Cryogenic Piston Compression Guide Rails With Elastic Force Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic pumps with vertical piston configurations face challenges in lubrication due to oil leakage and mechanical stress, leading to inefficiencies and frequent maintenance needs, particularly when using oil-free linear guides or oil splash lubrication systems.
Innovation Solution
A compression apparatus with a sliding head guided by fixed guide rails and an elastic portion generating a transverse force to balance lateral forces, eliminating the need for oil lubrication and reducing mechanical stress through a spring or deformable zone pre-stressed to counteract thrust forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If oil splash lubrication is used to guide the piston rod, then the piston rod can be guided effectively in horizontal configurations, but oil leakage occurs along the piston rod in vertical configurations which is not permitted for safety reasons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the oil lubrication system entirely from the vertical piston rod guidance mechanism. Instead of using oil splash lubrication, the invention employs a dry linear guide mechanism with roller carriages that operate without oil, eliminating the source of oil leakage while maintaining effective piston rod guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the oil-based lubrication system with a mechanical linear guide system using roller carriages and ball bushings. This substitution eliminates the need for oil while providing effective guidance, transforming the lubrication approach from chemical (oil) to mechanical (roller/ball contact).
2Object-generated harmful factors
If an oil-free linear guide mechanism is used, then oil leakage is eliminated, but significant mechanical stresses limit lifespan and require frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a counterweight mechanism that balances the mechanical stresses acting on the linear guide system. By incorporating counterweights that offset the forces generated during piston rod movement, the system reduces net mechanical stress on the guide components, extending lifespan while maintaining oil-free operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates cushioning elements that absorb and distribute mechanical stresses before they can cause damage to the linear guide mechanism. These cushioning features are designed into the system beforehand to prevent excessive stress accumulation, reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining reliability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If roller carriages or ball bushings are used for oil-free guidance, then oil leakage is prevented, but high temperature increase necessitates system shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermal management intermediaries such as heat sinks and thermal conductive materials between the roller carriages/ball bushings and the surrounding structure. These intermediaries act as heat transfer mediators that conduct away generated heat more effectively, reducing temperature rise during operation and allowing continuous system operation without shutdowns.
4Force
If multiple sliding heads or additional guides are used to distribute forces, then force distribution improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple force distribution functions into a single integrated linear guide mechanism. By designing the guide system to inherently accommodate and distribute forces across multiple contact points through its structural configuration, the invention eliminates the need for separate sliding heads and mechanical couplings, reducing complexity while maintaining effective force distribution.
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 solution effectively balances transverse forces, reducing mechanical stress and maintenance requirements while maintaining operational efficiency, and is applicable to both single-stage and two-stage compression processes.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic portion includes a spring or a deformable zone and is prestressed
Implementation Method 2
the elastic portion includes a spring or a deformable zone and is prestressed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for compressing cryogenic fluid, comprising a sealed enclosure (13) intended to contain a bath (16) of cryogenic fluid, a compression chamber (3, 4) communicating with the bath, an intake system (2) communicating with the compression chamber (3, 4) and configured to allow the inlet of fluid to be compressed into the compression chamber (3), and a mobile piston (5) for compressing the fluid in the compression chamber (3, 4), the apparatus (1) also comprising an evacuation system (7) communicating with the compression chamber (3, 4) and configured to allow the outlet of compressed fluid, the piston (5) being mounted at a first end of a rod (50), the apparatus (1) comprising a mechanism (21) for driving the rod (50) in a back and forth movement along a longitudinal direction (A), the drive mechanism (21) comprising a motor (121) provided with a rotating shaft (211) and a mechanical system (212, 213) converting the rotary movement of the rotating shaft (211) into a movement in translation of a head (8) sliding along the longitudinal direction (A) and to which a second end of the rod (50) is connected, characterized in that the head (8) is mounted so as to slide and to be guided by two fixed guide rails (9) situated on either side of the head (8), and in that the head (8) and/or one rail (9) comprises a resilient portion (10), the resilient portion (10) being configured to generate, on the rail or rails (9), a force transverse to the longitudinal direction (A).