Integrated Liquid Separator Housing for Compressor Gas-Liquid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid separation devices for gas-liquid mixtures are bulky, require numerous components, and suffer from mechanical weakness and leakage issues due to separate conduits, limiting modularity, flexibility, and accessibility, and often necessitate complex manufacturing techniques.
Innovation Solution
A housing with integrated components, including a liquid separator vessel, channels, and a liquid storage reservoir, which reduces the number of components, minimizes conduit length and bends, enhances mechanical strength, and allows for easier maintenance and manufacturing using conventional techniques, while maintaining efficient liquid separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate liquid separator vessel is used, then liquid separation function is provided, but the overall dimensions and volume of the installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the liquid separator vessel directly into the housing of the liquid-injected compressor or vacuum pump, combining two previously separate units (compressor and liquid separator) into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate conduits and external liquid separator tanks, thereby reducing overall installation volume while maintaining the liquid separation function.
2Volume of stationary object
If the liquid separator tank size is reduced, then overall dimensions decrease, but liquid filling level increases causing liquid entrainment risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the integrated liquid separator with locally optimized features including specific internal geometries, baffles, and separation zones that enhance liquid-gas separation efficiency. The local structural qualities (such as curved surfaces, separation chambers, and outlet positioning) ensure effective liquid entrainment prevention even in a compact integrated design, rather than relying solely on large tank volume.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate conduits are used to connect compressor and liquid separator, then modular assembly is enabled, but mechanical strength decreases and leakage risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates separate conduits by integrating the liquid separator vessel directly into the compressor housing, creating a unified structure where the housing itself serves as both the compressor enclosure and the liquid separator containment. This integration removes weak conduit connections and potential leakage points while maintaining assembly flexibility through modular housing design.
4Reliability
If numerous components and conduits are used, then functional completeness is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the housing to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it encloses the compressor, integrates the liquid separator vessel, provides structural support, and eliminates the need for separate conduit systems. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components while maintaining complete liquid separation and compression functions.
5Ease of manufacture
If conventional manufacturing techniques are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but integration of multiple functions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the housing into separable sections or modules that can be manufactured using conventional techniques and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each module to be produced with standard manufacturing methods while the final assembly achieves the integrated multi-functional design, balancing manufacturing simplicity with functional integration.
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 integrated design reduces the overall size and complexity of the compressor or vacuum pump installation, enhances mechanical strength and leak resistance, and simplifies maintenance by eliminating separate conduits and reducing pressure drops, while maintaining effective liquid separation and reducing liquid degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid separator vessel (3) configured to separate liquid from the gas-liquid mixture
Implementation Method 2
separate liquid from the gas-liquid mixture discharged from such a liquid-injected compressor or vacuum pump element
Data Source
AI summary
A housing of a liquid separation device that includes an inlet for the gas-liquid mixture and a set of integrated components, the set of integrated components includes a liquid separator vessel to separate liquid from the gas-liquid mixture, and the liquid separator vessel includes an entry port for the gas-liquid mixture, a liquid outlet port, and a gas outlet port. The set of integrated components includes a set of channels, where a wall of each channel is part of the housing, where the set of channels includes an inlet channel to guide the gas-liquid mixture from the inlet to the entry port and an outlet channel to guide gas from the gas outlet port away from the liquid separator vessel. The housing includes at least two opposite housing pieces which can be hermetically sealed together along a sealing line which is situated in a sealing face.