ALTERNATIVE COMPRESSOR HEAD ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

An alternative compressor head arrangement is provided. The alternative compressor head arrangement is configured to eliminate the occurrence of friction wear in the bending areas of the operation valves. For this, an interface blade arranged between the valve blade and the stop blade is used, so that the interface between the static end of the operation valve of the valve blade and the valve stop of the stop blade is fully carried out by the interface blade.

Claims

1. An alternative compressor head arrangement, comprising: a valve plate (1) provided with at least one operating hole (11); a discharge valve blade (2) provided with at least one operation valve (21) and at least one mounting hole (22), each said at least one operation valve (21) comprising a static end (211), a dynamic end (212) and a bending area (213) arranged between said static end (211) and said dynamic end (212); a stop blade (4) provided with at least one valve stop (41) and at least one mounting hole (42), each said at least one valve stop (41) comprising an end-of-stroke rib (411); a cylinder cap (5) provided with a flange (51), said flange (51) capable of receiving at least one assembly component (6); and a suction valve blade (7) provided with at least one operation valve (71) and at least one mounting hole (72), each said at least one operation valve (71) comprising a static end, a dynamic end and a bending area arranged between that static end and that dynamic end; an interface blade (3) provided with at least one mounting hole (31); said interface blade (3) being arranged between said discharge valve blade (2) and said stop blade (4); said interface blade (3) being made of flexible material; said interface blade (3) comprising a solid part (32) coincident with the static end (211) of each at least one operation valve (21) of the discharge valve blade (2); said interface blade (3) comprising a hollow part (33) coincident with the dynamic end (212) and the bending area (213) of each at least one operation valve (21) of the discharge valve blade (2); and the mounting holes of the discharge valve blade (2), the interface blade (3) and the stop blade (4) are subject to mutual alignment by means of the at least one assembly component (6); wherein the stop blade (4) is disposed above the interface blade (3), and said stop blade (4) comprises a stop blade overhang (4a) with a stop blade overhang first end (41a) and a stop blade overhang second end (41b); wherein the stop blade overhang second end (41b) is positioned in a longitudinal axis of the stop blade (4), such that it is located in front of the stop blade overhang first end (41a) and is behind the at least one valve stop (41); wherein the stop blade overhang second end (41b) coincides with the end of a stop blade flat area (900); wherein the length of the stop blade overhang (4a) is related to the thickness of the stop blade (4); wherein the interface blade (3) defines an interface blade clamping line (1000), said interface blade clamping line (1000) coincident with the stop blade overhang first end (41a) and with the end of the static end (211) of the discharge valve blade (2).

2. The alternative compressor head arrangement, according to claim 1, further comprising: an auxiliary valve blade (8) provided with at least one auxiliary operation valve (81) and at least one mounting hole (82), each said at least one auxiliary operation valve (81) comprising a static end (811), a dynamic end (812) and a bending area (813) arranged between said static end (811) and said dynamic end (812); said auxiliary valve blade (8) arranged between the interface blade (3) and the discharge valve blade (2); the static end (811) of the auxiliary operation valves (81) is in contact with the static ends (211) of the operation valves (21) of the discharge valve blade (2); the mounting holes of the discharge valve blade (2), the auxiliary valve blade (8), the interface blade (3), and the stop blade (4) are subject to mutual alignment by means of the at least one assembly component (6); and the interface between the static end (811) of each at least one auxiliary operation valve (81) and the at least one valve stop (41) of the stop blade (4) is realized by the solid part (32) of the interface blade (3).

3. The alternative compressor head arrangement, according to claim 1, further comprising: an auxiliary valve blade (8) provided with at least one auxiliary operation valve (81) and at least one mounting hole (82), each said at least one auxiliary operation valve (81) comprising a static end (811), a dynamic end (812) and a bending area (813) arranged between said static end (811) and said dynamic end (812); said auxiliary valve blade (8) arranged between the interface blade (3) and an additional interface blade (3); the additional interface blade (3) is provided with at least one mounting hole (31), said additional interface blade (3) being arranged between said auxiliary valve blade (8) and said discharge valve blade (2); said additional interface blade (3) comprising a solid part (32) coincident with the static end (811) of each at least one auxiliary operation valve (81) of the auxiliary valve blade (8); said additional interface blade (3) comprising a hollow part (33) coincident with the dynamic end (812) and the bending area (813) of each at least one auxiliary operation valve (81) of the auxiliary valve blade (8), and said hollow part (33) coincident with the dynamic end (212) and the bending area (213) of each at least one operation valve (21) of the discharge valve blade (2); the mounting holes of the discharge valve blade (2), the additional interface blade (3), the auxiliary valve blade (8), the interface blade (3), and the stop blade (4) are subject to mutual alignment by means of the at least one assembly component (6); the solid part (32) of the additional interface blade (3) connects the static end (211) of each at least one operation valve (21) of the discharge valve blade (2) with the static end (811) of each at least one auxiliary operation valve (81) of the auxiliary valve blade (8); and the interface between the static end (811) of each at least one auxiliary operation valve (81) and the at least one valve stop (41) of the stop blade (4) is realized by the solid part (32) of the interface blade (3).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The objectives and advantages of the present invention will become clearer through the following detailed description of the example and non-limiting drawings presented at the end of this document:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an alternative compressor and its main components;

[0032] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 comprise slightly edited reproductions (removal of original numerical references) of figures contained in the U.S. patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,174,756 and 6,929,456. More particularly, FIGS. 2 and 3 refer to figures of the U.S. patent U.S. Pat. No. 10,174,756 and FIG. 4 refers to a figure of the U.S. patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,456;

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates, in an exploded perspective, the preferential embodiment of the alternative compressor head arrangement according to the invention in question;

[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates, in an enlarged exploded perspective, constructive details of the operation valve, the interface element and the valve stop that integrate the preferential embodiment of the alternative compressor head arrangement according to the invention in question;

[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates, in a schematic side cut, the assembly of part of the components that integrate the preferential embodiment of the alternative compressor head arrangement according to the invention in question;

[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates, in an enlarged exploded perspective, constructive details of the operation valve, the interface element and the valve stop that integrate an alternative first embodiment of the alternative compressor head arrangement according to the invention in question;

[0037] FIG. 9 illustrates, in a schematic side cut, the assembly of part of the components that integrate the first alternative embodiment of the alternative compressor head arrangement according to the invention in question;

[0038] FIG. 10 illustrates, in an enlarged exploded perspective, constructive details of the operation valve, the interface element and the valve stop that integrate a second alternative embodiment of the alternative compressor head arrangement according to the invention in question; and

[0039] FIG. 11 illustrates, in a schematic side cut, the assembly of part of the components that integrate the second alternative embodiment of the alternative compressor head arrangement according to the invention in question.

[0040] FIG. 12 illustrates a side cut view of a third embodiment of the alternative compressor head arrangement according to the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of the third embodiment of the alternative compressor head arrangement according to the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 14 illustrates a side cut view of a fourth embodiment of the alternative compressor head arrangement according to the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 15 illustrates a side cut view of a fifth embodiment of alternative compressor head arrangement according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] In view of the objectives of the invention in question, an alternative compressor head arrangement is revealed, the preferred embodiment of which is illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

[0045] According to this preferred embodiment, the alternative compressor head arrangement consists of a valve plate 1, a discharge valve blade 2, an interface blade 3, a stop blade 4, a cylinder cap 5, assembly components 6 and a suction valve blade 7.

[0046] Preferably, the alternative compressor head arrangement revealed here may also include at least one seal joint.

[0047] In this way, valve plate 1 comprises a rigid, rigid plate of quadrangular shape used to close the free end of the compression cylinder (not illustrated) of the reciprocating compressor (not illustrated). Furthermore, said valve plate 1 comprises four operating holes 11 (two discharge and two suction) arranged inside its area, and comprises four mounting holes 12, each arranged at one of its ends.

[0048] Additionally, the discharge valve blade 2 has a small thickness metal blade, of quadrangular shape, comprising two operation valves 21 and four mounting holes 22. As in traditional valve blades, each of the operation valves 21 comprises a static end 211, a dynamic end 212 and a 213 bending area arranged between said static end 211 and said dynamic end 212. In addition, as with traditional valve blades, the mounting holes 22 are arranged at the ends of the general area of said discharge valve blade 2.

[0049] Also in this same direction, the stop blade 4 comprises a metal blade, of quadrangular shape, of intermediate thickness, usually between 1 mm and 3 mm, between the thickness of the valve plate 1, between 1.9 mm and 4 mm and the thickness of the discharge valve blade 2 between 0.077 mm and 0.503 mm. Two valve stops 41 and four mounting holes 42 are provided. In addition, it is worth noting that most of the area of said stop blade 4 is leaked. In any case, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention in question, each of the valve stops 41 comprises an end-of-stroke rib 411. In addition, as with traditional stop blades, the 42 mounting holes are arranged at the ends of the general area of said stop blade 4.

[0050] Also in this same sense, the cylinder cover 5 comprises a metal monoblock with internal volumes (not illustrated) and a flange 51 to receive the assembly components 6, which can comprise screws or equivalent elements.

[0051] In addition, in this same direction, the suction valve blade 7 comprises a metal blade of similar thickness to the discharge valve, of quadrangular shape, comprising two operation valves 71 and four mounting holes 72. As with traditional valve blades, each of the 71 operation valves comprises a static end, a dynamic end and a bending area arranged between said static end and said dynamic end. In addition, as with traditional valve blades, the mounting holes 72 are arranged at the ends of the general area of said suction valve blade 7.

[0052] A main aspect of the present invention lies in the use of the interface blade 3 and its interaction with discharge valve blade 2 and with the stop blade 4 in order to avoid friction wear in the bending areas 213 of the operation valves 21.

[0053] Said interface blade 3 comprises a small thickness blade, made of flexible material, such as a compound composed of synthetic fibers, elastomers (hydraulic cardboard), cellulose, polymeric compound (engineering plastic) and metals such as copper and aluminum. In this sense, said interface blade 3 must be made of material more ductile or softer than the making material of the discharge valve blade 2 and the stop blade 4.

[0054] As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the interface blade 3 has a quadrangular shape and is provided with four mounting holes 31 arranged at the ends of its general area.

[0055] Said interface blade 3 also comprises, in addition to a perimeter contour equivalent to the contour of a seal joint, two solid parts 32 coincident with the static ends 211 of the operation valves 21 of valve blade 2 and a large hollow part 33 coincident with the dynamic ends 212 and with the bending areas 213 of the operation valves 21 of the valve blade 2.

[0056] Whereas, as illustrated in FIG. 7, that interface blade 3 is arranged between said valve blade 2 and said stop blade 4. In this sense, the interfaces between the static ends 211 of the valves operation 21 of valve blade 2 and valve stops 41 of the stop blade 4 are fully carried out by the interface blade 3. More particularly, it is noted that the interfaces between the static ends 211 of the valve blade 21 operation valves and the valve stop 41 of the stop blade 4 are fully realized by the solid parts 32 of the interface blade 3.

[0057] Consequently, there is no physical contact between the static ends 211 and the bending areas 213 of the operation valves 21 of the discharge valve blade 2 with the stop blade 4.

[0058] Moreover, also considering that said interface blade 3 is arranged between said discharge valve blade 2 and said stop blade 4, it is observed that the bending areas 213 of the operation valves 21 of the valve blade 2 are also free of contact with stop blade 4.

[0059] In relation to the assembly and fixation of the components described herein, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the mounting holes of the discharge valve blade 2, the interface blade 3 and the stop blade 4 are subject to mutual alignment by means of the assembly components 6.

[0060] The use of a flexible interface blade 3, between two rigid blades, reduces friction in the bending areas of the operation valves, because the solid parts of the interface blade tend to deform to accompany the movements of said bending areas of the operation valves, preventing them from establishing direct physical contact with the stop blade, consequently reducing the tension of the discharge valve in the bending region defined by the solid region of the interface blade.

[0061] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the first alternative embodiment of the invention in question. In this embodiment, in addition to all trivial components (valve plate, cylinder cover, assembly components and suction valve blade) and all essential components (discharge valve blade 2, interface blade 3 and stop blade 4) previously described in the preferred embodiment of the invention in question, is also provided for an auxiliary valve blade 8, comprising a metal blade of small thickness, of quadrangular shape, integrated by two auxiliary valves of operation 81 and four mounting holes 82.

[0062] Considering that auxiliary operation valves 81 of auxiliary valve blade 8 are fundamentally equivalent to operation valves 21 of discharge valve blade 2, each of the aforementioned auxiliary operation valves 81 of auxiliary valve blade 8 also comprises a static end 811, a dynamic end 812 and a bending area 813 arranged between said static end 811 and said dynamic end 812.

[0063] In this sense, the auxiliary operation valves are arranged and designed in such a way as to cushion the movement of the operation valves 21 of the discharge valve blade 2.

[0064] Unlike what is observed in the preferential embodiment of the invention in question, in which the interface blade 3 is arranged between said discharge valve blade 2 and the stop blade 4, the first alternative embodiment stands out for the fact that the interface blade 3 is arranged between said discharge valve blade 2 and auxiliary valve blade 8. In this case, the stop blade 4 is arranged on the auxiliary valve blade 8.

[0065] After the introduction of the auxiliary valve blade 8 (between the interface blade 3 and the stop blade 4), the details referring to the assembly and fixation of the components described here are analogous to the assembly and fixation details observed in the preferential embodiment of the invention in question.

[0066] The main objective of this first alternative embodiment is to reduce friction in the bending areas of the operation valves of the discharge valve blade resulting from the use of auxiliary operation valves cooperating with operation valves for controlled damping of the movement of the operation valves.

[0067] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the second alternative embodiment of the invention in question. In this realization, in addition to all trivial components (valve plate, cylinder cover, assembly components and suction valve blade) and all the essential components previously mentioned and described (discharge valve blade 2, interface blade 3, stop blade 4 and auxiliary valve blade 8) in the first alternative embodiment of the invention in question, an additional interface blade 3 is also provided, which is arranged between said auxiliary valve blade 8 and said stop blade 4.

[0068] Thus, it is noted that the aforementioned additional interface blade 3 is analogous to the interface blade 3 and, therefore, t has a quadrangular shape, besides being provided with four mounting holes 31 arranged at the ends of its general area, two solid parts 32, now coincident with the fixed ends of the auxiliary valves operation 81 of the auxiliary valve blade 8, and a large hollow part 33, now coincident with the dynamic ends and the bending areas of the auxiliary operation valves 81 of the auxiliary valve 8.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the interface blade 3, arranged between the discharge valve blade 2 and the auxiliary valve blade 8, is responsible for reducing friction in the bending areas of the operation valves of the discharge valve blade. The additional interface blade 3, in turn arranged between the auxiliary valve blade 8 and the stop blade 4, is responsible for reducing the eventual friction in the bending areas of the auxiliary valves of operation of the auxiliary valve blade 8.

[0070] Another main aspect of the present invention lies the use of an overhang 4a. Therefore, in a third embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 12, in addition to the valve plate 1, the cylinder cover 5, the assembly components 6, the suction valve blade 7, the discharge blade 2, the interface blade 3, and the stop blade 4, the stop blade 4 comprises a stop blade overhang 4a, said stop blade overhang 4a being an extension of the stop blade 4. In this third embodiment, the additional interface blade 3 and the auxiliary blade 8 are not used.

[0071] The interface blade 3 is arranged between the discharge valve blade 2 and the stop blade 4.

[0072] The interface blade 3 comprises a solid part 32 coincident with the static end 211 of the operation valves 21 of the discharge valve blade 2. Additionally, the interface blade 3 comprises a hollow part 33 coincident with the dynamic end 212 and the bending area 213 of the operation valves 21 of the discharge valve blade 2.

[0073] The mounting holes of the discharge valve blade 2, the interface blade 3 and the stop blade 4 are subject to mutual alignment by means of the assembly components 6.

[0074] The stop blade overhang 4a is disposed above the interface blade 3, and said stop blade overhang 4a comprises a stop blade overhang first end 41a and a stop blade overhang second end 41b, delimiting its length. The stop blade overhang second end 41b coincides with the end of a stop blade flat area 900. Additionally, the length of the stop blade overhang 4a depends on the thickness of the stop blade 4, ranging from 25% to 35% of the stop blade 4 thickness. Preferably, the length of the stop blade overhang 4a is 30% of the stop blade 4 thickness. In view of the length limitation, the stop blade overhang second end 41b is positioned in a longitudinal axis of the stop blade 4, such that it is located in front of the stop blade overhang first end 41a and is behind the at least one valve stop 41.

[0075] The interface blade 3 is responsible for clamping the valve system and defines an interface blade clamping line 1000. The interface blade clamping line 1000 coincides with the stop blade overhang first end 41a and the end of the static end 211 of the discharge valve blade 2. The interface blade clamping line 1000 delimits the clamping contact of the interface blade 3 over the discharge valve blade 2, separating the discharge valve blade static end 211 from the discharge valve bending area 213 and the discharge valve dynamic end 212.

[0076] In this embodiment, the use of the stop 4a ensures that the stop blade 4 and blade overhang 4a always cover the interface blade 3, regardless of minor manufacturing discrepancies. This improves the construction of the head arrangement compared to the prior art, where production variabilities could lead to indefinite clamping, with the stop blade 4 pressing the interface blade 3 beyond the interface blade clamping line 1000.

[0077] Optionally, by using the stop blade overhang 4a, it is possible to incorporate the auxiliary blade 8 to further maintain the stop blade flat area 900.

[0078] Thus, in a fourth embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 14, the stop blade 4 comprises a stop blade overhang 4a, and the auxiliary blade 8 is also provided, said auxiliary blade 8 arranged between the interface blade 3 and the discharge valve blade 2.

[0079] In this fourth embodiment, the interface blade 3 comprises a hollow part 33 coincident with the dynamic end 812 and the bending area 813 of the auxiliary operation valves 81 of the auxiliary valve blade 8.

[0080] Additionally, the interface between the static end 811 of the auxiliary operation valves 81 and the valve stops 41 of the stop blade 4 is realized by the solid part 32 of the interface blade 3. In addition, the static end 811 of the auxiliary operation valves 81 is in contact with the static ends 211 of the operation valves 21 of the discharge valve blade 2.

[0081] Lastly, the mounting holes of the discharge valve blade 2, the auxiliary valve blade 8, the interface blade 3, and the stop blade 4 are subject to mutual alignment by means of the assembly components 6.

[0082] Optionally, by using the stop blade overhang 4a, it is possible to use the auxiliary blade 8 and the additional interface blade 3 to further maintain the stop blade flat area 900.

[0083] Thus, in a fifth embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 15, the stop blade 4 comprises a stop blade overhang 4a, and the auxiliary blade 8 and the additional interface blade 3 are also provided. The auxiliary blade 8 is arranged between the interface blade 3 and the additional interface blade 3, and the additional interface blade 3 is arranged between said auxiliary valve blade 8 and said discharge valve blade 2.

[0084] In this fifth embodiment, the additional interface blade 3 comprises a hollow part 33 coincident with the dynamic end 812 and the bending area 813 of the auxiliary operation valves 81 of the auxiliary valve blade 8, and said hollow part 33 coincident with the dynamic end 212 and the bending area 213 of the operation valves 21 of the discharge valve blade 2.

[0085] Additionally, the solid part 32 of the additional interface blade 3 connects the static end 211 of the operation valves 21 of the discharge valve blade 2 with the static end 811 of the auxiliary operation valves 81 of the auxiliary valve blade 8. In addition, the interface between the static end 811 of the auxiliary operation valves 81 and the valve stops 41 of the stop blade 4 is realized by the solid part 32 of the interface blade 3.

[0086] Lastly, the mounting holes of the discharge valve blade 2, the additional interface blade 3, the auxiliary valve blade 8, the interface blade 3, and the stop blade 4 are subject to mutual alignment by means of the assembly components 6.

[0087] Although the present invention has been described in connection with certain preferential embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit disclosure to such particular embodiments. Instead, it is intended to cover all possible alternatives, modifications and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the attached claims.