Compressor Inlet Valve Control Using Seepage Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressor inlet valves are large and slow, suffer from high friction forces, and are inefficient in temperature regulation, leading to operational reliability issues, especially in outdoor conditions where temperature changes affect seal performance and lubricant stiffness.
Innovation Solution
A compressor inlet valve design featuring a casing with an inlet and outlet channel, a piston movable within a cylinder space, and multiple flow paths for control medium to regulate and close the valve, allowing for efficient temperature adjustment and reduced seal loading, using a fluid control medium to manage temperature and gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional inlet valve structure is used, then the valve can perform basic flow control, but the structure becomes large and slow, reducing operational speed and responsiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet valve is divided into multiple functional components: a body section, a piston section with separate cylinder space, and a shut-off means. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall size while improving operational speed through specialized function distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
A control medium (fluid or gas) is introduced into the cylinder space to actuate the piston, which in turn controls the shut-off means. This pneumatic/hydraulic actuation system enables rapid valve operation without complex mechanical linkages, improving speed while reducing structural complexity.
2Reliability
If seals are used in the valve components, then sealing function is provided, but friction forces acting on the seals become excessively high, reducing operational reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The control medium acts as an intermediary between the actuation system and the shut-off means, transmitting force through the piston without requiring high-friction seal contact. The seal only needs to contain the control medium at moderate pressures, significantly reducing friction forces while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The direct mechanical connection between actuation and shut-off is replaced with a fluid-mediated system. The control medium transmits the actuating force, eliminating the need for high-friction mechanical seals and reducing wear, thereby improving reliability while lowering friction forces.
3Temperature
If the valve structure is simplified, then manufacturing and operation become easier, but the ability to regulate temperature becomes insufficient, especially in outdoor conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control medium serves multiple functions: it actuates the piston for flow control and simultaneously regulates the temperature of the valve components. This multi-functionality allows temperature regulation without adding separate heating/cooling systems, maintaining simplicity while improving thermal management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control medium circulating through the cylinder space and flow channels self-regulates the temperature of the valve components through heat exchange. The system uses its own operating fluid for temperature control, eliminating the need for external temperature regulation equipment and keeping the device simple.
4Speed
If gas is used as control medium, then the valve operation becomes faster, but gas accumulates in the valve creating air pockets that impair operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinder space is positioned and configured to enable gas bubbles to escape through the flow channels in a direction that does not interfere with piston movement or sealing. This spatial arrangement allows rapid gas response while preventing air pocket accumulation that would compromise operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Gas bubbles are actively extracted from the control medium through the flow channels during the valve operation cycle. The flow path design ensures that gas is separated and removed from the system, preventing air pocket formation while maintaining the speed advantages of gas actuation.
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 enables precise and quick operation of the inlet valve, reduces seal loading, and effectively removes gas bubbles, improving operational reliability and temperature control, thus enhancing the overall performance of the compressor.
Implementation Method 1
two or more flow paths (5, 6, 17) for control medium which are formed through the casing (1) into the cylinder space (7) for conducting control medium into the cylinder space (7) and out of it, and thereby for moving the piston (4)
Implementation Method 2
the temperature of the inlet valve can be adjusted in them with the control medium, e.g. in winter conditions it is not possible in them to warm the structures of the inlet valve sufficiently well
Implementation Method 3
Gas may accumulate in the inlet valves being controlled with a fluid medium, and this impairs operation of the valve
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The object of the invention is an inlet valve for a compressor pressing gaseous medium, a compressor and a method for controlling the inlet valve. The inlet valve comprises: a casing (1 ); an inlet channel (9) for bringing gaseous medium into the inlet valve, to its inlet side; an outlet channel (10) for removing gaseous medium from the inlet valve, from its outlet side; a cylinder space (7) that is arranged at least partly inside the casing (1 ); a piston (4) that is arranged to be moved in the cylinder space (7); two or more flow paths (5, 6, 17) for control medium for conducting control medium into the cylinder space (7) and out of it, and thereby for moving the piston (4), and a shut-off means (2), to be moved by means of the piston (4), for regulating and for closing the flow of gaseous medium. At least one flow path for control medium is a seepage flow path (17) that is connected to the cylinder space (7) in such a way that during regulation and closing of the shut-off means (2) the pressure of the control medium on the seepage flow path (17) is lower than in the cylinder space (7).