Compression device, and a thermodynamic system comprising such a compression device

Abstract

This compression device comprises first and second compressors mounted in parallel, a suction line intended to be connected to an outlet of an evaporator, first and second suction conduits arranged for putting the suction line respectively in communication with the admission orifices of the first and second compressors, and an oil level equalization conduit connecting the oil pans of the first and second compressors. The compression device further comprises an oil separator mounted on the suction line or on the second suction conduit, and an oil return conduit arranged for connecting an oil outflow orifice of the oil separator to the oil pan of the first compressor.

1 . A compression device comprising:
 at least one first compressor and one second compressor mounted in parallel, each compressor comprising a leakproof enclosure including a low pressure portion containing a motor and an oil pan on the one hand, and an admission orifice opening into the low pressure portion on the other hand,   a suction line intended to be connected to an outlet of an evaporator,   a first suction conduit arranged for putting the suction line in communication with the admission orifice of the first compressor,   a second suction conduit arranged for putting the suction line in communication with the admission orifice of the second compressor, and   an oil level equalization conduit arranged for putting the oil pans of the first and second compressors in communication,   
       wherein the compression device further comprises:
 at least one oil separator mounted on the suction line or on the second suction conduit, the oil separator comprising an oil outflow orifice, and 
 an oil return conduit arranged for connecting the oil outflow orifice of the oil separator to the oil pan of the first compressor. 
 
     
     
         2 . The compression device according to  claim 1 , wherein the oil separator further comprises an inlet orifice intended to be connected to the outlet of the evaporator so as to allow the introduction of an oil-coolant fluid mixture into the oil separator, and a coolant fluid discharge orifice connected to at least the admission orifice of the second compressor. 
     
     
         3 . The compression device according to  claim 2 , wherein the oil separator comprises a separation chamber, the inlet orifice and the coolant fluid discharge orifice of the oil separator respectively being in communication with the separation chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The compression device according to  claim 2 , wherein the suction line comprises a first connecting conduit connected to the inlet orifice of the oil separator and intended to be connected to the outlet of the evaporator, and a second connecting conduit arranged for putting the coolant fluid discharge orifice of the oil separator in communication with the first and second suction conduits. 
     
     
         5 . The compression device according to  claim 2 , wherein the second suction conduit comprises an upstream conduit portion arranged for putting the inlet orifice of the oil separator in communication with the suction line, and a downstream conduit portion arranged for putting the coolant fluid discharge orifice of the oil separator in communication with the admission orifice of the second compressor. 
     
     
         6 . The compression device according to  claim 1 , wherein the oil return conduit is arranged for opening into the first suction conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The compression device according to  claim 1 , wherein the oil return conduit is arranged for opening into the oil pan of the first compressor. 
     
     
         8 . The compression device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second suction conduit comprises restriction means arranged so as to reduce the flow section of the coolant fluid in the second suction conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The compression device according to  claim 1 , wherein the restriction means are arranged for maintaining pressure in the low pressure portion of the first compressor greater than the pressure in the low pressure portion of the second compressor when the first and second compressors are operating simultaneously. 
     
     
         10 . The compression device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first compressor is a variable-capacity compressor. 
     
     
         11 . The compression device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second compressor is a fixed-capacity compressor. 
     
     
         12 . The compression device according to  claim 1 , wherein the oil separator is a cyclone oil separator. 
     
     
         13 . A thermodynamic system comprising a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator and a compression device according to  claim 1 , connected in series.