Oil-Free Scroll Refrigeration
Overview
Oil-free scroll refrigeration technology makes the numerous advantages of oil-free scroll compressors available for vapor-compression refrigeration applications.
The technology provides an efficient and compact refrigeration compressor solution that does not require any lubrication, making it ideally suited for aerospace and space refrigeration applications where a zero-gravity or hypergravity environment make oil circulation challenging.
Range Technical Overview
Design Experience Range
Product Line Coverage
Oil-Free Scroll Refreigeration
How It Works
Design and Construction
Oil-free scroll refrigeration designs are similar to other oil-free scroll designs, but use semi-hermetic sealing features to reduce leakage and isolate the greased bearings for minimal contact with the working fluid.
Scroll compressors used throughout the refrigeration industry typically use an Oldham ring to maintain the relative motion of the fixed and orbiting scroll. The configuration is inexpensive at scale, but requires lubrication during operation. Alternatively, oil-free scroll refrigeration compressors use an idler shaft arrangement that does not require lubrication to maintain the relative motion between the fixed and orbiting scrolls.