Reciprocating Compressor Provided with Suction Valves Arrangement

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reciprocating compressor able to operate with two separate pressure suction lines provided with a suction valves arrangement and, more particularly, to a suction valves arrangement whose suction valves have different thicknesses. In particular, at least one semi-commanded suction valve has a thickness greater than the thickness of at least one automatic suction valve. The present invention belongs to the field of fluid compressors.

Claims

1. Reciprocating compressor provided with a suction valves arrangement comprising: at least one compression cylinder at least one valve plate arranged on one of the ends of the compression cylinder and at least one suction valves arrangement comprised of at least one vane-type automatic suction valve having at least one movable portion able to interact with at least one suction orifice, at least one vane-type semi-commanded suction valve, having at least one movable portion able to interact with the least one suction orifice and at least one solenoid comprised of at least one electrical conductor winding and at least one support structure; the movable portion of the automatic suction valve being moved depending on the strength of the refrigerant fluid flow of the reciprocating compressor; the movable portion of the semi-commanded suction valve being moved depending on the attraction force generated by the solenoid and depending on the strength of the refrigerant fluid flow of the reciprocating compressor; the arrangement of suction valves for reciprocating compressor being especially CHARACTERIZED in that: the at least one semi-commanded suction valve has a thickness greater than the thickness of at least one automatic suction valve; the at least one automatic suction valve and the at least one semi-commanded suction valve are defined on different metal foils; wherein the metal foil in which the at least one automatic suction valve is defined presents a window which comprises an area of passage to the semi-commanded suction valve.

2. Reciprocating compressor provided with a suction valves arrangement according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the ratio between the thickness of the semi-commanded suction valve and the thickness of the automatic suction valve is from 1.1:1 to 3:1.

3. Reciprocating compressor provided with a suction valves arrangement according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the automatic suction valve and the semi-commanded suction valve comprise components physically independent of each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention will be described in detail based on FIG. 1, which illustrates, in exploded view, the preferred embodiment of the suction valves arrangement for reciprocating compressor in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] In general, it is the main objective of the present invention to provide clever means for lowering the power consumption of the solenoid responsible for the performance of the semi-commanded suction valve described in document BRPI1001359.

[0028] Therefore, it is described an double suction reciprocating compressor, as well as the reciprocating compressor described in document BRPI1001359, whose suction valves arrangement differs greatly from the current state of the art.

[0029] For reference purposes, it is noteworthy that said double suction reciprocating compressor, which is able to operate with two separate pressure suction lines, comprises a compression mechanism comprised of a compression cylinder 1, by a valve plate 2 arranged on one end of the compression cylinder 1, and other trivial components (not shown) which necessarily integrate this type of compressor, such as a driving source able to move the movable piston arranged within said compression cylinder 1. Obviously, the aspects of traditional reciprocating compressor do not fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0030] Notably, the reciprocating compressor further comprises a suction valves arrangement comprised of at least two vane-type suction valves and at least one solenoid able to exert magnetic attraction on one of said suction valves.

[0031] More particularly, and as previously defined in document BRPI1001359, one of the suction valves is an automatic vane-type suction valve 3, and has a movable portion able to interact with its respective suction orifice mainly located in the valve plate 2. As previously explained, it is defined as automatic suction valve, those whose movement of the free end, relative to its respective orifice, is performed only by the forces performed by the suction and discharge flows of the refrigerant fluid.

[0032] Further more, and also according to what was previously illustrated in document BRPI1001359, one of the suction valves is a vane-type semi-commanded suction valve 4, which has a movable portion able to interact with its respective suction orifice notably located on the valve plate 2. Also as previously explained, it is defined as semi-commanded suction valve, those whose movement of the free end, relative to its respective orifice, can be performed both due to the magnetic force (force attraction) generated by the activation of the solenoid, and the forces performed by suction and discharge flows of the refrigerant flow.

[0033] The solenoid 5, which also belongs to the suction valves arrangement, comprises a conventional solenoid that is comprised of electrical conductors winding and a support structure able to be fastened to the valve plate 2 and, more particularly, able to be fastened to the valve plate 2 in a particularly aligned manner to the semi-commanded suction valve 4.

[0034] In this context, it is noteworthy that it is not the purpose of the present invention to detail possible geometries of the automatic suction valve 3, the semi-commanded suction valve 4, or even the solenoid 5.

[0035] Furthermore, it is not the purpose of the present invention to detail possible fastening means for these components of the suction valve arrangement on the reciprocating compressor; nevertheless, it can be used fastening means known to those skilled in the art.

[0036] In fact, the core of the present invention refers to the fact that the semi-commanded suction valve 4 has a thickness greater than the thickness of the automatic suction valve 3.

[0037] More particularly, it is still evident that the ratio between the thickness of the semi-commanded suction valve 4 and the thickness of the automatic suction valve 3 is between 1,1:1 to 3:1.

[0038] The greater thickness of the semi-commanded suction valve 4 in relation to the automatic suction valve 3 reaches at least two important results: [0039] reduction of the solenoid power consumption 5, after all, the larger the metallic mass of the body to be attracted, the smaller is the magnet stress generated by the solenoid and therefore its electrical power supply maybe smaller; [0040] Sealing Reliability, after all, in situations where the semi-commanded suction valve 4 needs to be closed (through the solenoid actuation 5), the greater will be its mechanical resistance for changing its functional status, which ensures the correct functioning of the automatic suction valve 3.

[0041] On the other hand, the smaller thickness of the automatic suction valve 3 in relation to the semi-commanded suction valve 4 further results in an eventual material economy (if compared to the amount of material used in two suction valves with the same thickness).

[0042] With respect to the constructivity of the suction valves arrangement disclosed herein, it appears that the best possibility for obtaining two suction valves having different thicknesses is to manufacture the valves so that they are physically independent of each other.

[0043] Thus, it is preferred that the thinner automatic suction valve 3 is generated on a greater metal foil and with more stable fastening possibilities, whereas it is preferred that the thicker semi-commanded suction valve 4 is exclusively produced, with more limited fastening possibilities.

[0044] A good constructive example is best illustrated in FIG. 1, where the automatic suction valve 3 is generated in a foil having a perimeter equal to the perimeter of the valve plate 2, both of which can be reliably fastened to each other and to the compression cylinder 1 of the reciprocating compressor. It also appears that said foil where the automatic suction 3 is formed also presents a passerby, or window, which comprises an area of passage to the semi-commanded suction valve 4, which can be directly attached to the valve plate or the foil where the automatic suction 3 is formed.

[0045] Having explained the core of the invention by way of an example of a preferred embodiment, it is important to emphasize that the scope of protection reciprocating compressor provided with suction valves arrangement covers other possible variations, which are limited solely by the content of the claims, wherein possible equivalent arrangements are included.