US 12,313,072 B2
Oil-free phase separating compressor
Masao Akei, La Crosse, WI (US)
Assigned to TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC., Davidson, NC (US)
Filed by TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC., Davidson, NC (US)
Filed on Nov. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/060,231.
Prior Publication US 2024/0175437 A1, May 30, 2024
Int. Cl. F04C 29/00 (2006.01); F04C 18/02 (2006.01); F04C 29/02 (2006.01); F25B 1/04 (2006.01)
CPC F04C 29/0092 (2013.01) [F04C 18/0215 (2013.01); F04C 29/026 (2013.01); F25B 1/04 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An oil-free compressor, comprising:
a compressor housing including a suction inlet and a discharge outlet;
a compression mechanism disposed within the compressor housing, the compression mechanism having an inlet fluidly connected to the suction inlet and a discharge volume fluidly connected to the discharge outlet;
a crankshaft engaged with the compression mechanism, rotation of the crankshaft configured to drive the compression mechanism to provide compression;
a bearing for supporting the crankshaft; and
a liquid-vapor separation volume disposed within the compressor housing, the liquid-vapor separation volume configured to separate a mixed phase of working fluid into liquid working fluid and gaseous working fluid, the mixed phase of the working fluid being received by the liquid-vapor separation volume at a pressure less than a discharge pressure of the compressor, wherein the liquid working fluid is supplied to the bearing.