Semi-commanded valve system applied to compressor and method for modulating the capacity of a compressor provided with a semi-commanded valve system

Abstract

Semi-commanded valve system applied to an alternative-type compressor with at least a cylinder (1), at least a piston (2), at least a compression chamber (3), and at least one valve (71;81) acting in their respective orifice (7;8). Said at least one valve (71;81) is prestressed in a first operation state and is able to act as a check valve. Furthermore, said at least one valve (71;81) has at least a ferrous portion and can be selectively actuated by a magnetic field generating element (72;82). Method of modulating the capacity of a compressor provided with such a semi-commanded valve system.

Claims

1. A semi-commanded valve system applied to a compressor, wherein the compressor comprises at least a cylinder, at least a piston, at least a compression-chamber, and at least one prestressed valve acting in a respective orifice, the semi-commanded valve system comprising: the at least one prestressed valve in an open operational state, and comprising at least a ferrous portion; and at least one selectively actuated magnetic field generating element aligned with the at least one prestressed valve; wherein the open operational state of the at least one prestressed valve is configured to be selectively switched by actuating the at least one selectively actuated magnetic field generating element, wherein the at least one selectively actuated magnetic field generating element, when activated, is configured to attract the at least one prestressed valve towards the at least one selectively actuated magnetic field generating element based upon the alignment to put the at least one prestressed valve in a closed operational state; wherein when the piston starts from a lower dead point and travels towards to a superior dead point, pressure within the cylinder increases until it becomes higher than a pressure in a discharge chamber, and, at this time, the at least one prestressed valve begins an opening movement, which is facilitated by open prestress of said at least one prestressed valve; wherein when the piston discharges a gas to an outside of the cylinder, a return to the lower dead point begins, and the at least one prestressed valve with open prestress remains opened to allow for the gas of the discharge chamber to return into the cylinder; and wherein this return of gas of the discharge chamber into the cylinder stops when the at least one selectively actuated magnetic field generating element is driven, thereby closing said at least one prestressed valve.

2. The semi-commanded valve system, in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one prestressed valve is configured to be selectively switched between the open operational state and the closed operational state using at least one magnetic pulse of the at least one selectively actuated magnetic field generating element.

3. The semi-commanded valve system, in accordance with claim 2, wherein the open operational state of the at least one prestressed valve opens the respective orifice.

4. The semi-commanded valve system, in accordance with claim 2, wherein the closed operational state of the at least one prestressed valve closes the respective orifice.

5. The semi-commanded valve system, in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one prestressed valve comprises a suction valve.

6. The semi-commanded valve system, in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one prestressed valve comprises a discharge valve.

7. The semi-commanded valve system, in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one selectively actuated magnetic field generating element comprises an electric coil.

8. The semi-commanded valve system, in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one prestressed valve and a respective selectively actuated magnetic field generating element of the at least one selectively actuated magnetic field generating element are disposed on at least a valve plate.

9. The semi-commanded valve system, in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one prestressed valve includes two prestressed valves, and wherein a magnetic insulation is provided between the two prestressed valves.

10. A method for modulating the capacity of the compressor provided with the semi-commanded valve system as defined in claim 1, comprising refluxing at least one of suction and exhaustion by non-spontaneous switching of the at least one prestressed valve.

11. The method, in accordance with claim 10, further comprising delaying spontaneous closing of the at least one prestressed valve.

12. The method, in accordance with claim 10, further comprising delaying spontaneous opening of the at least one prestressed valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The conceptual embodiment of the presently disclosed semi-commanded valve system applied to an alternative compressor will be described in detail based on FIGURE mentioned below, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic model of a functional mechanism of an alternative compressor provided with the presently disclosed semi-commanded valve system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) In accordance with the present invention and in order to achieve the objects mentioned above, a novel semi-commanded valve system applied to an alternative-type compressor is disclosed.

(4) Generally, said system comprises at least a prestressed valve in a first operational state, and at least a ferrous portion, and at least a selectively actionable magnetic field generating element. By this way, the operational state of said at least a valve can be being selectively switched by actuating at least one magnetic field generating element.

(5) In accordance with the conceptual embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, it can be noted that the presently disclosed system uses devices having electric coils 72, 82 and prestressed valves 71, 81 in an opened state. Said valve remains opened due to the prestress, and said electric valve has the function of generating a magnetic field thereby favoring closing of the valve.

(6) According this essential concept, said features can be applied to a suction valve 71 and/or a discharge valve 81.

(7) The prestressed valves are positioned in alignment with their respective electric coils such that when activated they are in condition to generate a magnetic field thereby attracting its prestressed valve to the direction of the valve plate 6 aiming at sealing orifices 7, 8 (suction orifice and discharge orifice, respectively).

(8) Hence, it is possible to modulate the capacity of the compressor with no need to vary the operational speed of its electric motor (not shown). By doing so, it is possible to control the mass amount passing through said suction orifice 7 and said discharge orifice 8 so as to obtain the desired functional capacity to increase the effectiveness of any system and, more specifically, a refrigeration system.

(9) When in operation, the presently claimed system can cause the suction valve 71 and/or the discharge valve 81 to close at any time during the cycle of piston 2 (having an alternative displacement within cylinder 1), thus increasing or decreasing the volume of the compression chamber 3). There is also an option of not closing the valves. Therefore, it is possible to obtain alterations in the time of intently closing said valves to generate determined refluxes in the suction chambers 4 and/or discharge chamber 5 and, consequently, a capacity modulation will occur due to the fact that the amount of working fluid delivered to the system using an alternative compressor (preferably a refrigeration system) has been altered.

(10) The system in accordance with the present invention has the advantage of prematurely opening the suction valve, since same is with the opening prestress. Such an advantage represents a reduction in the pressure to open the suction valve and, as a result, less energy will be consumed by the compressor. Furthermore, the suction valve will close at the time the electric coil is actuated or when the valve with prestress meets a pressure gradient favorable to closing. Hence, it is possible to alter the refrigeration gas flow that will be delivered to the refrigeration system by modulating the reflux in the suction valve.

(11) This same concept can be applied to the discharge valve wherein when the piston starts from the lower dead point and travels towards to the superior dead point, pressure within the cylinder increases until it becomes higher than the pressure in the discharge chamber, and, at this time, the discharge valve will begin an opening movement, which is facilitated by the prestress of said valve. When the piston discharges the gas to the outside the cylinder and process of returning to the lower dead point begins, and the valve with prestress will remain opened to allow for the gas of the discharge chamber to return into the cylinder. This reflux will stop when the electric coil is driven, thereby closing said discharge valve. Said reflux represents the gas that has not been delivered to the system and allowed for a capacity modulation to occur.

(12) Further, it is important to mention that actuation of the coils can be effected by simple electronics supplying sufficient electric current to generate a magnetic field and to close the valves.

(13) After an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described, it should be construed that the scope thereof encompasses other possible variations, which are only limited by the contents of the appended claims, including possible equivalent means.