Hermetic Refrigerant Condenser Connection Device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Hermetically encapsulated refrigerant compressors experience efficiency losses due to heat transfer from the compressor housing to the suction and pressure pipes, which heats the refrigerant before compression, reducing the compressor's efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A connection device with a body element and spacer element is used to create a thermal barrier, distancing the body element from the suction or pressure pipe, and the body element is attached to the compressor housing outside the connection opening, with materials like austenitic steel, foam glass, or ceramic materials used to minimize heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the suction pipe or pressure pipe is connected directly to the compressor housing, then the connection is simple and reliable, but heat transfer from the compressor housing to the pipe causes refrigerant heating and efficiency losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidheat transfer loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A connection device with a body element and spacer element is introduced as an intermediary component between the compressor housing and the suction/pressure pipe. The spacer element creates a thermal barrier that reduces heat transfer from the compressor housing to the refrigerant-carrying pipe, while the body element maintains the hermetic seal and mechanical connection. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing both reliable connection and thermal isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If insulation is added to the suction and pressure pipes, then heat transfer is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer reductionVSAvoidinsulation structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection device integrates multiple functions into a single component assembly: the body element provides the hermetic seal and mechanical attachment, while the spacer element provides thermal insulation. By merging the sealing function and insulation function into one integrated connection device, the patent reduces overall device complexity compared to adding separate insulation layers to already-connected pipes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the body element is placed in direct contact with the suction or pressure pipe, then the connection is stable, but heat transfer to the refrigerant increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidrefrigerant temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer element serves as a thermal intermediary between the body element and the suction/pressure pipe. It maintains the mechanical stability of the connection while blocking the direct thermal path from the body element to the refrigerant, thus preventing unnecessary heating of the refrigerant while preserving connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration significantly reduces heat transfer, maintaining a lower refrigerant temperature at the start of the compression process, improving the compressor's efficiency by minimizing heating of the refrigerant and the compressor housing.

Implementation Method 1

at least one spacer element (7), which distances the body element (8) from the suction pipe (2) or pressure pipe (3)... significantly reduces heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2027391B1Refrigerant condenser
Publication Date: 2012.02.29 ACC AUSTRIA GMBH
  • EP2027391B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2027391B1 patent drawingFigure 3~8
  • EP2027391B1 patent drawingFigure 9~12

AI summary

Hermetically encapsulated refrigerant condenser which has a hermetically sealed condenser housing (1), in the interior of which a piston/cylinder unit which condenses a refrigerant operates and an intake pipe (2) and a pressure pipe (3) are provided, wherein refrigerant flows to the piston/cylinder unit via the intake pipe (2) and the refrigerant which is condensed by the piston/cylinder unit is conveyed out of the condenser housing (1) via the pressure pipe (3), wherein connecting openings (5) for the intake pipe (2) and the pressure pipe (3) are provided on the condenser housing (1), wherein the attachment of the intake pipe (2) and the pressure pipe (3) to the connection openings (5) takes place via a connecting apparatus (9) in a hermetically sealed manner. There is provision according to the invention for the connecting apparatus (9) to have a body element (8) of preferably sleeve-shaped configuration and at least one spacer element (7) which spaces the body element (8) from the intake pipe (2) and the pressure pipe (3).