Compressor Stop Valve with Pressure and Temperature Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressor systems with stop valves for lubricant coolant return face inefficiencies and limitations, particularly in ensuring proper pressure and temperature management to prevent damage and unwanted wear during compressor operation.
Innovation Solution
A compressor system incorporating a stop valve arrangement with a pressure and temperature monitoring system, utilizing a controller to regulate the flow of coolant based on sensed pressures and temperatures, ensuring the compressor operates within safe parameters and preventing damage by halting operation when thresholds are not met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a stop valve is used to halt return of lubricant coolant to the compressor, then coolant flow can be stopped during operation, but pressure and temperature management becomes difficult to control precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a controller continuously monitors pressure and temperature conditions in the coolant return line and automatically actuates the stop valve in response to sensed conditions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise control of coolant flow, resolving the contradiction by maintaining both operational continuity and reliable pressure/temperature management through dynamic adjustment based on real-time sensor data.
2Strength
If coolant flow is stopped completely during compressor operation, then wear and damage can be prevented, but the system complexity increases due to need for monitoring and control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service control approach where the system automatically monitors its own operating conditions and self-regulates coolant flow without external intervention. The controller senses pressure and temperature conditions and autonomously actuates the stop valve when thresholds are exceeded, enabling component protection while minimizing the complexity of external monitoring systems by making the system self-regulating.
3Device complexity
If a simple stop valve arrangement is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent damage and manage operating conditions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a unified control system that combines the stop valve, pressure sensing, temperature sensing, and control logic into a single multi-functional arrangement. The controller serves multiple purposes: monitoring pressure, monitoring temperature, deciding when to actuate the valve, and managing overall coolant flow control. This multi-functionality approach maintains relatively simple device complexity while achieving comprehensive damage prevention and operating condition management.
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor system is provided that includes a contact cooled compressor and a coolant separator. The coolant separator is used to remove coolant fluid from a compressed flow stream produced by the contact cooled compressor during its operation. The coolant separator routes the removed coolant fluid back to the contact cooled compressor for further use. In some forms the coolant fluid is cooled prior to delivery back to the compressor. A stop valve can be provided in the coolant fluid return line to halt the flow of the fluid. A pressure sensitive member can be disposed to sense pressure of the coolant fluid that has been routed past the stop valve. Operation of the compressor can be changed as a result of the sensed pressure from the pressure sensitive member. Information from a temperature sensitive member can also be used to change operation of the compressor.