Refrigerant Compressor Check Valve Using Venturi Pressure Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valves for refrigerant compressors experience unstable valve element positions due to varying flow rates, leading to vibrations, pressure pulsations, and potential destruction of the valve and compressor.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design that incorporates a flow accelerating passage to create a region of reduced refrigerant pressure, which is then captured by connection channels and transferred to support the valve element in its opening position, reducing vibrations and maintaining efficient closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the valve element is allowed to move freely in the valve chamber, then the check valve can respond to varying flow rates, but the valve element position becomes unstable causing rattling and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by creating a pressure difference across the valve element. The reduced pressure zone in the outlet passage acts as a counterbalancing force (negative pressure) that opposes the higher pressure in the valve chamber, stabilizing the valve element in its opening position and preventing unstable movement and rattling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by creating a reduced pressure zone through the flow accelerating passage. This pressure parameter change (lower pressure at outlet compared to valve chamber) provides a stabilizing force on the valve element, allowing it to maintain a stable opening position while still responding to flow rate variations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the valve element is retained firmly in the opening position, then vibrations are reduced, but the valve may fail to close efficiently at high pressure ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a localized reduced pressure zone specifically in the outlet passage where the flow accelerating passage is located. This localized pressure reduction provides stability to the valve element in the opening position without interfering with the valve's ability to close when backflow occurs, as the pressure differential naturally drives closure when conditions change.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a flow accelerating passage is added to create reduced pressure zone, then valve element stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flow accelerating passage with the outlet passage structure, integrating the stability mechanism into the existing flow path. The flow accelerating passage is formed as part of the outlet passage geometry rather than as a completely separate component, reducing overall device complexity while still creating the necessary reduced pressure zone for valve stabilization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively maintains the valve element in its opening position, reducing vibrations and pressure pulsations, and ensures efficient closure even at high pressure ratios and low mass flow rates, particularly when using propane as refrigerant.
Implementation Method 1
the outlet passage of the check valve is provided with at least one flow accelerating passage, in which, by using the Venturi Effect, a flow region of reduced refrigerant pressure with respect to the refrigerant pressure within the valve chamber appears
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a check valve for a refrigerant compressor comprising a valve housing a valve chamber arranged within the valve housing, a valve element arranged in the valve chamber and being moveable in said valve chamber between a bottom section and a stroke limiter, the valve element in a closing position prevents a flow of refrigerant out of said valve chamber through a bottom opening and in an opening position the valve element is abutting on a stop surface of said stroke limiter wherein in the opening position of the valve element a flow of refrigerant leaves the valve chamber through at least one outlet passage which comprises at least one flow accelerating passage and therein provides a flow region of reduced refrigerant pressure with respect to the refrigerant pressure within the valve chamber and wherein at least one connection channel extending in said stroke limiter comprises an opening arranged close to the flow region of reduced refrigerant pressure for capturing the reduced refrigerant pressure and for transferring said reduced refrigerant pressure to an opening arranged in an area of the stop surface of the stroke limiter on order to support retaining of the valve element in its opening position.