CFD Simulation Motion Analysis of an Orbiting Scroll Bearing Hub

There are major areas that need to be considered when creating a chamber model of a scroll compressor, including the motor and the compression process. Minor energy losses need to be modeled as well, such as bearing losses, line losses, heat losses, and windage losses. One of these windage losses is the orbiting scroll bearing hub that moves around inside the scroll compressor housing. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were used to investigate the differences in power between different methods of motion. One of these motions is in a rotating frame of reference and the other is in an orbiting frame of reference. The orbiting frame of reference is the correct motion but modelling it in a rotating frame of reference is easier to set up and does not require an advanced user to create the orbiting motion. This study will provide power comparisons at one dynamic viscosity and at three different speeds. For this study it will be conducted in a single fluid of oil only.