Patent ID: 10619645

Abstract:
The centrifugal compressor includes an hermetic housing; a drive shaft (4); a first and a second compression stage (8, 9) configured to compress a refrigerant, the first and second compression stages (8, 9) respectively including a first and a second impeller (18, 19), the first and second impellers (18, 19) being connected to the drive shaft (4) and being arranged in a back-to-back configuration; a radial annular groove (27) formed between the back-sides (25, 26) of the first and second impellers (18, 19); an inter-stage sealing arrangement (35) provided between the first and second compressor stages (8, 9) and in the radial annular groove (27); a radial bearing arrangement configured to rotatably support the drive shaft (4); and a thrust bearing arrangement configured to limit an axial movement of the drive shaft (4) during operation. The diameter of the inter-stage sealing arrangement (35) is configured to minimize the amplitude of the axial load applying on the thrust bearing arrangement during operation of the centrifugal compressor (2).