Compressor Motor Windings with Ammonia-Resistant Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ammonia (NH3) compressors face challenges with large size, high weight, and low efficiency due to aluminum windings, which are used for their poor conductivity, and complex, costly multi-layer coatings for ammonia resistance.

Innovation Solution

The use of copper motor windings with an ammonia-resistant coating made from an extrudable material, co-extruded with the windings to create a compact, efficient, and cost-effective compressor design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If aluminum windings are used in the electric motor, then the motor can be used with NH3 refrigerant, but the compressor size and weight increase due to the larger cross-section required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNH3 compatibilityVSAvoidcompressor weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining copper windings with an ammonia-resistant coating layer. The copper provides high electrical conductivity allowing smaller cross-section, while the coating layer provides NH3 corrosion resistance. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by achieving both NH3 compatibility and reduced weight compared to pure aluminum windings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If aluminum windings are used in the electric motor, then the motor can be used with NH3 refrigerant, but the compressor efficiency decreases due to poorer conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNH3 compatibilityVSAvoidmotor efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure of copper windings with ammonia-resistant coating resolves this contradiction by combining the high electrical conductivity of copper (reducing energy loss) with the corrosion resistance provided by the coating, achieving both NH3 compatibility and higher efficiency compared to aluminum windings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If multi-layered coating structure is used for ammonia resistance, then the windings are protected from NH3, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveammonia resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material approach where the ammonia-resistant properties are integrated into the winding structure itself through the coating layer formed during the extrusion process. This eliminates the need for separate multi-layered coating applications, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining NH3 resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the winding formation process with the coating application process. The ammonia-resistant coating is applied and formed simultaneously with the winding extrusion in a single integrated process, eliminating separate coating steps and reducing manufacturing complexity compared to traditional multi-layered coating approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution results in a lighter, more compact, and efficient compressor with improved conductivity and reduced manufacturing costs, addressing the inefficiencies and size issues of prior art compressors.

Implementation Method 1

The coating is made of an extrudable material. The motor windings and the coating are co-extruded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtrusion: Extrusion

Implementation Method 2

the electric motor of the NH3 compressor located in a refrigeration system is at least partially cooled by NH3, with the cooling typically being achieved using suction gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3058224B1Compressor
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 GEA REFRIGERATION GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3058224B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a compressor (10), in particular a semi-hermetic or hermetic positive-displacement compressor for compressing NH3, said compressor having an at least partially NH3-cooled electric motor (12) comprising motor windings (24). The motor windings (24) have a conductor (26) made of copper and an ammonia-resistant coating (28). The invention also relates to a method for producing a corresponding compressor.