U.S. patent application number 14/132556 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-19 for reciprocating compressor with vapor injection system.
This patent application is currently assigned to EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Ernest R. BERGMAN, Adam Michael BLAKE, John P. ELSON, Brian G. SCHROEDER, Michael R. SCHULTZ NAVARA, Frank S. WALLIS.
Application Number | 20140170006 14/132556 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50931107 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140170006 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BERGMAN; Ernest R. ; et
al. |
June 19, 2014 |
RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR WITH VAPOR INJECTION SYSTEM
Abstract
A compressor assembly is provided and may include a compression
cylinder and a compression piston disposed within the compression
cylinder that compresses a vapor disposed within the compression
cylinder from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure. The
compressor assembly may additionally include a crankshaft that
cycles the compression piston within the compression cylinder and
an injection port in fluid communication with the compression
cylinder that selectively communicates intermediate-pressure vapor
at a pressure between the suction pressure vapor and the discharge
pressure vapor to the compression cylinder. The injection port may
communicate the intermediate-pressure vapor to the compression
cylinder when the compression piston exposes the injection port and
may be prevented from communicating the intermediate-pressure vapor
to the compression cylinder when the compression piston blocks the
injection port.
Inventors: |
BERGMAN; Ernest R.;
(Yorkshire, OH) ; ELSON; John P.; (Sidney, OH)
; WALLIS; Frank S.; (Sidney, OH) ; SCHROEDER;
Brian G.; (Sidney, OH) ; SCHULTZ NAVARA; Michael
R.; (Dayton, OH) ; BLAKE; Adam Michael;
(Gallipolis, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
Sidney |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.
Sidney
OH
|
Family ID: |
50931107 |
Appl. No.: |
14/132556 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61738741 |
Dec 18, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/559 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 39/0094 20130101;
F04B 53/10 20130101; F04B 7/0057 20130101; F04B 49/22 20130101;
F04B 53/14 20130101; F04B 25/005 20130101; F04B 1/0413 20130101;
F04B 39/125 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/559 |
International
Class: |
F04B 7/00 20060101
F04B007/00 |
Claims
1. A compressor assembly comprising: a compression cylinder; a
compression piston disposed within said compression cylinder and
operable to compress a vapor disposed within said compression
cylinder from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure; a
crankshaft operable to cycle said compression piston within said
compression cylinder; and an injection port in fluid communication
with said compression cylinder and operable to selectively
communicate intermediate-pressure vapor at a pressure between said
suction pressure vapor and said discharge pressure vapor to said
compression cylinder, said injection port communicating said
intermediate-pressure vapor to said compression cylinder when said
compression piston exposes said injection port and prevented from
communicating said intermediate-pressure vapor to said compression
cylinder when said compression piston blocks said injection
port.
2. The compressor assembly of claim 1, wherein said compression
piston is movable within said compression cylinder between a top
dead center (TDC) position and a bottom dead center (BDC) position,
said compression piston exposing said injection port in said BDC
position and blocking said injection port in said TDC position.
3. The compressor of claim 2, wherein said injection port is fully
exposed when said compression piston is in said BDC position.
4. The compressor of claim 2, wherein said injection port is
partially blocked by said compression piston when said compression
piston is in said BDC position.
5. The compressor of claim 2, wherein said injection port includes
at least two injection ports.
6. The compressor of claim 5, wherein said at least two injection
ports are simultaneously exposed when said compression piston is in
said BDC position.
7. The compressor of claim 1, further comprising a valve associated
with said injection port, said valve operable to control passage of
fluid from said injection port into said compression cylinder.
8. The compressor of claim 7, wherein said valve is a check valve
that permits flow of said intermediate-pressure vapor into said
compression cylinder and prevents flow of vapor from said
compression cylinder into said injection port.
9. The compressor of claim 7, wherein said valve is an
electronically controlled valve.
10. The compressor of claim 9, further comprising a controller in
communication with said electronically controlled valve and
operable to control said valve between an open state injecting said
intermediate-pressure vapor into said compression cylinder and a
closed state preventing injection of said intermediate-pressure
vapor into said compression cylinder.
11. A compressor assembly comprising: a compression cylinder; a
compression piston disposed within said compression cylinder and
operable to compress a vapor disposed within said compression
cylinder from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure, said
compression piston movable within said compression cylinder between
a top dead center (TDC) position and a bottom dead center (BDC)
position; a crankshaft operable to cycle said compression piston
within said compression cylinder; and an injection port in fluid
communication with said compression cylinder and operable to
selectively communicate intermediate-pressure vapor at a pressure
between said suction pressure vapor and said discharge pressure
vapor to said compression cylinder, said injection port exposed by
said compression piston when said compression piston is approaching
said BDC position to permit communication of said inter-mediate
pressure vapor into said compression cylinder.
12. The compressor assembly of claim 11, wherein said compression
piston blocks said injection port in said TDC position to prevent
communication of said intermediate-pressure vapor into said
compression cylinder.
13. The compressor of claim 11, wherein said injection port is
fully exposed when said compression piston is in said BDC
position.
14. The compressor of claim 11, wherein said injection port is
partially blocked by said compression piston when said compression
piston is in said BDC position.
15. The compressor of claim 11, wherein said injection port
includes at least two injection ports.
16. The compressor of claim 15, wherein said at least two injection
ports are simultaneously exposed when said compression piston is in
said BDC position.
17. The compressor of claim 11, further comprising a valve
associated with said injection port, said valve operable to control
passage of fluid from said injection port into said compression
cylinder.
18. The compressor of claim 17, wherein said valve is a check valve
that permits flow of said intermediate-pressure vapor into said
compression cylinder and prevents flow of vapor from said
compression cylinder into said injection port.
19. The compressor of claim 17, wherein said valve is an
electronically controlled valve.
20. The compressor of claim 19, further comprising a controller in
communication with said electronically controlled valve and
operable to control said valve between an open state injecting said
intermediate-pressure vapor into said compression cylinder and a
closed state preventing injection of said intermediate-pressure
vapor into said compression cylinder.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/738,741, filed on Dec. 18, 2012. The entire
disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to reciprocating compressors
and more particularly to a reciprocating compressor incorporating a
fluid-injection system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] Reciprocating compressors typically include a compressor
body housing a drive motor and one or more piston-cylinder
arrangements. In operation, the drive motor imparts a force on each
piston to move the pistons within and relative to respective
cylinders. In so doing, a pressure of working fluid disposed within
the cylinders is increased.
[0005] Conventional reciprocating compressors may be used in
refrigeration systems such as heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning systems (HVAC) to circulate a refrigerant amongst the
various components of the refrigeration system. For example, a
reciprocating compressor may receive suction-pressure, gaseous
refrigerant from an evaporator and may elevate the pressure from
suction pressure to discharge pressure. The discharge-pressure,
gaseous refrigerant may exit the compressor and encounter a
condenser to allow the refrigerant to change phase from a gas to a
liquid. The liquid refrigerant may then be expanded via an
expansion valve prior to returning to the evaporator where the
cycle begins anew.
[0006] In the foregoing refrigeration system, the compressor
requires electricity in order to drive the motor and compress
refrigerant within the system from suction pressure to discharge
pressure. As such, the amount of energy consumed by the compressor
directly impacts the costs associated with operating the
refrigeration system. Conventional compressors are therefore
typically controlled to minimize energy consumption while still
providing sufficient discharge-pressure refrigerant to the system
to satisfy a cooling and/or heating demand.
[0007] Compressor capacity and, thus, the energy consumed by a
reciprocating compressor during operation may be controlled by
employing so-called "blocked-suction modulation." Controlling
compressor capacity via blocked-suction modulation typically
involves starving the compressor of suction-pressure, gaseous
refrigerant at times when a low volume of discharge-pressure
refrigerant is required by the refrigeration system and allowing
suction-pressure, gaseous refrigerant to freely flow into the
compressor at times when a high volume of discharge-pressure
refrigerant is required by the refrigeration system. Generally
speaking, a low volume of discharge-pressure refrigerant is
required at times when the load experienced by the refrigeration
system is reduced and a high volume of discharge-pressure
refrigerant is required at times when the load experienced by the
refrigeration system is increased.
[0008] Controlling a reciprocating compressor via blocked-suction
modulation reduces the energy consumption of the compressor during
operation by reducing the load on the compressor to approximately
only that which is required to meet system demand. However,
conventional reciprocating compressors do not typically include a
fluid-injection system such as a vapor-injection system or a
liquid-injection system. As a result, conventional reciprocating
compressor capacity is typically limited to the gains experienced
via implementation of blocked-suction modulation and/or via a
variable-speed drive.
SUMMARY
[0009] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0010] A compressor assembly is provided and may include a
compression cylinder and a compression piston disposed within the
compression cylinder that compresses a vapor disposed within the
compression cylinder from a suction pressure to a discharge
pressure. The compressor assembly may additionally include a
crankshaft that cycles the compression piston within the
compression cylinder and an injection port in fluid communication
with the compression cylinder that selectively communicates
intermediate-pressure vapor at a pressure between the suction
pressure vapor and the discharge pressure vapor to the compression
cylinder. The injection port may communicate the
intermediate-pressure vapor to the compression cylinder when the
compression piston exposes the injection port and may be prevented
from communicating the intermediate-pressure vapor to the
compression cylinder when the compression piston blocks the
injection port.
[0011] In another configuration, a compressor assembly is provided
and may include a compression cylinder and a compression piston
disposed within the compression cylinder that compresses a vapor
disposed within the compression cylinder from a suction pressure to
a discharge pressure. The compression piston may be movable within
the compression cylinder between a top dead center (TDC) position
and a bottom dead center (BDC) position by a crankshaft that cycles
the compression piston within the compression cylinder. An
injection port may be in fluid communication with the compression
cylinder and may selectively communicate intermediate-pressure
vapor at a pressure between the suction pressure vapor and the
discharge pressure vapor to the compression cylinder. The injection
port may be exposed by the compression piston when the compression
piston is approaching the BDC position to permit communication of
the inter-mediate pressure vapor into the compression cylinder.
[0012] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0013] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compressor according to
the principles of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the compressor of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of FIG. 1
taken along line 3-3;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of FIG. 1
taken along line 4-4;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the compressor
of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 and showing one of a pair of
fluid-injection ports in an open state;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the compressor
of FIG. taken along line 4-4 and showing one of a pair of
fluid-injection ports in an open state;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a compressor in accordance
with the principles of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 8A is cross-sectional view of the compressor of FIG. 7
taken along line 8A-8A and showing one of a pair of fluid-injection
ports in a closed state;
[0022] FIG. 8B is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the
compressor of FIG. 7 taken along line 8B-8B and showing one of a
pair of fluid-injection ports in a closed state;
[0023] FIG. 9A is cross-sectional view of the compressor of FIG. 7
taken along line 9A-9A and showing one of a pair of fluid-injection
ports in an open state;
[0024] FIG. 9B is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the
compressor of FIG. 7 taken along line 9B-9B and showing one of a
pair of fluid-injection ports in an open state;
[0025] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a crankshaft of the
compressor of FIG. 7;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a compressor in accordance
with the principles of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of FIG.
11 taken along line 12-12;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a compression
cylinder of the compressor of FIG. 11;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternate
cylinder of the compressor of FIG. 11;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternate
cylinder of the compressor of FIG. 11;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a
vapor-injection conduit having a valve for use in conjunction with
the compressor of FIG. 11;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a compressor in accordance
with the principles of the present disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of FIG.
17 taken along line 18-18;
[0034] FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of the compressor
of FIG. 17;
[0035] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a compressor in accordance
with the principles of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view of the compressor
of FIG. 20 taken along line 21-21;
[0037] FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view of the compressor
of FIG. 20 taken along line 22-22;
[0038] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a compressor in accordance
with the principles of the present disclosure;
[0039] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of FIG.
23 taken along line 24-24;
[0040] FIG. 25 is a partial cross-sectional view of the compressor
of FIG. 23 showing a vapor injection valve located proximate to a
cylinder head of the compressor;
[0041] FIG. 26 is a schematic representation of a control system in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; and
[0042] FIG. 27 is a schematic view of a refrigeration system.
[0043] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0045] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are
skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as
examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a
thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details
need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in
many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit
the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments,
well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known
technologies are not described in detail.
[0046] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be
limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises,"
"comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The
method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to
be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the
particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically
identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood
that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0047] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on,"
"engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or
layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the
other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or
"directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no
intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to
describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in
a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the
term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of
the associated listed items.
[0048] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers
and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do
not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the example embodiments.
[0049] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer,"
"beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be
used herein for ease of description to describe one element or
feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as
illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be
intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use
or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the
figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,
elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or
features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or
features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an
orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise
oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the
spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
accordingly.
[0050] With initial reference to FIGS. 1-3, a reciprocating
compressor assembly 10 is provided and may include a compressor
housing 14 and a cylinder head 18. The compressor housing 14 and
cylinder head 18 may contain a compression mechanism 20 that
selectively compresses a fluid from a suction pressure to a
discharge pressure to cause the fluid to circulate amongst the
various components of a refrigeration system.
[0051] The cylinder head 18 may include a top plate 22 having an
inlet port 26, a top plate gasket 30, and a vapor-storage plenum
34. The cylinder head 18 may be incorporated into the compressor
housing 14 by a valve plate 38 that includes valve retainers 42 and
one or more gaskets 46 that serve to seal the cylinder head 18 and
compressor housing 14 from outside contaminants.
[0052] The compression mechanism 20 may include first and second
pistons 50, 54 that are located within the compressor housing 14
and are reciprocally movable in linear directions by respective
connecting rods 58, 62. The connecting rods 58, 62 are disposed
between the respective pistons 50, 54 and a crankshaft 66 to allow
a rotational force applied to the crankshaft 66 to be transmitted
to the pistons 50, 54. While the compressor assembly 10 is shown
and described as including two pistons 50, 54, the compressor
assembly 10 could include fewer or more pistons.
[0053] The crankshaft 66 includes a cam profile 70 for controlling
first and second followers 74, 78. The first and second followers
74, 78 are fixed for movement with respective cam pistons 82, 86
and are biased into engagement with the cam profile 70 of the
crankshaft 66 via a respective spring 90, 94 (FIG. 4).
[0054] In operation, gaseous fluid (such as a refrigerant) is
compressed in the compressor assembly 10 from a suction pressure to
a discharge pressure. The refrigerant initially passes through a
suction inlet port 98 formed in an end cap 102 of the compressor
assembly 10 and enters the housing 14 in a low-pressure, gaseous
form (i.e., at suction pressure). As described, the compressor
assembly 10 is a so-called "low-side" compressor, as the
suction-pressure vapor that enters the compressor housing 14 is
permitted to fill an inner volume of the housing 14.
[0055] Once in the housing 14, the refrigerant may be drawn into
first and second cylinders 106, 110 for compression. Specifically,
when the first and second pistons 50, 54 are cycled within the
respective cylinders 106, 110--due to rotation of the crankshaft 66
relative to the housing 14--the refrigerant is drawn from the
interior volume of the housing 14 and into the first and second
cylinders 106, 110. The refrigerant is then compressed within each
cylinder 106, 110 from suction pressure to discharge pressure as
the pistons 50, 54 are moved within and relative to each cylinder
106, 110. In other examples, there may be a single cylinder 106 or
there may be any other number of cylinders in the housing 14 to
accommodate the number of pistons 50, 54.
[0056] Refrigerant enters the first and second cylinders 106, 110
during a suction stroke of each piston 50, 54 when the piston 50,
54 is moving from a top dead center (TDC) position to a bottom dead
center (BDC) position. When the piston 50, 54 is at the TDC
position, the crankshaft 66 must rotate approximately one-hundred
and eighty degrees (180.degree.) to move the particular piston 50,
54 into the BDC position, thereby causing the piston 50, 54 to move
from a location proximate to a top portion of the particular
cylinder 106, 110 to a bottom portion of the cylinder 106, 110.
While the pistons 50, 54 are moved to the BDC position from the TDC
position, the particular cylinder 106, 110 is placed under a vacuum
or vacuum-effect (hereinafter referred to as "vacuum" for
simplicity), which causes suction-pressure vapor to be drawn into
the cylinder 106, 110.
[0057] The first and second pistons 50, 54 move linearly in
alternating directions as the crankshaft 66 is driven by an
electric motor (not shown). As the crankshaft 66 rotates, the
piston 50, 54 is driven in an upward direction, compressing
refrigerant disposed within the cylinder 106, 110. When the pistons
50, 54 travel to the TDC position, the effective volume of the
cylinder 106, 110 is reduced, thereby compressing the refrigerant
disposed within the cylinder 106, 110. The compressed refrigerant
remains in the gaseous state but is elevated from suction pressure
to discharge pressure. At this point, the refrigerant may exit the
cylinders 106, 110 and enter a discharge chamber 122.
[0058] Following compression, the piston 50, 54 returns to BDC and
refrigerant is once again drawn into the cylinder 106, 110. While
the first and second pistons 50, 54 are concurrently driven by the
crankshaft 66, the first and second pistons 50, 54 are out-of-phase
with one another. Namely, when one of the pistons 50, 54 is in the
TDC position, the other of the pistons 50, 54 is in the BDC
position. Further, when one of the pistons 50, 54 is moving from
the BDC position to the TDC position, the other of the pistons 50,
54 is moving from the TDC position to the BDC position.
Accordingly, for a compressor assembly 10 having a pair of pistons
50, 54, one of the pistons 50, 54 is drawing gaseous refrigerant
into one of the cylinders 106, 110 during operation of the
compressor assembly 10 while the other of the pistons 50, 54 is
compressing refrigerant in the other of the cylinders 106, 110.
[0059] The refrigerant may be expelled from the cylinder head 18
through a discharge port 130 in the cylinder head 18 once the
refrigerant reaches discharge pressure. The discharge-pressure
refrigerant remains in the vapor state and may be communicated to a
heat exchanger of an external refrigeration system (neither shown).
For example, the discharge-pressure refrigerant may be communicated
to a condenser (not shown) of a refrigeration system to allow the
refrigerant to release heat and change phase from a vapor to a
liquid, thereby providing a heating or cooling effect to a
conditioned space.
[0060] With particular reference to FIGS. 1-4, a fluid-injection
system such as an economized vapor-injection system 132 is shown as
being implemented in the compressor assembly 10 to increase
compressor performance. The vapor-injection system 132 may
selectively inject intermediate-pressure vapor/gas into the
compressor assembly 10 to improve system efficiency by providing
additional system output or capacity through additional subcooling
of the refrigerant in the system economizer shown in FIG. 27.
Compressor power increase with injection vapor/gas is relatively
less than the additional system capacity such that the overall
system efficiency is increased. As all the vapor-injection systems
will be described below, these injection systems could be used for
liquid refrigerant injection or other fluid injection.
[0061] The vapor-injection system 132 may receive
intermediate-pressure vapor from an external heat exchanger such as
a flash tank or economizer heat exchanger (neither shown) and may
selectively supply the intermediate-pressure vapor to the
compressor housing 14 via the cylinder head 18 and the inlet port
26 formed in the top plate 22. The intermediate-pressure vapor may
be stored in the vapor-storage plenum 34 until the
intermediate-pressure vapor is needed during the compression cycle.
Optionally, the vapor-storage plenum 34 may include an insulating
layer 35 such as a polymeric or other insulating coating. The
insulating layer 35 restricts heat associated with the
discharge-pressure vapor from reaching the vapor-storage plenum
34.
[0062] The cylinder head 18 and the compressor housing 14 may
cooperate to provide a fluid path extending between the
vapor-storage plenum 34 and the cylinders 106, 110. The fluid path
may include a pair of ports 133, 135 that are formed in the
cylinder head 18 and are in communication with fluid passageways
134, 138 formed through the cylinder head 18. The passageways 134,
138 may extend through the cylinder head 18 such that each port
133, 135 is in fluid communication with ports 137, 139 formed in
the valve plate 38 (FIG. 4) via the passageways 134, 138.
[0063] As shown in the FIG. 4, the ports 137, 139 are disposed in
close proximity to the compressor housing 14 to allow
intermediate-pressure vapor disposed within each passageway 134,
138 to freely flow from the passageways 134, 138 and into the
compressor housing 14 via the ports 137, 139. The
intermediate-pressure vapor flows into the ports 137, 139 due to
the pressure difference between the pressure of the compressor
housing 14 (at suction pressure) and the pressure of the
intermediate-pressure vapor.
[0064] The intermediate-pressure vapor is permitted to freely enter
a pair of fluid passageways 141, 143 (FIG. 4) formed in the
compressor housing 14 but is restricted from freely flowing into
the cylinders 106, 110 by the pistons 82, 86. Accordingly, the
pistons 82, 86 control the flow of intermediate-pressure vapor from
the passageways 134, 138 and into the first and second cylinders
106, 110.
[0065] In operation, the crankshaft 66 rotates the cam profile 70,
as the cam profile 70 is fixed for rotation with the crankshaft 66.
The cam profile 70 is shaped such that as the cam profile 70
rotates, the first and second followers 74, 78 move linearly,
alternating in direction. The first and second followers 74, 78 and
the first and second pistons 82, 86 are offset to utilize a single
cam profile 70 to operate the opening and closing of both pistons
82, 86. The first and second springs 90, 94 are separated from the
first and second followers 74, 78 by respective washers 142, 146
and keep constant contact between the first and second followers
74, 78 and the cam profile 70 by biasing the followers 74, 78 into
engagement with the cam profile 70.
[0066] The first and second pistons 82, 86 may each include a
substantially cylindrical shape with each piston 82, 86 being
substantially hollow from a first end proximate to ports 137, 139
to a second end proximate to the first and second followers 74, 78.
While the pistons 82, 86 are described as being substantially
hollow, the followers 74, 78 may be received within respective
second ends of the pistons 82, 86 to partially close each piston
82, 86 at the second end (FIG. 4).
[0067] In one configuration, the pistons 82, 86 are disposed within
the passageways 141, 143 and are permitted to translate within each
passageway 141, 143. Movement of the pistons 82, 86 relative to and
within the passageways 141, 143 is accomplished by movement of the
first and second followers 74, 78 relative to the compressor
housing 14. Specifically, engagement between the first and second
followers 74, 78 and the cam profile 70--due to the force exerted
on each follower 74, 78 by the biasing members 90, 94--causes the
followers 74, 78 to move relative to and within each passageway
141, 143 as the crankshaft 66 rotates.
[0068] While the biasing member 90, 94 urge each follower 74, 78
into engagement with the cam profile 70, the followers 74, 78 may
also be biased into engagement with the cam profile 70 by the
intermediate-pressure vapor disposed within the vapor-storage
plenum 34. Specifically, intermediate-pressure vapor may be
received within each piston 82, 86 from the vapor-storage plenum 34
at the first end of each piston 82, 86 and may exert a force
directly on the followers 74, 78. Specifically, the
intermediate-pressure vapor is permitted to flow into the
substantially hollow portion of each piston 82, 86 due to the
pressure differential between the vapor-storage plenum 34
(intermediate pressure) and the compressor housing 14 (suction
pressure). Once the intermediate-pressure vapor enters and
substantially fills each piston 82, 86, the intermediate-pressure
vapor encounters each follower 74, 78 proximate to the second end
of each piston 82, 86 and urges each follower 74, 78 toward the cam
profile 70.
[0069] Permitting intermediate-pressure vapor to substantially fill
each piston 82, 86 likewise allows any lubricant disposed within
the intermediate-pressure vapor to likewise enter the pistons 82,
86. Such lubricant may be drained from the pistons 82, 86 via
passageways 83, 87 (FIGS. 5 and 6) respectively formed in the
followers 74, 78. Draining lubricant from the pistons 82, 86
prevents each piston 82, 86 from being filled with lubricant and
further provides the added benefit of providing lubricant to
point-of-contact between each follower 74, 78 and the cam profile
70.
[0070] As best shown in FIG. 4, the cam profile 70 includes an
irregular shape that causes the rise and fall of the followers 74,
78 and, thus, the pistons 82, 86 within the passageways 141, 143.
Because the cam profile 70 includes an irregular shape, the pistons
82, 86 will either move closer to or farther away from the valve
plate 38 depending on the location of the followers 74, 78 along
the cam profile 70.
[0071] With additional reference to FIGS. 5-6, the passageways 141,
143 may each include gas-inlet ports 150, 154 that are in
communication with the cylinders 106, 110. The inlet ports 150, 154
allow intermediate-pressure vapor disposed within the passageways
141, 143 to flow into the cylinders 106, 110 to increase the
pressure within the cylinders 106, 110, thereby reducing the work
required to raise the pressure of the vapor within the cylinder
106, 110 to discharge pressure.
[0072] The flow of intermediate-pressure vapor from the passageways
141, 143 to the cylinders 106, 110 may be controlled by the pistons
82, 86. Specifically, one or both of the pistons 82, 86 may include
a window 158 disposed along a length thereof. The window 158 may be
positioned relative to one of the gas-inlet ports 150, 154 to allow
the intermediate-pressure vapor to enter one of the first and
second cylinders 106, 110. Additionally, one of the ports 150, 154
may be positioned at a location along one of the passageways 141,
143 such that the particular port 150, 154 is disposed in close
proximity to the valve plate 38. If the port 150, 154 is positioned
in close proximity to the valve plate 38, the piston 82, 86
disposed within the passageway 141, 143 may not need a window 158
to allow selective communication between the port 150, 154 and one
of the cylinders 106, 110.
[0073] For example, if the port 154 is formed in close proximity to
the valve plate 38, the piston 86 can close the port 150 when the
first end of the piston 86 is in close proximity to the valve plate
38 (FIG. 6) and can open the port 154 when the first end of the
piston 86 is moved sufficiently away from the valve plate 38 such
that the piston 86 no longer blocks the port 154 (FIG. 5). Movement
of the piston 86 is controlled by the location of the follower 78
along the cam profile 70. Accordingly, the cam profile 70 may be
configured to allow the port 154 to open at a predetermined time
relative to a position of the piston 54 within the cylinder 110.
For example, the cam profile 70 may be shaped such that the piston
86 allows flow of intermediate-pressure vapor into the cylinder 110
for approximately the first ninety degrees (90.degree.) of the
compression process (i.e., for approximately the first half of the
time the piston 54 moves from the BDC position to the TDC
position). For the remainder of the compression process and the
entire suction stroke (i.e., when the piston 54 moves from the TDC
position to the BDC position), the piston 86 blocks the inlet port
154, thereby restricting flow of intermediate-pressure vapor from
the vapor storage plenum 34 to the cylinder 110.
[0074] In other examples, the piston 86 may open the port 154
anytime between fifty degrees (50.degree.) before the piston 54
reaches BDC (during a suction stroke) and fifty degrees
(50.degree.) after the piston 54 reaches BDC (during a compression
stroke). Meanwhile the piston 86 may close the port 154 anytime
between fifty degrees (50.degree.) after the piston 54 reaches BDC
(during the compression stroke) and one hundred twenty degrees
(120.degree.) after the piston 54 reaches BDC. For various
refrigerants, the opening and closing of the port 154 may be
optimized. For example, R404A may prefer to open at around twenty
degrees (20.degree.) before the piston 54 reaches BDC and close at
around ninety degrees (90.degree.) after the piston 54 reaches
BDC.
[0075] The first piston 82 may operate in a similar fashion.
However, the first piston 82 may be configured to permit flow of
intermediate-pressure vapor from the vapor-storage plenum 34 to the
cylinder 106 via the window 158 when the window 158 is placed in
fluid communication with the port 150 (FIG. 6) and may prevent such
communication when the window 158 does not oppose the port 150
(FIG. 5). As with the piston 86, the relative position of the
piston 82 within the passageway 131 is controlled by the position
of the follower 74 along the cam profile 70. Accordingly, the cam
profile 70 may be shaped such that the piston 82 allows flow of
intermediate-pressure vapor into the cylinder 106 for approximately
the first ninety degrees (90.degree.) of the compression process
(i.e., for approximately the first half of the time the piston 50
moves from the BDC position to the TDC position). For the remainder
of the compression process and the entire suction stroke (i.e.,
when the piston 50 moves from the TDC position to the BDC
position), the first piston 82 blocks the inlet port 150, thereby
restricting flow of intermediate-pressure vapor from the vapor
storage plenum 34 to the cylinder 106.
[0076] While the piston 86 is described and shown as including a
substantially uniform cross-section along a length thereof and the
piston 82 is shown as including a window 158, either or both piston
82, 86 could be configured to have a uniform cross-section or a
window 158. The configuration of the pistons 82, 86 and the
location of the window 158 along the length of either or both
pistons 82, 84 may be driven by the location of each port 150, 154
along the respective passageways 131, 143 as well as by the shape
of the cam profile 70. Namely, each piston 82, 86 may include a
substantially constant cross-section along a length thereof if the
ports 150, 154 are positioned in sufficient proximity to the valve
plate 38 and the shape of the cam profile 70 is such that the first
ends of each piston 82, 86 may be sufficiently moved away from the
ports 150, 154 (i.e., in a direction away from the valve plate 38)
to selectively permit fluid communication between the passageways
134, 138 and the ports 150, 154 at a desired time relative to the
compression cycle of each piston 50, 54.
[0077] While the vapor injection system 20 is described and shown
as including a single cam profile 70, the crankshaft 66 could
alternatively include separate cam profiles that separately control
the pistons 82, 86. Such a configuration would allow the pistons
82, 86 to be substantially similar while concurrently opening and
closing the respective ports 150, 154 at different times to
accommodate the compression cycles of the respective pistons 50,
54.
[0078] With particular reference to FIGS. 7-10, a compressor
assembly 200 is provided and may include a compressor housing 204
having a cylinder head 208. The cylinder head 208 may include a top
plate 212 having an inlet port 216 and a vapor-storage plenum 220.
The cylinder head 208 may be incorporated into the compressor body
by a valve plate 224.
[0079] First and second pistons 228, 232 may be located within the
compressor housing 204 and may be reciprocally movable in linear
directions by respective connecting rods 236, 240. The connecting
rods 236, 240 are disposed between the respective pistons 228, 232
and a crankshaft 244. While the compressor assembly 200 will be
described and shown hereinafter as including two pistons 228, 232,
the compressor assembly 200 may include fewer or more pistons.
[0080] The crankshaft 244 may include a first and second eccentric
profile 248, 252 for controlling first and second rods 256, 260.
The first and second rods 256, 260 may be driven by the crankshaft
244 and may be rotatably connected to first and second pistons 256,
260. The first and second rods 256, 260 may each include a pin 264,
268 and clamp 272, 276 (FIG. 10) that cooperate to attach the
respective rods 256, 260 to one of the eccentric profiles 248, 252.
Attachment of each rod 256, 260 to the respective eccentric
profiles 248, 252 allows the rotational force of the crankshaft 244
to be imparted on each rod 256, 260, thereby allowing each rod 256,
260 to translate relative to and within the compressor housing
204.
[0081] In operation, refrigerant is compressed in the reciprocating
compressor assembly 200 from a suction pressure to a desired
discharge pressure. Suction-pressure refrigerant initially passes
through a suction-inlet port 280 of an end cap 284 of the
compressor housing 204. The refrigerant is drawn into the
compressor housing 204 at the inlet port 280 due to the
reciprocating motion of each piston 228, 232 within and relative to
each cylinder 288, 292. As with the compressor assembly 10, the
compressor assembly 200 is a so-called "low-side" compressor
assembly, as the compressor housing 204 is at suction pressure.
Accordingly, operation of the pistons 228, 232 draws
suction-pressure vapor from the compressor housing 204 and into
each cylinder 288, 292 which, in turn, cause more suction-pressure
vapor to be drawn into the compressor housing 204. Once the
refrigerant is disposed within each cylinder 288, 292, the first
and second pistons 228, 232 cooperate with the crankshaft 244 to
compress the refrigerant from suction pressure to discharge
pressure in a similar fashion as described above with respect to
the compressor assembly 10.
[0082] Namely, refrigerant enters the first and second cylinders
288, 292 during a suction stroke of each piston 228, 232 when the
piston 228, 232 is moving from a top dead center (TDC) position to
a bottom dead center (BDC) position. When the piston 228, 232 is at
the TDC position, the crankshaft 244 must rotate approximately
one-hundred and eighty degrees (180.degree.) to move the particular
piston 228, 232 into the BDC position, thereby causing the piston
228, 232 to move from a location proximate to a top portion of the
particular cylinder 288, 292 to a bottom portion of the cylinder
288, 292. When the pistons 228, 232 are moved into the BDC position
from the TDC position, the particular cylinder 288, 292 is placed
under a vacuum, which causes suction-pressure vapor to be drawn
into the cylinder 288, 292.
[0083] The first and second pistons 228, 232 move linearly in
alternating directions as the crankshaft 244 is driven by an
electric motor (not shown). As the crankshaft 244 rotates, the
piston 228, 232 is driven in an upward direction, compressing
refrigerant disposed within the cylinder 288, 292. When the pistons
228, 232 travel to the TDC position, the effective volume of the
cylinder 288, 292 is reduced, thereby compressing the refrigerant
disposed within the cylinder 288, 292. The compressed refrigerant
remains in the gaseous state but is elevated from suction pressure
to discharge pressure.
[0084] Following compression, the piston 228, 232 returns to BDC
and refrigerant is once again drawn into the cylinder 288, 292.
While the first and second pistons 228, 232 are concurrently driven
by the crankshaft 244, the first and second pistons 228, 232 are
out-of-phase with one another. Namely, when one of the pistons 228,
232 is in the TDC position, the other of the pistons 228, 232 is in
the BDC position. Further, when one of the pistons 228, 232 is
moving from the BDC position to the TDC position, the other of the
pistons 228, 232 is moving from the TDC position to the BDC
position. Accordingly, for a compressor assembly 200 having a pair
of pistons 228, 232, one of the pistons 228, 232 is drawing gaseous
refrigerant into one of the cylinders 288, 292 during operation of
the compressor assembly 200 while the other of the pistons 228, 232
is compressing refrigerant in the other of the cylinders 288,
292.
[0085] The refrigerant may be expelled from the housing 204 through
the discharge port 308 in the compressor housing 204 once the
refrigerant reaches discharge pressure. The discharge-pressure
refrigerant remains in the vapor state and may be communicated to a
heat exchanger of an external refrigeration system (neither shown).
For example, the discharge-pressure refrigerant may be communicated
to a condenser (not shown) of a refrigeration system to allow the
refrigerant to release heat and change phase from a vapor to a
liquid, thereby providing a heating or cooling effect to a
conditioned space.
[0086] With continued reference to FIGS. 7-10, the compressor
assembly 200 is shown as including an economized vapor-injection
system 201 that improves compressor performance and efficiency. The
vapor injection system 201 may selectively inject
intermediate-pressure vapor into the compressor assembly 200 to
improve system efficiency by providing extra output or capacity of
the compressor and gaining system capacity through extra subcooling
of the refrigerant in the system economizer shown in FIG. 27.
[0087] The vapor injection system 201 may receive
intermediate-pressure vapor from an external heat exchanger such as
a flash tank or economizer heat exchanger (neither shown) and may
selectively supply the intermediate-pressure vapor to the
compressor housing 204 via the cylinder head 208 and the inlet port
216 formed in the top plate 212. The intermediate-pressure vapor
may be stored in the vapor-storage plenum 220 until the
intermediate-pressure vapor is needed during the compression
cycle.
[0088] The cylinder head 208 and the compressor housing 204 may
cooperate to provide a fluid path extending between the
vapor-storage plenum 220 and the cylinders 288, 292. The fluid path
may include a pair of ports 209 (FIG. 8B), 211 (FIG. 9B) that are
formed in the cylinder head 208 and are in communication with fluid
passageways 312, 316 formed through the cylinder head 208. The
passageways 312, 316 may extend through the cylinder head 208 such
that each port 209, 211 is in fluid communication with ports 313
(FIG. 8A), 315 (FIG. 9A) formed in the valve plate 224 (FIGS.
8A-9B) via the passageways (312, 316).
[0089] As shown in the FIGS. 8A-9B, the ports 313, 315 are disposed
in close proximity to the compressor housing 204 to allow
intermediate-pressure vapor disposed within each passageway 312,
316 to freely flow from the passageways 312, 316 and into the
compressor housing 204 via the ports 313, 315.
[0090] The intermediate-pressure vapor is permitted to freely enter
a pair of fluid passageways 317, 319 formed in the compressor
housing 204 but is restricted from freely flowing into the
cylinders 288, 292 by the first and second rods 256, 260.
Accordingly, the first and second rods 256, 260 control the flow of
intermediate-pressure vapor from the passageways 317, 319 and into
the first and second cylinders 288, 292.
[0091] With particular reference to FIGS. 8A-9B, operation of the
vapor-injection system 201 will be described in detail. Rotation of
the crankshaft 244 likewise causes rotation of the first and second
eccentric profiles 248, 252 relative to the compressor housing 204.
The first and second eccentric profiles 248, 252 are shaped such
that as the first and second eccentric profiles 248, 252 rotate,
the first and second rods 256, 260 move linearly, alternating in
direction. As the first and second rods 256, 260 rise and fall in
relation to the first and second eccentric profiles 248, 252, the
first and second rods 256, 260 open and close first and second
gas-inlet ports 320, 324 to allow the intermediate-pressure vapor
to enter the first and second cylinders 288, 292. The first and
second eccentric profiles 248, 252 are shaped to allow gas flow
into each cylinder 288, 292 for a predetermined time during the
compression stroke (i.e., approximately the first half of piston
travel from BDC to TDC). For the remainder of the compression
stroke and the entire suction stroke, the first and second rods
256, 260 block the first and second gas-inlet ports 320, 324 to
prevent the flow of intermediate-pressure vapor into the cylinders
288, 292.
[0092] The first and second rods 256, 260 may be attached at
specific locations around a perimeter of the first and second
eccentric profiles 248, 252 to control injection of
intermediate-pressure vapor into the first and second cylinders
288, 292. For example, the first rod 256 may expose the first
gas-inlet port 320 to allow gas flow into the first cylinder 288
(FIGS. 8A-8B) for the first half of piston travel from BDC to TDC
(i.e., the first ninety degrees (90.degree.) of rotation of the
crankshaft 244 during the compression cycle). After the
predetermined amount of time during the compression cycle, the
first rod 256 rises to block the port 320 for the remainder of the
compression cycle to prevent intermediate-pressure vapor from
entering the cylinder 288.
[0093] The second rod 260 may block the second gas-inlet port 324
when the first gas-inlet port 320 is open. Conversely, the second
rod 260 may retract and open the second gas-inlet port 324 when the
first gas-inlet port 320 is closed. In short, the first rod 256 and
the second rod 260 are out-of-phase with one another and, as a
result, do not permit both ports 320, 324 to be open at the same
time.
[0094] The first rod 256 and the second rod 260 may cooperate with
the first and second eccentric profiles 248, 252, respectively, to
open the ports 320, 324 at different times to accommodate
compression timing in each cylinder 288, 292. Namely, the first rod
256 and second rod 260 may be poisoned in a lowered state to
respectively open the ports 320, 324 at different times such that
the ports 320, 324 are open for the first half of piston travel
from BDC to TDC (i.e., the first ninety degrees (90.degree.) of
rotation of the crankshaft 244 during the compression cycle) for
each piston 228, 232.
[0095] With reference to FIGS. 11-15, a compressor assembly 400 is
provided and may include a compressor housing 404 having a cylinder
head 408. The cylinder head 408 may include a top plate 412 and may
be incorporated into the compressor housing 404 by a valve plate
416.
[0096] First and second pistons may be located within the
compressor housing 404 and may be reciprocally movable in linear
directions by respective connecting rods 426, 430. The connecting
rods 426, 430 are disposed between the respective pistons 418, 422
and a crankshaft (not shown). While the crankshaft is not shown,
the crankshaft may be similar, if not identical, to the crankshaft
66 of the compressor assembly 10 described above (not including cam
profile 70). While the compressor assembly 400 will be described
and shown hereinafter as including two pistons 418, 422, the
compressor assembly 400 may include fewer or more pistons.
[0097] In operation, refrigerant is compressed in the compressor
assembly 400 from a suction pressure to a desired discharge
pressure. Suction pressure refrigerant is received by the
compressor housing 400 and is drawn into cylinders 438, 442,
respectively associated with the pistons 418, 422. As with the
compressor assemblies 10, 200, the compressor assembly 400 is a
so-called "low-side" compressor assembly, as the compressor housing
404 is at suction pressure. Accordingly, operation of the pistons
418, 422 draws suction-pressure vapor from the compressor housing
404 into each cylinder 438, 442 which, in turn, causes more
suction-pressure vapor to be drawn into the compressor housing 404.
Once the refrigerant is disposed within each cylinder 438, 442, the
pistons 418, 422 cooperate with the crankshaft to compress the
refrigerant from suction pressure to discharge pressure in a
similar fashion as described above with respect to the compressor
assemblies 10, 200.
[0098] Refrigerant enters the cylinders 438, 442 during a suction
stroke of each piston 418, 422 when the piston 418, 422 is moving
from a top dead center (TDC) position to a bottom dead center (BDC)
position. When the piston 418, 422 is at the TDC position, the
crankshaft must rotate approximately one-hundred and eighty degrees
(180.degree.) to move the particular piston 418, 422 into the BDC
position, thereby causing the piston 418, 422 to move from a
location proximate to a top portion of the particular cylinder 438,
442 to a bottom portion of the cylinder 438, 442. When the pistons
418, 422 are moved into the BDC position from the TDC position, the
particular cylinder 438, 442 is placed under a vacuum which causes
suction-pressure vapor to be drawn into the cylinder 438, 442.
[0099] The pistons 418, 422 move linearly in alternating directions
as the crankshaft is driven by an electric motor (not shown). As
the crankshaft rotates, the piston 418, 422 is driven in an upward
direction, compressing refrigerant disposed within the cylinder
438, 442. When the pistons 418, 422 travel to the TDC position, the
effective volume of the cylinder 438, 442 is reduced, thereby
compressing the refrigerant disposed within the cylinder 438, 442.
The compressed refrigerant remains in the gaseous state but is
elevated from suction pressure to discharge pressure.
[0100] Following compression, the piston 418, 422 returns to the
BDC position and refrigerant is once again drawn into the cylinder
438, 442. While the pistons 418, 422 are concurrently driven by the
crankshaft, the pistons 418, 422 are out-of-phase with one another.
Namely, when one of the pistons 418, 422 is in the TDC position,
the other of the pistons 418, 422 is in the BDC position. Further,
when one of the pistons 418, 422 is moving from the BDC position to
the TDC position, the other of the pistons 418, 422 is moving from
the TDC position to the BDC position. Accordingly, during operation
of the compressor assembly 400, one of the pistons 418, 422 is
drawing gaseous refrigerant into one of the cylinders 438, 442
while the other of the pistons 418, 422 is compressing refrigerant
in the other of the cylinders 438, 442. Once the refrigerant
reaches discharge pressure, the refrigerant may be expelled from
the compressor housing 404 in a similar fashion as described above
with respect to the compressor assemblies 10, 200.
[0101] With particular reference to FIGS. 11-16, the compressor
assembly 400 is shown as including a vapor-injection system 446
that improves compressor performance and efficiency. The
vapor-injection system 446 may selectively inject
intermediate-pressure vapor into the compressor assembly 400 to
improve system efficiency by providing extra output or capacity of
the compressor and gaining system capacity through extra subcooling
of the refrigerant in the system economizer shown in FIG. 27.
[0102] The vapor-injection system 446 may receive
intermediate-pressure vapor from an external heat exchanger such as
a flash tank or economizer heat exchanger 800 (FIG. 27) and may
selectively supply the intermediate-pressure vapor to the
compressor housing 404 via a conduit 450. One or more conduits 454
may be coupled to the compressor assembly 400 at respective
injection ports 454 to allow intermediate-pressure vapor to be
directed into the cylinders 438, 442 by the injection ports
454.
[0103] The injection ports 454 may include an injector body 458
that is received within a bore 462 of the compressor housing 404.
The injector body 458 may include a passageway 466 that extends
along a length of the injector body 458 and is fluidly coupled to
the conduit 450. In one configuration, the passageway 466 receives
the conduit 450, whereby the conduit 450 extends along an entire
length of the passageway 466. While the conduit 450 is described
and shown as extending along an entire length of the passageway
466, the conduit 450 could alternatively extend only partially
along the passageway 466 or may extend to an opening of the
passageway 466 without extending into the injector body 458.
Regardless of the position of the conduit 450 relative to the
passageway 466, the conduit 450 is in fluid communication with the
passageway 466 to supply the passageway 466 and, thus, the
cylinders 438, 442 with intermediate-pressure vapor.
[0104] The injector body 458 may include a shoulder 470 that abuts
the compressor housing 404 to properly position the injector body
458 relative to the compressor housing 404. One or more seals 474
(FIG. 12) may be disposed between the injector body 458 proximate
to the shoulder 470 and/or along a length of the injector body 458
to prevent entry of debris into the cylinders 438, 442 between the
injector body 458 and the bores 462 or to prevent any fluid leakage
from bore 462.
[0105] The bores 462 extend into the respective cylinders 438, 442
and are in fluid communication with the respective cylinders 438,
442. As shown in FIG. 12, each bore 462 is formed through the
compressor housing 404 to allow the bores 462 to extend between an
external surface 478 (FIG. 11) and each cylinder 438, 442.
[0106] The bores 462 may be positioned along a length of each
cylinder 438, 442 such that an outlet 482 of each bore 462 is
aligned with a top surface 486 of each piston 418, 422 when each
piston 418, 422 is in the BDC position within each cylinder 438,
442, as shown in FIG. 13. Alternatively, the outlet 482 may be
positioned along a length of each cylinder 438, 442 such that the
outlet 482 extends below the top surface 486 of each piston 418,
422 when each piston 418, 422 is in the BDC position (FIG. 14). In
an alternative configuration, bore 462 may exclude the use of the
injector body 458 and simply connect the conduit 450 to bore 462,
thereby allowing fluid to flow through the conduit 450, the bore
462, the outlet 482, and into the cylinders 438, 442
[0107] While the outlet 482 is shown as being a single outlet,
multiple outlets 482 could be used in conjunction with one or more
of the cylinders 438, 442. For example, three outlets 482 could be
used in conjunction with one or both of the cylinders 438, 442, as
shown in FIG. 15. The outlets 482 may be aligned with the top
surface 486 of the pistons 418, 422 when the pistons 418, 422 are
in the BDC position (FIG. 15) or, alternatively, may be disposed
below the top surface 486 of the piston 418, 422 when the piston
418, 422 is in the BDC position. The use of more than one outlet
482 allows injection to occur closer to the piston 418, 422 being
in the BDC position while allowing an equivalent flow area as a
single large port, which may result in improved capacity and
efficiency for the compressor assembly 400. The plurality of
outlets 482 would therefore be smaller in size when compared to the
outlets 482 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
[0108] The outlet or plurality of outlets 482 may include a
dimension that is shorter in the direction of the piston 418, 422
travel within the cylinders 438, 442 when compared to a dimension
of the outlet or plurality of outlets 482 that extends in a
direction around each cylinder 438, 442. Such a configuration
reduces the amount of time the injection port is exposed to the
cylinder 438, 442, while still providing enough flow area. For
example, outlet 482 could be a plurality of ovals or slots where
the short axis would be aligned with the motion of piston 422, 426.
It is also envisioned that the outlet 482 could be above the top
surface 486 of piston 422, 426.
[0109] Regardless of the particular configuration of the outlet 482
of the bores 462, a valve assembly 490 may be used in conjunction
with the conduit 450 to delay the flow of intermediate-pressure gas
along and through the conduit 450. Delaying the flow of
intermediate-pressure gas along the conduit 450 may be advantageous
to properly time injection of intermediate-pressure gas into each
cylinder 438, 442 with the pistons 418, 422 being in the BDC
position.
[0110] The valve assembly 490 may include a valve element 492, a
biasing element 494, and a retainer plate 496. The retainer plate
496 may be fixed relative to the conduit 450 and may position the
biasing element 494 relative to the valve element 492. The valve
element 492 may be moved between a closed state in contact with a
valve seat 498 and an open state (FIG. 16). When the valve element
492 is in the open state, intermediate-pressure vapor is permitted
to flow around the valve element 492 and through the injection port
454 to allow the intermediate-pressure vapor to be received within
each cylinder 438, 442. The valve element 492 is biased into
engagement with the valve seat 498 by the biasing element 494 and
is movable from the closed state to the open state (FIG. 16) when a
sufficient force is exerted on the valve element 492 to overcome
the force exerted on the valve element 492 by the biasing element
494.
[0111] The force exerted on the valve element 492 is created due to
operation of the pistons 418, 422 within each cylinder 438, 442.
Specifically, as each piston 418, 422 draws suction-pressure gas
into each cylinder 438, 442, a vacuum or pressure differential is
likewise created within each conduit 450, thereby causing the valve
element 492 to exert a force against the biasing element 494 and
move into the open state. The valve element 492 therefore delays
entry of intermediate-pressure gas into each cylinder 438, 442
until the piston 418, 422 is in a desired location within each
cylinder 438, 442. Namely, the valve element 492 cooperates with
the biasing element 494 to permit entry of intermediate-pressure
gas into each cylinder 438, 442 when the pistons 418, 422 are in or
are approaching the BDC position. Injecting intermediate-pressure
vapor at this point during a compression cycle maximizes the
benefits of having intermediate-pressure gas disposed within each
cylinder 438, 442 and may also minimize backflow of fluid into the
conduit 450.
[0112] With continued reference to FIGS. 11-16, operation of the
vapor-injection system 446 will be described in detail. The pistons
418, 422 are moved between the TDC position and the BDC position
due to rotation of the crankshaft relative to and within the
compressor housing 404. When the pistons 418, 422 are in or are
approaching the BDC position, vapor may be introduced into the
cylinders 438, 442 by the vapor-injection system 446. For example,
when the piston 418, 422 is in or is approaching the BDC position
shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, the piston 418, 422 exposes the
outlet 482 of the bores 462, thereby permitting entry of
intermediate-vapor into each cylinder 438, 442. When the pistons
418, 422 move sufficiently from the BDC position toward the TDC
position, the pistons 418, 422 close the outlet 482 of the bores
462, thereby preventing entry of intermediate-pressure vapor into
the cylinders 438, 442. If the pistons 418, 422 do not fully expose
the outlet 482 of the bore 462 (FIG. 14) when the pistons 418, 422
are in the BDC position, the pistons 418, 422 expose a portion of
the outlet 482 while simultaneously blocking a portion of the
outlet 482. Such an arrangement serves to allow equivalent flow
area as with a fully exposed larger port while properly timing the
entry of intermediate-pressure gas into the cylinders 438, 442 with
the pistons 418, 422 reaching the BDC position.
[0113] When the pistons 418, 422 block the outlet 482, vapor from
the vapor-injection system 446 remains in the conduit 450 but is
prevented from entering the cylinders 438, 442 due to the pistons
418, 422 blocking the outlet 482. In the configuration shown in
FIG. 15, the outlets 482 are substantially aligned with one another
such that the piston 418, 422 selectively opens and closes each
outlet 482 substantially simultaneously. Accordingly, when the
piston 418, 422 is sufficiently moved from the BDC position to the
TDC position, each of the outlets 482 are sealed by the pistons
418, 422, thereby preventing injection of intermediate-pressure
vapor into the cylinders 438, 442.
[0114] When the pistons 418, 422 are moved into the BDC position,
the outlet 482 (FIGS. 13 and 14) or the outlets (FIG. 15) are
exposed, thereby exposing the conduit 450 to a pressure
differential caused by movement of the pistons 418, 422 relative to
and within the respective cylinders 438, 442. The pressure
differential exerted on the conduit 450 draws intermediate-pressure
vapor into the cylinders 438, 442 to reduce the overall work
required by the compressor assembly 400 in raising the pressure of
the suction-pressure and injection gas to discharge pressure
relative to the capacity gain provided by the additional
refrigerant subcooling attained with the economizer 800. If the
conduit 450 includes the valve assembly 490, the pressure
differential must first overcome the force exerted on the valve
element 492 by the biasing element 494 before intermediate-pressure
gas is permitted to flow into the cylinders 438, 442 via the bores
462. Once the force is exerted on the conduit 450 due to the
pressure differential created by the pistons 418, 422, the valve
element 492 compresses the biasing element 494, thereby permitting
intermediate-pressure vapor to flow around the valve element 492
and enter the cylinders 438, 442 via the outlet 482 of the bore
462. Additionally, the pressure of the intermediate-pressure vapor
is higher than suction pressure and therefore this pressure
difference will allow the intermediate-pressure vapor to enter into
the cylinder 438, 442.
[0115] As described above, the pistons 418, 422 are driven by a
crankshaft such that when one of the pistons 418, 422 is in the BDC
position, the other of the pistons 418, 422 is in the TDC position.
Accordingly, intermediate-pressure vapor is only injected into one
of the cylinders 438, 442 at any given time, as only one of the
pistons 418, 422 may be in the BDC position at any given time.
[0116] With particular reference to FIGS. 17-19, a compressor
assembly 500 is provided. In view of the substantial similarity in
structure and function of the components associated with the
compressor assembly 400 with respect to the compressor assembly
500, like reference numerals are used hereinafter in the drawings
to identify like components.
[0117] The compressor assembly 500 is substantially similar to the
compressor assembly 400 with the exception of a valve element 504
used in conjunction with the vapor-injection system 446.
Accordingly, description of the operation of the compressor
assembly 500 is foregone.
[0118] The valve element 504 may be disposed within the bore 462
between a distal end 508 of the injector body and the outlet 482 of
the bore 462. The valve element 504 may be a check valve that
permits the flow of vapor from the bore 462 into the cylinders 438,
442 but prevents the flow of vapor from the cylinders 438, 442 into
the injector bodies 458. In one configuration, the valve element
504 is a thin disk that is movable into an open position to permit
the flow of intermediate-pressure vapor into the cylinders 438, 442
under the pressure created by the vacuum of the moving pistons 418,
422 within the respective cylinders 438, 442. Further, the valve
element 504 may include at least one aperture 506 that allows the
flow of intermediate-pressure vapor into the cylinders 438, 442
when the valve element 504 is moved into the open position.
[0119] In one configuration, a plurality of apertures 506 are
organized in an annular ring within a diameter range that restricts
fluid communication when abutting the distal end 508 (i.e., when
the valve element 504 is in a closed position). When the valve
element 504 abuts a shoulder 505 of bore 462, flow may proceed into
cylinders 438, 442 via the apertures 506. The diameter range for
the apertures 506 is within the inner diameter of passageway 466
and the inner diameter of shoulder 505 of bore 462, whereby the
inner diameter of shoulder 505 is greater than the inner diameter
of passageway 466. While the valve element 504 is described and
shown as being a disk element, the valve element 504 could be any
suitable valve such as, for example, a ball valve or a piston that
allows flow of intermediate-pressure vapor from the bore 462 into
the cylinders 438, 442 while preventing the flow of vapor from the
cylinders 438, 442 into the injector bodies 458.
[0120] In operation, when one of the pistons 418, 422 is in the BDC
position, one of the outlets 482 is open such that the vacuum
created by the pistons 418, 422 moving within and relative to the
cylinders 438, 442 exerts a force on the bore 462. The force
exerted on the bore 462 moves the valve element 504 into an open
position, thereby allowing intermediate-pressure vapor to flow from
the conduit 450, into the injector body 458, and finally into the
cylinders 438, 442 via the outlet 482. Once the piston 418, 422
begins to move from the BDC position to the TDC position, vapor
disposed within the cylinder 438, 442 is compressed and may enter
the bore 462 at the outlet 482 until the piston 418, 422
sufficiently closes the outlet 482. However, the pressurized vapor
is not permitted to enter the injector body 458 as the valve
element 504 is moved from the open state to the closed state due to
the force exerted on the valve element 504 by the compressed vapor.
Accordingly, the efficiency of the compressor 500 is improved, as
none of the compressed vapor escapes the cylinders 438, 442 at the
bores 462 when the pistons 418, 422 move from the BDC position to
the TDC position.
[0121] While the valve elements 504 are shown as being spaced apart
and separated from the outlets 482 of the respective bores 462, the
valve elements 504 are preferably disposed as close as possible to
the outlets 482 to prevent any pressurized vapor from escaping the
cylinders 438, 442 when the pistons 418, 422 move from the BDC
position to the TDC position. If the valve elements 504 were
positioned along the bore 462 such that a gap extends between the
valve element 504 and the outlet 482, such a gap would fill with
pressurized vapor as the pistons 418, 422 move from the BDC
position to the TDC position. This gap reduces the overall
efficiency of the compressor assembly 500 by effectively increasing
the volume of each cylinder 438, 442.
[0122] With particular reference to FIGS. 20-22, a compressor
assembly 600 is provided. The compressor assembly 600 is
substantially similar to the compressor assembly 400 with the
exception of a vapor-injection system 602. Specifically, the
compressor assembly 600 incorporates the vapor-injection system 602
in place of the vapor-injection system 446 of the compressor
assembly 400. In view of the substantial similarity in structure
and function of the components associated with the compressor
assembly 400 with respect to the compressor assembly 600, like
reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to
identify like components. Further, because the compressor assembly
600 operates in a similar fashion as the compressor assembly 400, a
detailed description of operation of the compressor assembly 600 is
foregone.
[0123] The vapor-injection system 602 includes a series of
injectors 604 that are fluidly coupled to respective conduits 450.
As described above with respect to the vapor-injection system 446
of the compressor assemblies 400, 500, the conduits 450 supply
intermediate-pressure gas from an external source such as a flash
tank or economizer heat exchanger (FIG. 27). The injectors 604
receive the intermediate-pressure gas from the conduits 450 and
selectively supply the intermediate-pressure gas to the cylinders
438, 442, as will be described below.
[0124] The injectors 604 are received in respective bores 608
formed in the compressor housing 404 and are positioned relative to
the cylinders 438, 442 to allow the injectors 604 to selectively
provide the cylinders 438, 442 with intermediate-pressure vapor.
The bores 608 include an outlet 612 that allows the injectors 604
to be in fluid communication with the cylinders 438, 442. The
injectors 604 are positioned within the bores 608 such that an
outlet 616 of each injector is located as closely as possible to
the outlet 612 of the bore 608.
[0125] In operation, the injectors 604 may be controlled to inject
intermediate-pressure vapor at predetermined times during movement
of the pistons 418, 422 relative to and within the cylinders 438,
442. Specifically, the injectors 604 may be actuated when one of
the pistons 418, 422 are located in the BDC position such that
intermediate-pressure vapor is provided to the cylinders 438, 442
when one of the pistons 418, 422 is in or is approaching the BDC
position. The injectors 604 are closed prior to a predetermined
amount of movement of the pistons 418, 422 from the BDC position to
the TDC position to prevent pressurized vapor from entering any of
the injectors 604. As described above, positioning the injector
outlet 616 proximate to the outlet 612 of the bore 608 and
preventing flow of pressurized vapor into the bore 608 increases
the efficiency of the compressor assembly 600 in generating
discharge-pressure gas.
[0126] With reference to FIGS. 23-25, a compressor assembly 700 is
provided. The compressor assembly 700 is substantially similar to
the compressor assembly 600 with the exception of a vapor-injection
system 702 used in conjunction with the compressor assembly 700.
Namely, the vapor-injection system 702 is used in conjunction with
the compressor assembly 700 in place of the vapor-injection system
602 used in conjunction with the compressor assembly 600. In view
of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the
components associated with the compressor 400 with respect to the
compressor 700, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in
the drawings to identify like components. Because operation of the
compressor assembly 700 is similar to operation of the compressor
400, a description of operation of the compressor assembly 700 is
foregone.
[0127] The vapor-injection system 702 includes a series of
injectors 704 that are fluidly coupled to a conduit 706. The
conduit 706 is similar to the conduit 450 in that the conduit 706
is in fluid communication with a source of intermediate-pressure
vapor such as a flash tank or economizer heat exchanger (FIG. 27).
The conduit 706 supplies the injectors 704 with
intermediate-pressure vapor to allow the injectors 704 to
selectively supply the cylinders 438, 442 with
intermediate-pressure vapor.
[0128] The injectors 704 are in fluid communication with a bore 708
located proximate to a top of each cylinder 438, 442. Namely, the
bore 708 is formed through the valve plate 416 to allow each
injector 704 to be in fluid communication with a respective
cylinder 438, 442.
[0129] As shown in FIGS. 24-25, the injectors 704 may be disposed
within the cylinder head 408 and may extend from the cylinder head
408 in a direction toward each cylinder 438, 442. In operation, the
injectors 704 may be selectively actuated to allow the injectors
704 to supply the cylinders 438, 442 with intermediate-pressure
vapor from the conduit 706. Namely, the injectors 704 may be
actuated from a closed state to an open state to inject
intermediate-pressure vapor into the cylinders 438, 442 when one of
the pistons 418, 422 is in or is approaching the BDC position.
[0130] With reference to FIG. 26, operation of the vapor-injection
system 702 will be described in detail. While the vapor-injection
system702 will be described in conjunction with FIG. 26, the
vapor-injection system 602 associated with the compressor assembly
600 could be controlled in a similar fashion.
[0131] The injectors 704 may be in communication with a controller
710 to allow the controller 710 to actuate the injectors 704
between the closed state and the open state. The controller 710 may
control the injectors 704 based on information received from one or
more sensors 712. The sensors 712 may include a pressure sensor
located within the cylinders 438, 442 or a pressure sensor that is
responsive to a pressure within the cylinders 438, 442 to allow the
controller 710 to actuate the injectors 704 based on a pressure of
one or both of the cylinders 438, 442. The controller 710 may
additionally or alternatively be in communication with a sensor 714
associated with the crankshaft of the compressor assembly 700. The
sensor 714 may be a sensor that determines a rotational position of
the crankshaft and, thus, a position of the pistons 418, 422 within
each cylinder 438, 442. In one configuration, the sensor 714 is a
Hall Effect sensor that senses a rotational position of the
crankshaft that is provided to the controller 710. The controller
710 may use the information provided by the sensor 714 to determine
a position of the pistons 418, 422 within the respective cylinders
438, 442.
[0132] The controller 710 may utilize information from the sensors
712, 714 to determine when one of the pistons 418, 422 is located
at the BDC position. When the controller 710 determines that one of
the pistons 418, 422 is in the BDC position, the controller 710 may
actuate the injector 704 to cause the injector 704 to supply
intermediate-pressure vapor to the cylinder 438, 442 containing the
piston 418, 422 located at the BDC position. The controller 710
will close the injectors 704 once the pistons 418, 422 located at
the BDC position begins to move from the BDC position toward the
TDC position at a predetermined time.
[0133] As described, the controller 710 can utilize the sensors
712, 714 together or independently from one another to determine a
position of the pistons 418, 422 within the respective cylinders
438, 442 to optimize injection of intermediate-pressure vapor into
the cylinders 438, 442. In one configuration, the controller 710
may rely on a pressure within the cylinders 438, 442 to determine a
position of the pistons 418, 422 within each cylinder 438, 442
based on information from the sensor 712. In another configuration,
the controller 710 may rely on information from the sensor 714 to
determine a rotational position of the crankshaft and can then
determine a position of each piston 418, 422 within the respective
cylinders 438, 442. The controller 710 may rely on information from
both sensors 712, 714 and may compare a position of the pistons
418, 422 determined based on information from the sensor 712 to a
position of each piston 418, 422 determined based on information
from the sensor 714 to verify that the information received from
the sensors 712, 714 is accurate and indicates a position of the
pistons 418, 422. Based on this information, the controller 710 may
control the injectors 704 to optimize the injection of
intermediate-pressure vapor into the cylinders 438, 442 when the
pistons 418, 422 are at an optimum location to maximize compressor
efficiency and output.
[0134] As set forth above and in reference to FIG. 27, the
compressors 10, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 can be used in
conjunction with a refrigeration system. The compressors 10, 200,
300, 400, 500, 600, 700 may be fluidly coupled to an economizer 800
as well as to a condenser 900 and an evaporator 1000. The discharge
pressure gas generated by the particular compressor 10, 200, 300,
400, 500, 600, 700 is directed to the condenser 900 where the
discharge pressure refrigerant changes phase from a vapor to a
liquid. The liquid refrigerant is directed to the evaporator 100
where the refrigerant absorbs heat and changes state from a liquid
to a gas. The suction pressure gas is then directed from the
evaporator 1000 to the particular compressor 10, 200, 300, 400,
500, 600, 700 to once again elevate a pressure of the suction
pressure gas to discharge pressure. The economizer 800 directs
intermediate-pressure gas to the particular compressor 10, 200,
300, 400, 500, 600, 700 either via the conduit 450 for the
compressors 10, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 or via the conduit 706 for
the compressor 700. Such intermediate-pressure gas may be
selectively injected into the particular compressor 10, 200, 300,
400, 500, 600, 700 to improve the efficiency of the compressor 10,
200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700.
[0135] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *