Nested-Jacket Enclosure for Refrigerant Compressor Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerant compressors in climate control systems generate significant noise and vibration, which can be unpleasant and lead to damage or failure of components and adjacent structures due to fatigue failure of refrigerant lines.
Innovation Solution
An enclosure with nested jackets that deform independently to convert vibrations into frictional heat, incorporating sound absorbing and barrier layers to dissipate noise and vibration, and flapped openings to dampen refrigerant line vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a refrigerant compressor is used to circulate refrigerant, then the climate control system can cool or heat air, but the compressor generates large amounts of noise and vibration that are unpleasant and may cause damage to components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple nested jackets (inner jacket, intermediate jacket, outer jacket) surrounding the refrigerant compressor. Each jacket can deform independently to dissipate vibration energy through friction between adjacent jackets, while collectively containing the compressor to reduce noise propagation. This nested structure allows the system to maintain compressor functionality while progressively dampening harmful vibrations through multiple layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible jacket structures that can deform independently under vibrational stress. These flexible shells absorb and dissipate vibration energy through controlled deformation and friction between adjacent layers, converting mechanical vibration energy into thermal energy. The flexible nature of the jackets allows them to adapt to compressor vibrations while maintaining structural integrity and noise containment.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the enclosure includes multiple nested jackets that deform independently, then vibration is dissipated through friction, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested jacket configuration where multiple jackets are concentrically arranged around the refrigerant compressor. This nesting approach allows vibration dissipation through friction between adjacent jackets while maintaining a compact overall structure. The nested design efficiently uses space and reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the enhanced vibration dissipation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic jacket structures that can deform independently in response to vibrational forces. Each jacket is designed with appropriate flexibility to allow controlled movement and deformation, enabling vibration energy to be dissipated through friction between adjacent jackets. This dynamic behavior is achieved through careful material selection and structural design that balances flexibility with structural integrity, avoiding excessive complexity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If flapped openings are used to receive refrigerant lines, then vibrations in the lines are dampened, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes flapped openings constructed from flexible materials that can deform to accommodate refrigerant lines while maintaining vibration dampening functionality. The flexible nature of the flaps allows them to conform to line positions and movements, reducing the need for extremely precise manufacturing alignment while still effectively dampening vibrations through controlled deformation and friction against the lines.
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
Reduces noise pollution and fatigue wear by significantly damping vibrations and sound emissions from refrigerant compressors, minimizing the risk of component failure.
Implementation Method 1
the enclosure is configured to convert vibration emitted from the refrigerant compressor into frictional heat between the plurality of nested jackets
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of nested jackets including a sound absorbing layer and a sound barrier layer
Implementation Method 3
the plurality of flapped openings configured to apply force to the plurality of refrigerant lines to damp vibrations therein
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of an outdoor unit for a climate control system includes a refrigerant compressor. In addition, the outdoor unit includes a plurality of refrigerant lines coupled to the refrigerant compressor. Further, the outdoor unit includes an enclosure positioned around the refrigerant compressor, wherein the enclosure includes an inner jacket and an outer jacket, the inner jacket being engaged with the outer jacket such that the inner jacket is configured to deform independently from the outer jacket to dissipate vibration emitted from the refrigerant compressor.