Patent ID: 11959484
Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 8:
9. A method of directing working fluid in a direct-drive refrigerant screw compressor, wherein for each of first and second rotors of a pair of rotors in the compressor, the method comprises:
receiving working fluid at a plurality of bearing lubrication ports in a housing of the compressor, wherein the working fluid is oil-free; and
directing the working fluid from the plurality of bearing lubrication ports to a plurality of bearing chambers; and
when the compressor is running, lubricating a plurality of bearing packs in the respective plurality of bearing chambers with the working fluid,
wherein the plurality of bearing chambers includes a forward bearing chamber and an aft bearing chamber; and
the plurality of bearing lubrication ports includes, for directing the working fluid into the respective plurality of bearing chambers:
for the first rotor, a first forward bearing lubrication port and a first aft bearing lubrication port; and
for the second rotor, a second forward bearing lubrication port and a second aft bearing lubrication port, and
wherein the plurality of bearing lubrication ports includes a respective plurality flow control orifices to reduce a flow volume or rate from a condenser, wherein the respective plurality flow control orifices are defined in the compressor housing, and
the method further comprises injecting the working fluid into a forward bearing chamber from the first and second forward bearing lubrication ports and an aft bearing chamber from the first and second aft bearing lubrication ports.