Linear Compressor Gas Bearing Passage for Efficient Piston Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear compressors with gas bearing structures require a large amount of refrigerant to effectively support the piston, which reduces the flow rate and compression efficiency, and are prone to orifice closure due to foreign substances, potentially damaging the driving components.
Innovation Solution
A linear compressor design featuring a bearing inflow passage system with a narrow first passage and a larger second passage forming a pocket to accommodate the refrigerant, allowing the piston to be supported with a smaller amount of gas refrigerant, thereby increasing the flow rate and improving compression efficiency while preventing orifice closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large amount of gas refrigerant is supplied to the gas bearing to effectively support the piston, then the piston support effectiveness is improved, but the flow rate of the refrigerant in the whole system is reduced and compression efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gas bearing structure is designed with a recessed gas inflow part and orifice that locally concentrate the refrigerant supply to the piston outer circumferential surface. This localized quality enhancement allows effective piston support with a smaller overall refrigerant quantity, resolving the contradiction between support effectiveness and system flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas bearing structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the refrigerant and piston, using the refrigerant's pressure and flow characteristics to create a bearing film. This intermediary structure enables effective piston support while maintaining controlled refrigerant usage, preventing the direct trade-off between support quality and system productivity.
2Reliability
If a large amount of gas refrigerant is supplied to the gas bearing to effectively support the piston, then the piston support effectiveness is improved, but the flow rate of the refrigerant in the whole system is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a localized gas bearing structure with specific geometric features (recessed inflow part, orifice), the system concentrates refrigerant delivery precisely where needed for piston support. This local quality approach ensures adequate support effectiveness while minimizing the total refrigerant quantity required, thus preserving overall system flow rate.
3Reliability
If an orifice is provided to supply gas refrigerant to the piston, then the gas bearing function is achieved, but the orifice may be closed by foreign substances causing piston damage
Solution Approach 1:
The gas bearing structure with its recessed inflow part and orifice configuration acts as an intermediary system that can be designed with filtration capabilities. This intermediary structure allows the beneficial gas bearing function while providing a means to prevent foreign substance contamination, resolving the contradiction between achieving the bearing function and preventing harmful orifice closure.
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 design effectively supports the piston with a reduced refrigerant flow, enhancing compression efficiency and preventing damage from foreign substances, by using a bearing inflow passage system with a narrow first passage and a larger second passage to accommodate the refrigerant, maintaining high pressure support and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a gas bearing structure using the refrigerant without using a separate bearing fluid such as oil
Implementation Method 2
The first bearing inflow passage may have a cross-sectional area less than that of the second bearing inflow passage
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a linear compressor. The linear compressor includes a piston, a cylinder, and a bearing inflow passage. The bearing inflow passage includes a first bearing inflow passage extending inward from an outer circumferential surface of the cylinder in the radial direction and a second bearing inflow passage extending from the first bearing inflow passage to an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder. The second bearing inflow passage extends from the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder in a circumferential direction.