Refrigerant compressor comprising assembly for controlling inlet guide vanes

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to refrigerant compressors, and more particularly to an assembly configured to control inlet guide vanes. It has been found that the assemblies, systems, and methods disclosed herein not only can increase inlet guide vane regulation speed and reduce the number of constituent parts, but also have other benefits. In one exemplary technique, adjusting the position of a plurality of inlet guide vanes of a refrigerant compressor includes operating an actuator. An actuator rotates a shaft, which in turn rotates a drive gear directly connected to the shaft. The drive gear rotates the plurality of pinions, and each of the respective inlet guide vanes is directly connected to one of the respective pinions such that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of each of the respective inlet guide vanes.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 459,730, filed April 17, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] A refrigerant compressor is used to circulate refrigerant in a cooler via a refrigerant loop. A refrigerant loop is known to include a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator. The compressor compresses the fluid, which then travels to the condenser, where it is cooled and condensed. The refrigerant then proceeds to the expander, which reduces the fluid pressure, and finally to the evaporator, where it is vaporized, completing the refrigeration cycle. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor comprising: an actuator including a rotatable shaft; a drivetrain connected to the rotatable shaft, wherein the drivetrain includes a drive gear directly connected to the shaft, and wherein the drivetrain further includes a plurality of pinions rotatable in response to rotation of the drive gear; and a plurality of inlet guide vanes, wherein each inlet guide vane is directly connected to one of the pinions, and wherein the refrigerant compressor is configured such that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of each of the inlet guide vanes.

[0005] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor in which the transmission system further includes a plurality of driven gears, and wherein the pinion and driven gears mesh and are arranged alternately relative to each other.

[0006] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor in which inlet guide vanes project radially inward from a housing, and wherein pinion and driven gears are mounted on the side of the housing opposite to the inlet guide vanes.

[0007] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor in which a throat protrudes axially from the housing in the direction opposite to that of the impeller of the refrigerant compressor.

[0008] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor in which the axis of rotation of the shaft is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the impeller.

[0009] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor in which there is a one-to-one correspondence between the rotation of the shaft and the rotation of the inlet guide vanes.

[0010] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor in which each inlet guide vane is rotatable by a range of approximately 90° between a fully open position and a fully closed position, and wherein the rotation of each of the inlet guide vanes from the fully open position to the fully closed position is achieved by a 90° rotation of the shaft.

[0011] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor in which an actuator and a drivetrain are mounted to a plate.

[0012] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor in which the plate is provided by the housing of the refrigerant compressor.

[0013] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor in which the actuator and drivetrain do not have ball bearings.

[0014] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant compressor in which an actuator adjusts the position of the inlet guide vanes in response to a command from a controller.

[0015] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigeration system comprising: a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and an expander, wherein the compressor comprises: an actuator including a rotatable shaft; a drive system connected to the rotatable shaft, wherein the drive system includes a drive gear directly connected to the shaft, and wherein the drive system further includes a plurality of pinions rotatable in response to rotation of the drive gear; and a plurality of inlet guide vanes, wherein each inlet guide vane is directly connected to one of the pinions, and wherein the refrigerant compressor is configured such that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of each of the inlet guide vanes.

[0016] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system in which the transmission system further includes a plurality of driven gears, and wherein the pinion and driven gears mesh and are arranged alternately relative to each other.

[0017] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system in which inlet guide vanes project radially inward from a housing, and wherein pinion and driven gears are mounted on the side of the housing opposite to the inlet guide vanes.

[0018] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system in which the axis of rotation of the shaft is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the compressor impeller.

[0019] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system in which there is a one-to-one correspondence between the rotation of the shaft and the rotation of the inlet guide vanes.

[0020] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a refrigerant system in which each inlet guide vane is rotatable by approximately 90° between a fully open position and a fully closed position, and wherein the rotation of each of the inlet guide vanes from the fully open position to the fully closed position is achieved by a 90° rotation of the shaft.

[0021] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a method comprising: adjusting the position of a plurality of inlet guide vanes of a refrigerant compressor by operating an actuator, wherein the actuator causes a shaft to rotate, wherein the shaft causes a drive gear directly connected to the shaft to rotate, wherein the drive gear causes a plurality of pinions to rotate, and wherein each of the respective inlet guide vanes is directly connected to one of the respective pinions, such that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of each of the respective inlet guide vanes.

[0022] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a method in which multiple driven gears and pinions mesh and are arranged in an alternating manner relative to each other.

[0023] In some respects, the technique described herein relates to a method in which there is a one-to-one correspondence between the rotation of the shaft and the rotation of the inlet guide vanes. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 A refrigerant system is schematically illustrated.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the compressor.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of an exemplary component configured to control an inlet guide vane. Detailed Implementation

[0027] In general, this disclosure relates to refrigerant compressors, and more specifically, to a component configured to control inlet guide vanes. It has been found that the components, systems, and methods disclosed herein not only improve the inlet guide vane adjustment speed and reduce the number of component parts, but also have other beneficial effects.

[0028] Figure 1A refrigerant system 10 is shown. The refrigerant system 10 includes a main refrigerant loop or circuit 12 in communication with a compressor 14, a condenser 16, an evaporator 18, and an expansion unit 20. This refrigerant system 10 can be used, for example, in a cooler. In this example, a cooling tower may be in fluid communication with the condenser 16. Although a specific example of the refrigerant system 10 is shown, the application can be extended to several other refrigerant system configurations, including configurations without coolers. For example, the main refrigerant loop 12 may include an economizer downstream of the condenser 16 and upstream of the expansion unit 20.

[0029] Figure 2 A portion of an exemplary compressor 14 is shown in cross-sectional view. The compressor 14 includes an electric motor 22 having a stator 24 arranged radially outward of a rotor 26. The rotor 26 is connected to a shaft 28, which rotates to drive at least one compression stage 30 of the compressor 14. In this example, the compressor 14 includes at least one impeller 32. The compressor 14 may include multiple compression stages.

[0030] Shaft 28 and impeller 32 can be rotated about axis A by electric motor 22 to compress refrigerant F. The terms axial, radial, and circumferential in this disclosure are used relative to axis A. Shaft 28 can be rotatably supported by multiple bearing assemblies, which in some examples are magnetic bearing assemblies.

[0031] During operation of compressor 14, refrigerant F flows axially toward impeller 32 and radially outward to diffuser 34 downstream of impeller 32. Diffuser 34 is arranged radially between the outlet of impeller 32 and volute 40. volute 40 may be in fluid communication with condenser 16 or another compression stage of compressor 14.

[0032] In this example, the compressor 14 includes an assembly 42 upstream of the impeller 32, which is configured to control the inlet guide vanes 44. Specifically, the assembly 42 is configured to adjust the rotational position of the inlet guide vanes 44. The inlet guide vanes 44 can be considered as part of the assembly 42. The assembly 42 can also be referred to as the inlet guide vane assembly.

[0033] exist Figure 3 In the diagram, component 42 is shown mounted to plate assembly 43. Plate assembly 43 can be incorporated into the housing 45 of compressor 14. Figure 2 ) or by the housing 45 of compressor 14 Figure 2 )supply.

[0034] Continue reading Figure 3Component 42 includes an inlet guide vane 44 that projects radially inward from a housing 46. The housing 46 is generally cylindrical and extends circumferentially about axis A. A throat 48 projects axially from a side of the housing 46 in the direction opposite to that of the impeller 32.

[0035] Component 42 also includes a drivetrain configured to adjust inlet guide vanes 44. Specifically, each inlet guide vane 44 projects radially inward from the housing 46 about an axis R. The axis R is perpendicular to axis A. Each inlet guide vane 44 is rotatable relative to the housing 46 about axis R. Although Figure 3 Only one axis R is shown, but it should be understood that each inlet guide vane 44 can rotate about the corresponding axis.

[0036] The rotation of the inlet guide vanes 44 about their respective axes R adjusts the capacity of the compressor 14. The desired angular position of the inlet guide vanes 44 can be determined by the controller 50 using, for example, a lookup table and / or an algorithm. The controller 50 is in communication with an actuator 52, which in this example includes a motor 54 configured to drive the shaft 56 about its axis X. The actuator 52 adjusts the position of the inlet guide vanes 44 in response to commands from the controller 50. The motor 54 may be a stepper motor.

[0037] Opposite to motor 54, shaft 56 is directly connected to drive gear 58, which is rotatably mounted to housing 46 on the side opposite to inlet guide vane 44. Drive gear 58 is configured to rotate about axis X, which is substantially perpendicular to axis A, to drive driven gear 60. Two driven gears 60 are present that mesh with drive gear 58 (i.e., the teeth of driven gear 60 mesh with the teeth of drive gear 58 to form an engagement, such that rotation of drive gear 58 causes rotation of driven gear 60). Each of these two driven gears 60 is on the opposite circumferential side of drive gear 58 and is configured to rotate relative to housing 46. Each driven gear 60 then meshes with pinion 62. Each pinion 62 is coupled to a corresponding inlet guide vane of inlet guide vane 44. Rotation of pinion 62 causes a corresponding rotation of the associated inlet guide vane 44. Each pinion 62 is configured to rotate relative to housing 46 about the corresponding axis R of the associated inlet guide vane 44.

[0038] Moving circumferentially around the housing 46, each pinion 62 engages with another driven gear 60, which in turn engages with another pinion 62. This alternating arrangement of driven gears 60 and pinions 62 continues circumferentially around the housing 46.

[0039] In one example, each of the inlet guide vanes 44 can rotate 90° about axis R between fully open and fully closed positions. Component 42 is configured such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between rotation of shaft 56 about axis X and rotation of inlet guide vane 44 about axis R. In this example, each rotation of the inlet guide vane 44 from the fully open position to the fully closed position is achieved by a 90° rotation of shaft 56 about axis X.

[0040] Component 42 enables rapid adjustment of the inlet guide vane 44 while requiring fewer component parts compared to known components, some of which are known to include hundreds of ball bearings. Specifically, compared to known components that include ball bearings, the component 42 of this disclosure (which, as will be understood above, does not have ball bearings) can complete the adjustment of the inlet guide vane 44 from the fully open position to the fully closed position much faster, in approximately 90 seconds. Component 42 also reduces assembly time compared to known components.

[0041] It should be understood that the terms such as “axial,” “radial,” and “circumferential” are used in the above description of the normal operating posture of compressor 14. Furthermore, these terms are used for illustrative purposes herein and should not be considered restrictive. Terms such as “generally,” “approximately,” and “about” are not unbounded terms and should be interpreted in accordance with the manner in which those skilled in the art interpret these terms.

[0042] Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the figures, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to these specific combinations. Some components or features from one of these examples may be combined with features or components from another of these examples. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be enlarged or minimized to show certain details of a particular component or arrangement.

[0043] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive. That is, various modifications of this disclosure will fall within the scope of the claims. Therefore, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and meaning.

Claims

1. A refrigerant compressor, comprising: An actuator, the actuator including a rotatable shaft; A transmission system connected to the rotatable shaft, wherein the transmission system includes a drive gear directly connected to the shaft, and wherein the transmission system also includes a plurality of pinions rotatable in response to rotation of the drive gear; and Multiple inlet guide vanes, wherein each inlet guide vane is directly connected to one of the pinions, and wherein the refrigerant compressor is configured such that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of each of the inlet guide vanes.

2. The refrigerant compressor of claim 1, wherein the transmission system further comprises a plurality of driven gears, and wherein the pinion and driven gears mesh and are arranged alternately relative to each other.

3. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 2, wherein, The inlet guide vane protrudes radially inward from the housing, and the pinion and driven gear are mounted on the side of the housing opposite to the inlet guide vane.

4. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 3, wherein, The throat protrudes axially from the housing in the opposite direction to the impeller of the refrigerant compressor.

5. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 4, wherein, The axis of rotation of the shaft is approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the impeller.

6. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 1, wherein, There is a one-to-one correspondence between the rotation of the shaft and the rotation of the inlet guide vane.

7. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 6, wherein, Each inlet guide vane is capable of rotating approximately 90° between a fully open position and a fully closed position, wherein the rotation of each inlet guide vane from the fully open position to the fully closed position is achieved by a 90° rotation of the shaft.

8. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 1, wherein, The actuator and transmission system are mounted on the plate.

9. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 8, wherein, The plate is provided by the housing of the refrigerant compressor.

10. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 1, wherein, The actuator and transmission system do not have ball bearings.

11. The refrigerant compressor according to claim 1, wherein, The actuator adjusts the position of the inlet guide vane in response to a command from the controller.

12. A refrigeration system comprising: A compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and an expander, wherein the compressor includes: An actuator, the actuator including a rotatable shaft; A transmission system connected to the rotatable shaft, wherein the transmission system includes a drive gear directly connected to the shaft, and wherein the transmission system further includes a plurality of pinions rotatable in response to rotation of the drive gear; and Multiple inlet guide vanes, wherein each inlet guide vane is directly connected to one of the pinions, and wherein the refrigerant compressor is configured such that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of each of the inlet guide vanes.

13. The refrigerant system of claim 12, wherein the transmission system further comprises a plurality of driven gears, and wherein the pinion and driven gears mesh and are arranged alternately relative to each other.

14. The refrigerant system according to claim 13, wherein, The inlet guide vane protrudes radially inward from the housing, and the pinion and driven gear are mounted on the side of the housing opposite to the inlet guide vane.

15. The refrigerant system according to claim 12, wherein, The axis of rotation of the shaft is approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the compressor impeller.

16. The refrigerant system according to claim 12, wherein, There is a one-to-one correspondence between the rotation of the shaft and the rotation of the inlet guide vane.

17. The refrigerant system according to claim 16, wherein, Each inlet guide vane is capable of rotating approximately 90° between a fully open position and a fully closed position, wherein the rotation of each inlet guide vane from the fully open position to the fully closed position is achieved by a 90° rotation of the shaft.

18. A method comprising: The position of multiple inlet guide vanes of a refrigerant compressor is adjusted by operating an actuator, wherein the actuator rotates a shaft, wherein the shaft causes a drive gear directly connected to the shaft to rotate, wherein the drive gear causes multiple pinions to rotate, and wherein each of the inlet guide vanes is directly connected to one of the pinions, such that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of each of the inlet guide vanes.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, Multiple driven gears and the pinion mesh with each other and are arranged alternately relative to each other.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein, There is a one-to-one correspondence between the rotation of the shaft and the rotation of the inlet guide vane.

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