Spring-Loaded Suction Valve Sealing for Compressor Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressors face refrigerant leakage from the high pressure side to the low pressure side when stopped, leading to increased temperatures in applications like showcase cooling units, as existing technologies fail to effectively seal the suction valve during compressor shutdown.
Innovation Solution
A compressor design featuring a suction valve with a seal that moves to seal the inner pipe end when the compressor stops, preventing backward refrigerant flow by using a blind suction hole and a spring-actuated suction valve body that ensures the seal is engaged, even after shutdown, to maintain pressure and prevent refrigerant leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the suction valve is not moved to the predetermined position when the compressor stops, then the structure is simpler, but refrigerant leaks from the high pressure side to the low pressure side
Solution Approach 1:
A cushion plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the suction valve and the compression mechanism. The cushion plate includes a cushion hole that receives the suction valve, and a seal surface that contacts the suction valve's seal surface. This intermediary structure ensures the suction valve is reliably positioned to prevent refrigerant leakage without requiring complex valve mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction valve is designed with a seal surface that automatically contacts the cushion plate's seal surface when the compressor stops. The valve's own weight and the pressure differential cause it to move to the predetermined position where the seal surfaces contact, preventing refrigerant leakage without requiring additional actuating mechanisms. The spring member further ensures the valve maintains contact with the cushion plate.
2Loss of energy
If the compressor stops temporarily during showcase cooling, then energy consumption is reduced, but refrigerant leakage causes temperature increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion plate is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that provides reliable sealing during compressor shutdown periods. Rather than using complex, expensive temporary sealing mechanisms, the patent employs a straightforward cushion plate structure that effectively prevents refrigerant leakage throughout the compressor's operational lifecycle.
3Reliability
If the suction valve uses a spring mechanism, then the seal reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction valve mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the valve body with seal surface, the spring member for maintaining contact force, and the cushion plate with cushion hole. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and easy to manufacture.
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
Effectively prevents refrigerant leakage from the high pressure side to the low pressure side for a specified period after the compressor stops, maintaining temperature control within showcase cooling units by ensuring the seal remains in place and preventing reverse flow.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member configured to urge the suction valve body in a direction to seal the end of the inner pipe
Implementation Method 2
The seal is configured to seal an entire end of the inner pipe on a side facing the suction valve when the compressor stops
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a compressor comprising: an outer pipe being connected from an outside to pass through the vessel; an inner pipe being closely inserted into the outer pipe; a compression mechanism including a suction hole formed of a blind hole and a suction valve in the suction hole. The suction valve includes a seal on a side facing an opening of the suction hole to seal an entire end of the inner pipe on a side facing the suction valve when the compressor stops.