Modification of acceleration signal to improve classification performance of valve defects in a linear compressor

In general, it may be advantageous to measure the pressure pulsation near a valve to detect a valve defect in a linear compressor. However, the acceleration signals are more advantageous for rapid classification in a mass-production line. This paper deals with the performance improvement of fault classification using only the compressor-shell acceleration signal based on the relation between the refrigerant pressure pulsation and the shell acceleration of the compressor. A transfer function was estimated experimentally to take into account the signal noise ratio between the pressure pulsation of the refrigerant in the suction pipe and the shell acceleration. The shell acceleration signal of the compressor was modified using this transfer function to improve the defect classification performance. The defect classification of the modified signal was evaluated in the acceleration signal in the frequency domain using Fisher\'s discriminant ratio (FDR). The defect classification method was validated by experimental data. By using the method presented, the classification of valve defects can be performed rapidly and efficiently during mass production.