Compressor Muffler Pipe Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In hermetic compressors, the semi-direct suction method leads to increased refrigerant fluid temperature due to casing heat, reducing volumetric efficiency and coefficient of performance (COP), and existing solutions fail to effectively prevent noise and vibration transfer from the refrigeration system to the casing.

Innovation Solution

A muffler pipe that passes through an opening in the casing and connects to the inlet pipe with a clearance, allowing gas to enter directly from outside the casing, reducing refrigerant fluid temperature and minimizing lubricant entry, while being configured to prevent vibration transfer by not contacting the inlet pipe walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the suction muffler inlet is directly connected to the inlet pipe, then the refrigerant fluid temperature remains low, but the vibrations from the refrigeration system are transferred to the casing increasing noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerant fluid temperatureVSAvoidnoise and vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a muffler pipe as an intermediary component that connects the inlet pipe to the suction muffler inlet. This pipe passes through an opening in the casing, allowing refrigerant to flow directly to the muffler while being isolated from the casing structure. The intermediary pipe prevents vibration transfer to the casing while maintaining the direct connection benefit of low-temperature refrigerant flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the refrigerant flow path by creating a separate muffler pipe that is structurally independent from the casing. The pipe is divided into sections: one end connected to the inlet pipe, passing through the casing opening, and the other end connected to the suction muffler inlet. This segmentation allows the flow path to be separated from the vibration-prone casing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the semi-direct suction method is used, then the device structure is simple, but the refrigerant fluid temperature increases due to heat from the casing reducing compressor efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction method structureVSAvoidcompressor efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The muffler pipe acts as an intermediary that enables direct suction functionality while maintaining the simplified structure characteristic of semi-direct methods. The pipe conducts refrigerant directly from the inlet to the muffler, bypassing the hot casing interior, thus improving efficiency without requiring complex bellows or external chambers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the suction path in a different spatial dimension by routing the muffler pipe through an opening in the casing rather than keeping everything inside. This dimensional change allows the refrigerant to bypass the hot casing environment while maintaining a relatively simple structural arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Temperature

If bellows-like structures are used to connect the suction muffler inlet and inlet pipe, then direct suction cooling is achieved, but the compressor noise power level increases due to vibration transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerant fluid temperatureVSAvoidnoise power level
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the muffler pipe connection from the traditional bellows-like structure that is rigidly mounted to the casing. By passing the pipe through an opening and leaving it unconnected to the casing walls, the vibration-transmitting pathway is removed while the refrigerant cooling function is preserved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The freely positioned muffler pipe serves as an intermediary that transmits refrigerant flow without transmitting vibrations. Unlike bellows structures that are mechanically coupled to the casing, this pipe acts as a isolated conduit that breaks the vibration transmission path while maintaining fluid flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Volume of stationary object

If the suction muffler inlet is positioned inside the casing, then the structure is compact, but the refrigerant fluid is heated by the casing reducing volumetric efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor structure compactnessVSAvoidvolumetric efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the muffler pipe to extend in a different spatial dimension - passing through the casing opening to reach the inlet pipe. This allows the suction muffler to remain compact within the casing while the pipe creates a thermal bridge to the external inlet, bypassing the hot casing interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The muffler pipe serves as a thermal intermediary that conducts refrigerant from the external inlet environment to the internal suction muffler. This intermediary path allows the refrigerant to avoid direct contact with the heated casing interior while maintaining a compact overall structure.

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 configuration enhances compressor efficiency by maintaining refrigerant fluid coolness, reduces lubricant entry, and decreases noise and vibration, thereby improving compressor performance and noise power levels.

Implementation Method 1

a muffler pipe that by passing through an opening on the casing opens into the inlet pipe, whereof the end is connected to the opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

The muffler pipe is disposed inside the inlet pipe without being in contact with the walls of the inlet pipe. Thus, since the vibrations in the refrigeration system cannot be transferred to the muffler thereby vibrations and noise due to vibrations are prevented

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2300716B1A compressor
Publication Date: 2015.08.05 ARCELIK AS
  • EP2300716B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a compressor (1 ) comprising a casing (2) that guards the operating components within, a suction muffler (5) disposed inside the casing (2) that attenuates the noise resulting from the refrigerant fluid, an inlet pipe (4) that carries the refrigerant fluid delivered from the evaporator in the refrigeration cycle, an opening (3) arranged at the place where the inlet pipe (4) is mounted to the casing (2), providing the entrance of the refrigerant fluid flowing through the inlet pipe (4) into the casing (2).