Compressor housing

Abstract

The invention relates to a compressor housing and in particular relates to a compressor housing optimized for lubricant handling. Disclosed is a compressor housing (1) comprising a shell (2), configured to enclose an inner space (4) against an outer environmental space (6), the inner space (4) being configured to contain mechanical means (8) that provide a capability to compress a working fluid, and to contain a lubricant (10) required for lubricating at least a part of the mechanical means (8) during operation, wherein the shell (2) comprises a lubricant level indication cavity (12) that is exposed to the outer environmental space (6) with respect to the shell (2) and is in communication with the inner space (4) in a manner that the lubricant (10) within the lubricant level indication cavity (12) is in communication with the lubricant (10) within the inner space (4) and is capable to adopt a vertical level corresponding to a vertical level of the lubricant (10) within the inner space (4), and the compressor housing (1) further comprises a display housing member (22) attached to the shell (2) in a manner encapsulating the lubricant level indication cavity (12) in the lubricant-tight manner against the outer environmental space (6), wherein the display housing member (22) is configured to indicate a vertical lubricant level within the lubricant level indication cavity (12) to the outer environmental space (6). (Figure 3)

Description

[0001] 2024PF00328 2024-11-25

[0002] 1

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Compressor housing

[0005] The invention relates to a compressor housing and in particular relates to a compressor housing optimized for lubricant handling.

[0006] In the related art, compressors comprise a compressor housing, usually made of materials and in shapes resistant to the produced pressures, in particular made from cast iron or cast aluminum, as in particular shown in Fig. 1. The mechanical members within the compressor housing usually require lubrication during operation, e.g. by a machine oil. During continued operation, lubricant levels within the compressor housing may drop over time and may finally drop below an intended minimum lubricant level, causing insufficient lubrication and possibly destruction of the mechanical members. During operation, the lubricant level cannot be observed, and thus, maintenance has to be provided in intervals based on experience and not based on actual necessity, leading to an application of more maintenance work than necessary with all involved detriments like increased down times of the compressor. Further, during maintenance, deficient lubricant needs to be replaced, either by complete replacement of the lubricant or by adding lubricant. With that, an intended maximum lubricant level must not be exceeded, since also excessive lubricant may lead to damaged mechanical components. To prevent excess lubricant levels, in conventional compressors, the infill process has to be interrupted and the lubricant level has to be determined by means like an oil dip-stick, for as many times as when the correct lubricant level is reached, rendering the maintenance procedure tedious.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the related art and to provide a compressor housing allowing observation of lubricant levels during operation and to facilitate the maintenance procedure.

[0008] The object is solved by means of the subject-matter of the independent claims. Further developments are subject-matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] Disclosed is a compressor housing comprising a shell, configured to enclose an inner space against an outer environmental space, the inner space being configured to 2024PF00328

[0010] 2 contain mechanical means that provide the capability to compress a working fluid, and to contain a lubricant required for lubricating at least a part of the mechanical means during operation, wherein the shell comprises a lubricant level indication cavity that is exposed to the outer environmental space with respect to the shell and is in communication with the inner space in a manner that a lubricant within the lubricant level indication cavity is in communication with a lubricant within the inner space and is capable to adopt a vertical level corresponding to a vertical level of the lubricant within the inner space, and the compressor housing further comprises a display housing member attached to the shell in a manner encapsulating the lubricant level indication cavity in a lubricant-tight manner against the outer environmental space, wherein the display housing member is configured to indicate a vertical lubricant level within the lubricant level indication cavity to the outer environmental space.

[0011] Advantageously, the lubricant level indication cavity is located and has a vertical expansion such that it vertically spans at least a subset of and preferably all vertical lubricant levels admissible or necessary for operation of the mechanical means.

[0012] Advantageously, the display housing member is a transparent member enabling the visibility of the lubricant level within the lubricant level indication cavity, and is attached to the shell in a manner that it covers the lubricant level indication cavity in a lubricant- tight manner.

[0013] Advantageously, the display housing member is a transparent plate, and the compressor housing further comprises a display housing member cover member that covers the display housing member in a manner that the display housing member is sandwiched between the shell and the display housing member cover member such that the display housing member is fixed to the shell by the display housing member cover member, and the lubricant level within the lubricant level indication cavity is visible through a display housing member cover member cavity.

[0014] In particular, by provision of a large transparent plate as a display housing member, effortless recognition of a lubricant level within the shell is possible as an advantage.

[0015] Advantageously, a first gasket is provided between the shell and the display housing member, or a second gasket is provided between the display housing member and the display housing member cover member. 2024PF00328

[0016] 3

[0017] Advantageously, visual symbology is provided at the compressor housing, in particular at the display housing member, the display housing member cover member or a symbology carrier member, wherein the visual symbology indicates the intended minimum lubricant level, the intended maximum lubricant level and / or the intended preferred lubricant level.

[0018] Advantageously, the compressor housing further comprises a lubricant infill opening that connects the inner space with the outer environmental space that is suitable to provide lubricant to the inner space through the lubricant infill opening, wherein the lubricant infill opening is positioned such that with respect to the display housing member the display housing member is visible to an operator filling lubricant through the lubricant infill opening.

[0019] Advantageously, the lubricant infill opening has a horizontal orientation corresponding to the horizontal orientation of the display cover member, or the lubricant infill opening is arranged in close proximity to the display cover member.

[0020] Advantageously, the vertically lowest point of the lubricant infill opening is arranged at a vertical height corresponding to an intended maximum vertical lubricant level within the inner space.

[0021] Disclosed is a compressor comprising any of the above compressor housings.

[0022] In the following, the invention is explained by means of embodiments and the figures.

[0023] Figure 1 exhibits a diagonal view of a compressor housing according to the related art.

[0024] Figure 2 exhibits a diagonal view of a compressor housing according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Figure 3 exhibits a diagonal view of a compressor housing according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Figure 4 exhibits a detailed cut view of an oil window according to the embodiment of the invention. 2024PF00328

[0027] 4

[0028] Figure 5 exhibits an exploded view of an assembly of the oil window according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Figure 6 exhibits a symbology carrier member according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0030] Figure 7 exhibits a cut view of the compressor housing according to the embodiment of the invention, exhibiting the location of an oil infill opening.

[0031] Fig. 2 exhibits a diagonal view of a compressor housing 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0032] The compressor housing 1 comprises a shell 2 that is made of cast aluminum in the embodiment. The shell 2 encloses an inner space 4 against an outer environmental space 6. The inner space 4 contains mechanical means 8 (not shown) that are configured such as to provide the capability to compress a working fluid of the compressor. The inner space 4 further is configured to contain a lubricant 10 (not shown) that is a machine oil (“oil” in the following), required to provide lubrication to the mechanical means 8 during operation. The shell is configured to seal the inner space 4 against the outer environmental space 6 in a lubricant-tight manner.

[0033] The shell comprises a lubricant level indication cavity 12 (also “oil level indication cavity” or “oil indication cavity” in the following), that is exposed to the outer environmental space 6 with respect to the shell 2. Via a lower bore hole 14 and an upper bore hole 16, the lubrication level indication cavity 12 is connected to the inner space 4 in a manner that the inner space 4 and the lubricant level indication cavity 12 are in communicating exchange such that lubricant 10 can be freely exchanged between the inner space 4 and the lubricant level indication cavity 12 such that the lubricant level within the lubricant level indication cavity 12 corresponds to the lubricant level within the inner space 4, i.e. the lubricant level within the lubricant level indication cavity 12 is equal to the lubricant level within the inner space 4 in a vertical dimension.

[0034] The shell 2 further comprises a lubricant infill opening 18, configured to fill lubricant into the inner space 4 through it, that is later described in more detail.

[0035] Fig. 3 exhibits a diagonal view of a compressor housing according to the embodiment of the invention, that is equal in all aspects to Fig. 2, except for the following deviation. 2024PF00328

[0036] 5

[0037] The lubricant infill opening 18 is not visible, since it is covered by a lubricant infill opening plug 20. The lubricant infill opening plug 20 is configured to seal the inner space 4 against the outer environmental side 6 in a lubricant-tight manner.

[0038] The lubricant level indication cavity 12 is not visible, since it is covered by a display housing member 22. In the embodiment, the display housing member 22 is a transparent plate that allows visual observance of the lubricant level within the lubricant level indication cavity 12. The display housing member 22 is covered by a display housing member cover member 24. The display housing member cover member 24 is a aluminum plate that comprises a slit 26 as a display housing member cover member cavity through which the display housing member 22 is visible in a manner allowing visual observance of the lubricant level within the lubricant level indication cavity 12. In the embodiment, the display housing member cover member 24 is covered by a symbology carrier member 28 described later in more detail.

[0039] By means of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, an assembly of the shell 2, display housing member 22, the display housing member cover member 24 and the symbology carrier member 28 are described in more detail.

[0040] The shell 2 comprises at the position of the lubricant level indication cavity 12 a recess, in which the display housing member 22 is inserted. The display housing member 22 is covered by the display housing member cover member 24 such that the display housing member 22 is sandwiched between the shell 2 at the location of the lubricant level indication cavity 12 and the display housing member cover member 24. The display housing member 22 is sealed against the shell 2 by means of an inner gasket 30. The display housing member 22 is sealed against the display housing member cover member 24 by means of an outer gasket 32. The display housing member cover member 24 is fixed to the shell 2 by means of fastening bolts 34 in a manner that the inner gasket 30 is clamped between the shell 2 and the display housing member 22, and the outer gasket 32 is clamped between the display housing member 22 and the display housing member cover member 24. The fastening bolts 34 and the display housing member cover member 24 are covered by the symbology carrier member 28.

[0041] Fig. 6 exhibits the symbology carrier member 28 according to the embodiment of the invention in more detail. 2024PF00328

[0042] 6

[0043] The symbology carrier member 28 caries symbology indicative of an intended minimum lubricant level 36 that has to be reached during maintenance lubricant refill, and an intended maximum lubricant level 38 that must not be exceeded during maintenance refill. Optionally, the symbology carrier member 28 may also carry symbology indicative of an intended optimum lubricant level for refill. Further optionally, the symbology carrier member 28 may carry symbology indicative of an admissible operation lubricant level 40 that indicates what lubricant levels are admissible during operation of the compressor. Further optionally, the symbology carrier member 28 may carry symbology indicative of an admissible resting lubricant level 42 that indicates what lubricant levels are admissible during stand still of the compressor after passing of a predetermined time, e.g. 8 hours.

[0044] From Fig. 6, it can be recognized that the lubricant infill opening 18 has the same horizontal orientation than the display housing member 22, albeit the lubricant infill opening 18 has a different vertical orientation than the display housing member 22. Further, the lubricant infill opening 18 is arranged in close proximity to the display housing member 22. This enables an operator performing maintenance lubricant refill to refill lubricant while being observant of the lubricant level within the shell 2.

[0045] Figure 7 exhibits a cut view of the compressor housing according to the embodiment of the invention, by means of which the lubricant infill opening 18 and the lubricant infill opening plug 20 are described in more detail.

[0046] The lubricant infill opening 18 is located at a vertical position such that the vertically lowest point of the lubricant infill opening 18 corresponds to the intended maximum lubricant level 38. I.e. the vertically lowest point of the lubricant infill opening 18 is equal to the vertical position of the intended maximum lubrication level 38. This prevents overfilling of the inner space 4 with lubricant, since lubricant will spill out of the lubricant infill opening 18 when the intended maximum lubricant level is exceeded.

[0047] The invention was described by means of an embodiment. The embodiment is only of explanatory nature and does not restrict the invention as defined by the claims. As recognizable by the skilled person, deviations from the embodiment are possible without leaving the invention that is defined according to the scope of the claimed subject- matter. 2024PF00328

[0048] 7

[0049] For example, in the embodiment, the compressor housing is made of cast aluminum. Alternatively, the compressor housing may be made of cast or forged iron or steel, machined aluminum, iron or steel, enforced resins or other compound materials.

[0050] For example, in the embodiment, symbology indicative of the intended lubrication level is applied to a symbology carrier member. Alternatively, the symbology may be applied to the display housing member or the display housing member cover member or may be an integral part of the lubricant level indication cavity.

[0051] Directions like up, down or a height dimension are directions and dimensions along a gravitational force when the compressor housing is oriented in a manner intended for operation. Directions like front, rear and left, right or a width dimension and a depth dimension are directions and dimensions perpendicular to the gravitational force, and mutually perpendicular, respectively.

[0052] In this document, the terms "and", "or" and "either ... or" are used as conjunctions in a meaning similar to the logical conjunctions "AND", "OR" (often also "and / or") or "XOR", respectively. In particular, in contrast to "either ... or", the term "or" also includes occurrence of both operands.

[0053] Method steps indicated in the description or the claims only serve an enumerative purpose of the method steps. They only imply a given sequence or an order where their sequence or order is explicitly expressed or is - obvious for the skilled person - mandatory due to their nature. In particular, the listing of method steps do not imply that this listing is exhaustive. Also, not all method steps described in an embodiment are required to implement the invention. The required method steps are defined by the claims only.

[0054] In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality and has to be understood as "at least one". 2024PF00328

[0055] 8

[0056] LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0057] 1 compressor housing

[0058] 2 shell

[0059] 4 inner space

[0060] 6 outer environmental space

[0061] 8 mechanical means providing the capability to compress a working fluid

[0062] 10 lubricant I machine oil I oil

[0063] 12 lubricant level indication cavity I oil level indication cavity I oil indication cavity

[0064] 14 lower bore hole of the lubricant level indication cavity

[0065] 16 upper bore hole of the lubricant level indication cavity

[0066] 18 lubricant infill opening I oil infill opening

[0067] 20 lubricant infill opening plug

[0068] 22 display housing member

[0069] 24 display housing member cover member

[0070] 26 slit I display housing member cover member cavity

[0071] 28 symbology carrier member

[0072] 30 inner gasket

[0073] 32 outer gasket

[0074] 34 fastening bolt

[0075] 36 intended minimum lubricant level

[0076] 38 intended maximum lubricant level

[0077] 40 admissible operation lubricant level

[0078] 42 admissible resting lubricant level

Claims

2024PF003289CLAIMS1 . A compressor housing (1 ) comprising a shell (2), configured to enclose an inner space (4) against an outer environmental space (6), the inner space (4) being configured to contain mechanical means (8) that provide a capability to compress a working fluid, and to contain a lubricant (10) required for lubricating at least a part of the mechanical means (8) during operation, wherein the shell (2) comprises a lubricant level indication cavity (12) that is exposed to the outer environmental space (6) with respect to the shell (2) and is in communication with the inner space (4) in a manner that the lubricant (10) within the lubricant level indication cavity (12) is in communication with the lubricant (10) within the inner space (4) and is capable to adopt a vertical level corresponding to a vertical level of the lubricant (10) within the inner space (4), and the compressor housing (1 ) further comprises a display housing member (22) attached to the shell (2) in a manner encapsulating the lubricant level indication cavity (12) in the lubricant-tight manner against the outer environmental space (6), wherein the display housing member (22) is configured to indicate a vertical lubricant level within the lubricant level indication cavity (12) to the outer environmental space (6).

2. The compressor housing (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein the lubricant level indication cavity (12) is located and has a vertical expansion such that it vertically spans at least a subset of and preferably all vertical lubricant levels admissible for operation of the mechanical means (8).

3. The compressor housing (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein the display housing member (22) is a transparent member enabling the visibility of a lubricant level within the lubricant level indication cavity (12), and is attached to the shell (2) in a manner that it covers the lubricant level indication cavity (12) in a lubricant-tight manner.2024PF00328104. The compressor housing (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display housing member (22) is a transparent plate, and the compressor housing (1 ) further comprises a display housing member cover member (24) that covers the display housing member (22) in a manner that the display housing member (22) is sandwiched between the shell (2) and the display housing member cover member (24) such that the display housing member (22) is fixed to the shell (2) by the display housing member cover member (24), and the lubricant level within the lubricant level indication cavity (12) is visible through a display housing member cover member cavity (26).

5. The compressor housing (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein a first gasket is provided between the shell (2) and the display housing member (22), or a second gasket is provided between the display housing member (22) and the display housing member cover member (24).

6. The compressor housing (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein visual symbology is provided at the compressor housing (1 ), in particular at the display housing member (22), the display housing member cover member (24) or a symbology carrier member (28), wherein the visual symbology indicates the intended minimum lubricant level, the intended maximum lubricant level or the intended preferred lubricant level.

7. The compressor housing (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a lubricant infill opening (18) that connects the inner space (4) with the outer environmental space (6) that is suitable to provide the lubricant (10) to the inner space (4) through the lubricant infill opening (18), wherein the lubricant infill opening (18) is positioned with respect to the display housing member (22) such that the display housing member (22) is visible to an operator filling lubricant through the lubricant infill opening (18).2024PF00328118. The compressor housing (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein the lubricant infill opening (18) has a horizontal orientation corresponding to the horizontal orientation of the display housing member (22), and the lubricant infill opening (18) is arranged in close proximity to the display housing member (22).

9. The compressor housing (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertically lowest point of the lubricant infill opening (18) is arranged at a vertical height corresponding to an intended maximum vertical lubricant level (38) within the inner space (4).

10. A compressor comprising the compressor housing (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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