Linear Compressor Gas Bearing Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing linear compressor has a large volume, making it unsuitable for refrigerators with increased inner storage space requirements, and reducing its size to compensate for this results in performance deterioration due to increased friction from oil circulation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a gas bearing system using refrigerant nozzles and expansion portions to reduce friction between the piston and cylinder, along with multiple filters to remove foreign substances and oil, allowing for a smaller compressor size without performance loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the linear compressor size is reduced to increase refrigerator storage space, then the volume of the compressor decreases, but friction force due to oil circulation increases and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the oil circulation system from the compressor, eliminating the source of friction. Instead of using oil for lubrication, the system relies on a gas bearing mechanism where high-pressure gas prevents direct contact between moving parts, thereby removing the harmful friction effect while maintaining compact dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical oil-lubricated bearing system with a gas bearing system. High-pressure gas is introduced between the piston and cylinder wall, creating a non-contact bearing surface that eliminates friction associated with oil circulation, enabling compact design without performance loss
2Productivity
If the drive frequency is increased to compensate for deteriorated performance, then the compressor performance is maintained, but friction force due to oil circulating increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the high-pressure gas, which would normally be a waste product or require additional handling, into a beneficial gas bearing medium. The discharged refrigerant gas is redirected to the bearing space, where it serves to reduce friction between moving parts, turning a potential harmful factor into a useful lubricating medium
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using high-pressure gas to create a non-contact bearing system. Gas is supplied to the bearing space at controlled pressure to maintain a film between the piston and cylinder, eliminating mechanical friction without requiring oil circulation, thus enabling high-speed operation with minimal friction
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 approach enables a smaller linear compressor size that maintains performance by reducing friction and preventing wear, thus increasing inner storage space in refrigerators while minimizing oil-related friction losses.
Implementation Method 1
a gas bearing system using refrigerant nozzles and expansion portions to reduce friction between the piston and cylinder
Implementation Method 2
The permanent magnet may be linearly reciprocated by an electromagnetic force between the permanent magnet and the inner (or outer) stator
Data Source
AI summary
A linear compressor is provided that may include a shell including a suction inlet, a cylinder provided in the shell to define a compression space for a refrigerant, a piston reciprocated in an axial direction within the cylinder, a discharge valve provided at a first side of the cylinder to selectively discharge the refrigerant compressed in the compression space, at least one nozzle, through which at least a portion of the refrigerant discharged through the discharge valve flows, the at least one nozzle being disposed in the cylinder, and at least one expansion portion that extends from the at least one nozzle to an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder, the at least one expansion portion having a flow cross-section area greater than a flow cross-section area of the at least one nozzle.