Valve, in particular for compressors

Abstract

Valve, in particular for compressors, comprising a seat (1) provided with at least one flow way (111), an obturator member (4) able to obstruct said flow way (111) and movable with respect to said seat in a given direction, and means (5) for resiliently stressing said obturator (4), which are able to force said obturator (4) into a given position and are active in the direction of movement thereof; said resilient stressing means (5) comprise at least one cylindrical helical compression spring (5), characterized by the presence, between all the turns and along the entire working length of the spring (5), of inter-turn apertures.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a valve, and in particular relates to a valve for reciprocating compressors of the reciprocating type.[0002]The valves of the type currently used in said compressors are normally automatic valves, comprising a valve body, called the seat, consisting of a plate having, formed therein, a plurality of axial flow channels which may be concentric or non-concentric. The opening and closing of said channels is performed by the obturator, a member which may consist of a plurality of elements or a single element. In all cases the obturators are subject to the action of resilient stressing means, typically metal, cylindrical helical, compression springs. The springs are housed inside a valve body (called “counter-seat”) consisting of a plate in which the flow through channels are formed. The abovementioned spring housings may also contain spring protection elements which are preferably made of thermoplastic material...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In a preferred embodiment, the end turns both have dimensions smaller than those of the immediately adjacent turns. Advantageously, the valve according to the present invention may be provided with protection members which are preferably made of plastic material and are arranged inside the housing which accommodates the spring, so as to preserve further the wear thereof.

Problems solved by technology

The springs constitute one of the most critical parts of the valve; in fact, the high opening / closing frequencies produce, on them and on the parts in contact with them, wear of varying nature and varying degrees.

Despite these improvements, the spring continues to be one of the most critical parts of the valve and the cause of malfunctions.

The development of increasingly faster compressors and the continuous efforts to eliminate the oil in the compressed gas have resulted in an increase in the problems of reliability of the abovementioned components.

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