Model for the simulation and design optimisation of the discharge pipe in the hermetic reciprocating compressor

Abstract

The most popular type of compressor used in the refrigerator is the hermetic reciprocating compressor. Its purpose is to supply the refrigerator with high pressure refrigerant to achieve the cooling effect of the refrigerator. Within the compressor, there is a discharge pipe, which connects and delivers the compressed high pressure refrigerant from the compressor pump to the evaporator in the refrigerating system. When the compressor pump vibrates, the vibration is transmitted through the discharge pipe to the exterior of the compressor. If the transmitted energy from the vibrating component coincides with the operating frequency, resonance is occurred leading to noise production. In order to reduce the noise, the vibration characteristics of the discharge pipe need to be analyzed. Hence, the motivation for developing a methodology for analyzing the vibration characteristics through several simulations and optimizing the geometry of the discharge pipe to improve its vibration characteristics. Mathematically, the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation is used to describe the vibration of the discharge pipe under operating conditions. The Finite Element Method is used to simulate the vibrations and the deflection of the pipe.