Compressor Piston Dummy for Liquid Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generic compressors with liquid pistons face inefficiencies due to reduced heat transfer and cooling effects at the top dead center area, leading to decreased thermal efficiency in the compression process.
Innovation Solution
A piston dummy is integrated within the liquid piston chamber, accelerating the liquid and enhancing heat transfer through turbulent flow when reaching top dead center, ensuring better cooling and efficient liquid discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid surface is kept smooth to prevent liquid exit and optimize dead space, then reliability is improved, but heat transfer and cooling effect deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid piston is segmented into two functional parts: a smooth outer surface that contacts the cylinder wall (preventing liquid exit) and an inner piston dummy with turbulent surface features (enhancing heat transfer). This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of reliability and cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surface qualities are applied to different locations: the outer liquid surface maintains smoothness for reliable sealing, while the inner piston dummy surface introduces turbulence promoters for enhanced local heat transfer at the hottest area (top dead center).
2Temperature
If external cooling jackets are added to improve cooling capacity, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid piston serves dual functions: it acts as both the compressing medium and the cooling medium. By inducing turbulence within the liquid piston itself, the system achieves self-cooling without requiring separate external cooling jackets or additional cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid piston is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: compression, sealing, and cooling. The piston dummy integrated within the liquid piston enables the liquid to provide its own cooling through internal turbulence, eliminating the need for dedicated cooling components.
3Temperature
If the liquid is accelerated in the annular gap at top dead center, then heat transfer is improved, but liquid discharge efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The piston dummy is designed to dynamically interact with the liquid at different stroke phases: at top dead center it creates turbulence for heat transfer, while during the discharge phase it allows smooth liquid flow through its optimized geometry, ensuring both cooling and discharge efficiency.
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
The compressor achieves improved cooling at the top dead center area, reducing compression temperatures and energy requirements, thereby increasing overall efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid is accelerated in the annular gap defined by the piston dummy and the piston chamber wall... a turbulent flow is also formed in the liquid
Implementation Method 2
the liquid is in contact with the cylinder head to be cooled for longer than in the case of the prior art compressor designs. Due to the acceleration of the liquid in the annular gap, a turbulent flow is also formed in the liquid, which results in an additional cooling effect.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a compressor comprising a liquid which can be displaced in a piston chamber and which acts as a piston. According to the invention, a piston dummy (5) is arranged in the liquid (3) and can displace with said liquid. Said piston dummy (5) is preferably embodied such that when the top dead point is reached, said piston dummy accelerates the liquid (3) in the annular gap which it defines with the piston chamber wall.