An Improved Geometric Theoretical Model and Throughflow Prediction Method for a CO₂Scroll Compressor of Automotive Air Conditioning System

The scroll-type compressor is the core component of the refrigeration system using the natural refrigerant carbon dioxide. An accurate scroll geometric theoretical model is essential for evaluating and enhancing compressor performance. The present paper proposed and validated an improved geometric theoretical model of a scroll compressor. A vector triangle method-based general piecewise function describes precisely the volume variation of the working chambers, based on which the transient throughflow modeling and performance evaluation of a carbon dioxide scroll compressor were conducted. The mechanisms and influencing factors of the suction precompression and the asymmetry discharging were analyzed. The results indicate that the strength of the suction precompression is mainly influenced by the suction vacuum under different rotating speeds, partly associated with the tangential leakage under low rotating speeds. The increasing initial suction pressure contributes to the linear raising of the pressure difference between suction initial and ending pressures, decreasing the precompression extension slightly. The variation of the discharge throughflow areas of two symmetric discharge chambers dominates the pressure asymmetry, which is gradually eliminated by the overlapping throughflow area. Compared with the circular discharge structure, the waist-shape port reduces the pressure asymmetry degree and shortens its duration.