Linear compressor with heat shield between discharge cover and frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas-lubricated linear compressors experience suction and compression losses due to overheating of the cylinder and piston by high-temperature refrigerant, leading to inefficient heat dissipation and increased losses through direct contact with the frame and cylinder.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a linear compressor with a gas bearing system where at least one discharge cover is exposed to the outside of another discharge cover, and a heat insulating member is used between the discharge cover and the compression unit to reduce heat transfer, enhancing heat radiation and convective heat transfer coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the discharge cover is directly in contact with the frame and cylinder, then the structure is simple, but the refrigerant overheats the compression unit causing suction and compression losses
Solution Approach 1:
A heat insulating member is introduced as an intermediary between the discharge cover and the compression unit (frame and/or cylinder). This heat insulating member prevents direct thermal contact, blocking the heat transfer path from the high-temperature discharge cover to the compression unit, thereby reducing suction and compression losses while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple discharge covers are stacked in overlapping manner, then pulsation is reduced, but heat radiation effect decreases and heat dissipation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat insulating member acts as a thermal barrier between the stacked discharge covers and the compression unit. Even with multiple discharge covers providing pulsation reduction, the heat insulating member prevents heat accumulation and blocks heat transfer to the frame and cylinder, thereby maintaining effective heat dissipation capability while achieving pulsation reduction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the discharge cover is located on the inside side of other discharge covers, then pulsation is reduced, but the highest temperature discharge cover cannot contact refrigerant for heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The heat insulating member is positioned between the discharge cover and the compression unit, creating a thermal barrier that prevents heat transfer regardless of the discharge cover's spatial arrangement. This allows the discharge covers to be stacked for pulsation reduction while the heat insulating member ensures that even the highest temperature discharge cover does not overheat the compression unit.
4Ease of manufacture
If the distance between discharge cover and casing is large, then assembly is easier, but convection heat transfer coefficient decreases and heat radiation effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat insulating member serves as a thermal barrier that compensates for the reduced convective heat transfer coefficient caused by larger spacing. By blocking conductive heat transfer through the frame and cylinder, the heat insulating member ensures effective heat management even when the discharge cover is positioned at a larger distance from the casing for easier assembly.
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 configuration reduces suction and compression losses by maintaining the refrigerant at a lower temperature, improving compressor efficiency through effective heat dissipation and reduced direct contact between the discharge cover and the frame or cylinder.
Implementation Method 1
a heat insulating member is used between the discharge cover and the compression unit to reduce heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
enhancing heat radiation and convective heat transfer coefficients
Implementation Method 3
the gas-lubricated linear compressor is configured to guide part of refrigerant being discharged from the compression space without being stored into the casing between the cylinder and the piston to lubricate between the cylinder and the piston by a gas force of the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A linear compressor includes a linear motor including a mover that reciprocates with respect to a stator; a compression unit configured to define a compression space in a cylinder while a piston connected to the mover reciprocates in the cylinder; a frame disposed outside of the cylinder; a plurality of discharge covers that define discharge spaces sequentially receiving refrigerant discharged from the compression space; and a gas bearing configured to guide part of refrigerant accommodated in a discharge any one of the plurality of discharge covers to lubricate between the cylinder and the piston with the refrigerant. The discharge cover structure is configured to restrict heat transfer between the discharge covers and the frame.