Reciprocating Compressor Sleeve Ports for Intermediate-Pressure Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reciprocating compressors face challenges in efficiently managing multiple compression mechanisms, particularly in injecting fluid at an intermediate pressure from a single external source, which affects energy consumption and discharge-pressure refrigerant delivery in climate-control systems.
Innovation Solution
The compressor design incorporates a housing with a first and second fluid storage plumens and a housing cover that includes a fluid communication system with a first and second intermediate-fluid passages, and a sleeve assembly that defines a plurality of ports and a plurality of ports, which are configured to receive the fluid at the intermediate pressure and provide it to the compression mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If fluid is injected at intermediate pressure into multiple compression mechanisms, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional fluid storage plenums and intermediate-fluid passages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid storage function into a single housing cover that serves multiple compression mechanisms. The housing cover integrates intermediate-fluid passages that distribute fluid to multiple compression mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate fluid storage and distribution systems for each mechanism. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of intermediate pressure fluid injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing cover is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as a structural housing element, a fluid storage reservoir, and a fluid distribution manifold. The intermediate-fluid passages are integrated into the housing cover structure, allowing a single component to perform multiple functions: containing the compression mechanisms, storing intermediate pressure fluid, and distributing that fluid to multiple compression points.
2Quantity of substance
If a single external source injects fluid at intermediate pressure into multiple compression mechanisms, then the quantity of substance required is reduced, but the ease of operation decreases due to the need to manage intermediate pressure fluid distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the pressure differential that naturally exists during compressor operation to drive fluid distribution. The intermediate pressure fluid injected into the housing cover automatically flows through the intermediate-fluid passages to the compression mechanisms based on pressure gradients, eliminating the need for additional pumps, valves, or control systems to manage fluid distribution.
3Reliability
If intermediate pressure fluid is stored in separate plenums for each compression mechanism, then the reliability of fluid supply is improved, but the volume of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate fluid storage plenums into a single integrated fluid storage chamber within the housing cover. The intermediate-fluid passages branch from this common chamber to deliver fluid to multiple compression mechanisms, maintaining reliable fluid supply to all mechanisms while using a single shared storage volume rather than separate plenums for each mechanism.
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 enhances energy efficiency by minimizing energy consumption while ensuring sufficient discharge-pressure refrigerant delivery, optimizing operation in climate-control systems.
Implementation Method 1
Both the first compression mechanism and the second compression mechanism are configured to compress a working fluid from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure
Implementation Method 2
The first fluid storage plenum and the second fluid storage plenum are configured to store the fluid at the intermediate pressure therein
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A compressor includes a cylinder, a sleeve assembly disposed in the cylinder, and a piston disposed within the sleeve assembly. The sleeve assembly includes a sleeve and a collar. The sleeve and the collar cooperate to define a plurality of ports. The piston is movable between a first position and a second position and is configured to compress a working fluid from a suction pressure at the first position to a discharge pressure at the second position. The piston and the sleeve assembly cooperate to selectively permit working fluid at an intermediate pressure to enter the cylinder. The intermediate pressure is greater than the suction pressure and less than the discharge pressure.