Compressor and heat cycle system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydrofluoroolefins like HFO-1123 used in heat cycle systems are prone to self-decomposition reactions when exposed to high temperatures or pressures, particularly within compressors where ignition energy can be generated, leading to potential sparking and decomposition.

Innovation Solution

A compressor design where the power source terminal is immersed in lubricating oil to prevent sparking, thereby preventing self-decomposition reactions of the working medium, utilizing a sealed container with an oil reservoir part and an electric drive part, ensuring the internal terminal is submerged in lubricating oil to enhance electrical insulation and prevent abnormal heat generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If HFO-1123 is used as a working medium to reduce ozone layer impact and global warming, then environmental compatibility is improved, but the risk of self-decomposition reaction increases due to its instability at high temperature or high pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveozone layer impact and global warmingVSAvoidstability of working medium
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (inhibitor) into the system to mediate between the working medium (HFO-1123) and the harmful self-decomposition reaction. The inhibitor acts as a protective agent that suppresses the decomposition of HFO-1123 under high temperature or high pressure conditions, thereby maintaining both the environmental benefits and operational stability of the working medium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the power source terminal is exposed in the compressor, then electrical connection is simplified, but sparking may occur causing self-decomposition of the working medium

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection simplicityVSAvoidsparking and self-decomposition
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the lubricating oil as an intermediary substance between the power source terminal and the working medium. The lubricating oil serves as an insulating barrier that prevents sparking from the power source terminal from igniting the HFO-1123 working medium, while still allowing electrical connection to be maintained through the oil medium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert environment by immersing the power source terminal in lubricating oil, which acts as an inert medium that prevents harmful interactions between the electrical components and the working medium. This inert environment eliminates the risk of sparking causing self-decomposition of HFO-1123.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Reliability

If HFO-1123 content is reduced to prevent self-decomposition, then safety is improved, but the refrigerating capacity and cycle performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against self-decompositionVSAvoidrefrigerating capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an inhibitor as a mediating substance that allows the system to maintain high HFO-1123 content for optimal refrigerating capacity while the inhibitor simultaneously prevents self-decomposition reactions. This mediator enables both safety and productivity to be maintained at high levels.

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

The solution effectively prevents sparking-induced self-decomposition reactions in the compressor, allowing for stable operation even with HFO-1123 as the working medium, ensuring continuous and reliable compression and heat cycle performance.

Implementation Method 1

the internal terminal is immersed in lubricating oil to enhance electrical insulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP3421798B1Compressor and heat cycle system
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 AGC INC
  • EP3421798B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3421798B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3421798B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention has: a sealed container (10); a compression part (30) that is provided to an upper portion of the inside of the sealed container and that compresses a working medium; an oil reservoir part (15) that is provided to a base portion of the inside of the sealed container and that stores a lubricating oil; an electric drive part (50) that is provided inside the sealed container between the compression part and the oil reservoir part and that drives the compression part; and a power source terminal (60) that is provided to pass through a wall surface of the sealed container in the region of the oil reservoir part, that can be connected to an external power source outside the sealed container, and that is electrically connected to the electric drive part inside the sealed container via a lead wire (57).