Linear Compressor Machined Spring Air Gap Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Linear compressors face efficiency issues during low capacity operations due to shorter piston strokes and larger head clearances, which disrupt the magnetic field transmission and make it difficult to maintain a uniform air gap between the magnet and the driving coil, leading to reduced volumetric and overall efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a machined spring with adjustable length and a single air gap configuration, where the inner back iron assembly is fixed to the machined spring at its middle portion, and a driving coil moves the inner back iron assembly along a second axis, ensuring a uniform air gap and improved magnetic field transmission, while the machined spring's length is adjusted based on operating conditions to optimize piston stroke and clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the driving coil displaces the piston less during low capacity operations, then the compressor operates at lower capacity, but the piston stroke becomes shorter and head clearances become larger, decreasing volumetric and overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the air gap adjustable rather than fixed. The air gap is modified based on the operating capacity to optimize magnetic field transmission. During low capacity operations, the air gap is adjusted to compensate for the shorter piston stroke and larger head clearances, thereby maintaining volumetric efficiency while allowing variable capacity operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple air gaps are provided in the linear compressor, then the magnetic field transmission is interrupted, but the air gap uniformity is difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates one of the two air gaps by positioning the magnet directly adjacent to the driving coil, removing the intermediate air gap that caused magnetic field interruption. This single air gap configuration maintains reliable magnetic field transmission while allowing the air gap to be adjusted for optimal performance across different capacity operations.
3Reliability
If the air gap is made adjustable to maintain uniformity, then magnetic field transmission is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the air gap dimension to optimize magnetic field transmission. The air gap is made adjustable through a simple mechanism that allows changing the spacing between the magnet and driving coil, enabling the system to maintain uniform magnetic field transmission across different operating conditions without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
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 enhances the efficiency of the linear compressor by maintaining a uniform air gap and optimizing piston stroke and clearance, improving both low and high capacity operations by reducing friction and side pull forces, thus enhancing overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
The driving coil receives a current that generates a force for sliding the piston forward and backward within a chamber
Implementation Method 2
The driving coil generally engages a magnet on a mover assembly of the linear compressor in order to reciprocate the piston within the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A linear compressor and a method for operating a linear compressor are provided. The linear compressor includes a casing and a machined spring. An inner back iron assembly is fixed to the machined spring at a middle portion of the machined spring. The linear compressor also includes features for adjusting a length of the machined spring.