MULTI-CYLINDER FRIGORIFIC COMPRESSOR WITH EXTERNAL DELIVERY MANIFOLD

Abstract

A multi-cylinder reciprocating compressor, especially suitable for carbon dioxide frigorific circuits, wherein the high-pressure chambers of the heads are connected via an external manifold, comprising a high-pressure cock which, in co-operation with the casing, defines a channel which environmental air flows through to remove heat.

Claims

1. A multi-cylinder reciprocating compressor, comprising a casing (1), which develops along a horizontal longitudinal axis and is made accessible via at least one end cover, internally to which an electric motor is coaxially accommodated and drives a crankshaft into rotation which, by way of respective connecting rods, drives two or more pistons, slidingly coupled internally to their respective cylinders, the latter being defined in said casing (1) and closed above by a respective hollow head (2) which hermetically gives onto a corresponding opening defined above on the body of said casing (1); the following component parts being defined internally to said head (2): a suction chamber (21); a delivery chamber (22); and the following component parts being defined internally to said casing (1): a low-pressure fluid suction duct, which connects said suction chamber (21) to the external world via a low-pressure cock (5) placed on the outer lateral surface of said casing (1); a lower lubricating oil collection area; characterized in that on one of the outer walls of the delivery chambers (22) of at least two of said heads (2) there are defined respective exhaust openings through which said delivery chambers (22) of said heads (2) are hermetically connected to each other via a manifold (3); said manifold (3) being at least partially not in contact with said casing (1) and defining a channel with the latter, which environmental air flows through and consequently removes heat; said manifold (3) comprising at least one high-pressure cock (4) and one safety overpressure valve (31).

2. The compressor according to the previous claim characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said manifolds (3) which connect two or more heads (2) respectively, each manifold (3) comprising a respective high-pressure cock (4).

3. The compressor according to any of the previous claims characterized in that it comprises a transparent porthole in correspondence with said lower lubricating oil collection area.

4. The compressor according to any of the previous claims characterized in that it is a semi-hermetic compressor.

5. The compressor according to the previous claim 4 characterized in that said casing (1) is hermetically closed by two end covers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment version of a compressor according to the present invention. The figure shows two hollow heads (2) which hermetically give onto a corresponding opening defined above on the body of the casing (1) of the compressor itself. The figure also shows a manifold (3) comprising a high-pressure cock (4) and a safety overpressure valve (31). A low-pressure cock (5) is also shown.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of an assembly formed of the two hollow heads (2) and the manifold (3) depicted in FIG. 1. A suction chamber (21) and a delivery chamber (22) are visible inside each head (2).

[0029] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the assembly depicted in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention is given for explanatory non-limitative purposes only and makes reference to the attached drawings, and highlights further characteristics and advantages deriving therefrom and being an integral part of the subject invention.

[0031] The multi-cylinder reciprocating compressor according to the present patent application is enclosed within a casing (1), featuring a roughly cylindrical shape, which develops along a longitudinal axis and whose ends are hermetically closed by two covers; an electric motor is also accommodated inside the casing (1) and drives a crankshaft, by way of which motion is transmitted to pistons sliding inside cylinders. A lower lubricating oil collection area is defined inside the casing (1).

[0032] An opening hermetically closed by a hollow head (2) is defined at the upper end of each cylinder, on the top portion of the casing (1); the hollow head (2) is internally partitioned by a vertical longitudinal diaphragm which defines a suction chamber (21) and a delivery chamber (22) therein.

[0033] One and the same head (2) typically, but not mandatorily, serves one cylinder bank, which comprises a plurality of the latter.

[0034] On one of the outer walls of the delivery chambers (22) of at least two of said heads (2) there are defined respective exhaust openings, through which said delivery chambers (22) are hermetically connected to each other via a manifold (3), which is external and is at least partially not in contact with said casing (1) together with which it defines a channel which environmental air flows through and consequently removes heat; the manifold (3) also comprises a high-pressure cock (4) and a safety overpressure valve (31).

[0035] The input fluid, which is in low pressure conditions, enters the compressor through a low-pressure cock (5) placed on the outer lateral surface of the casing (1) and, from the low-pressure cock (5), it reaches the suction chamber (21) in every head (2) by crossing a suction duct defined internally to the casing (1) itself.

[0036] A particularly complete embodiment of the compressor according to the present invention comprises the presence of at least one transparent porthole for monitoring the level of the lubricating oil.