Compressor Synchronizing Discharge and Suction Timings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multi-stage reciprocating compressors experience power loss due to gas temporarily staying in connecting portions between compression chambers, which requires additional volume to prevent pressure increase, but adding volume increases the risk of gas leakage and is often restricted by spatial constraints.

Innovation Solution

The compressor design arranges compression chambers such that gas is discharged from one chamber and simultaneously suctioned into another at a higher stage, eliminating the need for additional volume in the connecting portion by synchronizing discharge and suction timings across interconnected chambers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If additional volume is added to the connecting portion to prevent pressure increase, then power loss is reduced, but the number of parts increases and gas leakage risk rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower lossVSAvoidgas leakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by synchronizing the discharge timing of one compression chamber with the suction timing of the next stage chamber. The compression chambers are arranged to operate in a sequential periodic cycle where gas is discharged from chamber A while simultaneously being suctioned into chamber B, eliminating the need for additional storage volume and preventing pressure buildup in connecting portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Stress or pressure

If additional volume is added to the connecting portion, then pressure increase is avoided, but spatial restrictions are exceeded and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure in connecting portionVSAvoidvolume of connecting portion
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The compression chambers are arranged to operate in a synchronized periodic cycle where discharge from one chamber coincides with suction into the next chamber. This timing coordination allows gas to flow continuously through the connecting portions without accumulating, maintaining pressure within acceptable limits without requiring additional volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of energy

If additional volume is added to the connecting portion, then power loss is reduced, but device complexity and number of parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower lossVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes periodic action by coordinating the operational cycles of multiple compression chambers. The chambers are arranged and timed such that gas discharge from one chamber simultaneously matches the suction requirement of the next chamber, creating a continuous flow pattern that eliminates power loss without adding complex components or increasing the number of parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 reduces power loss and eliminates the need for additional volume in the connecting portion, enhancing efficiency and reducing the risk of gas leakage without increasing the number of parts, thus optimizing compressor performance within spatial constraints.

Implementation Method 1

a first compressing portion configured to compress gas, and a second compressing portion configured to further compress the gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3486485B1compressor
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 KOBE STEEL LTD
  • EP3486485B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3486485B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3486485B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application discloses a compressor including a crank shaft, a first reciprocation converter, a first cylinder body, a first pressurizing portion, a second reciprocation converter, which is connected to the crank shaft with a phase different by 180 degrees from the first reciprocation converter, a second cylinder body, a second pressurizing portion, and a connecting portion configured to interconnect the compression chambers. The compression chambers are arranged so that a timing at which the gas is discharged from a specific compression chamber among the compression chambers becomes the same as a timing at which the discharged gas is suctioned into another compression chamber at a higher side by one stage than the specific compression chamber.