Big Idea, Small Compressor: Oil-Cooled Drive Train

November 14, 2013
1 minutes

Today, we continue our series exploring the many innovations housed within the GA VSD+ range of compact oil-injected rotary screw compressors. Our previous posts about the GA VSD+ series covered the compressor’s silent fan inspired by nature, its innovative inlet valve and its reliable and efficient interior permanent magnet motor. All of these innovations contribute to a compressor that reduces energy consumption by up to 50 percent compared to a traditional load/unload compressor of the same type.

The motor and drive train of the GA VSD+ share a single drive shaft and are vertically aligned. The vertical alignment reduces the total footprint by up to 55 percent compared to other compressors on the market and allows for the separation of the hot and cold areas of the compressor.

What’s the big idea?

Because the drive train is oil-cooled and oil-lubricated, no ventilation is needed to cool the motor or compression element. This means the drive train can be enclosed in its own compartment that stays at the temperature set by the controller. If the oil becomes too warm, it circulates to the upper compartment where cooling and ventilation occurs. To prevent the oil from becoming too cool, which would cause condensate to form in the oil, it is only circulated through the cooling compartment when needed.

To see an illustration of air flow between the two separate compartments, watch this short video: GA VSD+ Air Flow.

The GA VSD+ promises to reduce energy costs and contribute to a more sustainable industry, incorporating many big ideas into one small compressor. Contact us to find out how much you could be saving by switching to the GA VSD+.

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