Compressor Inlet Valve Assembly for Reverse-Flow Oil Ejection Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inlet valves for compressors are complex, require multiple control valves, and risk oil ejection during emergency stops due to reverse gas flow, necessitating additional non-return valves, which increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A simplified inlet valve design using a piston and valve member with a spring mechanism, which functions as a non-return valve, eliminating the need for extra non-return valves by using a single control valve and maintaining pressure in the pressure vessel, preventing oil ejection during failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum-controlled inlet valves are used with multiple control valves, then the inlet valve can be reliably controlled, but the device complexity increases and additional non-return valves are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inlet valve and non-return valve functions into a single integrated valve assembly. The inlet valve (21) and non-return valve (24, 25) are merged into one component structure, eliminating the need for separate control valves and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both an inlet valve for controlling gas flow into the compressor element and as a non-return valve for preventing reverse flow and oil ejection. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system.
2Device complexity
If spring-controlled inlet valves are used, then the structure is simpler, but considerable force is required to keep the inlet valve closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure from the pressure vessel to assist in closing the inlet valve. The pressure differential created by the pressure vessel provides additional force to the spring mechanism, reducing the mechanical force burden on the spring while maintaining reliable valve closure.
3Reliability
If extra non-return valves are added to prevent oil ejection, then oil ejection during emergency stop is prevented, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The non-return valve functionality is merged into the inlet valve assembly itself. The valve member (25) and piston (24) configuration provides non-return functionality as an integrated feature rather than a separate component, preventing oil ejection during emergency stops without adding extra valves to the system.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the inlet valve is closed during no-load operation, then power consumption is reduced, but the pressure in the pressure vessel must be blown off which requires additional control
Solution Approach 1:
The same integrated valve assembly serves dual purposes: it controls the inlet during normal operation and also functions as the blow-off mechanism during no-load operation. By opening the valve, compressed gas is allowed to escape from the pressure vessel, reducing pressure and enabling low-power no-load operation without requiring separate control systems.
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 reduces complexity, minimizes component count, and ensures efficient no-load operation with low power consumption while preventing oil ejection during drive failures, maintaining pressure for oil supply and condensate prevention with fewer control valves.
Implementation Method 1
the piston on the side turned away from the valve seat is connected with the exit of the inlet valve and whereby the valve member is located on the other side of the piston and is formed by a valve shaft piston and a head provided on the valve shaft piston, whereby the valve shaft piston is mounted in a coaxially slidable way in the piston up to a certain depth which is limited by a stop which is such that in rest mode the valve member is pushed by the piston against the valve seat under the influence of said spring
Implementation Method 2
A danger with such inlet valves is that in the event of an emergency stop whereby the drive suddenly stops, for example, the inlet valve remains open such that the gas flows back in a reverse direction via the compressor element from the pressure vessel to the inlet due to the pressure in the pressure vessel and takes with it an amount of oil from the pressure vessel and ejects it via the inlet
Data Source
AI summary
An inlet valve containing a housing with an entry and an exit and an internal part which together with an external part delimits a flow channel between entry and exit, whereby this flow channel is closable by a valve. The valve includes a piston and a valve member. The piston slides in the housing and is connected with the exit and the valve member is formed by a valve shaft piston which slides in the piston such that in rest mode the valve member is pushed by the piston against valve seat. Between the valve shaft piston and the piston a chamber is enclosed which comes into fluid connection with the pressure vessel and has a blow-off exit forming a fluid connection between the chamber and the entry, whereby the valve shaft piston contains a bypass channel connected with the chamber and the sidewall of the valve shaft piston.