Reciprocating Compressor Balance Weight Cooling Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing reciprocating compressors face a challenge in cooling performance due to the balance weight covering the bearing, leading to increased bearing temperature.
Innovation Solution
A balance weight configuration with a main weight portion and extension weight portions, featuring a circular-arc circumferential edge and spaces between the crank shaft attachment protrusion and extension weight portions, allows for improved cooling wind access to the crank bearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the balance weight is provided along the entire circumference (360 degrees) of the rotational shaft to surround the rotational shaft, then the weight (moment of inertia) is secured, but the bearing provided on the crank shaft is unintentionally covered by the balance weight, making it difficult for cooling wind to reach this bearing, resulting in an increase in a temperature thereof
Solution Approach 1:
The balance weight is segmented into a main weight portion and two extension weight portions, creating gaps between them. This segmentation allows cooling wind to pass through the gaps and reach the bearing, improving cooling performance while maintaining the necessary weight for balancing the reciprocating motion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the balance weight serve different functions: the main weight portion provides the necessary moment of inertia for balancing, while the extension weight portions are positioned to allow cooling wind passage. This local differentiation optimizes both balancing performance and cooling performance in different regions of the balance weight structure.
2Speed
If the balance weight is provided along the entire circumference (360 degrees) of the rotational shaft, then the moment of inertia is secured, but the bearing is covered and cooling wind cannot reach it
Solution Approach 1:
The balance weight is divided into separate portions with gaps between them, allowing cooling wind to flow through while maintaining sufficient total weight. The segmentation creates pathways for air flow without significantly reducing the overall mass required for effective balancing.
Solution Approach 2:
The balance weight structure transitions from a solid circumferential form to a multi-dimensional configuration with the main weight portion and extension weight portions arranged to create three-dimensional cooling passages. This allows cooling wind to access the bearing from multiple directions while preserving the necessary weight distribution.
3Strength
If the balance weight covers the bearing, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the cooling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The balance weight is segmented into main and extension portions that are connected to maintain structural integrity while creating gaps for cooling. The segmentation allows the structure to remain strong enough to perform its balancing function while enabling thermal management through the gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaps between the balance weight portions act as intermediaries that allow cooling wind to reach the bearing. These gaps serve as thermal pathways without compromising the overall structural strength needed for the balance weight to effectively counterbalance the reciprocating forces.
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 enhances the cooling performance of the crank shaft bearing while maintaining the balance weight's moment of inertia and force of inertia, effectively reducing bearing temperature and extending its lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a balance weight attached to this rotational shaft with the crank shaft also attached thereto and configured to be usable to balance a moment generated when this rotational shaft rotates
Implementation Method 2
maintaining the balance weight's moment of inertia and force of inertia
Implementation Method 3
a pair of spaces formed between positions on both sides of the crank shaft attachment protrusion and the pair of extension weight portions, respectively, for guiding cooling wind to the bearing of the crank shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A balance weight includes a main weight portion extending over a range defined by a circular-arc circumferential edge centered at a rotational shaft hole side and a pair of virtual end surfaces located on the circular-arc circumferential edge on both sides of the rotational shaft hole, a pair of extension weight portions extending from the pair of virtual end surfaces to an opposite circular-arc side of the rotational shaft hole from the circular-arc circumferential edge, the rotational shaft hole provided at the main weight portion so as to be located on a central side of the circular-arc circumferential edge, a crank shaft attachment protrusion, a crank shaft hole provided at the crank shaft attachment protrusion radially eccentrically with respect to the rotational shaft hole, and a pair of spaces formed between positions on both sides of the crank shaft attachment protrusion and the pair of extension weight portions, respectively.