A reliability analysis method for compressors based on FMEA/FEM

Considering that the historical data of novel homemade devices is deficient, a FMEA/FEM-based comprehensive reliability analysis method based on the historical data of same type devices was proposed. With this method, the vulnerable parts of the same type compressors are firstly determined using the failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA). Then, the reliability of the vulnerable parts is accordingly described quantitatively by means of the finite element method (FEM). The optimization design schemes were put forward for the parts whose reliability could not meet the engineering requirements. And finally, a case study was carried out on a homemade compressor, so as to verify the effectiveness of this new method. It is shown that long-term service is the main cause of device failure, and the reliability of parts can be increased to over 99% by improving material properties and optimizing the size of vulnerable components. This paper provides a reference for the design and optimization of homemade compressors.