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new compressor technology intro-
duced during the 2003 International
Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrig-
erating Exposition (AHR Expo), held last January
in Chicago, may have a significant
THE BEARINGS
Traditional centrifugal compressors use roller
bearings and hydrodynamic bearings, both of
which consume power and require oil and a lubrica-
tion system. Recently, ceramic
effect on the future of mid-range
chillers and rooftop applications
in water-cooled, evaporatively
By HUGH CROWTHER, PE,
and
EUGENE SMITHART, PE
roller bearings, which avoid issues
related to oil and reduce power con-
sumption, were introduced to the
cooled, and air-cooled chilled-
water and direct-expansion (DX) systems.
Designed and optimized to take full
advantage of magnetic-bearing tech-
HVAC industry. The lubrication of
these bearings is provided by the refrigerant itself.1
nology, the compressor was awarded
the first AHR Expo Innovation
Award in the energy category, as well
as Canada’s Energy Efficiency Award
for its potential to reduce utility-gen-
erated greenhouse-gas emissions. The
compressor is key to a new water-
cooled centrifugal-chiller design, with
Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration
Institute (ARI) tests indicating inte-
Touchdown
bearings
Compressor
cooling
Magnetic bearings
and bearing sensors
Permanent-magnet
synchronous motor
Shaft and
impellers
Inlet-guide-vane
assembly
grated part-load values (IPLVs) not
normally seen with conventional
chillers in this tonnage range.
This article describes this new The TT300 compressor’s onboard digital electronics manage operation
compressor technology and its first use while providing external control and Web-enabled access to a full array of