator 7, or the like, and then returns to the first intake passage
34 of the compressor 3.
[0027] In order to lubricate and seal a slide portion of the compressing element 32 to reduce
friction and gap leakage, the refrigerator oil is supplied from the oil reservoir
312 into the compression chamber 321. The refrigerator oil supplied into the compression
chamber 321 and the compressed high pressure refrigerant gas pass together through
the muffler 322 and the frame 323, and flow into the first discharge passage 35. The
high pressure refrigerant gas and the refrigerator oil form a gas-liquid two-phase
flow.
[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of a flow state of the refrigerant gas and
the refrigerator oil. As shown in Figure 4, the flow state of the refrigerant gas
and the refrigerator oil is referred to as an annular flow or an annular dispersed
flow. Specifically, the refrigerator oil as a liquid phase flows as an annular liquid
film along a pipe wall, and the refrigerant gas as a gas phase flows through a center
of the pipe. Such a state is referred to as an annular flow. A part of the refrigerator
oil may be spattered in the refrigerant gas in the center of the pipe to form mist.
Such a state is referred to as an annular dispersed flow.
[0029] If a large amount of refrigerator oil having flowed out of the compressing element
32 to the first discharge passage 35 together with the high pressure refrigerant gas
flows into the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4, heat transfer in the first
water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4 is inhibited by the refrigerator oil, or pressure
loss increases, which may reduce performance of the heat pump hot-water supply device
1. Also, a reduction in the amount of the refrigerator oil in the sealed container
31 may affect reliability. Thus, in order to prevent the refrigerator oil from flowing
into the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4, the compressor 3 according to Embodiment
1 includes an oil return flow path for guiding the refrigerator oil to the internal
space 311 of the sealed container 31, the refrigerator oil having flowed out of the
compressing element 32 to the first discharge passage 35. Now, with reference to Figure
5, the oil return flow path included in the compressor 3 according to this embodiment
will be described.
[0030] Figure 5 is a sectional view of the oil return flow path included in the compressor
3 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, the first
discharge passage 35 includes an outer pipe 351, and an inner pipe 352 placed inside
the outer pipe 351. An upstream end of the outer pipe 351 airtightly fits in a hole
portion provided in a wall of the sealed container 31. An upstream end surface of
the outer pipe 351 abuts against a frame 323 of the compressing element 32. The inner
pipe 352 protrudes from an upstream end surface of the outer pipe 351, and is inserted
into a passage 324 formed in the frame 323. An upstream end of the inner pipe 352
airtightly fits in the passage 324. A plurality of holes 353 through which the refrigerator
oil can pass are formed in a pipe wall of the inner pipe 352. The holes 353 open in
an inner peripheral surface of the inner pipe 352 of the first discharge passage 35.
A gap is formed between an inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe 351 and an outer
peripheral surface of the inner pipe 352. This gap constitutes a first oil return
passage 354 through which the refrigerator oil can pass. A sealing member 355 seals
between an outer peripheral surface of the downstream end of the inner pipe 352 and
the inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe 351. A second oil return passage 325
through which the refrigerator oil can pass is formed in the frame 323. The second
oil return passage 325 is constituted by an annular recess communicating with the
first oil return passage 354, and a through passage penetrating from the recess to
a lower surface of the frame 323. As such, the holes 353 communicate with the internal
space 311 of the sealed container 31 via the first oil return passage 354 and the
second oil return passage 325.
[0031] The refrigerator oil supplied into the compression chamber 321 of the compressing
element 32 flows, together with the compressed high pressure refrigerant gas, through
the muffler 322 and the passage 324 in the frame 323 into the inner pipe 352 of the
first discharge passage 35. The high pressure refrigerant gas and the refrigerator
oil form an annular flow in the inner pipe 352. Specifically, most of the refrigerator
oil in the inner pipe 352 flows as an annular liquid film along the inner peripheral
surface of the inner pipe 352. As such, the refrigerator oil as a liquid film on the
inner peripheral surface of the inner pipe 352 is sucked into the holes 353 opening
in the inner peripheral surface of the inner pipe 352, passes through the first oil
return passage 354 and the second oil return passage 325, and flows out of an outlet
of the second oil return passage 325 to the internal space 311 of the sealed container
31 as shown by thin arrows in Figure 5. Since the refrigerator oil has a higher density
than the refrigerant gas, the refrigerator oil having flowed out of the outlet of
the second oil return passage 325 falls by gravity, and returns to the oil reservoir
312 in the lower portion of the internal space 311 of the sealed container 31. In
contrast, the refrigerant gas passes through the inner pipe 352 and reaches the outer
pipe 351, and is fed toward the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4.
[0032] As such, the oil return flow path in Embodiment 1 is constituted by the first oil
return passage 354 provided on an outer peripheral side of the inner pipe 352 of the
first discharge passage 35, and the second oil return passage 325 that provides communication
between the first oil return passage 354 and the internal space 311 of the sealed
container 31, the second oil return passage 325 being inside the sealed container
31.
[0033] According to Embodiment 1, the oil return flow path as described above is provided
in the compressor 3, thereby allowing the refrigerator oil having flowed out to the
first discharge passage 35 to be guided to the internal space 311 of the sealed container
31. Thus, the amount of the refrigerator oil flowing from the first discharge passage
35 to the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4 can be reliably reduced. This can
reliably prevent an increase in pressure loss and inhibition of heat transfer in the
first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4 caused by the refrigerator oil. This can
improve performance of the heat pump hot-water supply device 1. Also, a reduction
in the amount of the refrigerator oil in the sealed container 31 can be prevented
to increase reliability of the compressor 3. Further, there is no need to provide
an oil separator in a middle of a pipe connecting the compressor 3 and the first water-refrigerant
heat exchanger 4, which allows a simple and compact device configuration.
[0034] In particular, in Embodiment 1, the first oil return passage 354 and the second oil
return passage 325 can be integrally provided in or near the first discharge passage
35. Thus, with an extremely simple and compact configuration, the above described
advantage can be achieved. This can reduce manufacturing cost, weight, and space.
[0035] As described above, the second high pressure in the internal space 311 of the sealed
container 31 is lower than the first high pressure in the first discharge passage
35. Thus, a force caused by the difference between the first high pressure and the
second high pressure automatically moves the refrigerator oil in the first oil return
passage 354 and the second oil return passage 325. Thus, the refrigerator oil in the
first discharge passage 35 can be efficiently and reliably returned to the internal
space 311 of the sealed container 31. The difference between the first high pressure
and the second high pressure corresponds to the pressure loss that occurs in the first
water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4 or the like, and is thus a moderate pressure difference
rather than an excessive pressure difference. Thus, a force applied on the refrigerator
oil in the first oil return passage 354 and the second oil return passage 325 by the
difference between the first high pressure and the second high pressure moves the
refrigerator oil at a moderate speed. Also, even without an on-off valve, a pressure
reducing valve, a capillary tube, or the like being provided in a middle of the oil
return flow path, the high pressure refrigerant gas in the first discharge passage
35 can be reliably prevented from leaking through the oil return flow path to the
internal space 311 of the sealed container 31. Thus, there is no need to provide an
on-off valve, a pressure reducing valve, a capillary tube, or the like in the middle
of the oil return flow path, which can simplify the configuration.
[0036] In Embodiment 1, the refrigerator oil is sucked into the first oil return passage
354 from the plurality of holes 353 opening in the inner peripheral surface of the
inner pipe 352 of the first discharge passage 35. Thus, the refrigerator oil that
forms the annular liquid film along the inner peripheral surface of the inner pipe
352 can be efficiently introduced into the first oil return passage 354.
[0037] In Embodiment 1, the amount of the refrigerator oil flowing out of the compressing
element 32 to the first discharge passage 35 may be previously estimated, and the
size and number of the holes 353 are set according to the amount, thereby allowing
the amount of the refrigerator oil flowing from the holes 353 to the first oil return
passage 354 to be appropriately controlled.
[0038] A compressor for compressing a refrigerant generally includes a low pressure shell
type compressor in which an internal space of a sealed container is filled with a
low pressure refrigerant gas before compression, and a high pressure shell type compressor
in which an internal space of a sealed container is filled with a high pressure refrigerant
gas after compression. "Shell" corresponds to a sealed container. As described above,
the compressor 3 according to Embodiment 1 is one of high pressure shell type compressors
because the internal space 311 of the sealed container 31 is filled with the high
pressure refrigerant gas. In a conventional compressor including one refrigerant intake
passage and one refrigerant discharge passage among high pressure shell type compressors,
if an oil separator is provided on a discharge passage side of the compressor, it
is difficult to directly return refrigerator oil separated by the oil separator to
an internal space of a sealed container. This is because in the conventional high
pressure shell type compressor, refrigerant pressure on a discharge passage side is
equal to pressure in an internal space of a sealed container (shell), and thus refrigerator
oil separated by an oil separator cannot be fed to the internal space of the sealed
container by a pressure difference. Thus, when the oil separator is provided on the
discharge passage side of the conventional high pressure shell type compressor, the
refrigerator oil separated by the oil separator has to be returned to an intake passage
side of the compressor having low pressure. Thus, there is a need for an oil return
pipe connecting the oil separator provided on the discharge passage side and the intake
passage side of the compressor. In contrast, in the compressor 3 according to Embodiment
1, as described above, the refrigerator oil can be directly returned from the first
discharge passage 35 to the internal space 311 of the sealed container 31 using the
difference between the first high pressure and the second high pressure. This can
extremely simplify a structure.
[0039] In the meantime, for a low pressure shell type compressor having a configuration
in which an oil separator is provided on a discharge passage side and an oil return
pipe connecting the oil separator and a sealed container is provided, refrigerator
oil can be fed from the oil separator to an internal space of the sealed container
by a pressure difference. However, with this configuration, pressure in the oil separator
is equal to pressure of a high pressure refrigerant gas, and pressure in the internal
space of the sealed container is equal to pressure of a low pressure refrigerant gas,
and thus there is too large a difference between the pressure in the oil separator
and the pressure in the internal space of the sealed container. Thus, the high pressure
refrigerant gas may flow through the oil return pipe to the internal space of the
sealed container. Thus, when the oil separator is provided on the discharge passage
side of the low pressure shell type compressor, there is a need to provide an on-off
valve, a pressure reducing valve, a capillary tube, or the like in a middle of the
oil return pipe in order to prevent the high pressure refrigerant gas from leaking
from the oil separator through the oil return pipe to the internal space of the sealed
container. Providing an on-off valve, a pressure reducing valve, a capillary tube,
or the like in a middle of the oil return pipe complicates a structure. In contrast,
in the compressor 3 according to Embodiment 1, as described above, there is no need
to provide an on-off valve, a pressure reducing valve, a capillary tube, or the like
in the middle of the oil return flow path, which can extremely simplify the structure.
[0040] The embodiment in which the compressor according to the present invention is used
to configure the heat pump hot-water supply device has been described above, however,
not limited to the heat pump hot-water supply device, the present invention may be
similarly applied to various vapor compression refrigeration cycle devices such as
an air conditioning device or a cooling device.
Embodiment 2
[0041] Next, with reference to Figure 6, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.
Differences from Embodiment 1 described above will be mainly described, and like or
corresponding parts are denoted by like reference numerals and descriptions thereof
will be omitted. Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of an inner pipe 352 of a first
discharge passage 35 included in a compressor 3 according to Embodiment 2 of the present
invention. As shown in Figure 6, in Embodiment 2, longitudinal grooves 356 are formed
in an inner wall of the inner pipe 352 of the first discharge passage 35. In this
embodiment, many grooves 356 are formed in parallel over the entire inner periphery
of the inner pipe 352. Embodiment 2 is similar to Embodiment 1 other than the grooves
356 being formed in the inner wall of the inner pipe 352.
[0042] In Embodiment 2, the grooves 356 are formed in the inner wall of the inner pipe 352,
and thus refrigerator oil is more reliably captured in the inner wall of the inner
pipe 352 by action of surface tension. Thus, the refrigerator oil can more efficiently
flow into holes 353 formed in the inner pipe 352. Thus, in the first discharge passage
35, the refrigerator oil can be more reliably separated from a high pressure refrigerant
gas, and returned to an internal space 311 of a sealed container 31.
[0043] In an example in Figure 6, the groove 356 has a substantially V-shaped section. The
groove 356 may have a rectangular or semicircular section. The groove 356 may not
be completely parallel to an axial direction of the inner pipe 352, but the groove
356 may be twisted with respect to the axial direction of the inner pipe 352.
Embodiment 3
[0044] Next, with reference to Figure 7, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described.
Differences from Embodiment 1 described above will be mainly described, and like or
corresponding parts are denoted by like reference numerals and descriptions thereof
will be omitted. Figure 7 is a sectional view of an oil return flow path included
in a compressor 3 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Embodiment 3
is similar to Embodiment 1 other than a different configuration of the oil return
flow path. Now, with reference to Figure 7, the oil return flow path included in the
compressor 3 according to Embodiment 3 will be described.
[0045] As shown in Figure 7, a first discharge passage 35 includes an outer pipe 351, and
an inner pipe 352 placed outside the outer pipe 351. An upstream end of the outer
pipe 351 airtightly fits in a hole portion provided in a wall of a sealed container
31. An upstream end surface of the outer pipe 351 abuts against a frame 323 of a compressing
element 32. The inner pipe 352 protrudes from an upstream end surface of the outer
pipe 351, and is inserted into a passage 324 formed in the frame 323. An upstream
end of the inner pipe 352 airtightly fits in the passage 324. A plurality of holes
353 through which the refrigerator oil can pass are formed in a side wall of the inner
pipe 352. The holes 353 open in an inner peripheral surface of the inner pipe 352
of the first discharge passage 35. A gap is formed between an inner peripheral surface
of the outer pipe 351 and an outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe 352. This
gap forms a first oil return passage 354 through which the refrigerator oil can pass.
A sealing member 355 seals between an outer peripheral surface of the downstream end
of the inner pipe 352 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe 351. The
first oil return passage 354 communicates with a second intake passage 36 via a second
oil return passage 357. In the shown configuration, a hole formed in a pipe wall of
the outer pipe 351 outside the first oil return passage 354 and a hole formed in a
pipe wall of the second intake passage 36 are connected by a pipe, and the pipe constitutes
the second oil return passage 357. As such, the holes 353 communicate with the second
intake passage 36 via the first oil return passage 354 and the second oil return passage
357.
[0046] The refrigerator oil supplied into the compression chamber 321 of the compressing
element 32 flows, together with the compressed high pressure refrigerant gas, through
a muffler 322 and the passage 324 in the frame 323 into the inner pipe 352 of the
first discharge passage 35 to form an annular flow. The refrigerator oil as a liquid
film on the inner peripheral surface of the inner pipe 352 is sucked into the holes
353 opening in the inner peripheral surface of the inner pipe 352, passes through
the first oil return passage 354 and the second oil return passage 357, and reaches
inside the second intake passage 36 as shown by thin arrows in Figure 7. The refrigerator
oil further flows out of an outlet of the second intake passage 36 to an internal
space 311 of the sealed container 31, falls by gravity, and returns to an oil reservoir
312 in a lower portion of the internal space 311 of the sealed container 31. In contrast,
a high pressure refrigerant gas in the inner pipe 352 passes through the inner pipe
352 and reaches the outer pipe 351, and is fed to the first water-refrigerant heat
exchanger 4.
[0047] As such, the oil return flow path in Embodiment 3 is constituted by the first oil
return passage 354 provided on an outer peripheral side of the inner pipe 352 of the
first discharge passage 35 and the second oil return passage 357 that provides communication
between the first oil return passage 354 and the second intake passage 36, the second
oil return passage 357 being outside the sealed container 31.
[0048] In the compressor 3 according to Embodiment 3, the oil return flow path as described
above is provided in the compressor 3, thereby allowing the refrigerator oil having
flowed out to the first discharge passage 35 to be guided to the second intake passage
36, and allowing the refrigerator oil to return from the second intake passage 36
to the internal space 311 of the sealed container 31. Thus, the amount of the refrigerator
oil flowing from the first discharge passage 35 to a first water-refrigerant heat
exchanger 4 can be reliably reduced. This can reliably prevent an increase in pressure
loss and inhibition of heat transfer in the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger
4 caused by the refrigerator oil. This can improve performance of the heat pump hot-water
supply device 1. Also, a reduction in the amount of the refrigerator oil in the sealed
container 31 can be prevented to increase reliability of the compressor 3. Further,
there is no need to provide an oil separator in a middle of a pipe connecting the
compressor 3 and the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger 4, which allows a simple
and compact device configuration.
[0049] Also, according to Embodiment 3, the first oil return passage 354 and the second
oil return passage 357 may be placed near the first discharge passage 35 and the second
intake passage 36 of the compressor 3 with a simple structure. This can reduce manufacturing
cost, weight, and space.
[0050] Also, in Embodiment 3, as in Embodiment 1, a moderate force caused by a difference
between first high pressure and second high pressure automatically moves the refrigerator
oil in the first oil return passage 354 and the second oil return passage 357 at a
moderate speed. This provides similar advantage as of Embodiment 1. In Embodiment
3, as in Embodiment 2, grooves 356 may be formed in an inner wall of the inner pipe
352.
Embodiment 4
[0051] Next, with reference to Figures 8 and 9, Embodiment 4 of the present invention will
be described. Differences from the embodiments described above will be mainly described,
and like or corresponding parts are denoted by like reference numerals and descriptions
thereof will be omitted. Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of around a downstream
end of a second intake passage 36 included in a compressor 3 according to Embodiment
4 of the present invention. Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of around the downstream
end of the second intake passage 36 included in the compressor 3 according to Embodiment
4 of the present invention.
[0052] In Embodiment 3 described above, the refrigerator oil in the first discharge passage
35 is guided into the second intake passage 36 to flow from an outlet of the second
intake passage 36 into a sealed container 31. When the refrigerator oil flows out
of the outlet of the second intake passage 36, the refrigerator oil may be raised
by a flow of a high pressure refrigerant gas spouting from the outlet of the second
intake passage 36. A part of the raised refrigerator oil is atomized and mixed in
the high pressure refrigerant gas. Thus, the refrigerator oil mixed in the high pressure
refrigerant gas may flow out of the second discharge passage 37, and is circulated
to a refrigerant circuit such as a second water-refrigerant heat exchanger 5. Thus,
heat transfer in the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger 5 may be inhibited by
the refrigerator oil, or pressure loss may increase, which may reduce performance
of the heat pump hot-water supply device 1.
[0053] In view of the above, the compressor 3 according to Embodiment 4 further includes
oil separation means for separating the high pressure refrigerant gas and the refrigerator
oil flowing from the second intake passage 36 in addition to the configuration in
Embodiment 3. Now, a configuration of the oil separation means in Embodiment 4 will
be described.
[0054] As shown in Figure 8, the compressor 3 according to Embodiment 4 includes an inner
pipe 38 inside the second intake passage 36. The high pressure refrigerant gas can
pass through an inside of the inner pipe 38. Specifically, the inner pipe 38 has a
channel cross-sectional area through which a high pressure refrigerant gas can smoothly
pass. Refrigerator oil introduced from the first discharge passage 35 into the second
intake passage 36 can pass between an inner wall of the second intake passage 36 and
an outer wall of the inner pipe 38. Specifically, a gap to form a channel cross-sectional
area through which the refrigerator oil can smoothly pass is formed between the inner
wall of the second intake passage 36 and the outer wall of the inner pipe 38.
[0055] A downstream end of the inner pipe 38 protrudes from a downstream end of the second
intake passage 36. Specifically, the downstream end of the inner pipe 38 is located
in a position protruding inward of the sealed container 31 as compared to the position
of the downstream end of the second intake passage 36. In Embodiment 4, such an inner
pipe 38 is provided as oil separation means. The refrigerator oil flows out of the
downstream end of the second intake passage 36, and falls downward into an oil reservoir
312 in a lower portion of an internal space 311 of the sealed container 31. The high
pressure refrigerant gas spouts from the downstream end of the inner pipe 38 to the
internal space 311 of the sealed container 31. Thus, the refrigerator oil having flowed
out of the downstream end of the second intake passage 36 does not collide with a
flow of the high pressure refrigerant gas spouting from the downstream end of the
inner pipe 38, thereby reliably preventing the refrigerator oil from being raised
and spattered by the flow of the high pressure refrigerant gas. As such, in Embodiment
4, the refrigerator oil having flowed out of the downstream end of the second intake
passage 36 can reliably fall into the oil reservoir 312 in the lower portion of the
internal space 311 of the sealed container 31 and be separated. Thus, mixture of the
high pressure refrigerant gas and the refrigerator oil flowing from the second intake
passage 36 to the internal space 311 of the sealed container 31 can be reliably prevented
to reliably separate the high pressure refrigerant gas and the refrigerator oil. Thus,
the amount of the refrigerator oil mixed in the refrigerant and flowing out of the
second discharge passage 37 can be reduced. This can reduce a circulation rate of
the refrigerator oil to the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger 5, the expansion
valve 6, the evaporator 7, or the like, and reliably prevent an increase in pressure
loss and inhibition of heat transfer in the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger
5 caused by the refrigerator oil. This can further improve performance of the heat
pump hot-water supply device 1. Also, a reduction in the amount of the refrigerator
oil in the sealed container 31 can be more reliably prevented to further increase
reliability of the compressor 3.
[0056] Also in Embodiment 4, as shown in Figure 9, longitudinal grooves 364 are formed in
an inner wall of the second intake passage 36 so that the refrigerator oil can pass
through the grooves 364. In Embodiment 4, many grooves 364 are formed in parallel
over the entire inner periphery of the second intake passage 36. In the shown configuration,
the groove 364 has a substantially V-shaped section, but the groove 364 may have a
rectangular or semicircular section. The groove 364 may not be completely parallel
to an axial direction of the second intake passage 36, but the groove 364 may be twisted
with respect to the axial direction of the second intake passage 36. In Embodiment
4, the grooves 364 are formed in the inner wall of the second intake passage 36, and
thus the refrigerator oil flowing in the second intake passage 36 is reliably captured
in the grooves 364 by surface tension. Thus, the refrigerator oil can be reliably
prevented from being spattered and atomized in the high pressure refrigerant gas in
a center of the second intake passage 36 to more reliably guide the refrigerator oil
to a gap between the inner wall of the second intake passage 36 and an outer wall
of the inner pipe 38. Thus, mixture of the high pressure refrigerant gas and the refrigerator
oil flowing from the second intake passage 36 to the internal space 311 of the sealed
container 31 can be more reliably prevented to more reliably separate the high pressure
refrigerant gas and the refrigerator oil. In Embodiment 4, no grooves 364 may be provided
in the inner wall of the second intake passage 36. Specifically, the inner wall of
the second intake passage 36 may be smooth. In Embodiment 4, a space through which
the refrigerator oil can pass will suffice, the space being provided between the inner
wall of the second intake passage 36 and the outer wall of the inner pipe 38.
Embodiment 5
[0057] Next, with reference to Figure 10, Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be
described. Differences from Embodiments 3 and 4 described above will be mainly described,
and like or corresponding parts are denoted by like reference numerals and descriptions
thereof will be omitted. Figure 10 is a view of around a downstream end of a second
intake passage 36 included in a compressor 3 according to Embodiment 5 of the present
invention.
[0058] For the same reason as in Embodiment 4, the compressor 3 according to Embodiment
5 further includes oil separation means for separating a high pressure refrigerant
gas and refrigerator oil flowing from the second intake passage 36 in addition to
the configuration in Embodiment 3. Now, a configuration of the oil separation means
in Embodiment 5 will be described.
[0059] As shown in Figure 10, in the compressor 3 according to Embodiment 5, a tubular mesh
member 39 is connected to a downstream end of the second intake passage 36 in the
sealed container 31. The mesh member 39 is made of, for example, a metal material,
and has substantially the same diameter as the second intake passage 36. In Embodiment
5, such a mesh member 39 is provided as the oil separation means. A central axis of
the mesh member 39 is substantially horizontal. Refrigerator oil having flowed out
of the downstream end of the second intake passage 36 is captured by the mesh member
39, collected along a peripheral surface of the mesh member 39 in a lower portion
of the mesh member 39, and falls into an oil reservoir 312 in a lower portion of an
internal space 311 of the sealed container 31. An end surface of the mesh member 39
has an opening. A high pressure refrigerant gas spouts through the opening in the
end surface of the mesh member 39 rather than meshes (pores) of the mesh member 39
to the internal space 311 of the sealed container 31. With such a configuration, in
Embodiment 5, the refrigerator oil having flowed out of the downstream end of the
second intake passage 36 can be reliably prevented from being raised and spattered
by the flow of the high pressure refrigerant gas. Thus, mixture of the high pressure
refrigerant gas and the refrigerator oil flowing from the second intake passage 36
to the internal space 311 of the sealed container 31 can be reliably prevented to
reliably separate the high pressure refrigerant gas and the refrigerator oil. This
can provide similar advantage as of Embodiment 4.
[0060] In Embodiment 5, grooves 364 as in Embodiment 4 are desirably formed in an inner
wall of the second intake passage 36. Thus, the refrigerator oil flowing in the second
intake passage 36 is reliably captured in the grooves 364 by surface tension. Thus,
the refrigerator oil can be reliably prevented from being spattered and atomized in
the high pressure refrigerant gas in a center of the second intake passage 36 to more
reliably guide the refrigerator oil as a liquid film to the mesh member 39. This can
more reliably prevent mixture of the high pressure refrigerant gas and the refrigerator
oil flowing from the second intake passage 36 into the sealed container 31 to more
reliably separate both.
Reference Signs List
[0061]
- 1
- heat pump hot-water supply device
- 1a
- water inlet
- 1b
- hot water outlet
- 2
- tank unit
- 2a
- hot water storage tank
- 2b
- water pump
- 2c
- hot-water supplying mixing valve
- 3
- compressor
- 4
- first water-refrigerant heat exchanger
- 5
- second water-refrigerant heat exchanger
- 6
- expansion valve
- 7
- evaporator
- 8
- fan
- 9
- high and low pressures heat exchanger
- 10, 11, 12
- pipe
- 13
- water supply pipe
- 14
- hot water delivery pipe
- 15
- water supply branch pipe
- 16
- hot-water supply pipe
- 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
- pipe
- 23, 24, 26
- water channel
- 27
- accumulator
- 31
- sealed container
- 32
- compressing element
- 33
- electric actuating element
- 34
- first intake passage
- 35
- first discharge passage
- 36
- second intake passage
- 37
- second discharge passage
- 38
- inner pipe
- 39
- mesh member
- 50
- control unit
- 311
- internal space
- 312
- oil reservoir
- 321
- compression chamber
- 322
- muffler
- 323
- frame
- 324
- passage
- 325
- second oil return passage
- 331
- rotating shaft
- 351
- outer pipe
- 352
- inner pipe
- 353
- hole
- 354
- first oil return passage
- 355
- sealing member
- 356
- groove
- 357
- second oil return passage
- 364
- groove
1. A compressor comprising:
a sealed container;
a compressing element provided in the sealed container;
a first intake passage for guiding sucked low pressure refrigerant to the compressing
element without releasing the low pressure refrigerant to an internal space of the
sealed container;
a first discharge passage for discharging high pressure refrigerant compressed by
the compressing element directly to an outside of the sealed container without releasing
the high pressure refrigerant to the internal space of the sealed container;
a second intake passage for guiding the high pressure refrigerant having passed through
the first discharge passage and an external heat exchanger provided downstream of
the first discharge passage to the internal space of the sealed container;
a second discharge passage for discharging the high pressure refrigerant in the internal
space of the sealed container to the outside of the sealed container; and
an oil return flow path for guiding refrigerator oil, the refrigerator oil having
flowed out of the compressing element to the first discharge passage, to the internal
space of the sealed container or into the second intake passage,
due to pressure loss occurring when the high pressure refrigerant passes through the
external heat exchanger, a second high pressure which is a pressure in the internal
space of the sealed container and the second intake passage being lower than a first
high pressure which is a pressure in the first discharge passage,
owing to a difference between the first high pressure and the second high pressure,
the refrigerator oil moving in the oil return flow path.
2. The compressor according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of holes opening
in an inner peripheral surface of the first discharge passage, the refrigerator oil
in the first discharge passage being sucked into the plurality of holes.
3. The compressor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the oil return flow path includes
a first oil return passage provided on an outer peripheral side of the first discharge
passage, and a second oil return passage that provides communication between the first
oil return passage and the internal space of the sealed container, the second oil
return passage being inside the sealed container.
4. The compressor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the oil return flow path includes
a first oil return passage provided on an outer peripheral side of the first discharge
passage, and a second oil return passage that provides communication between the first
oil return passage and the second intake passage, the second oil return passage being
outside the sealed container.
5. The compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a longitudinal groove
is formed in an inner wall of the first discharge passage.
6. The compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising oil separation
means for separating the high pressure refrigerant and the refrigerator oil flowing
from the second intake passage to the internal space of the sealed container.
7. The compressor according to claim 6, comprising, as the oil separation means, an inner
pipe provided inside the second intake passage,
wherein a downstream end of the inner pipe protrudes from a downstream end of the
second intake passage,
the high pressure refrigerant is able to pass through an inside of the inner pipe,
and
the refrigerator oil is able to pass between an inner wall of the second intake passage
and an outer wall of the inner pipe.
8. The compressor according to claim 6, comprising, as the oil separation means, a tubular
mesh member connected to a downstream end of the second intake passage.
9. The compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein pressure on a high pressure
side of the refrigerant exceeds critical pressure.
10. A refrigeration cycle device comprising:
the compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 9;
a first heat exchanger, as the external heat exchanger, for making the high pressure
refrigerant discharged from the first discharge passage of the compressor release
heat; and
a second heat exchanger for making the high pressure refrigerant discharged from the
second discharge passage of the compressor release heat.
11. A heat pump hot-water supply device comprising:
the compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 9;
a first water-refrigerant heat exchanger, as the external heat exchanger, for performing
heat exchange between the high pressure refrigerant discharged from the first discharge
passage of the compressor and water; and
a second water-refrigerant heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between the
high pressure refrigerant discharged from the second discharge passage of the compressor
and water.