Refrigerant compressor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerant compressors face challenges in operating energy-efficiently, particularly in reducing mechanical loads and maintaining efficiency during performance reduction.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a mechanical power tax unit that connects the suction side and pressure side to reduce performance, combined with a check valve at the cylinder head to manage refrigerant flow and prevent pressure drops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a mechanical power control unit is used to reduce compressor capacity, then energy efficiency is improved, but pressure fluctuations and temperature peaks occur that reduce efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcompressor efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The check valve is pre-positioned in the outlet chamber to anticipate and prevent harmful pressure fluctuations before they occur during power reduction, ensuring smooth refrigerant flow and maintaining compressor efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Force

If power is reduced by connecting suction and pressure sides, then mechanical load is reduced, but pressure peaks and temperature peaks occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical loadVSAvoidtemperature peaks
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The check valve acts as an intermediary element between the outlet chamber and the power control connection, mediating the refrigerant flow to prevent direct pressure peaks and temperature excursions when power is reduced

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stress or pressure

If a check valve is added to the cylinder head, then pressure drop is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure dropVSAvoidcompressor design
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The check valve is implemented as a separate, modular component that can be independently installed in the cylinder head, allowing the pressure control function to be added without redesigning the entire compressor system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the check valve is positioned downstream of the outlet chamber, then backflow is prevented, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerant flow controlVSAvoidinstallation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The check valve is integrated with the outlet chamber structure, merging the flow control function with the existing housing to simplify installation while maintaining reliable backflow prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution allows for efficient control of compressor promotion, reduces mechanical loads on compressor components, and maintains efficiency by minimizing pressure fluctuations and temperature variations.

Implementation Method 1

a check valve is provided in the region of the cylinder head which is held thereon and which allows a refrigerant flow emerging from the cylinder head and blocks a refrigerant flow opposite to this refrigerant flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCheck valve flow direction control: Valve

Implementation Method 2

the mechanical power control unit connects the outlet-side refrigerant path on the pressure side with the inlet-side refrigerant path on the suction side in order to reduce the power in at least one cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4542035A1Refrigerant compressor
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 BITZER KUEHLMASCHINENBAU GMBH
  • EP4542035A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4542035A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4542035A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To operate a refrigerant compressor, comprising a reciprocating compressor and an electric motor, an overall housing which has a motor housing section for the electric motor and a compressor housing section for the reciprocating compressor, a suction port connected to a suction side of the reciprocating compressor, a pressure port connected to a pressure side of the reciprocating compressor, wherein at least one cylinder of the reciprocating compressor is provided in the compressor housing section, which has a piston movable in a cylinder bore formed in the compressor housing section and a valve plate closing the cylinder bore as well as a cylinder head overlapping the valve plate and forming part of the compressor housing section, in the most energy-efficient way possible, it is proposed that a mechanical power control unit be provided with which the suction side and the pressure side can be connected to each other for power reduction.and that a check valve is provided in the area of ​​the cylinder head, which allows a refrigerant flow exiting the cylinder head on the pressure side and blocks a refrigerant flow in the opposite direction.