Inductive Sensor Piston Position Detection in Linear Motor Compressors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current piston and cylinder combinations driven by linear motors in compressors face challenges in accurately measuring piston displacement amplitude with high precision and low cost, leading to inefficiencies and potential collisions, as existing solutions either lack precision or introduce electrical noise.
Innovation Solution
A piston and cylinder combination with a cylinder position recognition system using an inductive sensor that detects magnetic field variations to determine piston position, eliminating the need for additional electronic circuits and reducing noise, allowing for precise control of piston displacement without collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an inductive sensor is used to detect piston position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic position sensors with a simple inductive sensor that detects the position of a magnet attached to the piston. The magnet's magnetic field variations induce voltage in the sensor coil, providing position information without requiring complex electronics or additional mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary element attached to the piston. This magnet serves as a mediator that carries position information through its magnetic field, allowing the inductive sensor to detect piston position indirectly through magnetic field variations rather than direct electrical or mechanical contact.
2Reliability
If monitoring distance is increased to avoid collision, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the inductive sensor continuously monitors piston position and provides real-time position information to the control circuit. This feedback enables precise control of piston displacement amplitude, allowing the system to maintain maximum efficiency while preventing collisions through accurate position awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the piston displacement amplitude based on real-time position feedback. The control circuit modifies the motor drive signals to optimize the piston's travel distance, allowing the system to operate at maximum efficiency when conditions permit and reduce displacement when approaching collision risks.
3Measurement precision
If electrical contact sensors are used to detect piston position, then measurement precision is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to electrical noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical contact-based position sensors with a non-contact inductive sensing system. The inductive sensor detects piston position through magnetic field variations induced by a magnet on the piston, eliminating electrical contacts and the associated noise, interference, and wear problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet attached to the piston serves as an intermediary that carries position information through its magnetic field. This magnetic field mediator allows the inductive sensor to detect position without electrical contact, thereby eliminating the harmful electrical noise and interference that plague contact-based sensing systems.
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 provides high-precision, noise-free signal generation for accurate piston position detection, optimizing compressor efficiency and reducing energy consumption by minimizing the safety distance between the piston and cylinder head.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive sensor (8), disposed at a point of the displacement path of the magnet (5), which, when the piston (1) reaches at least a pre-selected position, detects a variation in the magnetic field resulting from the corresponding position of the magnet (5) and generates a voltage signal as a function of this magnetic field variation
Data Source
AI summary
A piston and cylinder combination driven by linear motor with cylinder position recognition system, including a support structure forming an air gap; a motor winding generating a variable magnetic flow along part of the air gap; a cylinder having a head at one end; a piston connected to a magnet, the magnet driven by the magnetic flow of the motor winding to move inside a displacement path including at least partially the air gap; the displacement of the magnet making the piston reciprocatingly move inside the cylinder; and an inductive sensor disposed at a point of the displacement path of the magnet, such that when the piston reaches a position of closest approach to the cylinder head, the inductive sensor detects a variation in the magnetic field resulting from the corresponding position of the magnet, and generates a voltage signal arising from this magnetic field variation.