PISTON COMPRESSOR, IN PARTICULAR RADIAL PISTON COMPRESSOR

Abstract

A piston compressor having at least two piston/working space combinations, wherein each piston/working space combination includes at least one fluid inlet channel and one fluid outlet channel, the at least one fluid inlet channel being connected fluidically to a low pressure collecting volume, and/or the at least one fluid outlet channel being connected fluidically to a high pressure collecting volume, wherein the low pressure collecting volume comprises a first part collecting volume and at least one second part collecting volume, the first part collecting volume and the second part collecting volume being connected fluidically to one another via a first overflow channel and at least one second overflow channel, and/or the high pressure collecting volume comprises a first part collecting volume and at least one second part collecting volume.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A piston compressor, comprising: at least two piston/working space combinations, wherein each piston/working space combination includes at least one fluid inlet channel and one fluid outlet channel, the at least one fluid inlet channel being connected fluidically to a low pressure collecting volume, and/or the at least one fluid outlet channel being connected fluidically to a high pressure collecting volume, wherein the low pressure collecting volume comprises a first part collecting volume and at least one second part collecting volume, the first part collecting volume and the second part collecting volume being connected fluidically to one another via a first overflow channel and at least one second overflow channel, and/or the high pressure collecting volume comprises a first part collecting volume and at least one second part collecting volume, the first part collecting volume and the second part collecting volume being connected fluidically to one another via a first overflow channel and at least one second overflow channel.

15. The piston compressor of claim 14, wherein the piston/working space combinations each comprise a piston and a working space, the piston/working space combinations being arranged radially around a drive shaft.

16. The piston compressor of claim 14, wherein the piston compressor includes a housing for receiving the piston/working space combinations, and a removable cover.

17. The piston compressor of claim 14, wherein the part collecting are annular, the part collecting volumes being arranged next to one another and/or in one plane.

18. The piston compressor of claim 14, further comprising a separating element arranged between the part collecting volumes, and the overflow channels being arranged in the separating element.

19. The piston compressor of claim 14, wherein the separating element includes a separating region and a sealing region.

20. The piston compressor of claim 14, wherein the low pressure collecting volume, includes a low pressure inlet; the high pressure collecting volume, includes a high pressure outlet, the low pressure inlet is arranged offset in the circumferential direction, with respect to the overflow channels of the low pressure collecting space, and/or the high pressure outlet being arranged offset in the circumferential direction with respect to the overflow channels of the high pressure collecting space.

21. The piston compressor of claim 14, wherein the overflow channels are arranged in the high pressure collecting volume having the same spacing from the high pressure outlet channel and/or the fluid from the two passages covers the same path, and/or in that the overflow channels are arranged in the low pressure collecting volume in such a way that they are at the same spacing from the low pressure inlet channel and/or the fluid from the two passages covers the same path.

22. The piston compressor of claim 14, wherein the position and the number of overflow channels are arranged in a manner which corresponds to possible resonant pressure oscillations.

23. The piston compressor of claim 14, wherein the outlet valves and/or the fluid outlet channels are arranged axially or radially with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the piston compressor.

24. The piston compressor of claim 14, wherein the separating element comprises different materials, in particular in that the separating element comprises seal material and vulcanized-on overflow channel.

25. The piston compressor of claim 14, wherein the separating element is configured as an insertable component, in particular such that it can be fixed in the collecting volume (ND and/or HD) or can be fixed on the housing.

26. The piston compressor of claim 14, wherein the high pressure collecting volume and/or the low pressure collecting volume are/is configured by or composed from at least two components of the piston compressor.

Description

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a mass flow and its pulse in the high pressure region of a 7-cylinder piston compressor, in particular a refrigerant compressor, in accordance with the prior art,

[0027] FIG. 2 shows details of a piston compressor in accordance with the prior art in a sectioned lateral illustration,

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the high pressure collecting volume of a piston compressor according to the invention,

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the low pressure collecting volume of a piston compressor according to the invention,

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the high pressure collecting volume or the low pressure collecting volume of a piston compressor according to the invention in one alternative embodiment,

[0031] FIGS. 6-11 show details of a piston compressor according to the invention in a sectioned lateral illustration,

[0032] FIG. 12 shows details of a piston compressor according to the invention in a sectioned lateral illustration,

[0033] FIG. 13 shows details of a piston compressor according to the invention in a sectioned lateral illustration,

[0034] FIG. 14 shows details of a piston compressor according to the invention in a sectioned lateral illustration,

[0035] FIG. 15 shows a cover of a piston compressor according to the invention in a plan view,

[0036] FIG. 16 shows a piston compressor according to the invention in a cross-sectional view, and

[0037] FIG. 17 shows a piston compressor according to the invention in a sectioned plan view.

[0038] The following designations are used in the figures: [0039] L Longitudinal axis [0040] HD High pressure collecting volume [0041] ND Low pressure collecting volume [0042] HDA High pressure outlet [0043] NDE Low pressure inlet [0044] HD1 First part collecting volume (high pressure) [0045] HD2 Second part collecting volume (high pressure) [0046] ND1 First part collecting volume (low pressure) [0047] ND2 Second part collecting volume (low pressure) [0048] HD?1 First overflow channel (HD) [0049] HD?2 Second overflow channel (HD) [0050] ND?1 First overflow channel (ND) [0051] ND?2 Second overflow channel (HD) [0052] 1(a-g) Piston/working space combination [0053] 2 Drive shaft, in particular eccentric shaft [0054] 3 Housing [0055] 4 Cover [0056] 5 Separating element [0057] 6 Electric motor [0058] 11(a-g) Fluid inlet channel [0059] 12(a-g) Fluid outlet channel [0060] 13 Piston [0061] 14 Working space [0062] 51 Separating region [0063] 52 Seal region [0064] 111 Fluid inlet valve [0065] 121 Fluid outlet valve

[0066] Here, it goes without saying that features and details which are described in conjunction with a method also apply in conjunction with the apparatus according to the invention, and vice versa, with the result that reference is always made or can always be made mutually to the individual aspects of the invention with regard to the disclosure. Moreover, a possibly described method according to the invention can be carried out by way of the apparatus according to the invention.

[0067] The terminology used herein serves only for the purpose of description of particular embodiments, and is not intended to restrict the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms a/an and the are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, it will be clear that the terms has and/or having, when used in this description, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not rule out the presence or the addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups. As used herein, the term and/orincludes any desired element and all combinations of one or more of the associated, listed elements.

[0068] In the following text, reference will be made first of all to FIG. 1.

[0069] FIG. 1 shows a diagram with regard to the mass flow and its pulse in the high pressure region of a 7-cylinder piston compressor, in particular a refrigerant compressor, in accordance with the prior art.

[0070] In the following text, reference is made to FIG. 2. Here, the example of a high pressure collecting volume HD is used to show and explain that a high pressure collecting volume HD of this type can be configured as a separate line/pipe and/or on/with compressor components. In at least one housing part of the piston compressor, a recess is provided, for example in the form of a groove. During the assembly of the piston compressor, this housing part, for example a housing cover, is brought into contact with another housing part and, as a result, a channel is configured, for example the high pressure collecting volume. The high pressure collecting volume HD can be assembled in this way, comprising different part regions, configured on different components of the piston compressor. The seal is preferably established by way of components which bear against one another or by means of two seals.

[0071] In the following text, reference is made to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17.

[0072] A piston compressor according to the invention substantially comprises at least two, preferably seven, piston/working space combinations 1a-g, and a low pressure collecting volume ND and/or a high pressure collecting volume HD. The piston/working space combinations each comprise a working space 14 and a piston 13. The pistons 13 can be actuated, for example, via a drive shaft 2, in particular an eccentric shaft. An electric motor 6, for example, comes into question as drive for the piston compressor. An indirect drive by way of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is also conceivable, however. The piston compressor preferably comprises a housing 3, in which, for example, the piston/working space combinations 1a-g are configured or received. This housing 3 is preferably closed on the end side by way of a removable cover 4. The drive shaft 2 has a longitudinal axis L.

[0073] The piston/working space combinations 1a-g each have a fluid inlet channel 11a-g with in each case one fluid inlet valve 111, and each have a fluid outlet channel 12a-g with in each case one fluid outlet valve 121. The fluid inlets 11a-g are fundamentally connected to the low pressure collecting volume ND, and the fluid outlet channels 12a-g are connected to the high pressure collecting volume HD. The piston compressor can fundamentally be part of an air conditioning system. The role of the piston compressor and the further components of an air conditioning system are well known to a person skilled in the art and do not require any further explanation here.

[0074] It is provided according to the invention that the low pressure collecting volume ND comprises a first part collecting volume ND1 and a second part collecting volume ND2, the first part collecting volume ND1 and the second part collecting volume ND2 being connected fluidically to one another via a first overflow channel ND?1 and at least one second overflow channel ND?2, and/or the high pressure collecting volume HD comprises a first part collecting volume HD1 and at least one second part collecting volume HD2, the first part collecting volume HD1 and the second part collecting volume HD2 being connected fluidically to one another via a first overflow channel HD?1 and at least one second overflow channel HD?2.

[0075] The fluid, in particular a refrigerant, flows fundamentally from the low pressure collecting volume ND, in particular from the first part collecting volume ND1, via the overflow channels ND?1 and ND?2 into the second part collecting volume ND2, via the fluid inlet channels 11a-g or the fluid inlet valve 111 into the working space 14, is compressed there and is conducted via the fluid outlet valve 121 or the fluid outlet channels 12a-e into the high pressure collecting volume HD, in particular into the first part collecting volume HD1 and subsequently into the second part collecting volume HD2.

[0076] In the following text, reference is made, in particular, to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0077] A high pressure collecting volume of a piston compressor according to the invention is shown in a cut-away manner in FIG. 3 for improved illustration.

[0078] It is preferably provided that the part collecting volumes HD1 and HD2 are of annular configuration, in particular are configured as annular channels.

[0079] Furthermore, it can be seen or is provided that the fluid outlet channels 12a-g of the respective piston/working space combinations 1a-g open into the first part collecting volume HD1. In the present example here, seven piston/working space combinations 1a-g are provided, with the result that a first to seventh fluid outlet channel 12a to 12g open into the first part collecting volume HD1. Any desired number of piston/working space combinations can fundamentally be provided, and their fluid outlet channels can open into the high pressure collecting volume, in particular its first part collecting volume HD1.

[0080] Furthermore, it can be seen or is provided that the second part collecting volume HD2 is equipped with a high pressure outlet channel HDA. The compressed fluid exits the piston compressor correspondingly from this high pressure outlet channel HDA and is fed, for example, to a circuit of an air conditioning system.

[0081] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the overflow channels HD?1 and HD?2 are arranged in such a way that they are at the same spacing from the high pressure outlet channel HDA or the fluid from the two passages has the same path. In FIG. 3, for example, 90? are provided at the circumference to the overflow channels HD?1 and HD?2. Other oscillations or frequencies of the pulse of the fluid to be damped in the high pressure collecting volume HD can require a different arrangement of the high pressure outlet channel HDA which can take place, in particular, by way of simulation and/or calculation. In addition, the result of simulation or calculation can be that more than two overflow channels are required.

[0082] In principle, the construction of the low pressure collecting volume can be of identical or at least similar configuration with respect to the high pressure collecting volume. For the sake of completeness, reference is to be made to FIG. 4 which shows a low pressure collecting volume which is likewise shown in a cut-away form for improved illustration.

[0083] It can be seen or is provided that the fluid inlet channels 11a-g of the respective piston/working space combinations 1a-g open into the second part collecting volume ND2. In the present example here, seven piston/working space combinations are provided, with the result that a first to seventh fluid inlet channel open into the second part collecting volume ND2. Any desired number of piston/working space combinations can fundamentally be provided, and their fluid inlet channels can open into the low pressure collecting volume, in particular its first part collecting volume ND1.

[0084] Furthermore, it can be seen or is provided that the first part collecting volume ND1 is equipped with a low pressure inlet channel NDE. The fluid enters the first part collecting volume ND1 correspondingly into this low pressure inlet channel NDE, and is fed via the overflow channels ND?1 and ND?2 to the second part collecting volume ND2 and ultimately via the fluid inlet channels 11a-g to the working spaces of the piston/working space combinations 1a-g.

[0085] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the overflow channels ND?1 and ND?2 are arranged in such a way that they are at the same spacing from the low pressure inlet channel NDE and the fluid from the two overflow channels ND?1 and ND?2 has the same path. In FIG. 4, for example, 90? are provided at the circumference to the overflow channels ND?1 and ND?2.

[0086] Other oscillations or frequencies of the pulse of the fluid to be damped in the low pressure collecting volume ND can require a different arrangement of the low pressure inlet channel NDE which can take place, in particular, by way of simulation and/or calculation.

[0087] FIG. 5 shows, for example, an alternative embodiment of a split collecting volume, in particular a low pressure collecting volume or a high pressure collecting volume. The two reference signs HD and ND are inserted here merely for illustrative purposes. While the part collecting volumes ND1 and ND2 or HD1 and HD2 are arranged axially next to one another in the examples shown above, a coaxial arrangement is also conceivable, in the case of which the part collecting volumes ND1 and ND2 or HD1 and HD2 are arranged in one plane. In the case of a correspondingly annular configuration of the part collecting volumes ND1 and ND2 or HD1 and HD2, the part collecting volumes have different diameters.

[0088] Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that the part collecting volumes, in particular the high pressure collecting volume and/or the low pressure collecting volume, are configured or composed by way of at least two, preferably a plurality of components of the piston compressor, in particular housing components of the piston compressor. For example, the second part collecting volume ND2 or HD2 is configured in the cover 4, while the first part collecting volume ND1 or HD1 is configured in the housing. Two releasable compressor components which adjoin one another fundamentally come into question, however, for the configuration of the collecting volumes.

[0089] Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that the first part collecting volume and the second collecting volume are separated from one another by way of a separating element 5, in particular a seal, in particular a flat seal, the overflow channels being provided in the separating element 5. For example, a sheet metal seal, but fundamentally also any other sealing material, comes into question as material of the separating element 5.

[0090] Fundamentally, it can preferably be provided that the collecting volume is configured in such a way that the separation can take place by means of a separate separating element 5.

[0091] The advantages resulting from the separating element 5 are, in particular, an embodiment which is neutral in terms of installation space or at least takes up little installation space, in particular in comparison with an external collecting volume. In addition, no additional parts or at least no components/assemblies to be arranged externally are required. Additional machining steps can advantageously be dispensed with. Throttle points can be avoided, and there are therefore scarcely any thermodynamic losses and no risk of fine geometries being clogged. No movable or resilient parts fundamentally exist. As a result, a maximum robustness can be achieved.

[0092] Further details of the present invention result, in particular, from FIGS. 6 to 15.

[0093] FIG. 6 shows a detail of a piston compressor according to the invention. It can be seen, in particular, that the part collecting volumes HD1 and HD2 are separated by means of a separating element 5. The resulting arrangement of the part volumes HD1 and HD2 corresponds in principle to the arrangement shown in cut-away form in FIG. 3.

[0094] FIGS. 7 to 9 show, in particular, different embodiments of the separating element 5.

[0095] FIGS. 10 and 11 show, in particular, different embodiments of an overflow channel HD?1 and HD?2 in a separating element 5.

[0096] FIG. 12 shows a detail of a piston compressor according to the invention, and in particular an axially oriented fluid outlet channel 12.

[0097] FIG. 13 shows a detail of a piston compressor according to the invention, and in particular a radially oriented fluid outlet channel 11.

[0098] FIG. 14 shows a detail of a piston compressor according to the invention, and in particular the first part collecting volume HD1 and the second part collecting volume HD2 in the high pressure region in the case of a radial orientation of the fluid outlet channel 12 and an axial arrangement or separation of the collecting volume HD. The resulting arrangement of the part volumes HD2 corresponds in principle to the part volume arrangement shown in cut-away form in FIG. 3. It can also be seen in FIGS. 12 to 14, in particular, that the collecting volume HD, in particular the part collecting volumes HD1 and HD2, can be formed by way of cutouts in the housing 3, in particular the cylinder housing, and the cover 4 of the piston compressor.

[0099] FIG. 15 shows a separating element 5 for a piston compressor according to the invention. Here, in particular, a separating region 51 can be seen which separates the two part collecting volumes from one another, and a sealing region 52 which seals substantially the collecting volumes or the components, such as the housing 3 and the cover 4, in this region.

[0100] The present invention can be distinguished by further preferred features.

[0101] It can be provided that the outlet valve or valves 121 and/or the outlet channel or the outlet channels 12 are arranged axially or radially with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the piston compressor.

[0102] It can be provided that the separating element 5 comprises different materials; in particular, it can be provided that the separating element 5 has a separating region 51 and a sealing region 52. In this context, it can advantageously be provided that the overflow channels HD?1, HD?2, ND?1, ND?2 consist of a different material than the sealing region 52 of the separating element 5. The overflow channel or channels HD?1, HD?2, ND?1, ND?2 can be, for example, vulcanized-on.

[0103] It can be provided that the separating element 5 is configured as an insertable component, in particular such that it can be fixed in the collecting volume HD or ND or can be fixed on the housing 3.

[0104] It can be provided that the position and the number of the overflow channels HD? and ND? are designed or arranged in accordance with possible resonant pressure oscillations. Depending on the dominant pulse, the number and the position of the overflow channels HD0 and ND0 can/should be varied, in order to optimize the absorbing behavior. Positioning of the overflow channels HD0 in the high pressure collecting volume 90? in the circumferential direction in front of or behind the high pressure outlet HDA and/or positioning of the overflow channels ND0 in the high pressure collecting volume 90? in the circumferential direction in front of or behind the low pressure outlet NDA are/is advantageous.

[0105] The collecting channel design according to the invention can fundamentally be used in the 3o intake section and in the expelling section of compressors of all types.

[0106] The piston compressor according to the invention can be configured such that the resonance in the collecting volume can exceed the sound pressure.

[0107] The collecting channel design according to the invention can be configured, in particular optimized, in a manner which is dependent on the rotational speed, the pressure level, the number of pistons and the valve characteristic.

[0108] The piston compressor according to the invention can be configured in such a way that the overflow channels ND? or HD? from the first part collecting volume HD1 or ND1 into the second part collecting volume HD2 or ND2 are optimized.

[0109] It can preferably be provided that the overflow channels ND? or HD? are configured as two diametric bores with an identical path width with respect to the low pressure inlet NDE or high pressure outlet HDA.

[0110] It can preferably be provided that a circulating ejection from the working spaces 14 into the first part collecting volume HD1 of the high pressure collecting volume HD takes place.