Clearance Loss Analysis in Linear Compressor with CFD Method.

Abstract

The non-contact seal technology, referred to as clearance seals, is used in linear compressors and promises to maintain the linear compressor for long life operation. The present effort analyzes the aerodynamics in the small clearance package with the commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code FluentTM. Two types of the clearances, the linear seal and the labyrinth seal, are modeled, and the results, such as the pressure and velocity distribution, are described. The clearance loss was quantitatively compared by changing inflation pressure and the gap of the clearance. The results will be used to optimize the design of the linear compressor in the future.