Integrated Grounding Bus for Reciprocating Compressor Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical grounding assemblies for reciprocating compressors with external frequency inverters require multiple manual steps, leading to potential errors in grounding and necessitate separate electrical and mechanical connections, which can result in incomplete grounding and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

An electrical grounding assembly that integrates the grounding connection and mechanical fixing using metal buses within the casing of the external frequency inverter, eliminating the need for electrical conductor cables and combining the grounding and fixing steps into a single operation through a screw or equivalent fixing metal element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate electrical connection and mechanical fixing steps are used, then electrical grounding can be achieved, but assembly complexity increases and risk of incomplete grounding occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical grounding completenessVSAvoidassembly steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the electrical grounding function and mechanical fixing function into a single integrated component. The frequency inverter casing serves dual purposes: it provides structural support (mechanical fixing) and electrical grounding through integrated grounding terminals that are electrically connected to the casing. This eliminates the need for separate electrical connection steps and ensures grounding is always established when the casing is mounted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple manual assembly steps are required, then electrical connections can be made, but assembly time increases and human error risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The grounding terminals are pre-integrated into the frequency inverter casing structure during manufacturing. The electrical grounding path is established as an inherent part of the casing design, with grounding terminals directly electrically connected to the casing body. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for operators to perform separate grounding connections during assembly, reducing both time and error risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If electrical conductor cables are used for grounding, then electrical connection can be established, but device complexity and number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical groundingVSAvoidelectrical connections
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electrical grounding function from the separate conductor cable system and integrates it directly into the frequency inverter casing structure. The casing itself becomes the grounding path, with grounding terminals provided as integral parts of the casing. This eliminates the need for separate electrical conductor cables for grounding purposes, simplifying the overall electrical connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution simplifies the assembly process, reduces the risk of human error by ensuring complete grounding in a single step, and eliminates the need for additional electrical connections, thereby enhancing safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

adapted to electrically connect the grounding bus and the grounding point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3660305B1Electrical grounding assembly arrangement for reciprocating compressor
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 NIDEC GLOBAL APPLIANCE BRASIL LTDA
  • EP3660305B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3660305B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3660305B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Is disclosed an electrical grounding assembly arrangement for reciprocating compressor capable of optimizing the assembly of the electrical grounding connection and allows a quick visual inspection of the same, while providing a saving of electrical conductors, which are nonexistent in light of the invention in question. For this purpose, the casing (of the frequency inverter, which is fixed to the external region of the compressor housing) comprises an electrical grounding bus capable of receiving, on its external portion, a fixing metal element specially adapted to electrically connect the outer portion of the electrical grounding bus and the electrical grounding connection of the housing and, at the same time, mechanically fixing the casing to the reciprocating compressor housing by physically locking the external portion of the electrical grounding bus and the electrical grounding connection of the housing.