Compressor device and compressor assembly including such a compressor device - Patents.com

Abstract

1. A compressor arrangement (1) comprising a compressor element (9) having at its fluid duct outlet (26) an adapter (10) of acoustic impedance with an adapter inlet duct (27) and an adapter outlet duct (28) interconnected by an adapter intermediate duct section (29) surrounding at least one expansion chamber (30), the adapter intermediate duct section (29) having a maximum opening (32) with an equivalent diameter (C) substantially larger than a minimum opening (31) of the adapter inlet duct (27) with an equivalent diameter (B).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a compressor apparatus for compressing or pressurizing a fluid, typically a gaseous fluid such as air, or other gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon, helium, hydrogen, etc. However, it is not excluded from the invention to use the compressor apparatus for compressing or pressurizing a more dense fluid such as water vapour.

[0002] The compressor arrangement further includes a fluid duct for directing fluid through the compressor arrangement from a fluid duct inlet to a fluid duct outlet.

[0003] The compressor unit is typically a positive displacement compressor unit, such as a tooth compressor, a twin lobe compressor, etc., or a rotary compressor, such as a rotary screw compressor, etc. However, it is not excluded from the present invention that the compressor unit is yet another type of compressor unit.

[0004] The invention further relates to a type of compressor arrangement designed to operate at specific nominal operating conditions. Typically, the nominal flow rate of a compressor arrangement according to the invention is in the range of 40-140 l / s. Additionally or alternatively, the compressor arrangement according to the invention has a rotor or rotating element (e.g. male or female screw rotor) that operates at a nominal rotor speed in the range of 3000-9000 rpm. Nevertheless, it is not excluded from the invention to design other types of compressor arrangements having nominal operating ranges that are not included in the above mentioned ranges. It is also not excluded from the invention that a compressor arrangement designed for a specific nominal operating flow rate or nominal operating speed operates at other flow rates or other operating speeds.

[0005] The invention also relates to a compressor assembly comprising one or more compressor stages according to the invention, at least one of the compressor stages being formed by a compressor device according to the invention.

[0006] Compressor units according to the present invention are typically connected in series to form a compressor assembly, although other configurations are not excluded from the invention.

[0007] Typically, uncompressed ambient air is taken in at a fluid duct inlet of such a compressor assembly of the invention, converted into compressed air through various compression stages of the compressor assembly, and supplied at a fluid duct outlet of the compressor assembly for use by a user of the compressed or compressed air (or, in more general cases, pressurized fluid).

[0008] More particularly, the invention relates to such a compressor assembly comprising cooling means, preferably at least partially air cooling means, for which the compressor assembly to which the invention relates comprises, for example, a device for forcing the air flow in the air channel through the housing from the air channel inlet to the air channel outlet.

[0009] Furthermore, the compressor assembly according to the invention typically comprises one or more heat exchangers arranged in the air channel for transferring heat from the heat exchanger to air forced through the air channel by a device for forcing an air flow. These heat exchangers are typically intended to cool the compressed fluid and to transfer heat stored in the compressed or pressurized fluid during compression to the ambient air flowing through said heat exchanger.

[0010] Hot compressed or pressurized fluid is unsuitable for delivery to a user of the compressed or pressurized fluid, not only because of its high temperature, but also, for example, because excessive moisture may build up.

[0011] Often a heat exchanger is provided after each compression stage in the compression assembly to cool the fluid before it is provided to the next compression stage or to a consumer of the compressed or pressurized fluid. [Background technology]

[0012] In recent years, much effort has been made to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and to switch to more environmentally friendly energy sources. The current high prices of fossil fuels are a great incentive to change behavior. Another aspect of this transformation is the tendency to reduce energy consumption.

[0013] Furthermore, there is a strong demand in industrial production and manufacturing to reduce costs associated with energy consumption, and in the context of the present invention, which is in the field of compressor technology, energy consumption is a major issue and many efforts are being made to increase the energy efficiency of such compressor devices and compressor assemblies.

[0014] Furthermore, rotary compressor systems are known to generate vibrations and pressure pulsations in the compressed fluid depending on the rotational speed of the compressor rotor, which vibrations and pressure pulsations can generate noise and cause damage to the compressor systems and assemblies themselves as well as to the elements surrounding the compressor systems and assemblies.

[0015] Another problem that frequently occurs in conjunction with these vibrations and pressure pulsations is that the compressed or pressurized fluid is not discharged in an optimal manner, or that uncompressed fluid is not efficiently delivered to the compression chamber of the compressor unit. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0016] It is an object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the above mentioned problems and / or possibly further problems.

[0017] In particular, a primary objective of the present invention is to increase the overall energy efficiency of compressor systems and compressor assemblies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] To this end, the present invention first relates to a compressor arrangement comprising a compressor element for compressing a fluid, the compressor arrangement comprising a fluid duct for guiding a fluid through the compressor element from a fluid duct inlet to a fluid duct outlet, an adapter of acoustic impedance is provided at the fluid duct outlet with an adapter inlet duct and an adapter outlet duct interconnected by an adapter intermediate duct section surrounding at least one expansion chamber, the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the adapter inlet duct forming a minimum opening with a specific minimum equivalent internal diameter and the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the adapter intermediate duct section forming a maximum opening with a specific maximum equivalent internal diameter, the maximum equivalent internal diameter of the adapter intermediate duct section being substantially greater than the minimum equivalent internal diameter of the adapter inlet duct.

[0019] A great advantage of such a compressor arrangement according to the invention is that, at its fluid duct outlet, an adapter is provided for changing the acoustic impedance of the complete arrangement, so that the flow of the compressed or pressurized fluid in the adapter outlet duct is smoother than in the absence of an adapter of such acoustic impedance.

[0020] In particular, the acoustic impedance adapter has at least one expansion chamber that acts as a kind of intermediate buffer between the fluid duct outlet and the adapter outlet to smooth or level out pressure fluctuations, pulsations or imbalances in the compressed fluid discharged from the compressor element.

[0021] In this manner, a more energy efficient compressor arrangement is obtained and the discharge of compressed fluid from the compressor elements is enhanced.

[0022] Typically, compression of a fluid within a compressor element generates forward or downstream pressure pulsations within the compressed fluid (fluid stream).

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the compressor arrangement according to the invention, the acoustic impedance adapter changes the acoustic impedance such that the compressed or partially compressed fluid present in the compressor element is affected and the reflected pressure pulsation waves coming from the acoustic impedance adapter in the rearward or upstream direction at least partially compensate for the forward pressure pulsation waves, i.e. the downstream pressure pulsation waves, so that the compressed fluid pressure upstream of the adapter has an overall less pulsating characteristic.

[0024] Such an embodiment of the compressor apparatus according to the present invention is highly advantageous because the acoustic impedance adapter affects the fluid pressure of the fluid being compressed or already compressed in the compressor chamber itself, i.e., at a location upstream (in the fluid stream) of the acoustic impedance adapter.

[0025] This is very different from what is known in the art as a so-called "silencer" or "pulsation filter". Silencers and pulsation filters are in fact devices that perform a transformation from what goes in to what goes out, which is generally less than what goes in.

[0026] In the context of the present invention, the incoming "thing" is a pressurized or compressed fluid flow with a certain pressure that varies dynamically in time. In a muffler or filter, the incoming pressurized or compressed fluid flow is transformed into an outgoing pressurized or compressed fluid flow with a different dynamic behavior. The transformation thus takes place downstream of the actual compressor element.

[0027] Generally, such mufflers or filters filter out or reduce the intensity of certain disturbing frequencies or certain harmful pulsations in the pressure fluctuations of the flow of the outgoing pressurized or compressed fluid in question, thus eliminating noise or harmful vibrations as a rule, but with the drawback that a lot of energy is lost during the conversion in such mufflers or filters, thus reducing the energy efficiency of the compressor unit.

[0028] Instead, the aforementioned embodiment of the compressor device according to the invention is provided with an acoustic impedance adapter that influences the pressure state of the fluid to be compressed or of the fluid already partially or completely compressed in the compressor chamber of the compressor element itself upstream of the adapter. In this way, the energy stored in the compressed fluid present in the acoustic impedance adapter is transferred to the fluid present in the compressor element. There is no or very little energy loss, the conditions for the discharge of the compressed fluid from the compressor element are improved, the overall intensity of the fluid pressure pulsations is reduced and a smoother flow of the compressed fluid through the compressor element is obtained. In short, such a compressor device according to the invention is more energy efficient and the supply of compressed fluid causes less harm to other parts of the device.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of a compressor arrangement according to the invention, the length of the adapter inlet duct between the compressor element and the adapter intermediate duct section is less than four times the smallest equivalent internal diameter of the adapter inlet duct.

[0030] Such an embodiment of the compressor arrangement according to the invention is very advantageous since the acoustic impedance adapter is arranged at a fairly short distance from the compressor element itself and therefore reliably fulfills its role as an adapter influencing the course of the fluid pressure within the compressor element itself.

[0031] In another preferred embodiment of the compressor arrangement according to the invention the maximum equivalent internal diameter of the adapter intermediate duct section is greater than twice the minimum equivalent internal diameter of the adapter inlet duct.

[0032] A significant advantage of such an embodiment of the compressor arrangement according to the invention is that the expansion chamber formed in the acoustic impedance adapter is large enough to have the required volume to generate reflected pressure pulsation waves capable of compensating for significant pressure pulsations within the compressor element itself.

[0033] In yet another preferred embodiment of the compressor arrangement according to the invention, the internal cross-sectional area or opening of the adapter intermediate duct section forms an opening having an equivalent internal diameter which is at least twice the minimum equivalent internal diameter of the adapter inlet duct, and the ratio of the distance between this internal cross-sectional area or opening of the adapter intermediate duct section and the distal end of the adapter inlet duct divided by twice the minimum equivalent internal diameter of the adapter inlet duct is less than 1.

[0034] A great advantage of such an embodiment of the compressor arrangement according to the invention is that the internal dimensions of the adapter intermediate duct section for forming the expansion chamber increase rapidly over a relatively short distance from the point where the adapter intermediate duct section and the adapter inlet duct join, so that the expansion chamber can influence the course of the fluid pressure.

[0035] The present invention also relates to a compressor assembly for compressing a fluid, the compressor assembly comprising a housing, a fluid duct for guiding a fluid through the compressor assembly from a fluid duct inlet to a fluid duct outlet, and one or more compressor stages in the fluid duct, at least one of the compressor stages being formed by a compressor device according to the present invention comprising said adapter for acoustic impedance, and downstream (in the fluid stream) of each compressor stage a cooler is provided in the fluid duct for cooling the compressed fluid.

[0036] An advantage of such a compressor assembly according to the present invention is that it can provide cooled, pressurized or compressed fluid with low specific energy requirements (SER), i.e. in an energy efficient manner.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the compressor assembly according to the invention, the compressor assembly comprises a low pressure stage and a high pressure stage, an air-cooled intercooler in the fluid duct downstream of the low pressure stage and an air-cooled aftercooler in the fluid duct downstream of the high pressure stage, wherein the low pressure stage comprises a compressor element and an acoustic impedance adapter according to the invention as described above, and / or the high pressure stage comprises a compressor element and an acoustic impedance adapter according to the invention as described above.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, it is not excluded from the invention to apply an acoustic adapter as described at the inlet side of the compressor element. In this way, the filling of the compression chamber can be improved and so-called acoustic superfilling can be applied.

[0039] The invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a possible embodiment of a compressor assembly according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a compressor apparatus having an acoustic impedance adapter according to the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 of an alternative embodiment of a compressor device having an acoustic impedance adapter according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 of an alternative embodiment of a compressor device having an acoustic impedance adapter according to the present invention; [Diagram 5] 1 of an alternative embodiment of a compressor device having an acoustic impedance adapter according to the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 of an alternative embodiment of a compressor device having an acoustic impedance adapter according to the present invention; [Figure 7] 1 of an alternative embodiment of a compressor device having an acoustic impedance adapter according to the present invention; [Figure 8] 1 of an alternative embodiment of a compressor device having an acoustic impedance adapter according to the present invention; [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a compressor arrangement according to the present invention, in which a flexible coupling is provided in the adapter outlet duct; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of the compressor arrangement shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a combination heat exchanger or cooler and acoustic impedance adapter connected to a compressor element of the compressor apparatus of the present invention, not shown in the figures. [Figure 12] 12 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 11 of another embodiment of a compressor element of a compressor unit according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] 12 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 11 of another embodiment of a compressor element of a compressor unit according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 14] 12 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 11 of another embodiment of a compressor element of a compressor unit according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] 12 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 11 of another embodiment of a compressor element of a compressor unit according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 16] 12 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 11 of another embodiment of a compressor element of a compressor unit according to the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] 1 shows a compressor assembly 100 comprising several compressor devices 1 according to the invention for compressing a fluid 2, in this case air 2 drawn from the environment. The compressor assembly 100 comprises a housing 3 and a fluid duct 4 is provided for conducting the fluid 2 through the compressor assembly 100 from a compressor assembly fluid duct inlet 5 to a compressor assembly fluid duct outlet 6.

[0042] Furthermore, the compressor assembly 1 comprises one or more compressor stages, in this case two compressor stages 7 and 8, contained in and forming part of the fluid duct 4. At least one of the compressor stages 7 and 8 is formed by a compressor arrangement 1 according to the invention. In the example of Fig. 1, both compressor stages 7 and 8 are formed by such a compressor arrangement 1 according to the invention.

[0043] Such a compressor arrangement 1 of the present invention is special in that it comprises a compressor element 9 and preferably has an acoustic impedance adapter 10 connected to the outlet side 11 of the compressor element 1. However, it is not excluded from the present invention to provide an acoustic impedance adapter 10 attached to the inlet 12 of such a compressor element 9.

[0044] Downstream (in the fluid stream) of each compressor stage 7 and 8 a cooler 14 and a cooler 15 respectively are provided in the fluid duct 4 for cooling the compressed fluid 13 .

[0045] In the example of Figure 1, compressor stage 7 is a low pressure stage and compressor stage 8 is a high pressure stage, which are mounted in series with each other. Downstream of the low pressure stage 7, an air-cooled intercooler 14 is provided in the fluid duct 4, and downstream of the high pressure stage 8, an air-cooled aftercooler 15 is provided in the fluid duct 4.

[0046] The coolers 14 and 15 are air-cooled coolers provided in an air channel 16 provided in the housing 3 of the compressor unit 1. The air channel 16 is separated by an intermediate wall 18 from a compartment 17 in the housing 3 in which the compressor unit 1 is provided.

[0047] Ambient air 19 is drawn from the environment 20 by a fan 21 which forces the air 19 through the air channels 16 from an air channel inlet 22 to an air channel outlet 23. While flowing through the air channels 16, heat is transferred from the coolers 14 and 15 to the air 19.

[0048] 2 shows diagrammatically part of a compressor arrangement 1 for compressing a fluid 2 according to the invention. A compressor element 9 of the compressor arrangement 1 is represented diagrammatically as a square, the size of which is not entirely representative.

[0049] The compressor element 9 comprises a compressor element fluid duct 24 for guiding the fluid 2 through the compressor element 9 from a compressor element fluid duct inlet 25 to a compressor element fluid duct outlet 26. According to the invention, an acoustic impedance adapter 10 is provided at the fluid duct outlet 26 of the compressor element 9.

[0050] The acoustic impedance adapter 10 comprises an adapter inlet duct 27 and an adapter outlet duct 28, only a portion of which is shown in Figure 2. The adapter inlet duct 27 and the adapter outlet duct 28 are interconnected by an adapter intermediate duct section 29 which surrounds at least one expansion chamber 30.

[0051] In this case, the adapter inlet duct 27 and the adapter outlet duct 28 are both straight, although this is not necessarily the case according to the invention. The adapter inlet duct 27 extends in a direction YY' and the adapter outlet duct 28 extends in a direction ZZ'. These directions YY' and ZZ' can be collinear, but preferably, they are parallel to each other at a constant offset distance O from each other, although this is not necessarily the case.

[0052] The internal cross-sectional area 31 of the adapter inlet duct 27 in a plane perpendicular to the direction YY' extending between the compressor element 9 and the adapter intermediate duct section 29 defines a minimum opening 31 having a particular minimum equivalent internal diameter B. In this case, the adapter inlet duct 27 has an internal cross-sectional area 31 or opening 31 perpendicular to said direction YY' that is constant over its length, although this is not necessarily the case.

[0053] The adapter intermediate duct portion 29 extends in a direction AA' between the adapter inlet duct 27 and the adapter outlet duct 28. This direction AA' may be, but need not be, collinear with the directions YY' and / or ZZ' in which the adapter inlet duct 27 and the adapter outlet duct 28 extend.

[0054] Furthermore, the internal cross-sectional area 32 of the adapter intermediate duct section 29 defines a maximum opening 32 having a particular maximum equivalent internal diameter C. This internal cross-sectional area 32 or opening 32 is typically defined in a plane perpendicular to the direction AA' in which the adapter intermediate duct section 29 extends between the adapter inlet duct 27 and the adapter outlet duct 28, or in a plane perpendicular to the aforementioned directions YY' and / or ZZ' in which the adapter inlet duct 27 and / or the adapter outlet duct 28 extend.

[0055] According to the invention, the maximum equivalent internal diameter C of the adapter intermediate duct section 29 is substantially larger than the minimum equivalent internal diameter B of the adapter inlet duct 27 (C>>>B). In this way, it is ensured that the expansion chamber 30 is large compared to the minimum opening 31 of the adapter inlet duct 27.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment of the compressor arrangement 1 of the present invention, the maximum equivalent inner diameter C of the adapter intermediate duct section 29 is greater than twice the minimum equivalent inner diameter B of the adapter inlet duct 27 .

[0057] Another aspect of the invention is that the adapter intermediate duct section 29 is preferably arranged relatively close to the outlet 11 or 26 of the compressor element 9. In particular, according to the invention, the length L of the adapter inlet duct 27 between the compressor element 9 and the adapter intermediate duct section 29 is preferably smaller than four times the minimum equivalent internal diameter B of the adapter inlet duct 27. This measure must ensure that the expansion chamber 30 can have a sufficiently significant influence on the fluid present in the compressor chamber of the compressor element 9 upstream of the adapter 10 of acoustic impedance.

[0058] The internal cross-sectional area 33 of the adapter intermediate duct section 29 defines an opening 33 having an equivalent internal diameter D that is at least twice (D≧2×B) the minimum equivalent internal diameter B of the adapter inlet duct 28. This internal cross-sectional area 33 or opening 33 is typically defined in a plane perpendicular to the direction AA′ in which the adapter intermediate duct section 29 extends between the adapter inlet duct 27 and the adapter outlet duct 28, or in a plane perpendicular to the aforementioned directions YY′ and / or ZZ′ in which the adapter inlet duct 27 and / or the adapter outlet duct 28 extend.

[0059] Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides that the ratio R of the distance E between this internal cross-sectional area 33 of the adapter intermediate duct section 29 and the distal end 34 of the adapter inlet duct 27 divided by twice the minimum equivalent internal diameter 2×B of the adapter inlet duct 27 is less than 1. 1>R=E / (2×B)

[0060] This means that the expansion chamber 30 of the adapter intermediate duct section 29 rapidly increases in size in the direction away from the distal end 34 of the adapter inlet duct 27, thereby ensuring its effectiveness.

[0061] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the adapter intermediate duct section 29 encloses a single essentially spherical expansion chamber 30 formed by a sphere of diameter C.

[0062] 2, the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the adapter intermediate duct section 29 increases monotonically from the adapter inlet duct 27 to the maximum internal cross-sectional area 32 of the adapter intermediate duct section 29. The internal cross-sectional area of ​​the adapter intermediate duct section 29 also decreases monotonically from the maximum internal cross-sectional area 32 of the adapter intermediate duct section 29 to the adapter outlet duct 28. However, this is not necessarily the case in accordance with the present invention.

[0063] FIG. 3 shows a compressor arrangement 1 according to the invention, in which the adapter intermediate duct portion 29 surrounds more than one expansion chamber, ie in this example two expansion chambers 35 and 36 .

[0064] In the case of Figure 3, both expansion chambers 35 and 36 each have a hemispherical shape. The shape is obtained by two hemispheres of the more or less spherical expansion chamber 32, as shown in Figure 1, which are spaced apart from each other by an intermediate spacer duct 37. In the case of Figure 3, the intermediate spacer duct 37 extends in the extension of the adapter inlet duct 27 and the adapter outlet duct 28, all of these aforementioned ducts 27, 28 and 37 having the same internal diameter B.

[0065] In the embodiment of Figure 3, the adapter intermediate duct section 29 comprises a pair of expansion chambers 35 and 36 symmetrical with respect to a plane FF' perpendicular to the direction YY' in which the adapter inlet duct 27 extends and / or the direction ZZ' in which the adapter outlet duct 28 extends and / or the direction AA' in which the intermediate spacer duct 37 extends.

[0066] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a compressor arrangement 1 according to the invention, which is similar to that of FIG. 2 and has an adapter intermediate duct portion 29 surrounding a single expansion chamber 30 which is also essentially spherical.

[0067] However, this time the essentially spherical expansion chamber 30 is somewhat modified in shape: the connection 38 between the adapter outlet duct 28 and the spherical expansion chamber 30 is somewhat shifted inwards within the spherical expansion chamber 30, and the outer wall 39 of the spherical expansion chamber 30 is connected to the adapter outlet duct 28 by an intermediate wall 40, which preferably has a cylindrical wall 41 concentric with the adapter outlet duct 28 and / or one or more flat walls 42.

[0068] FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of a compressor arrangement 1 according to the invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in that it again comprises a pair of essentially hemispherical expansion chambers 35 and 36 spaced apart from each other by an intermediate spacer duct 37.

[0069] In the example of Figure 5, the intermediate spacer duct 37 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction YY' in which the adapter inlet duct 27 extends, and / or the direction ZZ' in which the adapter outlet duct 28 extends, and / or the direction AA' in which the adapter intermediate part 29 extends between the adapter inlet duct 27 and the adapter outlet duct 28.

[0070] The expansion chambers 35 and 36 are now also arranged in another direction and are arranged symmetrically around the adapter inlet duct 27 and / or the adapter outlet duct 28 .

[0071] The embodiment of the compressor arrangement 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2, with the adapter intermediate duct section 29 including a single expansion chamber 30 which is substantially spherical.

[0072] In the example of Figure 6, the adapter inlet duct 27 and / or the adapter outlet duct 28 extend completely through the adapter intermediate duct section 29 to interconnect the adapter inlet duct 27 and the adapter outlet duct 28 by an internal duct section 43. The internal duct section 43 of the adapter inlet duct 27 and / or the adapter outlet duct 28 that extends into the adapter intermediate duct section 29 is perforated so that the compressed fluid 13 can expand across the expansion chamber 30. Perforations 44 are provided over the entire length of the internal duct section 43.

[0073] In another embodiment of the compressor arrangement 1 according to the invention, the adapter inlet duct 27 and the adapter outlet duct 28 can also extend only partially into the adapter intermediate duct part 29. This is the case, for example, in the embodiment represented in FIG.

[0074] The embodiment of the compressor device 1 according to the invention shown in Fig. 7 is completely equivalent to the embodiment of Fig. 6. However, in the example of Fig. 7, in the expansion chamber 30 of the adapter intermediate duct part 29, a damping material 45 for damping gas pulsations, such as acoustic foam, steel wool, etc., is provided.

[0075] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a compressor arrangement 1 according to the invention equivalent to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 having two expansion chambers spaced apart from each other by an intermediate spacer duct 37 extending in a direction AA' parallel to the directions YY' and ZZ' of the adapter inlet duct 27 and the adapter outlet duct 28.

[0076] 8, however, only one expansion chamber 35 has a hemispherical shape, while the other expansion chamber 46 has a conical shape and is located furthest from the compressor element 9. The size of the conical shape decreases in the direction away from the compressor element 9.

[0077] The cone-shaped expansion chamber 46 is refilled with damping material 45 while the other hemispherical expansion chamber 35 remains empty.

[0078] The adapter outlet duct 28 is entirely contained within the expansion chamber 46 and does not extend outside the adapter intermediate duct section 29 .

[0079] 9 and 10 show an embodiment of an acoustic impedance adapter 10 for a compressor arrangement 1 according to the invention, in which the adapter outlet duct 28 is provided with a flexible coupling 47 or a flexible spacer ring 47 .

[0080] Alternatively, such a flexible coupling 47 or flexible spacer ring 47 may be provided in the adapter inlet duct 27 .

[0081] In that case, the adapter inlet duct 27 comprises three parts, namely a first part and a second part connected by said flexible coupling 47 or by a flexible spacer ring 47. Obviously, in this case, the length L of the adapter inlet duct 27 should be considered as the total length of the adapter inlet duct 27 formed by the three component parts.

[0082] 11 to 16 show further different configurations of the combination of the acoustic impedance adapter 10 and the cooler 14 or 15 of the compressor device 1 according to the present invention.

[0083] In FIG. 11, the adapter intermediate duct section 29 includes an expansion chamber having a primarily spherical shape, as in FIG. 2, for example, whereas in FIGS. 12 and 14, the expansion chamber is more rectangular or box-shaped or cubic-shaped.

[0084] In Fig. 13, the adapter intermediate duct section 29 comprises an expansion chamber having an S-shaped cross section, while in Figs. 15 and 16 the expansion chamber is enclosed in a more rounded or cylindrical shape. In still other bodies the expansion chamber may form a prismatic shape or even another more irregular shape.

[0085] The present invention is in no way limited to the above-described embodiment of the compressor assembly 100 or compressor apparatus 1, and such compressor assembly 1 or compressor apparatus 1 may be applied and implemented in various ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1 Compressor unit 2 Fluid (air) 3. Housing 4 Fluid Duct 5 Compressor assembly fluid duct inlet 6 Compressor assembly fluid duct outlet 7 Compressor stage (low pressure stage) 8 Compressor stage (high pressure stage) 9 Compressor elements 10 Acoustic Impedance Adapter 11 Compressor element outlet 12 Compressor element inlet 13 Compressed Fluids 14 Air-cooled intercooler 15 Air-cooled final cooler 16 Air Channels 17 Compartments in Housing 18 Intermediate Wall 19 Ambient Air 20 Environment 21 Fan 22 Air channel inlet 23 Air channel outlet 24 Compressor element fluid duct 25 Compressor element fluid duct inlet 26 Compressor element fluid duct outlet 27 Adapter inlet duct 28 Adapter outlet duct 29 Adapter intermediate duct section 30 Spherical Expansion Chamber 31 Internal cross-sectional area (opening) 32 Internal cross-sectional area (opening) 33 Internal cross-sectional area (opening) of adapter intermediate duct 34 Distal end of adapter inlet duct 35 Hemispherical expansion chamber 36 Hemispherical expansion chamber 37 Intermediate spacer duct 38 Connection between the adapter outlet duct and the spherical expansion chamber 39 Outer wall of spherical expansion chamber 40 Intermediate wall 41 Cylindrical wall 42 Flat wall section 43 Internal duct section 44 Perforation 45 Damping Materials 46 Conical Expansion Chamber 47 Flexible coupling (spacer ring) 100 Compressor Assembly AA' direction B Minimum equivalent inner diameter of adapter inlet duct C Maximum equivalent inner diameter of adapter intermediate duct D Internal cross-sectional area of ​​adapter intermediate duct E The distance between the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the adapter intermediate duct section and the distal end of the adapter inlet duct L Adapter inlet duct length O Offset Distance YY' direction ZZ' direction

Claims

1. A compressor arrangement (1) comprising a compressor element (9) for compressing a fluid (2) and a fluid duct (24) for guiding said fluid (2) through said compressor element (9) from a fluid duct inlet (25) to a fluid duct outlet (26), said fluid duct outlet being connected to an adapter inlet duct (27) and an adapter outlet duct (28) interconnected by an adapter intermediate duct section (29) surrounding at least one expansion chamber (30). an internal cross-sectional area (31) of the adapter inlet duct (27) defining a minimum opening (31) having a specific minimum equivalent inner diameter (B) and an internal cross-sectional area (32) of the adapter intermediate duct section (29) defining a maximum opening (32) having a specific maximum equivalent inner diameter (C), said maximum equivalent inner diameter (C) of the adapter intermediate duct section (29) being substantially greater than said minimum equivalent inner diameter (B) of the adapter inlet duct (27).

2. 2. The compressor arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that compression of the fluid (2) in the compressor element (9) generates forward or downstream pressure pulsation waves in the compressed fluid (13) and the adapter (10) modifies the acoustic impedance in such a way that the compressed or partially compressed fluid (13) present in the compressor element (9) is affected and that reflected pressure pulsation waves coming from the adapter (10) in a backward or upstream direction influence or at least partially compensate the forward or downstream pressure pulsation waves, so that the pressure of the compressed fluid (13) upstream of the adapter (10) has an overall lower pulsatility and / or exhibits a phase shift compared to a compressor arrangement (1) without an adapter (10) of such acoustic impedance.

3. 3. The compressor arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a length (L) of the adapter inlet duct (27) between the compressor element (9) and the adapter intermediate duct section (29) is smaller than four times the smallest equivalent inner diameter (B) of the adapter inlet duct (27).

4. 4. The compressor arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the maximum equivalent inner diameter (C) of the adapter intermediate duct section (29) is greater than twice the minimum equivalent inner diameter (B) of the adapter inlet duct (27).

5. 5. The compressor arrangement (1) of claim 4, wherein an internal cross-sectional area (33) forms an opening (33) having an equivalent internal diameter (D) that is at least twice the smallest equivalent internal diameter (B) of the adapter inlet duct (27), and wherein a ratio (R) of a distance (E) between this internal cross-sectional area (33) of the adapter intermediate duct section (29) and a distal end (34) of the adapter inlet duct (27) divided by twice the smallest equivalent internal diameter (B) of the adapter inlet duct (27) is less than 1.

6. 6. The compressor arrangement (1) according to any one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the internal cross-sectional area or opening of the adapter intermediate duct section (29) increases monotonically from the adapter inlet duct (27) to a maximum internal cross-sectional area or opening (32) of the adapter intermediate duct section (29).

7. 7. The compressor arrangement (1) according to any one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the internal cross-sectional area or opening of the adapter intermediate duct section (29) monotonically decreases from a maximum internal cross-sectional area or opening (32) of the adapter intermediate duct section (29) towards the adapter outlet duct (28).

8. Compressor arrangement (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adapter intermediate duct section (29) encloses two or more expansion chambers (35, 36).

9. 9. The compressor arrangement (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter inlet duct (27) and / or the adapter outlet duct (28) extend partially into the adapter intermediate duct part (29).

10. 10. The compressor arrangement (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the parts (43) of the adapter inlet duct (27) and / or the adapter outlet duct (28) which extend into the adapter intermediate duct part (29) are perforated.

11. 10. The compressor arrangement (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the adapter inlet duct (27) and / or the adapter outlet duct (28) extend completely through the adapter duct part (29) to interconnect the adapter inlet duct (27) and the adapter outlet duct (28) by means of an internal duct part (43), the internal duct part (43) being at least partially perforated.

12. 12. The compressor arrangement (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the expansion chamber (30, 35, 36, 46) of the adapter intermediate duct section (29) a damping material (45) for damping gas pulsations, such as acoustic foam, steel wool or the like, is provided.

13. The adapter intermediate duct portion (29) has the following features: - said adapter intermediate duct section (29) is implemented as a quarter-wave resonator, - said adapter intermediate duct part (29) is implemented as a Helmholtz resonator; - said adapter intermediate duct section (29) comprises an expansion chamber (30, 35, 36, 46) having a predominantly spherical, hemispherical, conical, cubic, prismatic, cylindrical, rectangular or box shape or having an S-shaped cross section; - the adapter intermediate duct section (29) comprises a pair of expansion chambers (35, 36, 46) spaced apart from each other by an intermediate spacer duct (37); and / or the adapter intermediate duct part (29) comprises a number of expansion chambers (35, 36, 46) arranged symmetrically with respect to or around the adapter inlet duct (27) and / or the adapter outlet duct (28) or arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the direction (YY', ZZ') in which the adapter inlet duct (27) and / or the adapter outlet duct (28) extend or to the direction (AA') in which the adapter intermediate duct part (29) or the intermediate spacer duct (37) extend, A compressor arrangement (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has one or more of these features.

14. 14. The compressor arrangement (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adapter inlet duct (27) or the adapter outlet duct (28) is provided with a flexible coupling (47) or a flexible spacer ring (47).

15. The compressor arrangement (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compressor element (9) is a tooth compressor.

16. The compressor element (9) -has a nominal flow rate in the range of 40 to 140 l / s; and / or -Having a rotor with a nominal rotor speed range of 3000 to 9000 rpm 16. Compressor arrangement (1) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is of a type having one or more of the following nominal operating conditions:

17. 17. A compressor assembly (100) for compressing a fluid (2) comprising a housing (3), a fluid duct (4) for guiding a fluid (2) through a compressor arrangement (1) from a fluid duct inlet (5) to a fluid duct outlet (6), and one or more compressor stages (7, 8) in the fluid duct (4), at least one of the compressor stages (7, 8) being formed by a compressor arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that downstream (in the fluid stream) of each compressor stage (7, 8) a cooler (14, 15) is provided in the fluid duct (4) for cooling the compressed fluid (13).

18. 18. A compressor assembly (100) according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises a low pressure stage (7) and a high pressure stage (8), downstream of the low pressure stage (7) an air-cooled intercooler (14) is provided in the fluid duct (4) and downstream of the high pressure stage (8) an air-cooled aftercooler (15) is provided in the fluid duct (4), the low pressure stage (7) comprising a compressor element (9) and an acoustic impedance adapter (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, and / or the high pressure stage (8) comprising a compressor element (9) and an acoustic impedance adapter (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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