Accumulator having multiple pipes, and compressor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vibrations transmitted from a compressor to an accumulator via piping cause noise due to insufficient vibration suppression, as existing fixing methods directly transfer vibrations to the vessel, preventing effective noise reduction.

Innovation Solution

The accumulator features holding portions at specific vertical locations corresponding to vibration nodes, which hold and dampen the pipes without directly transferring vibrations to the vessel, utilizing a bracket with retaining and connecting portions to absorb and dissipate pipe vibrations through deformation and friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the piping is fixed to the inner wall of the vessel using a stay, then the piping is held securely inside the vessel, but the vibrations of the piping are directly transmitted to the vessel via the fixing member, causing the vessel to be excited and insufficient vibration suppression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiping fixation stabilityVSAvoidvibration transmission to vessel
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces holding portions as an intermediary component between the piping and the vessel. These holding portions are positioned at vibration nodes of the piping, allowing the piping to be held securely while preventing direct transmission of vibrations to the vessel. The holding portions act as mediators that decouple the vibration path, enabling stable piping fixation without exciting the vessel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the piping is fixed at the free end side where vibration amplitude is large, then the vibration suppression effect should be improved, but the vibrations are directly input to the vessel via the fixing member, preventing sufficient vibration suppression for the entire accumulator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiping vibration amplitudeVSAvoidoverall vibration suppression effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding portions serve as intermediaries positioned at vibration nodes, allowing the piping to be held at locations of large vibration amplitude without directly transmitting these vibrations to the vessel. This intermediary positioning at nodal points enables effective vibration suppression of the piping while preventing vessel excitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the concept of vibration nodes in mechanical vibration theory. By positioning the holding portions at nodal points where the piping is held but experiences minimal vibrational movement, the system suppresses piping vibrations effectively while avoiding direct transmission to the vessel, as nodes are points of zero or minimal displacement in the vibration pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Ease of operation

If the piping is held by a fixing member inside the vessel, then the piping is supported, but the vibrations are directly transferred to the vessel, preventing the entire accumulator from being sufficiently protected from vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiping supportVSAvoidvibration transfer to vessel
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holding portions function as intermediary support elements that hold the piping securely inside the vessel while preventing direct vibration transfer. These intermediaries are strategically positioned at vibration nodes, providing necessary piping support for ease of operation while blocking the vibration transmission path to the vessel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively reduces pipe vibrations, preventing the vessel from vibrating and thereby minimizing noise emissions from the accumulator.

Implementation Method 1

The holding portions are separated from the vessel, and hold together respective sections of the plurality of pipes inside the vessel... when a height from a base end position... to a leading end position... is 1, the holding portions are preferably disposed in a range including a first height of 0.5 and the vicinity thereof, and in a range including a second height of 0.8 and the vicinity thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration node positioning: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the vibrations of the pipes are directly input to the vessel via the fixing member. As a result, the vessel is excited... the holding portions... hold together respective sections of the plurality of pipes inside the vessel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction damping: Friction

Implementation Method 3

hold together respective sections of the plurality of pipes inside the vessel... the vibrations of the pipes are directly input to the vessel via the fixing member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation damping: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3364130B1Accumulator having multiple pipes, and compressor
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND THERMAL SYST
  • EP3364130B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3364130B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3364130B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

An accumulator (40) is provided with: a vessel (20A) that separates a refrigerant into gas and liquid phases in the interior of the vessel; a plurality of pipes (21, 22) that extract the gas phase in the vessel (20A) to the outside of the vessel (20A); and brackets (41, 42) that hold together the plurality of pipes (21, 22) that extend in parallel inside the vessel (20A). The brackets (41, 42) are separated from the vessel (20A) and hold together respective sections of the plurality of pipes (21, 22) inside the vessel (20A).