Gas supply assembly and compressor

Abstract

The application provides a gas supply assembly and a compressor. The gas supply assembly comprises an energy storage device, the energy storage device has an energy storage inlet and an energy storage outlet, the energy storage outlet is communicated with the gas bearing, and the energy storage inlet is communicated with a second gas source. The gas supply assembly and the compressor provided by the application can store the energy obtained from the second gas source, supply the gas bearing, and convert the stored energy into gas pressure to supply the gas bearing when the first gas source cannot supply the gas bearing with pressure gas, so that the gas pressure at the gas bearing meets the demand, the damage of the gas bearing and other components caused by the direct landing of the high-speed rotating shaft on the bearing is avoided, and the reliability of the gas bearing is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air handling equipment technology, and in particular to an air supply component and compressor. Background Technology

[0002] Compressors using gas bearings require a stable gas supply to the bearings to prevent mechanical contact and wear. Especially during a sudden power outage, the abrupt cutoff of the gas supply can cause insufficient pressure differential in the gas bearings, resulting in the high-speed motor falling directly onto the bearings or support springs. This can damage components such as the gas bearings and affect the reliability of the centrifugal compressor. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to solve the technical problem that the poor gas supply reliability of gas bearings in the prior art causes damage to gas bearings and affects the reliability of compressors, a gas supply component and compressor that ensure gas supply reliability are provided.

[0004] An air supply assembly for supplying air to a gas bearing includes:

[0005] An energy storage device having an energy storage inlet and an energy storage outlet, wherein the energy storage outlet is connected to the gas bearing and the energy storage inlet is connected to a second gas source.

[0006] The second gas source includes a gas compression mechanism, which includes the gas bearing. The gas compression mechanism is provided with an exhaust port and a bearing gas inlet. The exhaust port is connected to the energy storage inlet, and the energy storage outlet is connected to the bearing gas inlet.

[0007] A first one-way valve is provided between the exhaust port and the energy storage inlet, and the flow direction of the first one-way valve is from the exhaust port of the gas compression mechanism to the energy storage inlet.

[0008] An on / off mechanism is provided between the energy storage outlet and the gas bearing.

[0009] The gas supply assembly also includes a control device, which is electrically connected to the on / off mechanism. When the energy storage device supplies gas to the gas bearing, the on / off mechanism switches to the connected state.

[0010] The energy storage device includes an energy storage shell, an energy storage piston, and an energy storage structure. The energy storage piston is movably disposed inside the energy storage shell, and the energy storage piston and the energy storage shell together form a pressure chamber. The energy storage inlet and the energy storage outlet are both connected to the pressure chamber, and the energy storage structure is connected to the energy storage piston.

[0011] The energy storage structure includes a counterweight connected to the energy storage piston and positioned above the energy storage piston, while the pressure chamber is positioned below the energy storage piston.

[0012] The gas supply assembly also includes a buffer gas tank, which has a first inlet, a second inlet and a gas outlet. The first inlet is connected to a first gas source, the gas outlet is connected to the gas bearing, and the energy storage outlet is connected to the second inlet.

[0013] The buffer gas tank includes a buffer shell, a buffer piston, and a reset mechanism. The buffer piston is movably disposed inside the buffer shell, and the buffer piston and the buffer shell together form a buffer cavity. The first inlet and the second inlet are both connected to the buffer cavity, and the reset mechanism is connected to the buffer piston.

[0014] Along the direction away from the first inlet, the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer housing gradually increases. The buffer piston and its edge are sealed to the inner wall of the buffer housing. The buffer piston can deform as the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer housing changes.

[0015] The buffer gas tank also includes a baffle plate, which is located at the first inlet, and the exhaust direction of the baffle plate is at an angle to the airflow direction at the first inlet.

[0016] The cross-section of the baffle plate is arc-shaped, and the cut surface of the air outlet end of the baffle plate forms an angle with the airflow direction at the first inlet.

[0017] The included angle ranges from 15° to 45°.

[0018] The first air source includes at least one air pump, which is connected to the first inlet.

[0019] A second one-way valve is provided between the air pump and the first inlet, and the flow direction of the second one-way valve is from the air pump to the first inlet.

[0020] The number of air pumps is at least two, and each air pump is provided with a shut-off valve between itself and the first inlet. When the air pump is in operation, the shut-off valve between it and the first inlet is in a connected state, and when the air pump is stopped, the shut-off valve between it and the first inlet is in a closed state.

[0021] A compressor includes a gas bearing, which is supplied with gas using the aforementioned gas supply assembly.

[0022] The compressor constitutes the second gas source.

[0023] The gas supply assembly and compressor provided by this invention have an energy storage device that stores the energy obtained from the second gas source and can supply gas to the gas bearing. When the first gas source cannot supply pressurized gas to the gas bearing, the energy storage device can convert the stored energy into gas pressure and supply it to the gas bearing, ensuring that the gas pressure at the gas bearing meets the requirements. This prevents the high-speed rotating shaft from falling directly onto the bearing and causing damage to components such as the air bearing, thus ensuring the reliability of the gas bearing. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the gas supply assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] In the picture:

[0026] 1. Buffer gas tank; 11. First inlet; 12. Second inlet; 13. Gas outlet; 2. Energy storage device; 21. Energy storage inlet; 22. Energy storage outlet; 3. First gas source; 4. Second gas source; 41. Exhaust port; 42. Bearing gas inlet; 5. First check valve; 6. On / off mechanism; 23. Energy storage shell; 24. Energy storage piston; 25. Pressure chamber; 26. Counterweight; 14. Buffer shell; 15. Buffer piston; 16. Reset mechanism; 17. Buffer chamber; 7. Baffle plate; 31. Air pump; 32. Second check valve. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0028] like Figure 1 The gas supply assembly shown is used to supply gas to the gas bearing and includes: an energy storage device 2, which has an energy storage inlet 21 and an energy storage outlet 22. The energy storage outlet 22 is connected to the gas bearing, and the energy storage inlet 21 is connected to a second gas source 4. The energy storage device 2 stores the energy obtained from the second gas source 4 and can supply gas to the gas bearing. When the first gas source 3 cannot supply pressurized gas to the gas bearing, the energy storage device 2 can convert its stored energy into gas pressure and supply it to the gas bearing, ensuring that the gas pressure at the gas bearing meets the requirements. This prevents the high-speed rotating shaft from falling directly onto the bearing and causing damage to components such as the air bearing, thus ensuring the reliability of the gas bearing.

[0029] In one embodiment, the second gas source 4 includes a gas compression mechanism, which includes the gas bearing. The gas compression mechanism is provided with an exhaust port 41 and a bearing gas inlet 42. The exhaust port 41 is connected to the energy storage inlet 21, and the energy storage outlet 22 is connected to the bearing gas inlet 42. During the operation of the gas compression mechanism, the rotating shaft of the gas compression mechanism needs to be supported by a gas bearing. At this time, the gas outlet 13 supplies gas to the gas bearing to achieve the purpose of supporting the gas bearing. At the same time, the gas compression mechanism can produce pressurized gas. Therefore, the gas compression mechanism can be used as a second gas source 4, and the exhaust port 41 of the gas compression mechanism is directly connected to the energy storage device 2. The exhaust pressure of the gas compression mechanism is used to store energy for the energy storage device 2. When the first gas source 3 fails to supply gas to the gas bearing, the gas bearing cannot support the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft in the gas compression mechanism needs to gradually decelerate. During the deceleration process, the gas bearing is still needed to support the rotating shaft to avoid collision between the rotating shaft and the bearing. At this time, the energy storage device 2 releases its stored energy, pressurizes the gas in the energy storage device 2 and sends it to the gas bearing to continuously supply gas to the gas bearing, so that the rotating shaft can gradually decelerate and ensure the reliability of the rotating shaft and bearing structure.

[0030] It should be noted that the gas compression mechanism will always generate pressurized gas during the rotation of the shaft. That is, its exhaust port 41 will still provide a certain amount of pressurized gas to the energy storage device 2. This part of the gas will be sent to the gas bearing again after passing through the energy storage device 2. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the gas in the energy storage device 2 being depleted, which would cause the gas supply to the gas bearing to be interrupted. This further ensures the reliability of the shaft, gas bearing and other structures.

[0031] A first one-way valve 5 is provided between the exhaust port 41 and the energy storage inlet 21. The flow direction of the first one-way valve 5 is from the exhaust port 41 of the gas compression mechanism to the energy storage inlet 21. By using the first one-way valve 5 to control the exhaust of the gas compression mechanism to flow only into the energy storage device 2, and not from the energy storage device 2 to the gas compression mechanism, the normal operation of the gas compression mechanism is avoided while the energy storage device 2 can accumulate energy.

[0032] A switching mechanism 6 is provided between the energy storage outlet 22 and the second inlet 12. The switching mechanism 6 controls the connection state between the energy storage device 2 and the gas bearing. When the energy storage device 2 needs to provide pressurized gas to the gas bearing, the switching mechanism 6 switches to the connected state, and when the energy storage device 2 does not need to provide pressurized gas to the gas bearing, the switching mechanism 6 switches to the disconnected state.

[0033] Preferably, the gas supply assembly further includes a control device electrically connected to the on / off mechanism 6. When the energy storage device 2 supplies gas to the gas bearing, the on / off mechanism 6 switches to the connected state. When the control device detects that the first gas source 3 has stopped supplying gas (e.g., when the first gas source 3 is de-energized), it indicates that the energy storage device 2 needs to provide pressurized gas to the gas bearing to ensure gas supply. The control device then controls the on / off mechanism 6 to switch to the connected state, thereby delivering the pressurized gas from the energy storage device 2 to the gas bearing, ensuring the reliability of the gas bearing and shaft.

[0034] In one embodiment, the energy storage device 2 includes an energy storage shell 23, an energy storage piston 24, and an energy storage structure. The energy storage piston 24 is movably disposed within the energy storage shell 23, and the energy storage piston 24 and the energy storage shell 23 together form a pressure chamber 25. The energy storage inlet 21 and the energy storage outlet 22 are both connected to the pressure chamber 25. The energy storage structure is connected to the energy storage piston 24. When the energy storage device 2 begins to store energy, the second gas source 4 begins to supply gas to the pressure chamber 25. The pressure in the pressure chamber 25 gradually increases, causing the energy storage piston 24 to begin to move. At the same time, the energy storage piston 24 drives the energy storage structure to move to accumulate energy until the energy storage structure reaches its maximum value. At this time, the energy storage piston 24 stops moving, and the second gas source 4 stops supplying pressurized gas to the energy storage device 2. When the energy storage device 2 is needed to provide energy, the energy storage structure releases energy to drive the energy storage piston 24 to move, pressurize the gas in the pressure chamber 25 into a pressurized gas and supply it to the buffer gas tank 1 through the on / off mechanism 6, so as to ensure the pressure in the buffer gas tank 1 and ultimately ensure the reliability of the gas bearing and shaft and other structures.

[0035] The energy storage structure includes a counterweight 26 connected to the energy storage piston 24, with the counterweight 26 positioned above the energy storage piston 24 and the pressure chamber 25 positioned below the energy storage piston 24. The counterweight 26 is raised to accumulate gravitational potential energy, thus achieving the purpose of energy storage. When the energy storage device 2 needs to release energy, the counterweight 26 gradually descends to release the gravitational potential energy.

[0036] The gas supply assembly also includes a buffer gas tank 1, which has a first inlet 11, a second inlet 12 and a gas outlet 13. The first inlet 11 is connected to the first gas source 3, the gas outlet 13 is connected to the gas bearing, and the energy storage outlet 22 is connected to the second inlet 12.

[0037] The buffer cylinder 1 includes a buffer housing 14, a buffer piston 15, and a reset mechanism 16. The buffer piston 15 is movably disposed within the buffer housing 14, and the buffer piston 15 and the buffer housing 14 together form a buffer cavity 17. The first inlet 11 and the second inlet 12 are both connected to the buffer cavity 17. The reset mechanism 16 is connected to the buffer piston 15. The position of the buffer piston 15 within the buffer housing 14 is adjusted according to the pressure change within the buffer cavity 17. At the same time, the reset mechanism 16 also changes with the movement of the buffer piston 15. When the air inlet flow rate within the buffer cavity 17 is greater than the air outlet flow rate, the buffer piston 15 begins to move, and the reset mechanism 16 accumulates energy. When the air inlet flow rate within the buffer cavity 17 is less than the air outlet flow rate, in order to maintain the pressure within the buffer cavity 17, the reset mechanism 16 begins to drive the buffer piston 15 to move, thereby ensuring that the gas pressure supplied by the buffer cylinder to the gas bearing meets the requirements, thus ensuring the reliability of the gas bearing.

[0038] When the energy storage device 2 needs to supply gas to the gas bearing, the energy storage device 2 sends the pressurized gas inside to the buffer gas tank 1, and then the buffer gas tank 1 sends it to the gas bearing to support the gas bearing.

[0039] Among them, such as Figure 1 As shown, the reset mechanism 16 is a spring. As the pressure inside the buffer tank 1 increases, the spring is gradually compressed.

[0040] In another embodiment, the reset mechanism 16 is a spring, which is located in the buffer chamber 17. When the pressure in the buffer tank 1 increases, the spring is gradually stretched.

[0041] The buffer housing 14 is also provided with a limit block, which can prevent the buffer piston 15 from moving and ensure that the reset mechanism 16 can deform within a controllable range, so as to avoid excessive pressure causing the reset mechanism 16 (such as a spring) to deform too much and fail to return to its original state.

[0042] To further ensure the safety of the buffer tank 1, a pressure relief valve is installed at the maximum stroke of the buffer piston 15. When the buffer piston 15 is at its maximum stroke and the pressure in the buffer chamber 17 continues to increase, the pressure relief valve opens to release pressure and ensure that the pressure in the buffer chamber 17 is stable.

[0043] In one implementation, the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer housing 14 gradually increases along the direction away from the first inlet 11 from the buffer piston 15. The edge of the buffer piston 15 is sealed to the inner wall of the buffer housing 14, and the buffer piston 15 can deform as the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer housing 14 changes. By simultaneously increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer chamber 17, the air pressure can be maintained within a certain range, thereby further increasing the buffering effect of the buffer gas tank 1.

[0044] The buffer piston 15 is made of an elastic material, and its area can increase as the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer housing 14 increases, thus ensuring a sealing effect between the piston and the buffer housing 14.

[0045] The buffer gas tank 1 also includes a baffle plate 7, which is located at the first inlet 11, and the exhaust direction of the baffle plate 7 forms an angle with the airflow direction at the first inlet 11. The baffle plate 7 blocks and buffers the gas entering through the first inlet 11, reducing pressure fluctuations inside the buffer gas tank 1, ensuring a stable gas supply, and minimizing the direct impact of the gas at the first inlet 11 on the inner wall of the buffer gas tank 1, thus reducing gas kinetic energy consumption and achieving the purpose of reducing noise and vibration.

[0046] Preferably, the cross-section of the baffle plate 7 is arc-shaped, and the cross-section of the air outlet end of the baffle plate 7 forms an angle with the airflow direction at the first inlet 11. The arc-shaped guide channel formed by the baffle plate 7 further reduces the kinetic energy loss of the gas and ensures the buffer pressure within the buffer tank 1.

[0047] Specifically, the included angle ranges from 15° to 45°, preferably 30°. When the included angle is greater than 45°, its obstruction effect on the airflow of the first inlet 11 deteriorates, failing to achieve the purpose of reducing gas pressure pulsation, noise, and vibration. When the included angle is less than 15°, its obstruction effect on the airflow of the first inlet 11 is strong, and the airflow will lose a large amount of kinetic energy at the baffle plate 7, seriously affecting the gas pressure entering the buffer gas pipe. Only when the included angle is between 15° and 45° can the purpose of reducing gas pressure pulsation, noise, and vibration be guaranteed, while ensuring that the gas pressure in the buffer gas tank 1 meets the requirements of the gas bearing.

[0048] In one implementation, the first gas source 3 includes at least one air pump 31, which is connected to the first inlet 11. The air pump 31 is used to supply pressurized gas to the interior of the buffer gas tank 1.

[0049] A second one-way valve 32 is provided between the air pump 31 and the first inlet 11. The flow direction of the second one-way valve 32 is from the air pump 31 to the first inlet 11. The second one-way valve 32 restricts the gas flow to flow only from the air pump 31 to the first inlet 11 and prevents the gas from flowing from the first inlet 11 back to the air pump 31. This ensures a stable gas supply to the buffer gas tank 1 and avoids the problem of gas flowing back into the air pump 31, which would reduce the reliability of the buffer gas tank 1 or even the gas supply assembly.

[0050] The number of air pumps 31 is at least two. Each air pump 31 is equipped with a shut-off valve between itself and the first inlet 11. When the air pump 31 is in operation, the shut-off valve between itself and the first inlet 11 is in a connected state. When the air pump 31 is stopped, the shut-off valve between itself and the first inlet 11 is in a closed state. That is, at least one air pump 31 acts as a working air pump to supply air to the buffer gas tank 1, while at least one air pump 31 acts as a backup air pump. When the working air pump fails or the pipeline is blocked, causing an interruption in the air supply, the backup air pump starts working to supply air, ensuring that the gas pressure at the buffer gas tank 1 meets the requirements of the gas bearing.

[0051] The shut-off valve can close the pipeline between the air pump 31 and the first inlet 11, further preventing gas in the buffer tank 1 from entering the air pump 31 and causing pressure loss.

[0052] An airflow sensor is also installed on the pipeline entering the first inlet 11. The airflow sensor can detect the continuity of the gas entering the first inlet 11. When the air pump 31 fails or the pipeline is blocked, causing the gas supply to be interrupted, the airflow sensor will react and the device where the gas supply component is located will stop for protection, so as to avoid damage to components such as gas bearings.

[0053] A compressor includes a gas bearing that is supplied with gas using the aforementioned gas supply assembly. The compressor has a shaft and an impeller; the gas bearing supports the shaft, and the impeller is mounted on the shaft, compressing the gas as the shaft rotates.

[0054] The compressor constitutes the second gas source 4. The gas compressed by the impeller can be sent into the energy storage device 2 through the exhaust port 41, so that the energy storage device 2 stores energy. The buffer gas tank 1 supplies gas to the gas bearing to ensure the stability of the gas bearing, shaft and impeller.

[0055] Preferably, the compressor is a steam compressor.

[0056] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gas supply assembly for supplying gas to a gas bearing, characterized in that: include: Energy storage device (2), the energy storage device (2) has an energy storage inlet (21) and an energy storage outlet (22), the energy storage outlet (22) is connected to the gas bearing, and the energy storage inlet (21) is connected to the second gas source (4); The second gas source (4) includes a gas compression mechanism, which includes the gas bearing. The gas compression mechanism is provided with an exhaust port (41) and a bearing gas inlet (42). The exhaust port (41) is connected to the energy storage inlet (21), and the energy storage outlet (22) is connected to the bearing gas inlet (42). The gas supply assembly also includes a buffer gas tank (1), which has a first inlet (11), a second inlet (12) and a gas outlet (13). The first inlet (11) is connected to the first gas source (3), the gas outlet (13) is connected to the gas bearing, and the energy storage outlet (22) is connected to the second inlet (12). The buffer gas tank (1) also includes a baffle plate (7), which is located at the first inlet (11), and the exhaust direction of the baffle plate (7) is at an angle to the airflow direction at the first inlet (11). The cross section of the baffle plate (7) is arc-shaped, and the cut surface of the air outlet end of the baffle plate (7) forms an angle with the airflow direction at the first inlet (11), and the angle range is 15° to 45°. The buffer tank (1) includes a buffer shell (14), a buffer piston (15), and a reset mechanism (16). The buffer piston (15) is movably disposed inside the buffer shell (14), and the buffer piston (15) and the buffer shell (14) together form a buffer cavity (17). The first inlet (11) and the second inlet (12) are both connected to the buffer cavity (17). The reset mechanism (16) is connected to the buffer piston (15). Along the direction of the buffer piston (15) away from the first inlet (11), the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer housing (14) gradually increases, the edge of the buffer piston (15) is sealed to the inner wall of the buffer housing (14), and the buffer piston (15) can deform as the cross-sectional area of ​​the buffer housing (14) changes.

2. The gas supply assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first one-way valve (5) is provided between the exhaust port (41) and the energy storage inlet (21). The flow direction of the first one-way valve (5) is from the exhaust port (41) of the gas compression mechanism to the energy storage inlet (21).

3. The gas supply assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: An on / off mechanism (6) is provided between the energy storage outlet (22) and the gas bearing.

4. The gas supply assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The gas supply assembly also includes a control device, which is electrically connected to the on / off mechanism (6), and the on / off mechanism (6) switches to the connected state when the energy storage device (2) supplies gas to the gas bearing.

5. The gas supply assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The energy storage device (2) includes an energy storage shell (23), an energy storage piston (24), and an energy storage structure. The energy storage piston (24) is movably disposed inside the energy storage shell (23), and the energy storage piston (24) and the energy storage shell (23) together form a pressure chamber (25). The energy storage inlet (21) and the energy storage outlet (22) are both connected to the pressure chamber (25). The energy storage structure is connected to the energy storage piston (24).

6. The gas supply assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The energy storage structure includes a counterweight (26) connected to the energy storage piston (24) and located above the energy storage piston (24), while the pressure chamber (25) is located below the energy storage piston (24).

7. The gas supply assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first air source (3) includes at least one air pump (31), which is connected to the first inlet (11).

8. The gas supply assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The number of air pumps (31) is at least two. Each air pump (31) is provided with a shut-off valve between itself and the first inlet (11). When the air pump (31) is in operation, the shut-off valve between itself and the first inlet (11) is in a connected state. When the air pump (31) is in a stopped state, the shut-off valve between itself and the first inlet (11) is in a closed state.

9. A compressor, characterized in that: The compressor includes a gas bearing, which is supplied with gas using the gas supply assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The compressor according to claim 9, characterized in that: The compressor constitutes the second gas source (4).

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