Double-Pipe Accumulator Structure for Compressor Startup Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems experience noise issues due to rapid boiling of refrigerant during compressor startup, which complicates the accumulator structure and increases costs and size when attempting to suppress this phenomenon.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cloth-like member or foam material around the outer pipe of the accumulator, which acts as a boiling stone to facilitate gradual vaporization of refrigerant, thereby reducing the likelihood of explosive boiling and associated noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If complex structures (agitation blades, driving sources, bypass channels with valves) are added to suppress bumping phenomenon, then bumping and impact noise are reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a disposable cloth-like member or foam material that can be easily replaced. These simple, inexpensive components are inserted into the accumulator to suppress bumping phenomenon during compressor startup, eliminating the need for complex mechanical agitation systems while maintaining effective noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous materials (cloth-like members or foam materials) that allow gradual vaporization of refrigerant through their porous structure. This enables the refrigerant to bubble through the material slowly, preventing sudden explosive boiling and the associated bumping phenomenon, while keeping the structure simple and cost-effective.
2Device complexity
If simple configuration (cloth-like member or foam material) is used, then cost and complexity are reduced, but effectiveness in suppressing bumping phenomenon may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure of the cloth-like member or foam material provides numerous nucleation sites for bubble formation, enabling controlled and gradual vaporization of refrigerant. This ensures reliable suppression of bumping phenomenon while maintaining a simple and cost-effective design without complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the system by introducing materials with specific porosity and surface properties that promote gradual vaporization. The cloth-like member or foam material alters the vaporization rate parameter, ensuring reliable bumping suppression while keeping the overall system simple and inexpensive.
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 suppresses bumping and impact noise during compressor startup without increasing the complexity or cost of the accumulator, maintaining cost-effectiveness by using a simple configuration.
Implementation Method 1
the cloth-like member or the like (gas therein) can be an origination (trigger) for boiling of the liquid-phase refrigerant for vaporization during starting of the compressor
Implementation Method 2
the cloth-like member or foam material is wound around or externally inserted to the outer pipe... which acts as a boiling stone to facilitate gradual vaporization of refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
when the operation of the system (compressor) is stopped, liquid-phase refrigerant including oil is accumulated at the lower part of the tank of the accumulator. In this case, when the oil used is not compatible with the refrigerant and has specific weight smaller than that of the refrigerant, they are separated into two layers due to a difference in specific weight and viscosity between the liquid-phase refrigerant and the oil
Implementation Method 4
the gas-phase refrigerant descends through the space defined between the inner pipe and the outer pipe in the outflow pipe (gas-phase refrigerant descending channel) and then ascends through the space within the inner pipe to be sucked from the suction side of the compressor 210 for circulation
Implementation Method 5
The liquid-phase refrigerant (including oil) flows down along the inner periphery of the tank and is accumulated at a lower part of the tank
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an accumulator capable of effectively suppressing a bumping phenomenon and the following impact noise during the starting of a compressor without making the structure of the accumulator complicated or increasing the cost and the size thereof, and so having cost-effectiveness. An accumulator includes: a tank 10 having an inflow port 15 and an outflow port 16; and a double-pipe structured outflow pipe 30 including an inner pipe 31 joined to the outflow port 16 and hanging inside of the tank 10, and an outer pipe 32 disposed outside of the inner pipe 31. A cloth-like member such as felt or a foam material 60 is wound around or externally inserted to the outer pipe 32.