A Study on Liquid Compression Characteristics of a Sliding Vane Type Rotary Compressor during its Steady Operation

Abstract

This paper is concerned with a sliding vane type rotary compressor for an automotive air conditioner, The return of liquid refrigerant to the compressor increases the compressor load and affects the compressor performence. Fundamental characteristics of the liquid compression during the steady operation of the compressor were examined experimentally. Pressures in the cylinder and the torque of the shaft were measured by changing the speed of the compressor and the amount of liquid refrigerant stored in a reservoir which was set up parallel to the suction line. Peaks in the pressure and the torque due to liquid compression were not observed when the amount of liquid refrigerant was small. However, the slow rise of the pressure in the cylinder suggested the detachment of the vane from the cylinder wall. The increase of the sound level of the compressor with the liquid back implied the collision of the vane with the cylinder wall.