Free Piston Linear Motor Compressor Without Mechanical Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing natural gas compressors face high manufacturing and maintenance costs, short operational lifespan, and are unsuitable for applications requiring high purity and elevated pressures due to their reliance on mechanical or electromagnetic components.
Innovation Solution
A Free Piston Linear Motor Compressor (FPLMC) system with a multi-stage dual-acting piston driven by a linear motor, eliminating mechanical springs and electromagnetic coils, and utilizing a piston position feedback control system to maintain stability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If reciprocating compressor technology with rotational motor and crankshaft is used, then compression function is achieved, but manufacturing cost and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the crankshaft mechanism from the compressor system, using a linear motor to directly drive the piston in linear reciprocating motion. This removal of the crankshaft simplifies the mechanical structure, reduces manufacturing complexity and cost, while simultaneously improving reliability by eliminating a major source of mechanical wear and failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional rotational motor-crankshaft mechanical transmission system with a linear motor that directly generates linear motion. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical conversion mechanisms, reducing the number of moving parts and mechanical losses, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and extending operational lifespan.
2Device complexity
If mechanical springs or electromagnetic coils are used for piston stability, then piston centering is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical springs and electromagnetic coils with an active control system that uses position feedback and adaptive current output from the linear motor to maintain piston stability. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical centering mechanisms while achieving equivalent or superior stability through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system that monitors piston position and adjusts motor current accordingly to maintain stable operation. This feedback mechanism enables the system to achieve piston centering and stability without requiring mechanical springs or additional electromagnetic coils, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Ease of repair
If traditional compressor design with multiple moving parts is used, then compression function is achieved, but maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the crankshaft and associated connecting rods from the compressor system, replacing them with a linear motor that directly drives the piston. This extraction of unnecessary mechanical components significantly reduces the number of moving parts that require maintenance, thereby lowering maintenance costs while simplifying the overall device structure.
4Loss of energy
If reciprocating compressor with crankshaft is used, then gas compression is achieved, but mechanical parasitic losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rotational motor-crankshaft mechanical transmission system with a linear motor that directly generates linear reciprocating motion. This substitution eliminates the mechanical energy losses associated with crankshaft rotation, connecting rod motion, and bearing friction, thereby significantly reducing mechanical parasitic losses and improving overall system efficiency.
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 FPLMC reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs, increases durability, and allows for stable operation at any point in the stroke, achieving efficient gas compression with reduced complexity and size, suitable for high-pressure applications.
Implementation Method 1
a linear electric motor positioned to reciprocate the piston
Implementation Method 2
a piston position feedback control system configured to provide adaptive current output as a function of position feedback and/or velocity feedback from the piston
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A linear motor compressor including a compressor housing and a cylinder housing having a plurality of opposing compression chambers. A piston freely reciprocates within the cylinder housing using a linear electric motor. A piston position feedback control system provides adaptive current output as a function of position feedback and/or velocity feedback from the piston and/or the electric motor, to directly power and control the electric motor, wherein the piston reciprocates without assistance from a mechanical spring or other equivalent centering force.