Numerical and experimental investigations on the failure mechanism of the suction valve in the refrigerator compressor under unconventional conditions

The return sample of the reciprocating compressor revealed that the failure of a few suction valves was detected in a transitory time. To deal with this unconventional failure problem, microscopy and failure analysis were conducted and compared with the conventional failure type. The failure assumptions were proposed due to this, and a mathematical model using Fluid-Structure-Interaction (FSI) method was developed to investigate the stress performance and the failure mechanism. Moreover, an accelerated experimental facility was set up to validate the theoretical and numerical results. Results showed that the shear stress was the main reason for the short-time failure, and the head part of the suction valve experienced stress concentration. The failure started from the center of the suction valve's head part and resulted in its fracture at last. The thicker suction valve had the less stress concentration, and the valve head with a less hydraulic diameter had a minor failure possibility during the compression process. It provides reference for the unconventional failure problem during the practical engineering.