Gas Compressor Abrasion Detection via Leakage Flowmeter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reciprocation type compressors face challenges in accurately determining the abrasion state of piston rings due to high costs and complexity in measuring hydrogen gas leakage, especially when the gas is used in vehicles where conditions change frequently and operation time is short.
Innovation Solution
A gas compressor design that includes a connection line with a flowmeter to directly measure gas leakage from the compression chamber to the non-compression chamber, reducing the need for high-pressure resistance and allowing for precise determination of the abrasion state using a less expensive flowmeter, and optionally incorporating a check valve to prevent backflow and a second connection line for efficient gas collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a flowmeter with hydrogen embrittlement resistance and high pressure strength is used in the discharge line to measure gas flow amount, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connection line as an intermediary component that connects the non-compression chamber to the discharge line. This connection line allows leaked gas to be diverted through a separate path where a simpler, less expensive flowmeter can be installed. The intermediary connection line isolates the measurement function from the high-pressure discharge environment, enabling the use of cost-effective flowmeters while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If the discharge flow amount is used to determine piston ring abrasion state, then abrasion detection is possible, but determination precision deteriorates due to changing suction and discharge conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement of leaked gas from the total discharge flow measurement. By providing a separate connection line that specifically channels gas from the non-compression chamber (where leakage occurs) to a dedicated flowmeter, the system isolates the leakage flow measurement from the variable discharge conditions. This extraction allows direct measurement of the piston ring leakage without the interference of changing suction and discharge parameters.
3Reliability
If discharge line conditions are used for abrasion determination, then determination can be performed, but precision worsens due to high pressure pulsation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection line acts as an intermediary pathway that provides a more stable measurement environment. By routing leaked gas through this separate connection line rather than measuring in the high-pressure pulsating discharge line, the system achieves more stable and precise flow measurements for abrasion determination.
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 design enables precise determination of the abrasion state of the sealing portion with improved precision and reduced costs by using a less expensive flowmeter, while effectively collecting leaking gas and maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a flowmeter that is provided in the connection line and measures a gas flow amount
Data Source
AI summary
A gas compressor of the present invention includes a reciprocating member, an accommodation portion, and a sealing portion, and the accommodation portion includes a compression chamber that compresses a gas and a non-compression chamber that is separated from the compression chamber by the reciprocating member and the sealing portion. Further, since the compression chamber includes a suction line that suctions a hydrogen gas, a discharge line that discharges a compressed gas, a connection line that is connected to the accommodation portion and is used so that at least a part of a gas flows therethrough when a gas passing through the sealing portion from the compression chamber exists, a flowmeter that is provided in the connection line, and a determination unit that determines whether a flow amount measured by the flowmeter is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value, it is possible to easily determine the abrasion state of the sealing portion.