Multi-stage Resonator for Compressor Pulsation Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Screw compressors in refrigerant cycles experience pulsations that lead to sound and vibration issues within the refrigerant system, which existing resonator and silencer configurations fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A two-stage resonator array system is introduced, comprising a first and second stage resonator array with a connecting passage, where each stage features a pair of spaced sub-portions with cells and perforated plates containing orifices, creating a non-circular flow area to effectively absorb pulsations by cyclically moving them through smaller orifices and back out through enlarged cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a single stage resonator is used, then the structure is simpler, but the sound absorption effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorption effectivenessVSAvoidresonator structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resonator is divided into two distinct stages with multiple cells each, where the first stage receives pulsations from the compressor discharge port and the second stage receives pulsations from the first stage. This segmentation allows each stage to handle specific frequency ranges and pulse amplitudes, improving overall sound absorption effectiveness while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If traditional mufflers are used, then the design is simpler, but the compactness and integration capability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresonator volumeVSAvoidsound absorption effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second stage resonator array is positioned downstream of the first stage resonator array within the same resonator chamber, creating a nested configuration where pulsations pass sequentially through both stages. This nesting approach maximizes sound absorption effectiveness within a compact volume, allowing the resonator to be integrated into existing compressor systems without substantial axial length increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the orifices have larger diameter, then the flow capacity is higher, but the pulsation absorption effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulsation absorption effectivenessVSAvoidrefrigerant flow capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The orifices are designed with specific diameter dimensions that are optimized to create the right balance between flow capacity and pulsation absorption. The orifice dimensions are carefully selected to allow sufficient refrigerant flow while effectively absorbing pulsations through the resonant oscillation mechanism, demonstrating parameter optimization to resolve the contradiction between flow capacity and pulsation absorption effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 significantly reduces pulsations, providing better sound absorption than traditional mufflers, with the added benefit of compact design that can be integrated into existing compressor systems without substantial axial length increase.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the sub-portions includes a plurality of cells extending into a housing member, and having a bottom wall and an open outer wall communicating with the connecting passage. A plurality of orifices extend into each of the cells, with the orifices having a smaller diameter than a hydraulic diameter of the cells.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

This configuration significantly reduces pulsations, providing better sound absorption than traditional mufflers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3861213B1Multi-stage resonator for compressor
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 CARRIER CORP
  • EP3861213B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3861213B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3861213B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

A compressor has an inlet port and a discharge port. The discharge port communicates into a resonator chamber. The resonator chamber includes a first stage resonator array and a second stage resonator array downstream of the first stage resonator array with a connecting passage intermediate the first and second resonator array. Each of the resonator arrays includes a pair of spaced resonator arrays sub-portions, with each of the sub-portions including a plurality of cells extending into a housing member, and have a bottom wall and an open outer wall communicating with the flow passage, with a plurality of orifices extending into each of the cells. The orifices have a smaller diameter than a hydraulic diameter of the cells.