Compressor Insulation Tube for Refrigerant Thermal Isolation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In hermetic compressors, the semi-direct suction method leads to increased refrigerant fluid temperature due to heat within the casing, reducing volumetric efficiency and coefficient of performance, as the suction muffler inlet and inlet tube are not directly connected, causing the refrigerant to heat up before entering the compressor cylinder.

Innovation Solution

An insulation tube is introduced to isolate the refrigerant fluid from the inlet tube, allowing it to reach the suction muffler without direct contact, thereby maintaining lower temperatures and enhancing the compressor's efficiency by preventing heat transfer from the casing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the suction muffler inlet and inlet tube are oppositely disposed but not connected (semi-direct suction method), then the structure is simplified, but the refrigerant fluid temperature increases due to heat from the casing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidrefrigerant fluid temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an insulation tube as an intermediary component between the inlet tube and the suction muffler inlet. This insulation tube prevents direct thermal contact between the refrigerant fluid and the heat-generating inlet tube, thereby mediating the thermal interaction and maintaining lower refrigerant temperature while preserving the simplified semi-direct suction structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation tube is nested within the inlet tube, creating a concentric arrangement where the insulation tube is positioned inside the inlet tube. This nested configuration allows the refrigerant fluid to flow through the insulation tube while being thermally isolated from the outer inlet tube and casing, effectively reducing heat transfer without requiring separate external components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If the inlet tube is connected to the casing, then the structural support is improved, but the refrigerant fluid heats up due to the heat from the inlet tube

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidrefrigerant fluid temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation tube is nested within the inlet tube, creating a concentric arrangement where the insulation tube is positioned inside the inlet tube. This nested configuration allows the refrigerant fluid to flow through the insulation tube while being thermally isolated from the outer inlet tube and casing, effectively reducing heat transfer without requiring separate external components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the refrigerant fluid temperature increases in the suction line, then the heat transfer to the compressor is improved, but the volumetric efficiency and coefficient of performance decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transferVSAvoidvolumetric efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation tube serves as a thermal intermediary that selectively blocks harmful heat transfer from the inlet tube and casing to the refrigerant fluid, while allowing the necessary heat transfer function to occur at the appropriate location (after compression), thereby preserving volumetric efficiency and coefficient of performance

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

This solution increases the amount of refrigerant fluid entering the compressor cylinder per unit time, boosting volumetric efficiency and refrigeration performance by keeping the refrigerant fluid cooler throughout the suction line.

Implementation Method 1

an insulation tube that enables the refrigerant fluid to reach the muffler tube inside the casing without contacting the inlet tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3250827B1A compressor
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 ARCELIK AS
  • EP3250827B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3250827B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a compressor (1) comprising a casing (2); a suction muffler (5) that provides the attenuation of the noise originated from the refrigerant fluid and that is disposed into the casing (2); an inlet tube (4) that carries the refrigerant fluid coming from the evaporator in the refrigeration cycle; an opening (3) that is arranged at the point where the inlet tube (4) is mounted to the casing (2) and that provides the entry of the refrigerant fluid passing through the inlet tube (4) into the casing (2), and a muffler tube (6) with one end connected to the opening and the other end opening into the suction muffler (5).