External diameter guide 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] In gas compressors, particularly reciprocating gas compressors, compressor valves are often provided to control the flow of the gas being compressed into the compressor. Due to the flow and operational constraints, these compressor valves often include a plurality of small poppet - type elements (or components) that open and close simultaneously.

[0002] Typically, the poppet - type elements applied to reciprocating compressor valves have freedom of rotation about their centerlines. However, when the valve closes, when the rotating element abuts against the components of the valve seat of the valve, excessive wear may be caused to the element and other components of the compressor valve, which may reduce the life of the valve.

Background Art

[0003] Therefore, the valve assembly for this 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, and each of the plurality of inlet openings extends through the valve seat along the central longitudinal axis of each inlet opening, and at this time, all the central longitudinal axes extend parallel to each other. The guard plate defines a plurality of element holes, and each element hole of the plurality of element holes is aligned with one of the plurality of inlet openings along the central longitudinal axis of the inlet opening. The plurality of elements each has a first end with a first concave surface and a second end with a second concave surface, and the first end and the second end cooperate to define a cylindrical surface therebetween, and further includes an extension protruding outward from the diameter side of the element. At this time, each element is arranged 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. Each of the multiple springs is positioned within one of the element holes and within a second concave surface to bias the element toward the closed position.

[0004] In the following reference numbers, to facilitate the identification of any particular component or operation, the leading digit or set of digits in the reference number corresponds to the drawing number in which that component is first introduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0005] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a reciprocating gas compressor. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the reciprocating gas compressor shown in Figure 1, and illustrates the position of the valve assembly for the compressor. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the valve assembly for the compressor shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the valve for the compressor shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view of the guard plate with guide pins attached. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional element. [Figure 7A] Figure 7A is a perspective view of the surface of a cylindrical element. [Figure 7B] Figure 7B is a perspective view of a further surface of the cylindrical element. [Figure 8A] Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical element positioned within an element hole when it is in the closed position. [Figure 8B] Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical element positioned within an element hole when it is in the open position. [Figure 9A] Figure 9A is a cross-sectional view passing through the center of the compressor valve when the cylindrical element is in the closed position. [Figure 9B] Figure 9B is a cross-sectional view passing through the center of the compressor valve when the cylindrical element is in the open position. [Figure 10]Figure 10 is a plan view of a guard plate to which cylindrical elements are attached. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0006] Figure 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 produce compressed gas. The reciprocating gas compressor 100 includes one or more casings (or housings) 106, each casing 106 defining a cylinder 114 for supporting a piston 110 in a reciprocating motion. These pistons 110 and casings 106 work together to define a compression space 108. As is well known, the capacity (or volume) of the compression space 108 changes with the reciprocating motion of the pistons 110, thereby drawing in and compressing the gas (or substance) to be compressed.

[0007] The casing 106 is provided with a gas inlet 102 for receiving the supply of gas to be compressed. The casing 106 also has a gas outlet 104 for collecting the compressed gas generated by the reciprocating gas compressor 100. As will be detailed below, several valve assemblies 300 for the compressors are coupled to the casing 106. These valve assemblies 300 are positioned between the gas inlet 102 and the compression space 108 to control the flow of uncompressed gas into the compression space 108. Similarly, several discharge valves 112 are provided between the compression space 108 and the gas outlet 104 to control the outflow of compressed gas.

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

[0009] Figure 3 shows one of the compressor valve assemblies 300 illustrated in Figure 2. All compressor valve assemblies 300 are substantially identical. The compressor valve assembly 300 includes a valve housing 302, which supports the remaining components in the desired operating position. The compressor valve assembly 300 also includes a flange 304 positioned to facilitate mounting the compressor valve assembly 300 to the casing 106. In the illustrated configuration, the flange 304 includes multiple openings to which fasteners for mounting the compressor valve assembly 300 to the casing 106 are attached. The compressor valve assembly 300 also includes a valve seat (or seat) 310 and a guard plate (or guard plate) 312 located at one end of the valve housing 302.

[0010] Figure 4 illustrates an assembled compressor valve, where the guard plate 312 and valve seat 310 are shown, but the rest of the compressor valve assembly 300 is omitted. The valve seat 310 includes multiple inlet openings 404, each of which penetrates the valve seat 310. These inlet openings 404 are arranged vertically and horizontally (or in rows and columns), 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 appropriate number of inlet openings 404 can be used as needed.

[0011] Figure 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 nails) are used to ensure alignment between the valve seat 310 and the guard plate 312. The outer circumference of the guard plate 312 includes an edge (or lip) 510, 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 installed, a flow space (or flow space) 906 (see Figures 9A and 9B) exists between the valve seat 310 and the guard plate 312.

[0012] The outlet openings 504 and element holes 506 are arranged adjacent to each other in a vertical and horizontal (or row and column) manner. 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, in which case they are offset from each other or not aligned. Each element hole 506 includes a seat at one end for receiving and housing an element (or component) 702 and a spring (or spring) 610.

[0013] The guard plate 312 includes guide pins 508, which, in this embodiment, extend through an opening in the guard plate 312 into the flow space 906. In the example in Figure 5, multiple guide pins 508 are arranged, most of which 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 it from rotating.

[0014] Figure 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 positioned within the element hole 506 of the guard plate 312 and is movable between a first open position and a second closed position. When the element 602 is in the open position (see Figure 6), the cylindrical element 602 contacts the element guard 614, and the fluid flow passes through the inlet opening 404 and flows out from the outlet opening 504.

[0015] The cylindrical element 602 has a degree of freedom to rotate about its centerline, and in the illustrated embodiment, it rotates about the central longitudinal axis (or central axis) 604. Because the fluid flow around the element 602 (see the direction of the arrow) is dynamic and unbalanced, an unbalanced force is generated around the external head of the element 602, causing the element to rotate. When the compressor valve closes, if the rotating cylindrical element 602 comes into contact with the valve seat 310 at the edge of the seat 606, wear of the seat may occur. Similarly, if the cylindrical element 602 comes into contact with the valve seat 310, wear of the element may occur at the sealing surface. Also, if the rotating cylindrical element 602 rotates when the compressor valve opens, wear of the guard may occur. Furthermore, if the rotating element 602 and the spring 610 come into contact during the opening and closing of the cylindrical element 602, wear of the spring 612 may occur.

[0016] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate a perspective view of the proposed element 702, which has a cylindrical shape. In Figure 7A, a first end face 704 of the element 702 is illustrated. 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. Further, 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 pressure dome height above the first end face 704 formed by the gas flow obstructing 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 element 702. The second end face 710 includes an impact surface 718, which abuts against 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. Also, the second end face 710 includes a second concave surface 712, which is provided at the central portion of the second end face 710 and whose 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 seal 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 fits within the second concave surface 712 of the second end face 710, with the spring 610 centered. The spring 610 biases the element 702 towards 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, compresses the spring 610, and abuts against the guard surface 608. As a result, 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 with element 902 in a closed state, in which the element 702 is in contact with the edge 606 of the valve seat. Figure 9B illustrates a compressor valve with element 904 in an open state, in which the element 702 is in contact with the guard surface 608.

[0022] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a guard plate 312 with elements 702 attached. In this attached state, the guide pins 508 prevent the elements 702 from rotating. As illustrated in Figure 10, each element 702 has four pairs of extensions 708 that protrude from its cylindrical surface, and four guide pins 508 are provided to surround each element 702. Each guide pin 508 extends between the corresponding pair of extensions 708, preventing the element 702 from rotating. However, even if only one pair of extensions 708 is used, it is still possible to prevent the element 702 from rotating, so that the corresponding guide pins 508 extend between the pair of extensions 708.

[0023] During operation, the cylindrical element works in cooperation with one or more guide pins positioned on the guard plate to guide the cylindrical element between the seat and the guard, while preventing the cylindrical element from rotating or spinning around its centerline. Compared to the rotating cylindrical element illustrated in Figure 6, the proposed cylindrical element is guided on its outer diameter side by the extension of the element's head and the corresponding guide pin, thus eliminating the need to position a stem portion for guidance deep inside the element hole in the guard plate. Furthermore, since the cylindrical element does not rotate around its centerline, the aforementioned wear on the element is almost completely prevented, extending the element's lifespan.

[0024] While 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, alterations, and improvements to the present disclosure in a wide range of embodiments without departing from the technical concept and scope of the present disclosure.

[0025] Nothing in the description of 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 solely by the permitted claims. Furthermore, none of the claims assume a means-plus-function claim structure (U.S. patent) unless the phrase "a means for..." is strictly accompanied by a participle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 100 Reciprocating gas compressor (or reciprocating compressor) 106 Casing (or enclosure) 108 Compressed Space 110 Pistons 112 Discharge valve 114 Cylinder 202 Inlet / Outlet Hole (or Inlet / Outlet Bore) 300 Valve assembly (or valve assembly) for compressor 302 Valve Housing 304 Flange 310 Valve seat (or seat) 312 Guard plate (or guard board) 404 Inlet opening 502 Central hole (or bore) 504 Exit opening 506 Element hole (or element bore) 508 Guide pin (or guide pin) 510 Edge (or lip) 602 Elements (or components) 604 Central longitudinal axis (or central axis) 610 Spring (or spring) 702 Elements (or components) 906 Flow space (or 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, The valve seat defines a plurality of inlet openings, each of which extends through the valve seat along its central longitudinal axis, and in this case, all of the central longitudinal axes extend parallel to each other. The guard plate defines a plurality of element holes, and each of the plurality of element holes is aligned with one of the plurality of inlet openings along the central longitudinal axis of the inlet opening. Each of the aforementioned multiple elements is: It has a first end with a first concave surface and a second end with a second concave surface, and the first end and the second end cooperate to define a cylindrical surface between them, The element includes an extension that protrudes outward from the diameter side, Each of the elements is positioned within one of the plurality of element holes, and is movable between an open position in which the element abuts the guard plate and a closed position in which the element abuts the valve seat, Each of the plurality of springs is positioned in one of the plurality of element holes and in the second concave surface, biasing the element toward the closed position. Furthermore, the guard plate is equipped with a guide pin, the guide pin extending toward the valve seat along an axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis, Each of the elements further includes a pair of extensions protruding from the diameter side of the element, wherein the guide pin extends between the pair of extensions, and the surface of the element between the pair of extensions is concave with respect to the center line of the element. Valve assembly for reciprocating compressor.

2. The valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 1, wherein the guide pin engages with the pair of extensions and a surface that prevents rotation of the element.

3. Furthermore, the valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pairs of extensions, wherein the number of pairs of extensions is in the range of two to four pairs.

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

5. The valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 1, wherein a first sealing surface is disposed at the first end having the first concave surface, and the first sealing surface is disposed around the edge of the first concave surface so as to form a seal together with the valve seat.

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

7. The valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 1, wherein a second sealing surface is disposed at the second end having the second concave surface, and the second sealing surface is disposed around the edge of the second concave surface so as to form a reliable stopping portion together with the guard plate.

8. The valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the guard plate further defines a plurality of outlet openings, the plurality of outlet openings are arranged on the guard plate and extend through the guard plate.

9. The valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of inlet openings is arranged adjacent to one of the plurality of outlet openings, and in the open position, each of the inlet openings flows through to one of the plurality of outlet openings.

10. The valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of outlet openings and the plurality of element holes are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical and horizontal directions on the guard plate.

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