Mode change design for capacity modulation in reciprocating compressor

• Published in: Journal of mechanical science and technology Vol. 22; no. 7; pp. 1391 - 1399
• Main Authors: Bae, Young Ju, Kim, Jong-Bong, Kim, Jin Kook, Chang, Young June
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers 01.07.2008; Springer Nature B.V; 대한기계학회
• Subjects: Appliance industry; Applied sciences; Compressors; Control; Cylinders; Design engineering; Dynamical Systems; Eccentrics; Engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Industrial and Production Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Modulation; Pump and compressors (turbocompressors, fans, etc.); Pumps; Refrigerators; Sleeves; Vibration; 기계공학; Energy saving; Reciprocating compressor; Capacity modulation; Energy consumption; Rotating machine; Key seat; Refrigerator; Sleeve; Spring; Sustainable development; Energy savings; Engineering design; Domestic appliances; Reliability
• ISSN: 1738-494X; 1976-3824
• DOI: 10.1007/s12206-008-0412-y

Due to environmental issues, the development of low energy consumption products has become one of the main topics in the home appliance industry. The energy consumption of a refrigerator depends on the efficiency of its compressor as well as on the refrigerator cycle design, such as the capacity modulation. This study features the design of a novel capacity modulation reciprocating compressor, i.e., two-step capacity modulation (TCM). In a TCM compressor, capacity modulation is achieved by changing the dead volume in the cylinder. Instead of a concentric sleeve, an eccentric sleeve is used to change the dead volume for the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of a motor. For stable capacity modulation, a new latching system with a key, a spring, and an eccentric sleeve is introduced, and the mode change reliability is verified by dynamic analysis.