Inlet control valve and compressor with such an inlet control valve

Abstract

Inlet control valve, comprising: a control valve housing (1), the control valve housing (1) having an inlet channel in which blades (6) are located; Forks (2), wherein the blades (6) are connected to the forks (2) and the forks (2) each further have a fork groove (21); a drive ring (3), wherein the drive ring (3) is placed on the control valve housing (1) and the drive ring (3) is provided with a tension element (30), and wherein one end of the tension element (30) is located in the fork groove (21); and a drive element (4) and a gear transmission mechanism (5), wherein the drive element (4) drives the drive ring (3) in rotation via the gear transmission mechanism (5), so that the pulling element (30) causes the fork (2) to rotate and this in turn causes the bucket (6) to rotate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application claims priority to application number CN202222447245.1 filed on September 15, 2022, for the patent application entitled “Inlet control valve and compressor having such an inlet control valve,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of compressors, in particular an inlet control valve and a compressor with such an inlet control valve. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] The displacement of a compressor can be adjusted. In a centrifugal compressor, the amount of air supplied to a compressor head is adjusted by adjusting the angle of the blades of an inlet control valve to control the compressor's displacement.

[0004] In previous centrifugal compressors, the angle of the intake control valve blades was adjusted using a connecting rod structure. A servomotor drives a drive rod, which, via a pulley, drives a drive ring, which in turn rotates additional output rods. The rotation of the drive and output rods ultimately rotates the blades to achieve the desired angle adjustment. As the size of the blades and a housing increases, the entire drive system must be synchronously enlarged, and the torque required to drive the drive rod also increases. Current technology often requires a larger servo system for the drive, which significantly increases costs and development time. CONTENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0005] The present application aims to solve, at least to some extent, one of the above-mentioned technical problems of the prior art. To this end, the present application proposes an inlet control valve that enables a relatively simple drive of the blades.

[0006] The present application also proposes a compressor having an above-mentioned inlet control valve.

[0007] The intake control valve according to an embodiment of the present application comprises a control valve housing, forks, a drive ring, a drive element, and a gear transmission mechanism. The control valve housing has an inlet channel in which vanes are located. The vanes are connected to the forks, and the forks each further have a fork groove. The drive ring is mounted on the control valve housing, and the drive ring is provided with a tension element, one end of which is located in the fork groove. The drive element rotates the drive ring via the gear transmission mechanism, so that the tension element rotates the fork, which in turn rotates the vane.

[0008] In the intake control valve according to an embodiment of the present application, the drive ring is provided with the tension element. When the drive element rotates the drive ring, the tension element rotates the fork, and the fork, in turn, rotates the respective vane. This makes the movement of the vanes relatively simple and not limited by size.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that the traction element comprises a fixed element and a first drive wheel, wherein the fixed element is fixedly connected to the drive ring, wherein the first drive wheel is arranged on the fixed element, and wherein the first drive wheel is located in the fork groove.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that the first drive wheel is rotatable and an outer peripheral surface of the first drive wheel is in contact with both side walls of the fork groove.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that a rotatable second drive wheel is provided on the drive ring, wherein the axis of the second drive wheel runs parallel to the axis of the drive ring, and wherein the second drive wheel is in contact with the control valve housing with its outer peripheral surface.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that both a plurality of first drive wheels and a plurality of second drive wheels are provided, and the first drive wheels and the second drive wheels are each arranged at a distance from one another. According to some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that the stationary element is fastened to the drive ring via a first fastening element, or the stationary element and the drive ring are formed integrally.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present application, the vane comprises a vane body and a vane arm, wherein the vane body is located in the inlet channel, wherein an inner end of the vane arm is connected to the vane body, and wherein an outer end of the vane arm is connected to the fork after passing through the control valve housing.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that blade bores are provided in the control valve housing, in each of which a sleeve is arranged, and wherein the blade arm is guided through the sleeve.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present application, the gear transmission mechanism comprises a drive gear and a driven gear, wherein the drive gear is connected to an output of the drive element, wherein the driven gear is engaged with the drive gear, and wherein the driven gear is attached to the drive ring or the driven gear is formed as part of the drive ring.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that a plurality of vanes are provided and the plurality of vanes are arranged around the axis of the intake control valve and the fork is assigned to each of the vanes.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the present application, a compressor with an above-mentioned inlet control valve is proposed.

[0018] Compared to the state of the art, this compressor has the same advantages as the inlet control valve described above and is not repeated here.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, in part will be obvious from the description which follows, or will be known from the practice of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an intake control valve according to an embodiment of the present application; Fig. 2 shows a main view of the intake control valve according to an embodiment of the present application; Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a fork; Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a blade; and Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a drive ring. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 10 Inlet control valve 1 control valve housing 2 forks 21 Fork groove 22 through hole 3 drive ring 30 tension element 31 fixed element 32 first drive wheel 33 second drive wheel 34 Mounting opening 35 projection weld nut 4 Drive element 5 gear transmission mechanism 51 Drive gear 52 Output gear 53 first screw 6 shovels 61 blade body 62 bucket arm 63 threaded hole 71 second screw DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Detailed descriptions of the embodiments of the present application are given below, and examples of the described embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like or similar reference numerals designate like or similar elements or elements with like or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and serve to explain the present application and are not to be understood as limiting the present application.

[0021] It should be understood that in the description of the present application, the terms "longitudinal direction," "transverse direction," "length," "width," "thickness," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inside," "outside," etc., are used with reference to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the respective figure, solely to facilitate the understanding of the present application. These terms do not imply or explicitly that a device or element must be arranged, configured, or operated in a particular orientation and therefore do not constitute a limitation of the present application.

[0022] Unless expressly stated and defined otherwise, the terms "attached," "connected," "attached," "attached," etc., as used in this application, should be understood in their broadest sense. For example, they may refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they may refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or mutual communication; they may refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium; they may also refer to internal connections between two elements or mutual effects between two elements. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application, taking into account the respective circumstances.

[0023] In the following, in connection with the Fig. 1 to 5, a detailed description of an inlet control valve 10 according to an embodiment of the present application and of a compressor with such an inlet control valve 10 is given.

[0024] The inlet control valve 10 is mainly used to control the amount of air supplied to a radial compressor. As shown in Fig. 1 to 2, the intake control valve 10 according to an embodiment of the present application may include a control valve housing 1, forks 2, a drive ring 3, a drive member 4, and a gear transmission mechanism 5.

[0025] The control valve housing 1 has an inlet channel in which vanes 6 are located. The vane 6 is connected to the fork 2. As in Fig. 1 to 4, the blade 6 and the fork 2 are connected by a second screw 71. In particular, a through hole 22 is provided in the fork 2 and a threaded bore 63 is provided in the blade 6, wherein the second screw 71 is screwed into the threaded bore 63 after passing through the through hole 22, thereby creating a relative fixation between the fork 2 and the blade 6. In this way, the fork 2, when pivoting about the axis of the second screw 71, can bring the blade 6 into a synchronous pivoting movement. When the blade 6 pivots so far that it is perpendicular or almost perpendicular to the axis of the control valve housing 1, the amount of air in the intake channel is minimal. Conversely, when the blade 6 pivots so far that it is parallel or almost parallel to the axis of the control valve housing 1, the amount of air in the intake channel is maximum.

[0026] As in Fig. 3, the fork 2 also has a fork groove 21, wherein the fork groove 21 is designed as a longitudinal groove. In conjunction with the Fig. 1 to 3 it can be seen that the drive ring 3 is placed on the control valve housing 1 and the drive ring 3 is provided with a tension element 30, one end of the tension element 30 being located in the fork groove 21.

[0027] The drive element 4 rotates the drive ring 3 via the gear transmission mechanism 5, so that the tension element 30 rotates the fork 2, which in turn rotates the bucket 6. Specifically, when the drive ring 3 rotates relative to the control valve body 1, the tension element 30 rotates synchronously with the drive ring 3, and the tension element 30 presses against the wall of the fork groove 21, causing the fork 2 to pivot about the axis of the second screw 71 and thus causing the corresponding bucket 6 to pivot synchronously. Even with a large bucket 6, the pivoting of the bucket 6 is not impaired. The gear drive improves transmission efficiency and reduces the torque required to rotate the bucket 6.

[0028] Optionally, the drive element 4 can be a servomotor. The rotation of the servomotor is controlled by a controller, and the servomotor, in turn, drives the drive ring 3 to rotate via a gear drive. The blade 6 and the drive ring 3 are connected to each other via the fork 2, whereby the rotation of the drive ring 3 can lead to the fork 2 pivoting and ultimately the blade 6 rotating in order to regulate the amount of air supplied to the compressor. In practice, a smaller and therefore less expensive servomotor can be selected for the drive. The drive element 4 is attached to the control valve housing 1, for example by means of a threaded pin and a nut, but also by other fastening means.

[0029] In the intake control valve 10 according to an embodiment of the present application, the drive ring 3 is provided with a tension element 30. When the drive element 4 drives the drive ring 3 in rotation, the tension element 30 pivots the fork 2, and the fork 2, in turn, pivots the respective vane 6. This makes the movement of the vanes 6 relatively simple and not limited by size.

[0030] In some embodiments of the present application, the traction element 30 comprises a fixed element 31 and a first drive wheel 32, wherein the fixed element 31 is fixedly connected to the drive ring 3, wherein the first drive wheel 32 is arranged on the fixed element 31, and wherein the first drive wheel 32 is located in the fork groove 21. The drive element 4 drives the drive ring 3 in rotation via the gear transmission mechanism 5, so that the first drive wheel 32 on the fixed element 31 causes the fork 2 to rotate, which in turn causes the bucket 6 to rotate.In particular, the fixed element 31 rotates synchronously with the drive ring 3 when the drive ring 3 is rotated relative to the control valve housing 1, and the first drive wheel 32 on the fixed element 31 presses against the wall of the fork groove 21, whereby the fork 2 pivots about the axis of the second screw 71 and thus the corresponding blade 6 is brought into a pivoting movement.

[0031] The fixed element 31 can be a fixed pin, for example, a fastening bolt. Of course, structures of fixed elements 31 and fork grooves 21 in different shapes but with the same function also fall within the scope of this application.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that the first drive gear 32 is mounted on the fixed element 31, wherein the first drive gear 32 is rotatable relative to the fixed element 31, and wherein an outer peripheral surface of the first drive gear 32 is in contact with both side walls of the fork groove 21. In this way, during a relative movement between the fixed element 31 and the fork 2, a rolling contact is created between the outer peripheral surface of the first drive gear 32 and the two side walls of the fork groove 21. The frictional force between the first drive gear 32 and the fork groove 21 is rolling friction. This reduces damage to the groove wall of the fork groove 21 by the first drive gear 32, and the groove wall of the fork groove 21 is less likely to be scratched.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that second drive wheels 33 are arranged on the drive ring 3, wherein the second drive wheel 33 ensures the rotatability of the drive ring 3, as in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5. In particular, the second drive gear 33 is rotatable about its own axis, the axis of the second drive gear 33 being parallel to the axis of the drive ring 3, and the outer peripheral surface of the second drive gear 33 being in contact with the control valve housing 1. In this way, upon rotation of the drive ring 3 relative to the control valve housing 1, rolling contact occurs between the outer peripheral surface of the second drive gear 33 and the control valve housing 1, and the frictional force between the outer peripheral surface of the second drive gear 33 and the control valve housing 1 is rolling friction.An inner peripheral surface of the drive ring 3 may be separated from the control valve housing 1, thereby eliminating friction between the drive ring 3 and the control valve housing 1, preventing the drive ring 3 from scratching the outer surface of the control valve housing 1, and preventing the rotation of the drive ring 3 from being difficult due to high friction between the drive ring 3 and the control valve housing 1.

[0034] In particular, mounting openings 34 are provided on the drive ring 3, wherein the mounting openings 34 are through holes extending along the radial direction of the drive ring 3. The second drive wheel 33 is rotatably mounted on the drive ring 3 by means of a fixing element (e.g., a bolt), wherein the axis of the fixing element runs parallel to the axis of the drive ring 3.

[0035] The control valve housing 1 may be provided with an annular recess into which the second drive wheel 33 fits.

[0036] As in Fig. 5, both a plurality of first drive wheels 32 and a plurality of second drive wheels 33 are provided, and the first drive wheels 32 and the second drive wheels 33 are each arranged at a distance from one another, wherein the respective first drive wheel 32 and the respective second drive wheel 33 are arranged alternately.

[0037] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" are merely descriptive and should not be understood to express or imply a relative importance or the number of technical features represented. Accordingly, the feature limited by "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly be a number of one or more. In the description of this application, "plural" means at least two, e.g., two, three, etc., unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present application, the fixed element 31 extends radially outward along the drive ring 3. In other words, the fixed element 31 is perpendicular to the axis of the drive ring 3, so that the fixed element 31 can be easily formed on the drive ring 3.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that the fixed element 31 is fastened to the drive ring 3 via a first fastening element.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that projection welding nuts 35 are provided on the drive ring 3 and the fixed element 31 is designed as a bolt for screwing in and fastening to the projection welding nut 35, as in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 shown.

[0041] In some embodiments not shown, it is provided that the fixed element 31 and the drive ring 3 are formed in one piece, for example the fixed element 31 and the drive ring 3 are welded or fastened to one another or the fixed element 31 is machined on the drive ring 3 by a method such as milling.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that the blade 6 comprises a blade body 61 and a blade arm 62, wherein the blade body 61 is located in the inlet channel, as shown in Figs. 1 to 2 and 4. When the blade body 61 is perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the axis of the control valve housing 1, the amount of air in the inlet channel is minimal. If, on the other hand, the blade body 61 is parallel or nearly parallel to the axis of the control valve housing 1, the amount of air in the inlet channel is maximal. An inner end of the blade arm 62 is connected to the blade body 61, wherein an outer end of the blade arm 62 is connected to the fork 2 after passing through the control valve housing 1. As shown in the Fig. 1 to 4, the threaded bore 63 is located in particular at one end of the blade arm 62, wherein the second screw 71 is screwed into the threaded bore 63 of the blade arm 62 after passing through the through hole 22 of the fork 2.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that blade bores are provided in the control valve housing 1, in each of which a sleeve is arranged, and wherein the blade arm 62 is guided through the sleeve. In this way, when the blade 6 pivots, only the sleeve is worn by the blade arm 62 and not the control valve housing 1.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present application, a seal is mounted on the vane arm 62, wherein the seal rests against an inner end surface of the sleeve and seals a gap between the vane arm 62 and the sleeve. This improves the airtightness of the intake control valve 10 and prevents air from escaping from the control valve housing 1 in the intake channel between the vane arm 62 and the sleeve.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present application, it is contemplated that the gear transmission mechanism 5 may comprise a drive gear 51 and a driven gear 52, wherein the drive gear 51 is connected to an output of the drive element 4, wherein the driven gear 52 meshes with the drive gear 51, and wherein the driven gear 52 is fixed to the drive ring 3. In this way, the drive element 4 causes the drive gear 51 to pivot about the axis of the drive gear 51, the drive gear 51 causes the driven gear 52 to pivot, the driven gear 52 causes the drive ring 3 to pivot synchronously, and the driven gear 52 causes the fixed element 31 to pivot synchronously.The first drive wheel 32 on the fixed element 31 presses the fork 2 in the fork groove 21, so that the fork 2 pivots about the axis of the second screw 71, which in turn causes the fork 2 to pivot the corresponding blade 6 in synchronism. In the specific examples according to . Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the output gear 52 and the drive ring 3 are fastened by means of several first screws 53.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that the output gear 52 is formed as part of the drive ring 3, for example by providing a toothing in the outer circumferential surface of the drive ring 3, which toothing forms the output gear 52.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present application, it is provided that a plurality of blades 6 are provided and the plurality of blades 6 are arranged around the axis of the inlet control valve 10, wherein the plurality of blades 6 are optionally evenly distributed around the axis of the control valve housing 1. The fork 2 is assigned to each of the blades 6, and each blade 6 is driven by the corresponding fork 2 to achieve the pivoting of the blade 6. By rotating the drive ring 3, all blades 6 are adjusted synchronously without each blade 6 having to be controlled individually.

[0048] The assembly and disassembly of the inlet control valve 10 is carried out as follows: 1. The sleeve is driven into the control valve housing 1; 2. After fitting a washer and an O-ring, the blade 6 is inserted into the sleeve; 3. A flat washer and then a corrugated washer are placed on the part of the blade 6 protruding from the control valve housing 1; 4. The fork 2 is attached to the blade 6 with the second screw 71; 5. The output gear 52 is fixed to the drive ring 3 with two first screws 53; 6. The first drive wheel 32 is attached to the fixed element 31 of the drive ring 3; 7. The second drive wheel 33 is inserted into the mounting opening 34 of the drive ring 3; 8. The drive ring 3 is inserted into the recess of the control valve housing 1 so that the outer peripheral surface of the second drive gear 33 contacts the recess and the first drive gear 32 engages in the fork groove 21 of the fork 2; 9. The drive gear 51 is fixed to an output shaft of the drive element 4 by means of a bolt and a washer; and 10. The drive element 4 is attached to the control valve housing 1 by means of a threaded pin and a nut.

[0049] The inlet control valve 10 can be quickly disassembled in reverse order.

[0050] In a further embodiment of the present application, a compressor having an inlet control valve 10 in the above embodiments is proposed.

[0051] In some embodiments, the compressor is a radial compressor, e.g., radial compressor ZH FS4. With radial compressors, the displacement is significantly larger. Under the same conditions, a smaller servo system than in the prior art can be used to adjust the inlet control valve 10 and thus control the amount of air supplied to the compressor. This application enables the drive of a larger inlet control valve 10 while maintaining the existing size of the servo control system. By rotating the drive ring 3, synchronous adjustment of all blades 6 can be achieved without the need for individual control of each blade 6. This improves the efficiency of the entire inlet control system while maintaining a simple structure and low cost.In this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "examples," "particular examples," or "some examples," etc., mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or properties described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the exemplary explanations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the described specific features, structures, materials, or properties may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. Furthermore, one skilled in the art can link and combine the various embodiments or examples presented in this specification.

[0052] The embodiments of the present application have been illustrated and described above. It should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limitations of the present application. A person skilled in the art may make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations of the above embodiments within the scope of the present application. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 202222447245.1

[0001]

Claims

[1] Inlet control valve, comprising: a control valve housing (1), the control valve housing (1) having an inlet channel in which blades (6) are located; Forks (2), wherein the blades (6) are connected to the forks (2) and the forks (2) each further have a fork groove (21); a drive ring (3), wherein the drive ring (3) is placed on the control valve housing (1) and the drive ring (3) is provided with a tension element (30), and wherein one end of the tension element (30) is located in the fork groove (21); and a drive element (4) and a gear transmission mechanism (5), wherein the drive element (4) drives the drive ring (3) in rotation via the gear transmission mechanism (5), so that the pulling element (30) causes the fork (2) to rotate and this in turn causes the bucket (6) to rotate. [2] Inlet control valve according to claim 1, wherein the tension element (30) comprises a fixed element (31) and a first drive wheel (32), wherein the fixed element (31) is fixedly connected to the drive ring (3), wherein the first drive wheel (32) is arranged on the fixed element (31), and wherein the first drive wheel (32) is located in the fork groove (21). [3] An intake control valve according to claim 2, wherein the first drive gear (32) is rotatable and an outer peripheral surface of the first drive gear (32) is in contact with both side walls of the fork groove (21). [4] Inlet control valve according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a rotatable second drive wheel (33) is provided on the drive ring (3), wherein the axis of the second drive wheel (33) runs parallel to the axis of the drive ring (3), and wherein the second drive wheel (33) is in contact with the control valve housing (1) with its outer peripheral surface. [5] Inlet control valve according to claim 4, wherein both a plurality of first drive wheels (32) and a plurality of second drive wheels (33) are provided and the first drive wheels (32) and the second drive wheels (33) are each arranged at a distance from one another. [6] Inlet control valve according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the fixed element (31) is fastened to the drive ring (3) via a first fastening element or the fixed element (31) and the drive ring (3) are formed in one piece. [7] Inlet control valve according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the vane (6) comprises a vane body (61) and a vane arm (62), wherein the vane body (61) is located in the inlet channel, wherein an inner end of the vane arm (62) is connected to the vane body (61), and wherein an outer end of the vane arm (62) is connected to the fork (2) after passing through the control valve housing (1). [8] Inlet control valve according to claim 7, wherein blade bores are provided in the control valve housing (1), in each of which a sleeve is arranged, and wherein the blade arm (62) is guided through the sleeve. [9] Inlet control valve according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the gear transmission mechanism (5) comprises a drive gear (51) and a driven gear (52), wherein the drive gear (51) is connected to an output of the drive element (4), wherein the driven gear (52) is in engagement with the drive gear (51), and wherein the driven gear (52) is fixed to the drive ring (3) or the driven gear (52) is formed as part of the drive ring (3). [10] Inlet control valve according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a plurality of blades (6) are provided and the plurality of blades (6) are arranged around the axis of the inlet control valve and the fork (2) is assigned to one of the blades (6). [11] Compressor comprising an inlet control valve according to one of claims 1 to 10.

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