Ball Screw Piston Compressor for Precise Fluid Dosage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional piston compressors face challenges in accurately determining the mass or volume of compressed medium, require a compact design, and struggle with efficient cooling of the device during fluid compression.

Innovation Solution

A piston compressor utilizing a threaded drive with a cylindrical component and threaded nut, allowing for precise control of the compression volume through a ball screw mechanism, and incorporating cooling tubes for effective heat dissipation, enabling a compact and space-saving design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional suction and discharge valves are used to control compression, then the compression process is simple, but the mass or volume of compressed medium cannot be determined precisely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination of mass or volume of compressed mediumVSAvoidcomplexity of compression control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical suction and discharge valve system with a threaded drive mechanism that provides precise positional control of the piston. The threaded spindle and nut convert rotary motion into precise linear displacement, enabling accurate determination of compression volume and mass without relying on valve timing control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Volume of moving object

If compressor unit and piston drive are independent units, then the drive system is simple, but the space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace requirementVSAvoidintegration of compressor unit and drive
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the compressor unit and piston drive into a single integrated assembly. The threaded drive mechanism is positioned such that the piston is directly coupled to the threaded nut, eliminating the need for separate drive mechanisms and reducing overall device footprint while maintaining functional independence of compression and drive operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If compression chamber volume is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the working volume cannot be varied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariability of working volumeVSAvoidcomplexity of volume adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic compression chamber volume through the threaded drive mechanism. The piston position is variable and controlled by the threaded spindle rotation, allowing the compression chamber volume to be adjusted continuously. This dynamic adjustment capability enables versatile working volumes while maintaining a relatively simple structural design through the inherent mechanical advantage of the threaded mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution provides precise control over the compression volume and mass of the compressed fluid, enhances cooling efficiency, and achieves a compact, space-saving design, allowing for accurate and reproducible fluid dosage and extended tool life in applications like machining.

Implementation Method 1

a threaded drive is provided for driving the piston compressor with a cylindrical component designed as a threaded spindle and a threaded nut for converting a rotary movement into a linear movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

US Patent 6,068,448 relates to a piston compressor with a ball screw drive for compressing compressible fluids, wherein the ball screw drive comprises a cylindrical ball spindle and a ball nut for linear movement of the ball spindle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBall screw: Screw

Implementation Method 3

Another problem is the cooling of the device in order to dissipate the heat generated as a result of the compression of the fluids

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Heat Sink

Data Source

PatentEP3044461B1Piston compressor
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 ULRICH STIELER KUNSTSERVICE E K
  • EP3044461B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3044461B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a piston compressor for compressing fluids, with a compression chamber (2, 3) for compression and a compression piston (4, 5), wherein for drive purposes preferably a ball screw drive is provided, comprising a cylindrical ball screw spindle (1) and a ball nut (10) for linearly moving the ball spindle back and forth, wherein as a result of the linear movement of the ball screw spindle (1) the compression piston (4, 5) and the compression chamber (2, 3) can slide relative to each other.