Compressor Oil Sensor With Vertical And Horizontal Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oil level sensors in compressors are limited to a specific location, requiring multiple installations to accurately detect oil levels, leading to inefficient oil recovery operations and potential compressor damage.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with vertically and horizontally arranged electrodes immersed in the fluid, applying sensing and ground voltages to accurately measure oil concentration and amount within the compressor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate oil level sensor is arranged in the compressor, then oil recovery operation can be performed according to the amount of oil detected, but multiple oil level sensors must be installed at various locations inside the compressor to accurately detect the amount of oil existing inside the compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil level detection function with the existing compressor motor by integrating electrodes into the motor structure. The first and second electrodes are embedded in the motor housing, allowing the motor itself to serve as both the driving component and the sensing device, thereby eliminating the need for separate oil level sensors while maintaining accurate detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it drives the compressor piston mechanically while simultaneously serving as an oil level sensing device through its integrated electrodes. This multi-functionality allows a single component to provide both mechanical work and detection functions, reducing system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple oil level sensors are installed at various locations inside the compressor, then accurate detection of oil amount is achieved, but energy efficiency and reliability of compressor performance decrease due to unnecessary oil recovery operations
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the sensing electrodes into the motor structure, the system uses a single sensor location to detect oil levels throughout the compressor. This unified detection approach provides sufficient accuracy to control oil recovery operations without triggering unnecessary cycles, thereby maintaining energy efficiency while avoiding the need for multiple sensors.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional oil level sensor is used, then oil recovery operation can be controlled, but the sensor can only check oil level at a specific location, not accurately detect total oil amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-based oil level detection (conventional sensors at a single location) to distributed detection by embedding electrodes throughout the motor structure. This spatial distribution of sensing elements allows the system to detect oil presence across multiple dimensions and locations within the compressor, enabling accurate calculation of total oil amount while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Enables precise detection of oil concentration and volume, optimizing oil recovery operations and enhancing compressor reliability and energy efficiency by reducing unnecessary operations.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing voltage is applied to a first vertical electrode and the first horizontal electrode, and a ground voltage is applied to a second vertical electrode and the shield electrode
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a sensor. The sensor of the present disclosure includes a plurality of vertical electrodes which are extended vertically and arranged to face each other; a first horizontal electrode arranged on a lower side of the plurality of vertical electrodes; and a shield electrode arranged on the lower side of the plurality of vertical electrodes so as to cover the first horizontal electrode from an upper side, in which the first horizontal electrode and the shield electrode are arranged to be immersed in a fluid that at least contains oil, a sensing voltage is applied to a first vertical electrode and the first horizontal electrode, and a ground voltage is applied to a second vertical electrode and the shield electrode.