Linear Compressor Piston Stabilization via Branch Pipe Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas-lubricated linear compressors face instability and efficiency issues due to direct high-temperature refrigerant contact with the piston and cylinder, leading to friction loss and abrasion, which reduces reliability and compressor efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A linear compressor design that circulates compressed refrigerant through a branch pipe to the space between the piston and cylinder, using a system of first gas holes and inclined piston portions to stabilize the piston and reduce temperature and pressure, thereby preventing abrasion and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compressed refrigerant is directly injected into the bearing surface to support the piston, then the piston can be supported by gaseous force, but the high temperature and irregular pressure cause friction loss, abrasion, and unstable piston behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling passage system between the discharge space and the bearing surface. Compressed refrigerant first flows through the discharge pipe and cooling passage where it is cooled by the casing, then enters the bearing surface through gas holes. This intermediary cooling structure reduces the temperature of refrigerant before it contacts the piston and cylinder, thereby reducing friction loss and abrasion while maintaining reliable piston support.
2Reliability
If high-temperature compressed refrigerant acts on the bearing surface, then the piston can be supported, but the high temperature decreases reliability and compressor efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary cooling action by designing a cooling passage that allows compressed refrigerant to be cooled before reaching the bearing surface. The refrigerant flows through the discharge pipe and cooling passage in advance, where it dissipates heat to the casing, reducing its temperature prior to contact with the piston and cylinder. This preliminary temperature reduction prevents the harmful effects of high-temperature operation on reliability and efficiency.
3Device complexity
If a simple gas-lubrication system is used, then the compressor can be downsized compared to oil-lubricated systems, but the direct injection of compressed refrigerant causes irregular pressure and unstable piston behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic flow control by designing a multi-path refrigerant circulation system. The refrigerant can flow through different paths (discharge pipe, cooling passage, gas holes) depending on operational conditions. The inclined portions on the piston and the strategically positioned gas holes create dynamic pressure distribution that adapts to piston movement, providing stable support force while maintaining the simplicity of gas-lubrication architecture.
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 solution stabilizes the piston support force, reduces irregular pulsation, and enhances compressor efficiency by maintaining a predetermined distance between the piston and cylinder, preventing abrasion and improving reliability.
Implementation Method 1
configured to guide the compressed refrigerant to a space between the cylinder and the piston
Implementation Method 2
a discharge pipe extending toward an outside of the discharge cover through the discharge space and forming a passage through which the compressed refrigerant moves from the discharge space
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a linear compressor including a drive unit having a mover reciprocating within a casing and a stator and a winding coil for driving the mover, a cylinder installed inside the casing to form a compression space, a piston coupled to the mover and configured to reciprocate within the cylinder to compress a fluid accommodated in the compression space, a frame supporting the cylinder and a discharge cover coupled to the frame to form a discharge space for accommodating refrigerant compressed in the compression space, a discharge pipe extending toward an outside of the discharge cover through the discharge space and forming a passage through which the compressed refrigerant moves from the discharge space, and a branch pipe branched from the discharge pipe outside the discharge cover and configured to guide the compressed refrigerant to a space between the cylinder and the piston.