Apparatus for compressing gas and method of assembling such apparatus

Abstract

A device for compressing gas comprising a first element (3a) and a second element (3b), the device (1) comprising a cooler (8) for the compressed gas and oil reservoirs (6a, 6b) for each element (3a, 3b), an independent drive (4a, 4b) is provided for each element (3a, 3b), each element (3a, 3b) and the corresponding drive (4a, 4b) are arranged tandemly, the axial directions (X-X', Y-Y') of both elements (3a, 3b) running parallel to each other, when the device (1) is placed on a base (7): - an oil reservoir (6a, 6b) is arranged between the drive (4a, 4b) and the base (7); said cooler (8) being arranged between the elements (3a, 3b) and the base (7); The cooler (8) is disposed adjacent to the oil reservoirs (6a, 6b) and has an axial direction (Z-Z') extending transversely to the axial directions (X-X', Y-Y').

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for compressing gas.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus having a first element for compressing a gas and a second element for compressing a gas. [Background technology]

[0003] In the context of the present invention, "devices for compressing gas" can be understood to mean compressor devices, blower devices as well as vacuum pump devices.

[0004] Thus, in the context of the present invention, "elements for compressing gas" can be understood to mean compressor elements, blower elements, vacuum pump elements.

[0005] Conventionally, such compressor units have one common drive for both compressor elements.

[0006] The compressor unit also includes one or more coolers for cooling the gas compressed by the compressor elements, and an oil reservoir for containing oil for lubricating the gears and bearings of the compressor unit.

[0007] Such known compressor devices suffer from the drawback of having a large footprint, i.e., the surface area or space occupied by the compressor device, which is often too large for certain applications.

[0008] In most cases, it is almost always advantageous to achieve the smallest possible footprint.

[0009] A further drawback is that known compressor systems do not allow for easy interchange between water-cooled and air-cooled chillers, meaning that if an interchange between water-cooled and air-cooled chillers is required, the entire system must be refurbished. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a solution to at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks and other drawbacks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention relates to a device for compressing gas, comprising a first element for compressing gas and a second element for compressing gas, the device further comprising a drive for the elements, a cooler for the compressed gas, and an oil reservoir for each element, i.e. a first oil reservoir for the first element and a second oil reservoir for the second element, and an independent drive for each element, i.e. a first drive for the first element and a second drive for the second element, is provided, and when viewed in the axial direction of the elements, each element and its corresponding drive are arranged tandem, the axial directions of both elements extending parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, and the elements and the drive are adjacent to each other, and when the device is placed on a base, each oil reservoir is arranged between one or more of the drive devices or elements, on the one hand, and the base, on the other hand; the cooler is arranged between one or more of the elements or drives, on the one hand, and the base, on the other hand; The cooler is positioned adjacent the oil reservoir relative to the base and has an axis extending transverse to the axis of the element.

[0012] The advantage is that by providing independent drives a modular system is obtained.

[0013] Ultimately, each pressure stage has its own axis or line made up of drivers and elements, as well as its own oil reservoir.

[0014] If a power transmission is present, it will be included in the above-mentioned axis or line between the relevant element and the corresponding drive.

[0015] This modularity provides many advantages in the design of the system, allowing one pressure stage to be easily replaced with another.

[0016] It is also possible to switch between air and water chillers without adjusting the rest of the equipment.

[0017] Furthermore, another advantage of this particular configuration is that the device has a very compact footprint.

[0018] After all, removing the cooler from this module allows certain configurations such as those described above, without compromising the compactness of the device.

[0019] In other words, the present invention makes it possible to achieve as much modularity as possible without sacrificing the compactness of the device.

[0020] The device has a small volume because the oil reservoir and cooler can be used to support the drive and elements.

[0021] This is the result of and is made possible by providing a partially independent drive system and not providing an independent cooling system, in other words not integrating the cooling system into the module.

[0022] A further advantage is that most of the parts of the device are easily accessible due to this particular arrangement, even though the device is very compact.

[0023] This allows for easier maintenance and repair.

[0024] The compressor elements can be arranged in parallel gas flow or in series gas flow, in which case a two-stage system is realized, with the first element forming the low pressure stage element and the second element forming the high pressure stage element.

[0025] In the latter case, the cooler preferably comprises an intercooler and an aftercooler.

[0026] Here, both coolers have an axis extending transverse to the axis of the compressor element, one or both coolers having the function of supporting the drive and the element.

[0027] However, according to the invention, an aftercooler is not required, in which case the cooler may comprise only an intercooler.

[0028] An additional benefit of two independent oil reservoirs is that if one of the modules or stages fails and causes oil contamination, it will not cause contamination or problems for the other modules or stages.

[0029] The present invention also relates to a method for assembling a device for compressing gas, comprising: - providing a first element for compressing a gas and a second element for compressing a gas; - providing a drive for the element; providing a cooler for the compressed gas; - providing an oil reservoir for each element, i.e. a first oil reservoir for the first element and a second oil reservoir for the second element; and the method further comprises: - providing an independent drive for each element, i.e. a first drive for the first element and a second drive for the second element; - arranging each element and its corresponding drive device vertically, as viewed in the axial direction of the element, the axes of the elements extending parallel to and spaced apart from each other, so that the element and the drive device are adjacent; - Arranging the device on a base, wherein each oil reservoir is arranged between one or more of the drive devices or elements on the one hand and the base on the other hand, and a cooler is arranged between one or more of the elements or drive devices on the one hand and the base on the other hand, the cooler being arranged adjacent to the oil reservoir with respect to the base, and the axial direction of the cooler extending transversely to the axial direction of the elements.

[0030] In order to better illustrate the features of the present invention, some preferred embodiments of the device and method according to the invention will now be described, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a two-stage compressor arrangement according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 shows a side view of the two-stage compressor arrangement of FIG. 1 taken along arrow F2. [Figure 3] 1. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the two-stage compressor arrangement of FIG. 1 taken along arrow F3. [Figure 4] 1. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the two-stage compressor arrangement of FIG. 1 taken along arrow F4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] 1 to 4 is a compressor system 1, more specifically a so-called two-stage compressor system 1, which, as is well known, comprises a low-pressure stage 2a and a high-pressure stage 2b. Each stage 2a, 2b comprises compressor elements 3a, 3b arranged in series, namely a low-pressure stage compressor element 3a and a high-pressure stage compressor element 3b.

[0033] It is also possible for both compressor elements to be arranged in parallel, in which case they are no longer referred to as low-pressure stage 2a and high-pressure stage 2b, but as first compressor element 3a and second compressor element 3b, e.g. as "first" stage or "first" module and "second" stage or "second" module.

[0034] The low-pressure stage 2a includes a low-pressure stage compressor element 3a. In this case, the low-pressure stage compressor element 3a is an oil-free compressor element.

[0035] In accordance with the present invention, this low pressure stage compressor element 3a is driven by an independent drive, namely low pressure stage drive 4a.

[0036] The low-pressure stage compressor element 3a and the low-pressure stage driver 4a are arranged vertically side by side when viewed in the axial direction XX' of the low-pressure stage compressor element 3a.

[0037] In this case, although not essential to the invention, the low-pressure stage 2a is equipped with a power transmission device 5a.

[0038] The power transmission device 5a is arranged between the compressor element 3a of the low pressure stage 2a and the drive device 4a.

[0039] Similarly, the high-pressure stage 2b is composed of a high-pressure stage compressor element 3b, which is an oil-free compressor element and is driven by a high-pressure stage drive device 4b, which is an independent drive device.

[0040] The compressor element 3b and the driver 4b are similarly arranged vertically with respect to the high pressure stage 2b when viewed in the axial direction YY' of the high pressure stage compressor element 3b.

[0041] For example, both the low voltage stage driver 4a and the high voltage stage driver 4b are electric motors.

[0042] It is clear that both the low voltage stage driver 4a and the high voltage stage driver 4b can be motors of different types.

[0043] Furthermore, the high pressure stage 2b comprises a power transmission device 5b arranged between the drive device 4b and the compressor element 3b of the high pressure stage 2b.

[0044] This power transmission device 5b is separate and distinct from the power transmission device 5a of the low-pressure stage 2a.

[0045] However, it is also possible to have one common power transmission.

[0046] The specific embodiment of the transmission 5a, 5b can be realized in various ways, for example the transmission 5a, 5b can simply comprise a gear set.

[0047] Of course, as in the illustrated example, the power transmission devices 5a, 5b may also be provided with a transmission.

[0048] In the most preferred embodiment of the power transmission device 5a, 5b, the transmission comprises a housing, at least one driven gear attached to a driven shaft, and a drive gear attached to a drive shaft, the housing comprising two separate chambers, a first chamber and a second chamber, connected to the driven shaft, wherein the first chamber is connected to the second chamber via a flow passage and the second chamber is formed around the drive gear or the driven gear, the shape of the second chamber being such that upon rotation of the respective gear a gas flow is generated around this gear, and the gas flow causes an underpressure relative to the pressure in the second chamber due to the Venturi effect in the flow passage.

[0049] The transmission ratio of these transmissions 5a, 5b is generally between 2 and 6.

[0050] As a result, each pressure stage 2a, 2b has its own axis or line including the drive 4a, 4b, the transmission 5a, 5b and the compressor element 3a, 3b, which axis or line coincides with the above-mentioned axial direction X-X' or Y-Y', respectively.

[0051] According to the invention, as can be seen from the figures, the axial directions X-X', Y-Y' of both compressor elements 3a, 3b extend parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, so that the compressor elements 3a, 3b and the drivers 4a, 4b are adjacent to each other.

[0052] Furthermore, the two-stage compressor device 1 includes two oil reservoirs 6a, 6b, namely a low-pressure stage oil reservoir 6a and a high-pressure stage oil reservoir 6b.

[0053] According to the present invention, as can be seen from the figure, each oil reservoir 6a, 6b is arranged between the respective drive unit 4a, 4b and the base 7 when the two-stage compressor unit 1 is arranged on the base 7.

[0054] The oil reservoirs 6a and 6b are located below the drive units 4a and 4b, and in a sense support the drive units 4a and 4b.

[0055] In the example shown, the oil reservoirs 6a, 6b also support the drivetrains 5a, 5b.

[0056] This location is advantageous because the oil in the oil reservoirs 6a, 6b will be used to lubricate and / or cool the drives 4a, 4b, lubricate the gears in the transmissions 5a, 5b, and also lubricate certain components of the compressor elements 3a, 3b, such as bearings. If the compressor elements 3a, 3b are oil-injected, oil from the oil reservoirs 6a, 6b can also be used to inject the compressor elements 3a, 3b.

[0057] Finally, the two-stage compressor unit 1 comprises a cooler 8 for cooling the compressed gas.

[0058] In this case, although it is not necessarily required to follow the present invention, the cooler 8 includes an intercooler 8′ and an aftercooler 8″, the intercooler 8′ cools the compressed gas generated from the low-pressure stage compressor element 3a before it is sent to the high-pressure stage compressor element 3b, and the aftercooler 8″ cools the compressed gas generated from the high-pressure stage compressor element 3b.

[0059] In this case, both the intercooler 8' and the aftercooler 8'' are water-cooled air coolers.

[0060] In this case, the cooler 8 comprises a composite housing 9, the housing 9 of the intercooler 8′ being attached to the housing 9 of the aftercooler 8″, for example by means of bolts. It is not excluded that the cooler 8 comprises one housing 9 in which both the intercooler 8′ and the aftercooler 8″ are arranged.

[0061] The intercooler 8′ and the aftercooler 8″ can also be air-cooled air coolers. In this case, the intercooler 8′ no longer functions as a cooler but as a damper or silencer. A sound-deadening mousse or foam can be placed in the housing 9 of the air-cooled cooler 8, and the housing 9 functions as a sound-deadening damper or silencer, so that a separate silencer does not need to be provided. In this case, an air-cooled cooler that is placed outside the compressor device 1 configuration can also be used.

[0062] The cooler 8 described above may also comprise only an intercooler 8'.

[0063] According to the invention, the above-mentioned coolers 8, namely the intercooler 8' and the aftercooler 8'', are arranged between the compressor elements 3a, 3b on the one hand and the base 7 on the other hand.

[0064] The cooler 8 is located below the compressor elements 3a, 3b and in this configuration supports one side of the oil reservoirs 6a, 6b. The compressor elements 3a, 3b are coupled to or suspended from the power transmissions 5a, 5b, which in turn rest on the oil reservoirs 6a, 6b.

[0065] The cooler 8 is arranged adjacent to the oil reservoirs 6a, 6b, and its axial direction Z-Z' extends transversely to the axial directions X-X', Y-Y' of the compressor elements 3a, 3b or to the corresponding unique axis or line of each pressure stage 2a, 2b.

[0066] This particular orientation of all components of the two-stage compressor device 1 results in a very compact machine, yet the various components are easily accessible for repair or maintenance.

[0067] Additionally, in this embodiment, a plurality of supports 10 are provided, which allow the two-stage compressor device 1 to rest on a base 7 .

[0068] Firstly, the coolers 8, ie the aftercooler 8'' and the intercooler 8', comprise two supports 10'.

[0069] As can be seen, the two stage compressor unit 1 is supported on a base 7 therewith.

[0070] However, the number of supports 10' is not limiting in the present invention, i.e. it is not excluded that the cooler 8 comprises one or more supports 10'.

[0071] Also, these embodiments of the support 10' can be realized in various ways.

[0072] Secondly, the oil reservoirs 6a, 6b are provided with one common support 10''. Both oil reservoirs 6a, 6b are fixed or mounted on one support 10''.

[0073] It is clear that each oil reservoir 6a, 6b can also be provided with a separate support 10''.

[0074] As mentioned above, this particular arrangement ensures that the two-stage compressor arrangement 1 is of very compact design.

[0075] Additionally, the low pressure stage 2a and high pressure stage 2b are highly modular and easily replaceable, as each stage has its own drive, power transmission, oil reservoir, and compressor elements.

[0076] Finally, in the example shown, each oil reservoir 6a, 6b is provided with an oil pump 11a, 11b, namely a low-pressure oil pump 11a for the low-pressure oil reservoir 6a and a high-pressure oil pump 11b for the low-pressure oil reservoir 6b.

[0077] The oil pumps 11a and 11b circulate oil from the oil reservoirs 6a and 6b within the compressor device 1.

[0078] Each oil pump 11a, 11b is driven by a respective drive unit 4a, 4b; in other words, the low-pressure oil pump 11a is driven by the low-pressure drive unit 4a, and the high-pressure oil pump 11b is driven by the high-pressure drive unit 4b.

[0079] For this purpose, both oil pumps 11a, 11b are mounted on the shafts of the respective drive units 4a, 4b.

[0080] The operation of the two-stage compressor device 1 is very simple and well known.

[0081] The two-stage compressor device 1 compresses gas in two stages or stages. In the first stage, low pressure stage 2a, the gas is first compressed by low pressure stage compressor element 3a.

[0082] This gas is cooled in an intercooler 8' and then sent to the second, high pressure stage 2b.

[0083] There, high pressure stage compressor element 3b will compress the gas a second time.

[0084] The gas will then be cooled in an aftercooler 8 ″ before exiting the two-stage compressor unit 1 .

[0085] In operation, the drives 4a, 4b and transmissions 5a, 5b will be lubricated using oil from oil reservoirs 6a, 6b.

[0086] It is not excluded that oil from the oil reservoirs 6a, 6b is also used to lubricate certain components of the compressor elements 3a, 3b, such as for example bearings.

[0087] In the embodiment shown and described above, the cooler 8 is arranged below the compressor elements 3a, 3b and the oil reservoirs 6a, 6b are arranged below the drives 4a, 4b, but it is not excluded to interchange them, which means that the cooler 8 supports the drives 4a, 4b.

[0088] In the illustrated and described embodiments, there are always two stages, but it is not excluded that there may be more than two stages. In fact, the compressor arrangement may comprise three pressure stages, including three compressor elements connected in series or parallel, and three associated oil reservoirs, drives and transmissions.

[0089] In the illustrated and described embodiments, compressor elements are always mentioned, but it cannot be excluded that the elements are blower elements or vacuum pump elements.

[0090] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described and shown, and the device and method according to the invention can be realized in any variant without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for compressing a gas, comprising a first element (3a) for compressing a gas and a second element (3b) for compressing a gas, The device (1) further comprises drives (4a, 4b) for the elements (3a, 3b), a cooler (8) for the compressed gas, and oil reservoirs (6a, 6b) for each of the elements, i.e. a first oil reservoir (6a) for the first element (3a) and a second oil reservoir (6b) for the second element (3b), an independent drive (4a, 4b) for each of said elements (3a, 3b), i.e. a first drive (4a) for said first element (3a) and a second drive (4b) for said second element (3b), When viewed in the axial directions (X-X', Y-Y') of the elements (3a, 3b), each of the elements (3a, 3b) and the corresponding drive devices (4a, 4b) are arranged vertically next to each other, and the axial directions (X-X', Y-Y') of both the elements (3a, 3b) extend parallel to each other and at a distance from each other, and the elements (3a, 3b) and the drive devices (4a, 4b) are adjacent to each other, and when the device (1) is arranged on a base (7), each of said oil reservoirs (6a, 6b) is arranged between, on the one hand, said drive (4a, 4b) or one or more of said elements (3a, 3b) and, on the other hand, said base (7); - said cooler (8) is arranged between one or more of said elements (3a, 3b) or said drive devices (4a, 4b), on the one hand, and said base (7), on the other hand; The cooler (8) is arranged adjacent to the oil reservoir (6a, 6b) with respect to the base (7), and an axial direction (Z-Z') extends transverse to the axial directions (X-X', Y-Y') of the elements (3a, 3b).

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first element (3a) and the second element (3b) have parallel gas flows.

3. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first element (3a) and the second element (3b) are arranged such that gas flows through them in series, the first element (3a) forming a low-pressure stage element (3a) and the second element (3b) forming a high-pressure stage element (3b).

4. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cooler (8) comprises an intercooler (8') and an aftercooler (8").

5. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cooler (8) comprises a composite housing (9), and the housing of the intercooler (8') is attached to the housing of the aftercooler (8").

6. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein an independent power transmission device (5a, 5b) is arranged between each of the elements (3a, 3b) and each of the corresponding drives (4a, 4b), i.e. a first power transmission device (5a) between the first element (3a) and the first drive device (4a) and a second power transmission device (5b) between the second element (3b) and the second drive device (4b).

7. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a common power transmission is arranged between said elements (3a, 3b) and said drives (4a, 4b).

8. 8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein one or more of the power transmission devices (5a, 5b) comprise a gear set.

9. 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the one or more power transmission devices (5a, 5b) comprise a transmission.

10. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the transmission comprises a housing, at least one driven gear attached to a driven shaft, and a drive gear attached to a drive shaft, the housing including two independent chambers, a first chamber and a second chamber, connected to the driven shaft, the first chamber being connected to the second chamber via a flow passage, the second chamber being formed around the drive gear or the driven gear, the shape of the second chamber being such that upon rotation of the respective gear, a gas flow is generated around the gear, and the gas flow causes an underpressure relative to the pressure in the second chamber due to a Venturi effect in the flow passage.

11. 8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the transmission ratio of the power transmission device (5a, 5b) is between 2 and 6.

12. 6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooler (8) comprises one or more supports (10') on which the device (1) can rest on the base (7).

13. 6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the oil reservoirs (6a, 6b) comprise a common support (10") on which the device (1) can rest on the base (7).

14. 6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first element (3a) and the second element (3b) are oil-free elements.

15. 6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cooler (8) is a water-cooled air cooler.

16. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of the oil reservoirs (6a, 6b) comprises an oil pump (11a, 11b, respectively), the oil pump (11a, 11b, respectively) being driven by each of the drive devices (4a, 4b, respectively).

17. 1. A method of assembling an apparatus for compressing gas, comprising: - providing a first element (3a) for compressing a gas and a second element (3b) for compressing a gas; - providing drives (4a, 4b) for said elements (3a, 3b); - providing a cooler (8) for the compressed gas; - providing an oil reservoir (6a, 6b) for each of said elements (3a, 3b), i.e. a first oil reservoir (6a) for said first element (3a) and a second oil reservoir (6b) for said second element (3b); and the method further comprises: - providing an independent drive (4a, 4b) for each of said elements (3a, 3b), i.e. a first drive (4a) for said first element (3a) and a second drive (4b) for said second element (3b); - arranging each of said elements (3a, 3b) and the corresponding drive device (4a, 4b) vertically next to each other, as viewed in the axial direction (X-X', Y-Y') of said elements (3a, 3b), said axial directions (X-X', Y-Y') of both said elements (3a, 3b) extending parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, so that said elements (3a, 3b) and said drive devices (4a, 4b) are adjacent to each other; - placing the device (1) on a base (7), each of the oil reservoirs (6a, 6b) being arranged between one or more of the drive devices (4a, 4b) or one or more of the elements (3a, 3b) on the one hand and the base (7) on the other hand, and the cooler (8) being arranged between one or more of the elements (3a, 3b) or one or more of the drive devices (4a, 4b) on the one hand and the base (7) on the other hand, the cooler (8) being arranged adjacent to the oil reservoirs (6a, 6b) with respect to the base (7), the axial direction (Z-Z') of the cooler (8) extending transversely to the axial directions (X-X', Y-Y') of the elements (3a, 3b); A method comprising:

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