Reciprocating Compressor Check Valve to Reduce Fluid Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigeration and/or conditioning and/or heat pump systems with multiple compressors in parallel, non-operational compressors experience fluid recirculation between delivery and intake conduits due to imperfect sealing, leading to efficiency losses, especially in multi-cylinder high-pressure systems.
Innovation Solution
A reciprocating-type compressor structure with a check valve, preferably a swing check valve, is integrated between the compression chamber and the delivery tap to prevent fluid recirculation by using a gravity-closing mechanism that ensures the fluid flows only one way, reducing recirculation when a compressor is not operational.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple compressors are connected in parallel with common delivery conduits, then the system can operate with flexible compressor configuration, but fluid recirculation occurs in non-operating compressors reducing system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the common delivery conduit system into separate sealed sections by installing individual isolation valves on each compressor's delivery conduit. This segmentation allows non-operating compressors to be isolated from the pressurized delivery system, preventing recirculation while maintaining the ability to operate compressors in various combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces isolation valves as intermediary components between each compressor and the common delivery conduit. These valves act as mediators that control fluid flow, allowing the system to maintain adaptability while eliminating the harmful recirculation effect in non-operating compressors.
2Loss of energy
If delivery valves are made more water-tight to prevent recirculation, then recirculation is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the recirculation prevention function from the delivery valves themselves and relocates it to isolation valves positioned on the delivery conduits. This separates the compression function (performed by delivery valves) from the recirculation prevention function (performed by isolation valves), allowing each component to be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation valves serve as intermediary components that prevent recirculation without requiring modifications to the existing delivery valves. This approach reduces the complexity increase that would result from making delivery valves more water-tight, as the recirculation prevention is achieved through separately installed isolation valves.
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 implementation of the check valve significantly reduces fluid recirculation between delivery and intake conduits, enhancing the overall efficiency of the refrigeration cycle by maintaining system integrity and performance even when some compressors are not operating.
Implementation Method 1
the swing check valve is a gravity-closing type... the flap rises with the passage of a flow from the compression chamber towards the delivery tap and closes against the passage due to gravity when the flow stops
Data Source
AI summary
Reciprocating-type compressor for refrigeration and/or conditioning and/or heat pump systems, comprising—a casing in which there is defined at least one compression section comprising at least one cylinder and a corresponding compression piston, —a head provided on said casing, defining a delivery chamber immediately down-stream of said compression section, and adapted to receive the compressed fluid from said compression section, —an intake zone from where the fluid to be compressed in the at least one cylinder of said compression section is introduced, —a delivery tap at the operational outlet of said compression chamber, characterized in that it comprises a check valve placed between said operational outlet of said compression chamber and said delivery tap, adapted to prevent the return of fluid into the compression chamber from said delivery tap.