For Danfoss the focus has always been on innovative engineering so it's not surprising to learn the company is granted a new patent almost every day.
National business manager for the airconditioning and refrigeration division of Danfoss Australia, Steve Huckle, said 4.3 per cent of net sales were invested in innovation last year.
He said the company's energy efficient technologies cover almost 50 product lines.
“Global energy demand is rising as the population grows and standards of living increase that's why energy efficiency is critical,” Huckle said.
“Our innovative approach is marked by early entry into emerging markets.” For example, in 1933 Danfoss released an expansion valve for refrigeration systems and developed its first radiator thermostat in 1943.
By 1952 hermetic compressors for refrigerators and freezers were released. This was followed by the hydraulic orbit motor in 1964 and the first mass produced variable speed drives for controlling motors in 1968.
It's an impressive history and explains why Danfoss has 22,500 employees in more than 100 countries. Huckle said an estimated 40 per cent of sales are from the European Union with an additional 11 per cent from the rest of Europe.
He said North America accounts for 23 per cent of sales and 19 per cent is from the Asia Pacific region. Speaking to participants at the RACE Expo in Brisbane, Huckle outlined the benefits of inverter compressor technology.
He said the VTZ range which covers seven models has a speed range of 1800 to 5400 RPM. “Precision cooling makes it ideal for data centres or industrial process efficiency and it operates with high efficiency at part load,” Huckle said.
Presenting the product features of Danfoss inverter scrolls, he said all three VRJ models feature the Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) motor. Design updates to the VRJ range has improved part load performance.
“The centre valve combined with the hybrid wrap design in the centre is for high efficiency at high pressure ratio conditions,” Huckle said.
“The two intermediate valves improve efficiency at lower pressure ratio conditions.”
Huckle listed the VSH model features before moving on to the VZH series which has a cooling capacity of 13-26TR (47-93kW).
“This series has high motor efficiency. Less heat is transferred from the motor to the refrigerant which is proof of better compression efficiency,” he said.
With an extended speed range of 1500-6000RPM, the VZH series boasts 96 per cent efficiency at full load and above 92 per cent efficiency on the full speed range. Huckle listed some of the design features including the reinforced high grade cast iron scroll set, two ranges for high and low pressure ratio application and a patented oil injection system that ensures optimal efficiency at low speed by improving scroll set sealing.
“This is in addition to a lead free polymer bearing with excellent performance under diverse loads and speeds,” he said.
“The permanent magnet motor offers high efficiency at all speeds and an oil strainer controls the risk of system debris in the oil injection circuit.
“The gearotor oil pump ensures low speed bearing lubrication and with the VZH there is no need for additional harmonic suppression devices.
“This is a mature platform there are 2.5 million inverters in the field.”