Hydraulic Compressor Assembly for Explosion-Safe Gas Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressor systems for compressing gases, particularly explosive mixtures like hydrogen, require costly explosion protection measures and cannot be operated in enclosed spaces due to safety concerns, limiting their use in decentralized energy supply and home applications.
Innovation Solution
A compressor arrangement with a hydraulically driven compressor and liquid pump housed within a liquid-filled chamber, where the compressor is driven by a liquid flow generated by the pump, forming a closed circuit, and allowing operation in enclosed spaces without additional explosion protection measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compressor is operated outside enclosed spaces with encapsulated motors and thermal winding protection, then explosion protection is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydraulic principles by using liquid (water) as both the cooling medium and the driving force for the compressor. The liquid circulation system provides both cooling and mechanical drive, eliminating the need for traditional electric motors and their associated explosion protection measures. This resolves the contradiction by replacing complex electrical systems with a simpler hydraulic system that inherently meets explosion protection requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert environment by filling the housing with liquid (water), which prevents explosive gas mixtures from forming within the compressor housing. The liquid acts as a barrier that eliminates oxygen availability for combustion, thereby providing intrinsic explosion protection without requiring additional protective measures. This resolves the contradiction by using the liquid medium to create an inherently safe operating environment.
2Reliability
If encapsulation and thermal winding protection are implemented, then explosion protection is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic drive system replaces expensive encapsulated electric motors with a simpler liquid-driven mechanism. The liquid pump and circulation system are more cost-effective to manufacture and maintain while providing both cooling and drive functions. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for costly explosion-protected electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid serving as the cooling medium simultaneously functions as the driving force for the compressor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate drive systems and their associated explosion protection measures, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining safety. The single liquid system performs multiple critical functions that would otherwise require separate expensive components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the compressor is designed for enclosed space operation, then adaptability is improved, but explosion protection requirements limit its use
Solution Approach 1:
By filling the housing with liquid, the patent creates an inert environment that prevents explosive mixtures from forming, enabling safe operation in enclosed spaces. The liquid barrier eliminates the risk of gas accumulation and ignition, thereby meeting explosion protection requirements while allowing enclosed space installation. This resolves the contradiction by making the compressor inherently suitable for enclosed environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic drive system using liquid circulation provides a mechanism that inherently prevents ignition sources from developing, as the liquid-cooled design eliminates excessive heat generation and the liquid-filled housing prevents explosive mixture formation. This enables enclosed space operation while complying with explosion protection directives.
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
Meets explosion protection requirements, reduces costs, and enables operation in enclosed spaces, making it suitable for decentralized energy supply and home use, while ensuring safe gas leakage management and efficient cooling.
Implementation Method 1
the hydraulically driven compressor can be driven by a flow of the liquid generated by the liquid pump
Implementation Method 2
the hydraulically driven compressor and the liquid pump are cooled by the liquid contained in the housing
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a compressor arrangement (1) for compressing a gas, comprising a housing (2), a hydraulically driven compressor (3) and a liquid pump (4), wherein the hydraulically driven compressor (3) and the liquid pump (4) are arranged within the housing (2) and the housing (2) has a gas supply (5) connected to the hydraulically driven compressor (3) and a gas discharge (6) connected to the hydraulically driven compressor (3), wherein the housing (2) is at least partially filled with a liquid (7) and the hydraulically driven compressor (3) can be driven by means of a flow of the liquid (7) generated by the liquid pump (4).