Outer diameter guiding type compressor valve for preventing rotation

Abstract

A valve assembly for a reciprocating gas compressor, comprising a valve seat (310), a guard plate (312) attached to the valve seat, a plurality of elements (702), and a plurality of springs (610). The valve seat defines a plurality of inlet openings (404), each extending through the valve seat along the central longitudinal axis of each inlet opening. The guard plate (312) defines a plurality of element holes (506), each aligned with one of the plurality of inlet openings along the central longitudinal axis. Each element (702) has a first end with a first concave surface (714) and a second end with a second concave surface (712), the first end and the second end cooperating to define a cylindrical surface (706) therebetween, and further including an extension (708) protruding outward from the diameter of the element. Each element (702) is disposed within one of the plurality of element holes (506) and is movable between an open position where the element abuts against the guard plate (312) and a closed position where the element abuts against the valve seat (310).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Gas compressors, particularly reciprocating gas compressors, often include compressor valves to control the flow of compressed gas into the compressor. Due to flow and operational constraints, these compressor valves often include multiple small poppet-type elements (or components) that open and close simultaneously.

[0002] Typically, poppet-type elements used in reciprocating compressor valves have the freedom to rotate about their centerline. However, when the valve closes, the rotating element may come into contact with components of the valve seat, causing excessive wear to the element and other components of the compressor valve, potentially shortening the life of the valve. [Background technology]

[0003] Therefore, the present valve assembly for a reciprocating gas compressor includes a valve seat, a guard plate attached to the valve seat, a plurality of elements, and a plurality of springs (or elastic members). The valve seat defines a plurality of inlet openings each extending through the valve seat along a central longitudinal axis of each inlet opening, with all of the central longitudinal axes extending parallel to one another. The guard plate defines a plurality of element holes, each of which is aligned with one of the plurality of inlet openings along a central longitudinal axis of the inlet openings. The plurality of elements each include: a first end with a first concave surface and a second end with a second concave surface, the first end and the second end cooperatively defining a cylindrical surface therebetween; and and an extension portion projecting outward from the diameter side of the element. In this case, each element is disposed in one of the plurality of element holes and is movable between an open position in which the element abuts against the guard plate and a closed position in which the element abuts against the valve seat. And each of the plurality of springs is disposed within one of the plurality of element holes and within the second concave surface so as to bias the element toward the closed position.

[0004] Hereinafter, in the reference numerals, to facilitate the identification of any particular component or operation, the top digit or digits of the reference numeral correspond to the number of the drawing in which the component is first introduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Figure 10

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a part of a reciprocating gas compressor 100. The reciprocating gas compressor 100 is driven by a prime mover such as an electric motor or another internal combustion engine to generate compressed gas. The reciprocating gas compressor 100 includes one or more casings (or housings) 106, and each casing 106 defines a cylinder 114 for reciprocally supporting a piston 110. The pistons 110 and the casing 106 cooperate to define a compression space 108. As is well known, the volume (or capacity) of the compression space 108 changes with the reciprocating motion of the piston 110, thereby drawing in the gas (or air) to be compressed and compressing the gas.

[0007] The casing 106 is provided with a gas inlet 102 for receiving the supply of the gas to be compressed. Further, the casing 106 is formed with a gas outlet 104 for collecting the compressed gas generated by the reciprocating gas compressor 100. As will be described in detail below, a plurality of valve assemblies (or valve assemblies) 300 for compressors are coupled to the casing 106. These valve assemblies 300 are disposed between the gas inlet 102 and the compression space 108 to control the non-compressed gas flowing into the compression space 108. Similarly, a plurality of discharge valves 112 are provided between the compression space 108 and the gas outlet 104 to control the outflow of the compressed gas.

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a part of a reciprocating compressor 100 including the casing 106 and defining a plurality of inlet / outlet holes (or inlet / outlet bores) 202. One valve assembly 300 for a compressor is attached to each of the four inlet / outlet holes 202, and four discharge valves 112 (not shown) are attached to the remaining four inlet / outlet holes 202. Of course, in other configurations, it is possible to provide a greater or fewer number of valve assemblies 300 for compressors and discharge valves 112 according to a specific design.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows one of the valve assemblies 300 for a compressor illustrated in FIG. 2. Note that all valve assemblies 300 for compressors are substantially identical. The valve assembly 300 for a compressor includes a valve housing 302 that supports the remaining components at desired operating positions therein. The valve assembly 300 for a compressor also includes a flange 304 arranged to facilitate attachment of the valve assembly 300 for a compressor to the casing 106. In the illustrated configuration, the flange 304 includes a plurality of openings to which fasteners for attaching the valve assembly 300 for a compressor to the casing 106 are attached. The valve assembly 300 for a compressor also includes a valve seat (or seat) 310 and a guard plate (or guard plate) 312 disposed at one end of the valve housing 302.

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an assembled compressor valve. At this time, although the guard plate 312 and the valve seat 310 are shown, the remainder of the valve assembly 300 for a compressor is omitted. The valve seat 310 includes a plurality of inlet openings 404, each of which penetrates the valve seat 310. These inlet openings 404 are arranged vertically and horizontally (or in a row and column pattern), but other arrangements are also possible. In the illustrated configuration, 52 inlet openings 404 are used, but in typical applications, 12 or more inlet openings 404 are included. Of course, any suitable number of inlet openings 404 can be used as needed.

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the guard plate 312. In the illustrated embodiment, the guard plate 312 includes a central hole (or bore) 502, a plurality of element holes (or element bores) 506, and a plurality of outlet openings 504. Dowel pins (or alignment pins) are used to ensure alignment between the valve seat 310 and the guard plate 312. An edge (or lip) 510 is included on the outer periphery of the guard plate 312, so that the inner surface of the guard plate 312 is concave from the surface of the edge 510. Therefore, when the valve seat 310 and the guard plate 312 are attached, a flow space (or flow space) 906 (see FIGS. 9A and 9B) exists between the valve seat 310 and the guard plate 312.

[0012] The outlet openings 504 and the element holes 506 are arranged adjacent to each other in a vertical and horizontal (or row and column pattern). In this configuration, each element hole 506 is most closely surrounded by four outlet openings 504. Similarly, each element hole 506 is coaxially aligned with the inlet opening 404 of the valve seat 310, while the outlet openings 504 are arranged parallel to the inlet opening 404, where they are offset from each other or not aligned. Each element hole 506 includes a seat for receiving and accommodating an element (or component) 702 and a spring (or spring) 610 at one end of the element hole 506.

[0013] The guard plate 312 includes guide pins (or guide pins) 508. In the embodiment, the guide pins 508 penetrate the opening of the guard plate 312 and extend into the flow space 906. In the example of FIG. 5, a plurality of guide pins 508 are arranged, and most of them are located between adjacent element holes 506 and between adjacent outlet openings 504. Typically, four guide pins 508 are provided around each element hole 506 to guide the element 702 and prevent the element 702 from rotating.

[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conventional element 602, i.e., the cylindrical poppet-type element described above. The cylindrical element 602 is disposed within the element hole 506 of the guard plate 312 and is operable between a first open position and a second closed position. When the element 602 is in the open position (see FIG. 6), the cylindrical element 602 abuts against the element guard 614, and fluid flow passes through the inlet opening 404 and exits through the outlet opening 504.

[0015] The cylindrical element 602 has a degree of freedom to rotate about its center line and, in the illustrated embodiment, rotates about the central longitudinal axis (or central axis) 604. Since the fluid flow around the element 602 (see the direction of the arrow) is dynamic and unbalanced, an unbalanced force is caused around the outer head of the element 602, causing the rotation of the element. When the compressor valve closes and the rotating cylindrical element 602 abuts against the valve seat 310 at the edge 606 of the seat, wear of the seat may occur. Similarly, when the cylindrical element 602 abuts against the valve seat 310, wear of the element may occur on the sealing surface. Further, when the rotating cylindrical element 602 rotates when the compressor valve opens, wear of the guard may occur. Furthermore, during the opening and closing of the cylindrical element 602, when the rotating element 602 abuts against the spring 610, wear 612 of the spring may occur.

[0016] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate a perspective view of the proposed element 702, which has a cylindrical shape. Figure 7A illustrates the first end face 704 of the element 702. The first end face 704 includes a sealing surface 716, which is disposed around the first end face 704. The sealing surface 716 abuts against the valve seat 310 when the reciprocating compressor 100 closes, forming a seal (or closure) between the inlet opening 404 and the flow space 906. Also, the first end face 704 includes a first concave surface 714 at the central portion of the first end face 704. The first concave surface 714 may be a recessed surface. This recess reduces the height of the pressure dome above the first end face 704 formed by the gas flow interfering with the first end face 704 while the compressor valve is open, thus improving the efficiency of the fluid flow. The relatively low pressure dome height above the first end face 704 allows the gas to flow more freely around the element 702, reducing the pressure loss.

[0017] Furthermore, the element 702 includes a cylindrical surface 706 on the outer diameter side of the cylindrical-shaped element 702. The cylindrical surface 706 includes curved extensions 708 protruding from the cylindrical surface 706. In one embodiment, the curved surfaces 709 included in each extension 708 interact with the guide pins 508 attached to the guard plate 312. When a plurality of extensions 708 are arranged around the cylindrical surface, a pair of them are arranged so as to define an inwardly curved surface (or concave surface) 720 therebetween. The guide pins 508 extending between this pair of extensions 708 interact (or engage) with this pair. The element 702 may include up to four pairs of extensions 708 evenly spaced around the cylindrical surface 706.

[0018] Figure 7B illustrates the second end face 710 of the element 702. The second end face 710 includes an impact surface 718, which contacts the guard plate 312 when the reciprocating gas compressor 100 is opened, forming a reliable stop portion for the element 702. The impact surface 718 is disposed around the second end face 710. The second end face 710 also includes a second concave surface 712, which is provided at the central portion of the second end face 710 and its center is aligned with the center of the second end face 710. The second concave surface 712 may be a sunken surface.

[0019] Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view when the proposed element 702 is in the closed position. Similar to the conventional element 602 described above, the element 702 is disposed within the element hole 506 of the guard plate 312 and is operable between a first open position and a second closed position. When the element 702 is in the closed position, the sealing surface 716 of the element 702 seals (or closes) the valve seat 310 at the edge 606 of the valve seat, so that the fluid flow does not pass through the inlet opening 404. On both sides of the element 702, the guide pins 508 extend through the guard plate 312. The spring 610 is fitted within the second concave surface 712 of the second end face 710, and at this time, the spring 610 is centered. The spring 610 biases the element 702 toward the closed position.

[0020] Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view when the proposed element 702 is in the open position. When the element 702 is in the open position, the element 702 retreats from the edge 606 of the seat portion, compresses the spring 610, and contacts the guard surface 608. Therefore, the fluid flow can flow from the inlet opening 404, pass through the outlet opening 504, and flow into the compression space 108.

[0021] Figures 9A and 9B illustrate cross-sectional views of a valve assembly 300 for a compressor. Figure 9A illustrates a compressor valve having an element 902 in a closed state, where element 702 is in contact with the edge 606 of the valve seat. Figure 9B illustrates a compressor valve having an element 904 in an open state, where element 702 is in contact with the guard surface 608.

[0022] Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of a guard plate 312 to which an element 702 is attached. In this attached state, the rotation of element 702 can be prevented by a guide pin 508. As illustrated in Figure 10, each element 702 has four pairs of extensions 708 protruding from its cylindrical surface, and at this time, four guide pins 508 are provided so as to surround each element 702. Each guide pin 508 extends between a corresponding pair of extensions 708 and prevents the rotation of element 702. However, even when only one pair of extensions 708 is used such that the corresponding guide pin 508 extends between the pair of extensions 708, it is possible to prevent the rotation of element 702.

[0023] During operation, the cylindrical element cooperates with one or more guide pins arranged on the guard plate to guide the cylindrical element between the seat and the guard and prevent the cylindrical element from rotating or spinning around its center line. Compared with the case of the rotating cylindrical element illustrated in Figure 6, the cylindrical element of the present proposal is guided on the outer diameter side by the extension of the head of the element and the corresponding guide pin, so it is not necessary to arrange a stem portion for guiding at the inner part of the element hole of the guard plate. Furthermore, since the cylindrical element does not rotate around its center line, the wear of the above-described element is almost prevented, and the life of the element can be extended.

[0024] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications, substitutions, deformations, and improvements to the present disclosure in a broad manner without departing from the technical idea and scope of the present disclosure.

[0025] None of the descriptions in this application should be read as suggesting that any particular component, step, operation, or function is an essential component to be included in the claims. The scope of the patentable subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. In addition, in the description of the claims, unless the description of "a means for" is strictly accompanied by a participle, it does not assume a means-plus-function claim construction (U.S. patent).

Description of Reference Numerals

[0026] 100 Reciprocating gas compressor (or reciprocating compressor) 106 Casing (or housing) 108 Compression space 110 Piston 112 Discharge valve 114 Cylinder 202 Inlet / Outlet hole (or Inlet / Outlet bore) 300 Valve assembly for compressor (or valve assembly) 302 Valve housing 304 Flange 310 Valve seat (or seat) 312 Guard plate (or guard plate) 404 Inlet opening 502 Central hole (or bore) 504 Outlet opening 506 Element hole (or element bore) 508 Guide pin (or guide pin) 510 Edge (or lip) 602 Element (or component) 604 Central longitudinal axis (or central axis) 610 Spring (or spring) 702 element (or component) 906 flow space

Claims

1. A valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor, comprising a valve seat, a guard plate attached to the valve seat, a plurality of elements, and a plurality of springs, wherein the valve seat defines a plurality of inlet openings, each of the plurality of inlet openings extending through the valve seat along a central longitudinal axis of each inlet opening, and all of the central longitudinal axes extend parallel to each other, the guard plate defines a plurality of element holes, each element hole of the plurality of element holes being aligned with one of the plurality of inlet openings along the central longitudinal axis of the inlet opening, each of the plurality of elements respectively has a first end having a first concave surface and a second end having a second concave surface, the first end and the second end cooperatively defining a cylindrical surface therebetween, and an extension protruding outward from a diameter side of the element, each element is disposed within one of the plurality of element holes and is movable between an open position where the element abuts against the guard plate and a closed position where the element abuts against the valve seat, and each spring of the plurality of springs is disposed within one of the plurality of element holes and within the second concave surface to bias the element toward the closed position, a valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor.

2. Furthermore, it comprises a guide pin fixed to the guard plate, the guide pin extending toward the valve seat along an axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis, the valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 1.

3. Each element further includes a pair of extensions protruding from a diameter side of the element, wherein the guide pin extends between the pair of extensions, and a surface of the element between the pair of extensions is concave with respect to a center line of the element, the valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 2.

4. The guide pin engages with the pair of extensions and a rotation prevention surface of the element, the valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 3.

5. Furthermore, it includes a plurality of pairs of extensions, wherein the number of pairs of the plurality of pairs of extensions is within a range of 2 to 4 pairs, the valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 3.

6. The first concave surface includes a recess centered on a center line of the element, the valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 1.

7. The first concave surface includes a first sealing surface, and the first sealing surface is disposed around an edge of the first concave surface and is arranged to form a seal together with the valve seat. The valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 1.

8. The second concave surface includes a recess centered on the center line of the element, and positions each spring of the plurality of springs. The valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 1.

9. The second concave surface includes a second sealing surface, and the second sealing surface is disposed around an edge of the second concave surface and is arranged to form a reliable stop portion together with the guard plate. The valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 1.

10. The guard plate further defines a plurality of outlet openings, and the plurality of outlet openings are disposed on the guard plate and extend through the guard plate. The valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 1.

11. Each of the plurality of inlet openings is disposed adjacent to any one of the plurality of outlet openings. At this time, in the open position, each inlet opening communicates with any one of the plurality of outlet openings. The valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 10.

12. The plurality of element holes are arranged vertically and horizontally. The valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 11.

13. Each element hole of the plurality of element holes includes at least two adjacent outlet openings. The valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 12.

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