Linear Compressor Valve Design to Prevent Reverse Refrigerant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas lubricated linear compressors face issues with reduced levitation force due to reverse flow of refrigerant between the cylinder and piston, leading to potential damage and efficiency losses.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a valve member system that controls the bearing communication hole and gas inlet based on pressure differences to prevent reverse refrigerant flow, maintaining levitation force and improving gas bearing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gas lubricated linear compressor is used to avoid oil shortage issues, then the compressor size is reduced and reliability is improved, but the levitation force of the piston is reduced due to reverse flow of refrigerant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful reverse flow of refrigerant from the bearing space by introducing a one-way valve that allows refrigerant to flow only in the forward direction (from discharge space to bearing space) but prevents backward flow. This removes the detrimental effect while preserving the gas lubrication benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way valve acts as an intermediary component between the discharge space and bearing space, controlling the refrigerant flow direction. It mediates the interaction between the high-pressure discharge refrigerant and the bearing space, allowing beneficial forward flow while blocking harmful reverse flow.
2Device complexity
If refrigerant flows back into the discharge space from the bearing space, then the structure remains simple, but the gas bearing efficiency is reduced and piston levitation force is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful reverse flow phenomenon by extracting it through the one-way valve mechanism, which selectively blocks backward flow while permitting forward flow. This maintains structural simplicity while eliminating the efficiency-reducing reverse flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical flow path with an active flow control mechanism (one-way valve) that uses pressure-driven operation to automatically regulate refrigerant flow direction, substituting uncontrolled mechanical flow with controlled flow management.
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 effectively prevents reverse refrigerant flow, maintaining the levitation force and reducing friction between the cylinder and piston, thereby enhancing the compressor's reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a valve member disposed at the frame and configured to open and close the bearing communication hole depending on a pressure
Implementation Method 2
the gas lubricated linear compressor is configured not to store an oil in the casing, induce a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compression space between the cylinder and the piston, and lubricate between the cylinder and the piston by a gas force of the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A linear compressor includes: a frame comprising a body portion, a flange portion extending from a front side of the body portion along a radial direction of the body portion, and a bearing communication hole that is in fluid communication with a front surface of the flange portion and an inner circumferential surface of the body portion, a cylinder coupled to the body portion, a piston that is disposed in the cylinder and that is configured to reciprocate along an axial direction of the cylinder, and a valve member that is disposed at the frame and that is configured to open and close the bearing communication hole based on a pressure of air between the cylinder and the piston.