Valve assembly including resonator for refrigerant compressor

Abstract

A refrigerant system may include a refrigerant compressor. The refrigerant compressor may include a valve assembly (22) downstream of the refrigerant compressor. The valve assembly may include a ball valve (28) and a resonator (62) configured to attenuate noise.

Description

VALVE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING RESONATORFOR REFRIGERANT COMPRESSORRELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 762,124, filed February 24, 2025, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Refrigerant compressors are used to circulate refrigerant in a chiller via a refrigerant loop. Refrigerant loops are known to include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The compressor compresses the fluid, which then travels to the condenser, which in turn cools and condenses the fluid. The refrigerant then goes to the expansion device, which decreases the pressure of the fluid, and to the evaporator, where the fluid is vaporized, completing a refrigeration cycle.SUMMARY

[0003] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, including: a refrigerant compressor; and a valve assembly downstream of the refrigerant compressor, wherein the valve assembly includes a ball valve and a resonator configured to attenuate noise.

[0004] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the valve assembly further includes a check valve downstream of the ball valve.

[0005] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the valve assembly includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and wherein the resonator is located upstream of the ball valve and adjacent the inlet.

[0006] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the resonator is provided by a removable insert configured to fit in a recess of the housing.

[0007] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the resonator includes an outer section and an inner section arranged radially inward of the outer section, the inner section including a ring spaced-apart radially inward of the outer section.

[0008] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the inner section further includes a cone spaced-apart radially inward of the ring.

[0009] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the resonator includes a plurality of grooves formed in a radially inner surface of the outer section and a plurality of grooves formed in a radially inner surface of the ring, wherein the grooves are configured to attenuate noise by interfering with sound waves in fluid flowing through the resonator.

[0010] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the resonator is configured to attenuate noise frequencies within a range from 3500 Hz to 9000 Hz by at least 16 dB.

[0011] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the refrigerant compressor is a centrifugal refrigerant compressor.

[0012] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the resonator includes a plurality of spaced-apart projections arranged adjacent a downstream location of the ring.

[0013] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a valve assembly for a refrigerant compressor, including: a housing defining an inlet and an outlet; a ball valvesupported by the housing; and a resonator supported by the housing and configured to attenuate noise in fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet.

[0014] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a valve assembly, further including a check valve downstream of the ball valve, wherein the check valve includes a disc, a stem projecting from the disc into a guide, and a spring biasing the disc toward a seat portion of the housing.

[0015] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a valve assembly, wherein the ball valve includes a ball rotatably supported relative to the housing and including a bore configured to permit fluid flow when the ball valve is in an open position, and an input configured to rotate the ball.

[0016] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a valve assembly, wherein the resonator is located upstream of the ball valve and adjacent the inlet.

[0017] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a valve assembly, wherein the resonator includes an outer section and an inner section arranged radially inward of the outer section, the inner section including a ring spaced-apart radially inward of the outer section and a cone spaced-apart radially inward of the ring, and wherein the resonator includes a plurality of grooves formed in a radially inner surface of the outer section and a plurality of grooves formed in a radially inner surface of the ring.

[0018] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a valve assembly, wherein the resonator includes a plurality of spaced-apart projections arranged adjacent a downstream location of the ring.

[0019] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, including: compressing refrigerant with a refrigerant compressor; directing the refrigerant to a valve assembly downstream of the refrigerant compressor, wherein the valve assemblyincludes a ball valve; and attenuating noise in the refrigerant with a resonator of the valve assembly.

[0020] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the valve assembly further includes a check valve downstream of the ball valve.

[0021] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the valve assembly includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and wherein the resonator is located upstream of the ball valve and adjacent the inlet.

[0022] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the resonator includes an outer section and an inner section arranged radially inward of the outer section, the inner section including a ring spaced-apart radially inward of the outer section and a cone spaced-apart radially inward of the ring, and wherein attenuating noise includes directing the refrigerant to interface with a plurality of grooves formed in a radially inner surface of the outer section and a plurality of grooves formed in a radially inner surface of the ring.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a refrigerant system.

[0024] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example valve assembly.

[0025] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly.

[0026] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an example resonator, which is configured as an insert.

[0027] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly, and in particular is a close-up view of a portion of the valve assembly including a resonator.

[0028] Figure 6 is a perspective view of another example resonator.

[0029] Figure 7 is a view from a radially inner location of a portion of the resonator of Figure 6.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] This disclosure relates generally to refrigerant compressors, and more particularly to a valve assembly including a resonator. The assemblies, systems, and methods disclosed herein have been found to attenuate noise in refrigerant systems.

[0031] Figure 1 illustrates a refrigerant system 10. The refrigerant system 10 includes a main refrigerant loop, or circuit, 12 in communication with a compressor 14, a condenser 16, an evaporator 18, and an expansion device 20. This refrigerant system 10 may be used in a chiller, for example. In that example, a cooling tower may be in fluid communication with the condenser 16. While a particular example of the refrigerant system 10 is shown, this application extends to other refrigerant system configurations, including configurations that do not include a chiller. For instance, the main refrigerant loop 12 can include an economizer downstream of the condenser 16 and upstream of the expansion device 20. The refrigerant system 10 may be an oil-free refrigerant system in one implementation. Further, the compressor 14 may be an oil-free compressor.

[0032] Figure 2 illustrates an example valve assembly 22. The valve assembly includes a first sub-assembly 24 and a second sub-assembly 26 downstream of the first subassembly 24. The first sub-assembly 24 includes a ball valve 28 (Figure 3), and may be referred to as a ball valve assembly. The second sub-assembly 26 includes a check valve 30 (Figure 3), and may be referred to as a check valve assembly. In other examples, this disclosure extends to valve assemblies including either a ball valve assembly or a check valve assembly.

[0033] The valve assembly 22 includes a housing 32 defining an inlet 34 and an outlet 36. In this example, the housing 32 is provided as a two-piece structure, with one pieceproviding a housing of the first sub-assembly 24 and the other piece providing a housing of the second sub-assembly 26. The housing 32 may include one or more structures that are connected together to establish the housing 32.

[0034] The housing 32 defines a flow path for fluid F exiting the compressor 14 to flow relative to a ball valve 28 and a check valve 30 (Figure 3). The housing 32 supports the ball valve 28 and the check valve 30 relative to the fluid F flowing downstream of the compressor 14.

[0035] The housing 32 is configured so as to facilitate mounting of the valve assembly 22 downstream of the compressor 14. In an example, the housing 32 is configured to be directly attached to an exterior housing of the compressor 14.

[0036] During normal operating conditions, fluid F, which in this example is refrigerant, exits the compressor 14, enters the valve assembly 22 via inlet 34, flows through a flow path defined by the housing 32, and exits the valve assembly 22 via outlet 36. In these normal conditions, the ball valve 28 and check valve 30 are both in an open position.

[0037] It may be desirable in some conditions to close the ball valve 28, such as for purposes of fluidly decoupling the compressor 14 from a remainder of the refrigerant loop 12, and / or for purposes of performing service or maintenance on the compressor 14, as examples. Otherwise, in normal operating conditions, the ball valve 28 is intended to be in an open position.

[0038] In some conditions, fluid F may tend to flow in an opposite direction, such as by entering the valve assembly 22 via outlet 36. The check valve 30 is configured to move to a closed position to prevent such flow from reaching the compressor 14. The check valve 30 is therefore configured to permit fluid F to flow from the inlet 34 to the outlet 36, and to prevent fluid F from flowing from the outlet 36 toward the inlet 34.

[0039] In Figure 3, a flow path 38 fluidly coupling the inlet 34 to the outlet 36 is visible. The flow path 38 is substantially straight within the first sub-assembly 24. Within the second sub-assembly 26, the flow path 38 exhibits a gradual curvature such that fluid F exiting the outlet 36 has turned substantially 90°, relative to the direction of flow as the fluid F enters the inlet 34. The outlet 36 is fluidly coupled to a location, other than the compressor 14, within the refrigerant circuit 12.

[0040] The ball valve 28 is in an open position in Figure 3. The ball valve 28 includes a ball 40 rotatably supported relative to the housing 32. The ball 40 includes a bore 42 configured to permit fluid F to flow along the flow path 38 when the ball valve 28 is in an open position. The ball valve 28 further includes an input 44 configured to transfer rotation to the ball 40 to selectively open and close the ball valve 28 by selectively aligning and misaligning the bore 42 relative to the flow path 38, respectively. In an example, the ball 40 rotates together with the input 44 by rotating substantially 90° between a fully open position and a closed position.

[0041] The check valve 30 is shown in a closed position in Figure 3. The check valve 30 includes a disc 46, a stem 48 projecting from the disc 46 and into a guide 50, and a spring 52 biasing the disc 46 toward a seat portion 54 of the housing 32, which is configured to abut a seal 56 supported by the disc 46 when the check valve 30 is in the closed position. In the closed position, fluid F cannot flow from the outlet 36 toward the inlet 34 past the disc 46. During normal operation of the compressor 14, the force of the fluid F overcomes the bias of the spring 52 such that the disc 46 is not in contact with the seat portion 54, and such that fluid F can flow past the check valve 30 toward the outlet 36.

[0042] The guide 50 is surrounded by a flow guide 58. The flow guide 58 supports the guide 50 and establishes a boundary of the flow path 38. The flow guide 58 is supportedrelative to the housing 32 via one or more arms. In this example, there are two arms 60 supporting the guide 58.

[0043] In this disclosure, the valve assembly 22 includes a resonator configured to attenuate noise. In particular, the valve assembly 22 includes a resonator configured to attenuate noises of certain frequencies, which correspond to known noise frequencies associated with operation of the compressor 14.

[0044] In an example, the valve assembly 22 includes a resonator adjacent the ball valve 28. In particular, the resonator is adjacent inlet 34 and is upstream of the ball valve 28. The resonator could be provided in another location along the flow path 38, including in a location adjacent the outlet 36 or at a location between the inlet 34 and outlet 36. In a specific example, a resonator could be formed into, or incorporated into, the bore 42. Further, while one resonator is shown, the valve assembly 22 could include more than one resonator. In that case, each of the plurality of resonators may be configured to attenuate noises of a unique frequency or set of frequencies. Providing the resonator in the valve assembly 22 attenuates noise within the fluid F that has exited from the compressor 14, without requiring a modification to the design of the compressor 14 itself.

[0045] With reference to Figures 3-5, an example resonator 62 is shown. The resonator 62 is located upstream of the ball valve 28. The resonator 62 is formed as a structure separate from the housing 32. In particular, the resonator 62 is provided by an insert 64. The insert 64 is removable relative to the housing 32. In this way, the resonator 62 can be replaced by another, similarly-sized resonator if a user desires to attenuate noises of a different frequency, for example.

[0046] The insert 64 is configured as a cylindrical structure having an outer diameter 66 configured to fit in a recess 68 of the housing 32. The resonator 62 can be held in place using known techniques, such as by using fasteners or by welding, or the resonator 62could be held in place under the force of a pipe attached to the housing 32 adjacent the resonator 62. While the resonator 62 is provided by an insert, the resonator could be partially or fully integrally-formed into the housing 32, such as by being machined into a portion of the housing 32 establishing a boundary of the flow path 38.

[0047] The resonator 62 in this example includes an inner section 70 arranged radially inward of an outer section 72. The inner section 70 includes a ring 74 spaced-apart radially inward of the outer section 70, and a cone 76 spaced-apart radially inward of the ring 74. In particular, the radially outer surface 78 of the ring 74 is spaced-apart from the radially inner surface 80 of the outer section 72 such that fluid can flow between radially outer surface 78 and radially inner surface 80 to interface with the grooves of the outer section 72.

[0048] A radially inner surface 82 of the ring 74 is spaced-apart radially from the cone 76 such that fluid can flow between the cone 76 and the radially inner surface 82 to interface with grooves of the ring 74.

[0049] The cone 76 is not required in all examples. The cone 76, if present, and the ring 74 may be supported by one or more radially projecting lugs 84, which project radially inward from radially inner surface 80.

[0050] Providing the resonator with the inner section 70 and outer section 72 breaks up the fluid F passing through resonator 62 into smaller volumes, which increases the likelihood and ability of fluid to interact with one or more of the grooves. In this regard, while one inner section with an additional, dedicated set of grooves is shown, there could be additional inner sections, such as one or more sections radially inward of inner section 70, each with an additional, dedicated set of grooves.

[0051] When present, the ring 74 and cone 76 exhibit curved leading and trailing edges. Further, a radial dimension of the cone 76 increases moving downstream, in this example.

[0052] The resonator 62, in this example, includes grooves 86A-86F formed in radially inner surface 80 and grooves 88A-88D formed in radially inner surface 82. In an example, grooves 86A-86F are machined into radially inner surface 80, and grooves 88A-88D are machined into radially inner surface 82. While six grooves 86A-86F are shown relative to the radially inner surface 80 and four grooves 88A-88D are shown relative to radially inner surface 82, the resonator 62 could include one or more grooves formed in each of the surfaces 80, 82. Additionally, while there are grooves in both surfaces 80 and 82, this disclosure extends to configurations where only one of the surfaces 80, 82 includes grooves. In this example, the grooves 86A-86F extend continuously about a circumference of the radially inner surface 80, and grooves 88A-88D extend continuously about a circumference of the radially inner surface 82. While different quantities of grooves are shown relative to the surfaces 80, 82, the resonator 62 could include a like quantity of grooves in the surfaces 80, 82.

[0053] The grooves 86A-86F are spaced-apart from one another along the flow path 38 (i.e., in the left-to-right direction, relative to Figure 5). Likewise, grooves 88A-88D are spaced-apart from one another along the flow path 38.

[0054] Each of the grooves 86A-86F, 88A-88D may be configured to attenuate noise of a different frequency. In particular, each of the grooves 86A-86F, 88A-88D may exhibit a unique depth relative to the other grooves 86A-86F, 88A-88D, and the depth of each groove 86A-86F, 88A-88D corresponds to the frequency of noise that the groove is configured to attenuate. As fluid F passes through the resonator 62, some of that fluid enters grooves 86A-86F, 88A-88D, and the sound waves inside the grooves 86A-86F, 88A-88D interfere with the incoming sound waves from the fluid flow, leading to destructive interference and a reduction in the overall amplitude of the sound waves. The resonator 62 may be referred to as a noise attenuator.

[0055] Each of the grooves 86A-86F, 88A-88D exhibits a rectangular cross-sectional shape, in this example. This disclosure extends to grooves 86A-86F, 88A-88D of different cross-sectional shapes.

[0056] The resonator 62 may be configured to attenuate noise frequencies within a range from 3500 Hz to 9000 Hz. Such frequencies may experience at least a 16 dB reduction in acoustic noise. Such noise frequencies are known to occur in certain centrifugal refrigerant compressors. In particular, the range of noise frequencies targeted by the above-discussed arrangement corresponds to the noises generated based on the speeds, capacity, etc., corresponding to centrifugal refrigerant compressors, as opposed to other types of compressors, such as those associated with turbochargers, which operate at significantly higher speeds, among other differences.

[0057] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate another implementation of resonator 162 including like parts corresponding to resonator 62 preappended with a “1.” Resonator 162 is substantially similar to resonator 62, except where described below. Resonator 162 may be used in place of resonator 62 in the valve assembly 24.

[0058] With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the resonator 162 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart, chevron-shaped projections 101 incorporated into ring 174 and arranged adjacent a downstream location of ring 174, such that points of the projections 101 provide the downstream-most edge 103 and such that each projection 101, when viewed from a radially inner location (as in Figure 7), is defined by two walls 105, 107 that gradually converge and meet at downstream most edge 103. Radially inner and radially outer surfaces 109, 111 of each projection 101 may be axially spaced-apart from one another along an axial length of the projections 101. In some implementations, the radially inner and radially outer surfaces 109, 111 may gradually converge toward one another moving axially downstream.

[0059] The projections promote enhanced mixing of the flow of fluid F such that streams exiting the spaces between the outer section 172, ring 174, and cone 176, which reduces downstream turbulence and flow separation compared to arrangements without such projections, thereby minimizing pressure losses across the resonator 162 and improving overall noise attenuation efficiency. Specifically, vortices created by the suspended geometry or grooves in the resonator 162 can be mitigated and thus reduce the acoustic level of the fluid F exiting the resonator 162. As shown in Figure 7, vortices may be formed in opposing directions at the projections 101 and cancel one another out.

[0060] A specific housing structure, including plates with openings configured to receive fasteners for mounting the housing structure to another structure, surrounds resonator 162 in Figure 6. This disclosure is not limited to the details of that particular housing structure. Again, resonator 162 could be inserted into valve assembly 24 in place of resonator 62.

[0061] It should be understood that directional terms such as “axial,” “radial,” and “circumferential” are used above with reference to the normal operational attitude of the compressor 14 and / or the valve assembly 22. Further, these terms have been used herein for purposes of explanation, and should not be considered otherwise limiting. Terms such as “generally,” “substantially,” and “about” are not intended to be boundaryless terms, and should be interpreted consistent with the way one skilled in the art would interpret those terms.

[0062] Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples. In addition, the various figures accompanying this disclosure are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show certain details of a particular component or arrangement.

[0063] One of ordinary skill in this art would understand that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and non-limiting. That is, modifications of this disclosure would come within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A refrigerant system, comprising:a refrigerant compressor; anda valve assembly downstream of the refrigerant compressor, wherein the valve assembly includes a ball valve and a resonator configured to attenuate noise.

2. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 1, wherein the valve assembly further comprises a check valve downstream of the ball valve.

3. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 2, wherein the valve assembly includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and wherein the resonator is located upstream of the ball valve and adjacent the inlet.

4. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 3, wherein the resonator is provided by a removable insert configured to fit in a recess of the housing.

5. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 4, wherein the resonator includes an outer section and an inner section arranged radially inward of the outer section, the inner section including a ring spaced-apart radially inward of the outer section.

6. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 5, wherein the inner section further includes a cone spaced-apart radially inward of the ring.

7. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 6, wherein the resonator includes a plurality of grooves formed in a radially inner surface of the outer section and a plurality of groovesformed in a radially inner surface of the ring, wherein the grooves are configured to attenuate noise by interfering with sound waves in fluid flowing through the resonator.

8. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 7, wherein the resonator is configured to attenuate noise frequencies within a range from 3500 Hz to 9000 Hz by at least 16 dB.

9. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 8, wherein the refrigerant compressor is a centrifugal refrigerant compressor.

10. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 5, wherein the resonator includes a plurality of spaced-apart projections arranged adjacent a downstream location of the ring.

11. A valve assembly for a refrigerant compressor, comprising:a housing defining an inlet and an outlet;a ball valve supported by the housing; anda resonator supported by the housing and configured to attenuate noise in fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet.

12. The valve assembly as recited in claim 11, further comprising a check valve downstream of the ball valve, wherein the check valve includes a disc, a stem projecting from the disc into a guide, and a spring biasing the disc toward a seat portion of the housing.

13. The valve assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the ball valve includes a ball rotatably supported relative to the housing and including a bore configured to permit fluid flow when the ball valve is in an open position, and an input configured to rotate the ball.

14. The valve assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the resonator is located upstream of the ball valve and adjacent the inlet.

15. The valve assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the resonator includes an outer section and an inner section arranged radially inward of the outer section, the inner section including a ring spaced-apart radially inward of the outer section and a cone spaced-apart radially inward of the ring, and wherein the resonator includes a plurality of grooves formed in a radially inner surface of the outer section and a plurality of grooves formed in a radially inner surface of the ring.

16. The valve assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the resonator includes a plurality of spaced-apart projections arranged adjacent a downstream location of the ring.

17. A method, comprising:compressing refrigerant with a refrigerant compressor;directing the refrigerant to a valve assembly downstream of the refrigerant compressor, wherein the valve assembly includes a ball valve; andattenuating noise in the refrigerant with a resonator of the valve assembly.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the valve assembly further comprises a check valve downstream of the ball valve.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the valve assembly includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and wherein the resonator is located upstream of the ball valve and adjacent the inlet.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the resonator includes an outer section and an inner section arranged radially inward of the outer section, the inner section including a ring spaced-apart radially inward of the outer section and a cone spaced-apart radially inward of the ring, and wherein attenuating noise includes directing the refrigerant to interface with a plurality of grooves formed in a radially inner surface of the outer section and a plurality of grooves formed in a radially inner surface of the ring.

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