Compressor Outlet Impedance Adapter for Pressure Pulsation Damping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressor devices and assemblies face challenges in energy efficiency due to vibrations and pressure pulsations, leading to noise and potential damage, and inefficient fluid evacuation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of an adapter of acoustic impedance at the fluid duct outlet with an expansion chamber to modify acoustic impedance, smoothing pressure fluctuations and improving fluid evacuation without energy loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If compressor devices operate at high rotational speeds to increase productivity, then compression capacity increases, but vibrations and pressure pulsations increase causing noise and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression capacityVSAvoidvibrations and pressure pulsations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An adapter of acoustic impedance is introduced as an intermediary component between the compressor element and the fluid duct outlet. This adapter includes an expansion chamber that acts as a mediator to smooth pressure fluctuations and reduce vibrations caused by high-speed operation, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If compressor devices are designed to compress fluid efficiently, then energy consumption decreases, but pressure pulsations and vibrations persist causing noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter of acoustic impedance serves as a mediator that reduces noise generated during efficient compression operations. The expansion chamber within the adapter smooths pressure waves and diminishes vibrations that cause noise, allowing the compressor to maintain high energy efficiency while reducing harmful noise emissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If fluid evacuation is improved to increase productivity, then compression efficiency increases, but pressure fluctuations worsen causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid evacuation efficiencyVSAvoidequipment durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter of acoustic impedance acts as a protective intermediary between the compression process and the fluid duct outlet. The expansion chamber smooths pressure fluctuations generated during efficient fluid evacuation, preventing these fluctuations from causing damage to the equipment while maintaining high productivity.

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

Enhances energy efficiency by reducing pressure pulsations and improving fluid evacuation, minimizing noise and damage to equipment.

Implementation Method 1

an adapter of acoustic impedance is provided at the fluid duct outlet comprising an adapter inlet duct and an adapter outlet duct which are interconnected by means of an adapter intermediate duct part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic impedance: Acoustics

Implementation Method 2

an adapter intermediate duct part which encloses at least one expansion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExpansion chamber: Accumulator (energy)

Data Source

PatentEP4500014B1Compressor device and compressor assembly comprising such a compressor device
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER NV
  • EP4500014B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4500014B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4500014B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Compressor device (1) comprising a compressor element (9) which is at a fluid duct outlet (26) provided with an adapter of acoustic impedance (10) which comprises an adapter inlet duct (27) and an adapter outlet duct (28) interconnected by means of an adapter intermediate duct part (29) which encloses at least one expansion chamber (30), wherein a maximum opening (32) with an equivalent diameter (C) of the adapter intermediate duct part (29) is substantially larger than a minimum opening (31) of the adapter inlet duct (27) with an equivalent diameter (B).