A Robust Parameter Design of Viscous Oil Pump in Reciprocating Compressor for Refrigerator

Abstract

It is very important to improve a compressor efficiency in low capacity region for refrigerators and develop a compressor with wide range operation. In low speed operation, a compressor efficiency is influenced by characteristics of an oil pump which supplies the lubricant oil to frictional faces. Many oil pumps in compressors utilize a rotational motion of a shaft. In this study, we develop the viscous oil pump for reciprocating compressor using a robust parameter design method. The result showed that shallow spiral groove, small pitch and small clearance of stationary piece and moving piece make a high signal to noise ratio in terms of the oil viscosity error factor. The optimized viscous oil pump showed good oil flow characteristics and enable a compressor to operate lower speed than conventional centrifugal oil pumps.