Composite Piston and Crosshead for High-Speed Compressor Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The speed and flow capacity of mechanical assemblies, such as compressors and engines, are limited by the construction of traditional pistons and crossheads, which restrict the operation at higher speeds and larger fluid capacities without increasing the size of the piston cylinder.
Innovation Solution
The use of lightweight composite materials for pistons and crossheads, incorporating reinforcing materials within a matrix, allows for higher operational speeds and increased fluid flow capacity without enlarging the piston cylinder, along with a crosshead lubrication system to reduce friction and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional piston and crosshead construction is used, then structural strength is maintained, but operational speed and flow capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by constructing the piston from a piston head and piston skirt made of composite material, and the crosshead from a crosshead body and crosshead shoe made of composite material. This allows the components to operate at higher speeds with increased flow capacity while maintaining structural strength, directly resolving the technical contradiction between speed and productivity limitations of traditional construction.
2Productivity
If operational speed is increased, then flow capacity improves, but inertial loads increase and component longevity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material construction of pistons and crossheads enables higher operational speeds and flow capacity while the material properties maintain structural integrity and reduce inertial loads. This resolves the contradiction by allowing productivity improvement without sacrificing reliability, as the composite materials provide the necessary strength-to-weight ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The crosshead shoe is provided with a lubrication system that supplies lubricant to the crosshead guide. This self-lubricating mechanism reduces friction and wear on moving parts, thereby extending component longevity and maintaining reliability even at higher operational speeds and increased flow capacity.
3Productivity
If piston cylinder size is increased to accommodate larger fluid capacities, then flow capacity improves, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using composite materials for pistons and crossheads, the patent achieves increased fluid flow capacity through higher operational speeds without needing to enlarge the piston cylinder. The composite construction allows the same cylinder volume to handle larger fluid capacities by operating more efficiently at higher speeds, thus improving productivity while maintaining compact device size.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A system, in certain embodiments, includes a piston clamping system including a piston rod comprising a piston rod shoulder and a piston rod nut coupled to the piston rod, wherein the piston rod nut and the piston rod shoulder are configured to axially capture first and second body portions of a piston therebetween.