Valve assembly including resonator incorporated into ball valve for refrigerant compressor

Abstract

A refrigerant system including a refrigerant compressor. The refrigerant system includes a valve assembly (22) downstream of the refrigerant compressor. The valve assembly includes a ball valve (30). The ball valve includes a resonator (62).

Description

VALVE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING RESONATOR INCORPORATED INTO BALL VALVE FOR REFRIGERANT COMPRESSORRELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 762,128, 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, wherein the ball valve includes a resonator.

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

[0005] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the check valve includes a disc biased toward a seat portion of a housing of the valve assembly.

[0006] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the ball valve includes a ball rotatably supported relative to a housing of the valve assembly, the ball including a bore, and wherein the resonator is located in the bore.

[0007] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the resonator is formed as a structure separate from the housing and separate from the ball, and wherein the resonator is removable relative to the bore.

[0008] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the resonator includes one or more radially-extending grooves.

[0009] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein each groove exhibits a unique depth corresponding to a frequency of noise that the groove is configured to attenuate.

[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.

[0011] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein the resonator includes a ring, and wherein the resonator includes a plurality of spaced-apart projections arranged adjacent a downstream location of the ring.

[0012] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a refrigerant system, wherein each projection is defined by two walls arranged so as to gradually converge toward one another moving downstream and meet at a downstream-most edge.

[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 valve arranged relative to the housing; and a resonator incorporated into the ball valve.

[0014] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a valve assembly, further including a check valve upstream of the ball valve.

[0015] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a valve assembly, wherein the check valve includes a disc biased toward a seat portion of a housing of the valve assembly.

[0016] 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, the ball including a bore, and wherein the resonator is located in the bore and is removable relative to the bore.

[0017] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a valve assembly, wherein the resonator includes one or more radially-extending grooves.

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

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

[0020] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, further including preventing backflow of the refrigerant toward the refrigerant compressor using a check valve upstream of the ball valve.

[0021] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein attenuating noise includes directing the refrigerant through a bore of the ball valve, the resonator located in the bore and including one or more radially-extending grooves.

[0022] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the resonator includes a ring, and wherein the resonator includes a plurality of spaced-apart projections arranged adjacent a downstream location of the ring.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a refrigerant system.

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

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

[0026] Figure 4 is a close-up view of a ball valve including a resonator.

[0027] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of another valve assembly.

[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 incorporated into a ball valve. Further, a check valve is upstream of the ball valve. 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, includingconfigurations 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] Figures 2-4 illustrate 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 check valve 28 (Figure 3), and may be referred to as a check valve assembly. The second sub-assembly 26 includes a ball valve 30 (Figures 3 and 4), and may be referred to as a ball 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 multi-piece structure, with one piece providing 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, which here is refrigerant, F exiting the compressor 14 to flow relative to the check valve 28 and the ball valve 30. The housing 32 supports the check valve 28 and the ball 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 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 check valve 28 andball valve 30 are both in an open position. The outlet 36 is fluidly coupled to a location, other than the compressor 14, within the refrigerant circuit 12.

[0037] It may be desirable in some conditions to close the ball valve 30, 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 30 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 28 is configured to move to a closed position to prevent such flow from reaching the compressor 14. The check valve 28 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. In this example, the inlet 34 is centered about axis X and the outlet 36 is centered about axis Z. An outlet of the compressor 14 may also be centered about axis X. Within the first subassembly 24, the flow path 38 exhibits a gradual curvature such that fluid F entering the first sub-assembly 24 flows along axis X and fluid exiting the first sub-assembly 24 has turned substantially 90° and flows along axis Z. The flow path 38 is substantially straight within the second sub-assembly 26. This configuration of the housing 32 and flow path 38 is such that the outlet 36 is relatively close to an exterior housing 15 of the compressor 14, measured in direction D, substantially parallel to axis X and substantially perpendicular to axis Z. In this manner, the valve assembly 22 may be suited to fit in spaces with relatively tight lateral space constraints.

[0040] The ball valve 30 is in a fully open position in Figure 3. The ball valve 30 includes a ball 40 rotatably supported relative to the housing 32. The ball 40 includes a bore 42configured to permit fluid F to flow along the flow path 38 when the ball valve 30 is in an open position. The ball valve 30 further includes an input 44 configured to transfer rotation to the ball 40 to selectively open and close the ball valve 30 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 28 is shown in an open position in Figure 3. The check valve 28 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 28 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 28 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 supported relative to the housing 32 via one or more arms 60.

[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 incorporated into the ball valve 30. Specifically, the resonator is 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 uniquefrequency 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 and 4, an example resonator 62 is shown. The resonator 62 is located in the bore 42 of the ball valve 30. The resonator 62 is formed as a structure separate from the housing 32 and separate from the ball 40. In particular, the resonator 62 is removable relative to the bore 42. 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 resonator 62 may include one or more radially-extending grooves. The grooves may each be configured to attenuate noise of a different frequency. In particular, each groove may exhibit a unique depth, and the depth of each groove 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, and the sound waves inside the grooves 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.

[0047] When the ball valve 30 is in the fully open position, the resonator 62 is centered about axis Z and includes a first axial end 78 (Figure 4) and a second axial end 80 opposite the first axial end 78. The first axial end 78 is configured to directly abut a ring 81, in an example. The second axial end 80 is configured to abut a wave spring 82. The ring 81 and wave spring 82 are arranged in bore 42. The ring 81 is held in an axially-fixed position within the bore 42. The wave spring 82 is configured to urge the resonator 62 toward the ring 81 to hold the resonator 62 in compression against the ring 81. The resonator 62 in this disclosure may be formed of a number of separate structures, or pieces, which may be press-fit relative toone another. In particular, the resonator 62 includes a plurality of pieces that are axially press-fit relative to one another. The arrangement of the ring 81 and the wave spring 82 therefore serves to maintain the relative position of the multiple pieces, or structures, of the resonator 62. The wave spring 82 also takes up tolerances relative to the resonator 62 and / or the bore 42.

[0048] 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.

[0049] Another arrangement will now be described relative to another valve assembly 122, shown in Figure 5. The valve assemblies 22, 122 include like components, except where described. The valve assembly 122 is labeled in Figure 5 with common reference numbers associated with like components relative to the valve assembly 22, preappended with a“l ”

[0050] In Figure 5, the housing 132 includes an inlet 134 and outlet 136 centered about a common axis Y. An outlet of the compressor 14 may also be centered about the common axis Y. The valve assembly 122 essentially projects directly laterally outward from an exterior housing of a compressor 14, when the outlet of the compressor 14 is on a side of a housing of the compressor, and therefore the valve assembly 122 may be suited to fit in spaces with relatively tight vertical space constraints.

[0051] Valve assemblies 22, 122 include a check valve 28, 128 upstream of the corresponding ball valve 30, 130. In this way, a user can readily service or replace the checkvalve 28, 128 by moving the ball valve 30, 130 to the closed position, thereby decoupling the upstream components, including the check valves 28, 128 and compressor 14, from the refrigerant loop 12.

[0052] 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 or valve assembly 124.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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. 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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, wherein the ball valve includes a resonator.

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

3. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 2, wherein the check valve includes a disc biased toward a seat portion of a housing of the valve assembly.

4. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 1, wherein the ball valve includes a ball rotatably supported relative to a housing of the valve assembly, the ball including a bore, and wherein the resonator is located in the bore.

5. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 4, wherein the resonator is formed as a structure separate from the housing and separate from the ball, and wherein the resonator is removable relative to the bore.

6. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the resonator includes one or more radially-extending grooves.

7. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 6, wherein each groove exhibits a unique depth corresponding to a frequency of noise that the groove is configured to attenuate.

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.

9. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 1, wherein the resonator includes a ring, and wherein the resonator includes a plurality of spaced-apart projections arranged adjacent a downstream location of the ring.

10. The refrigerant system as recited in claim 9, wherein each projection is defined by two walls arranged so as to gradually converge toward one another moving downstream and meet at a downstream-most edge.

11. A valve assembly for a refrigerant compressor, comprising:a housing defining an inlet and an outlet;a ball valve arranged relative to the housing; anda resonator incorporated into the ball valve.

12. The valve assembly as recited in claim 11, further comprising a check valve upstream of the ball valve.

13. The valve assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the check valve includes a disc biased toward a seat portion of a housing of the valve assembly.

14. The valve assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the ball valve includes a ball rotatably supported relative to the housing, the ball including a bore, and wherein the resonator is located in the bore and is removable relative to the bore.

15. The valve assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the resonator includes one or more radially-extending grooves.

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

17. A method of attenuating noise in a refrigerant system, comprising:compressing refrigerant in a refrigerant compressor;directing the refrigerant through a valve assembly downstream of the refrigerant compressor, the valve assembly including a ball valve; andattenuating noise in the refrigerant using a resonator incorporated into the ball valve.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising preventing backflow of the refrigerant toward the refrigerant compressor using a check valve upstream of the ball valve.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein attenuating noise includes directing the refrigerant through a bore of the ball valve, the resonator located in the bore and including one or more radially-extending grooves.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the resonator includes a ring, and wherein the resonator includes a plurality of spaced-apart projections arranged adjacent a downstream location of the ring.

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