Compressor Piston Cap Structure With Gas-Layer Thermal Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Linear compressors experience heat loss and reduced compression efficiency due to high temperature and high pressure gas transferring heat to the cylinder and piston, leading to inefficiencies in refrigerant compression.

Innovation Solution

A piston design featuring a sliding portion with a suction space, a head portion having a compression space and a suction space, a press-fit cap with a suction hole, and elastic members forming a gas layer between the head portion, press-fit cap, and elastic members to reduce heat transfer and improve insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the piston is used in a linear compressor to compress refrigerant, then compression function is achieved, but heat loss occurs due to heat transfer from high temperature and high pressure gas to the cylinder and piston

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat lossVSAvoidcompression efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A gas layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the high temperature and high pressure gas in the compression space and the piston head portion. This gas layer acts as a thermal insulator, preventing direct heat transfer to the piston and reducing heat loss, thereby improving compression efficiency while maintaining the compression function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If a gas layer is formed between the head portion, press-fit cap, and elastic member to reduce heat transfer, then heat loss is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat lossVSAvoidpiston structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes the compressibility and thermal insulation properties of gas by controlling the volume and pressure parameters of the gas layer. By adjusting these parameters, the gas layer effectively insulates against heat transfer without requiring additional complex structural components, thus preventing heat loss while maintaining relatively simple piston structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 piston design effectively prevents heat loss and enhances compression efficiency by creating a gas layer that acts as a thermal insulator, reducing heat transfer from high-pressure gases to the cylinder and piston.

Implementation Method 1

a gas layer is formed between the head portion, the press-fit cap, and the first elastic member... creating a gas layer that acts as a thermal insulator, reducing heat transfer from high-pressure gases to the cylinder and piston

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3848581B1Piston for compressor
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3848581B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3848581B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3848581B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A piston for a compressor is disclosed. The piston for the compressor compressing and discharging a refrigerant sucked into a cylinder includes a sliding portion disposed in the cylinder and having a suction space to receive the sucked refrigerant, a head portion coupled to the sliding portion, a compression space being formed at a front of the head portion and the suction space being formed at a rear of the head portion, the head portion comprising a suction port communicating the suction space with the compression space, a press-fit cap coupled to the front of the head portion, the press-fit cap comprising a suction hole connected to the suction port, and a first elastic member disposed between the press-fit cap and the head portion. A gas layer is formed between the head portion, the press-fit cap, and the first elastic member.