U.S. patent application number 14/658032 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-04 for reciprocating compressor frame.
This patent application is currently assigned to GE Oil & Gas Compression Systems, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is GE Oil & Gas Compression Systems, LLC. Invention is credited to Omar M. Kabir, Aaron R. Merritt.
Application Number | 20160032913 14/658032 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36814328 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160032913 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kabir; Omar M. ; et
al. |
February 4, 2016 |
Reciprocating Compressor Frame
Abstract
A reciprocating compressor barrel frame comprising a continuous
curved wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. A housing
is formed by the inner surface of the curved wall. A pair cross
head shoe supports extend from the outer surface of said curved
wall in opposite directions perpendicular to said housing. A
plurality of bearing support members are disposed within the
housing and supported by the curved wall. The bearing support
members are arranged so as to support a crankshaft disposed within
the housing. A base flange is connected to the curved wall and is
operable to attach to a structure that will support the frame.
Inventors: |
Kabir; Omar M.; (Waller,
TX) ; Merritt; Aaron R.; (Hockley, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GE Oil & Gas Compression Systems, LLC |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GE Oil & Gas Compression
Systems, LLC
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
36814328 |
Appl. No.: |
14/658032 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10906361 |
Feb 16, 2005 |
|
|
|
14658032 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/521 ;
92/161 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 39/0284 20130101;
F04B 27/02 20130101; F04B 27/0891 20130101; F04B 27/0878 20130101;
F04B 39/12 20130101; F16C 5/00 20130101; F04B 39/121 20130101; F04B
27/0895 20130101; F04B 53/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04B 39/12 20060101
F04B039/12; F04B 39/02 20060101 F04B039/02; F04B 53/10 20060101
F04B053/10; F04B 27/08 20060101 F04B027/08 |
Claims
1. A reciprocating compressor frame for use with a crankshaft
comprising: a frame constructed of a single piece of material,
comprising: a barrel-shaped body formed by a continuous wall
completely surrounding a portion of the crankshaft disposed in the
body; and a pair of cross head shoe supports integral with and
extending generally perpendicular to said barrel-shaped body from
said wall in opposite directions, said supports being supported
only by said body.
2. The reciprocating compressor frame of claim 1 further comprising
a plurality of bearing support members disposed within said frame
and supported by said wall.
3. The reciprocating compressor frame of claim 2 wherein said
bearing support members are directly coupled to said wall and
arranged so as to support the crankshaft disposed within said
frame.
4. The reciprocating compressor frame of claim 1 wherein said frame
further includes a base flange, wherein said base flange is
operable to attach to a structure that will support the frame.
5. The reciprocating compressor frame of claim 1 further comprising
a lubricant sump disposed within said frame.
6. The reciprocating compressor frame of claim of claim 5 wherein
said lubricant sump is arranged so as to lubricate the crankshaft
disposed within said frame.
7. The reciprocating compressor frame of claim 1 further comprising
a plurality of access openings in the wall.
8. The reciprocating compressor frame of claim 7 wherein said
access openings are arranged so as to provide access to the
crankshaft, connecting rods, or bearings disposed within said
frame.
9. The reciprocating compressor frame of claim 7, further
comprising hinged or clamped on covers that cover said access
openings.
10. The reciprocating compressor frame of claim 1 further
comprising stationary cross head shoes removably connected to said
cross head shoe supports.
11. A reciprocating compressor comprising: a crankshaft; a
plurality of cross heads coupled to said crankshaft via connecting
rods; a barrel-shaped frame constructed of a single piece of
material and completely surrounding a portion said crankshaft
disposed in the frame with said crankshaft rotatably mounted
therein, said frame comprising: a continuous wall comprising a
plurality of access openings through the wall to provide access to
said crankshaft; and a plurality of cross head shoe supports
extending in opposite directions from, formed integral to, and
supported only by the wall of said frame, wherein each cross head
is supported by at least one cross head shoe that is removably
connected to one of said plurality of cross head shoe supports; a
plurality of pistons, wherein each piston is coupled to a cross
head and disposed within a cylinder coupled to a cross head shoe
support; and a valve assembly coupled to each cylinder, wherein
said valve assembly comprises an inlet valve that opens in response
to decreasing air pressure within said valve assembly and an outlet
valve that opens in response to increasing air pressure within said
valve assembly.
12. The reciprocating compressor of claim 11 further comprising: a
plurality of bearing support members disposed within said frame and
supported by said wall; and a plurality of bearings disposed
between said crankshaft and said plurality of bearing support
members.
13. The reciprocating compressor of claim 11 further comprising a
lubricant sump disposed within said frame and arranged so as to
lubricate said crankshaft.
14. The reciprocating compressor of claim 11 further comprising: a
plurality of covers operable to cover said access openings.
15. The reciprocating compressor of claim 14 wherein said plurality
of covers are hinged or clamped to said frame.
16. An assembly comprising a reciprocating compressor, the
reciprocating compressor comprising: a reciprocating compressor
frame constructed of a single piece of material, comprising: a
barrel-shaped, continuous wall; and a pair of laterally extending
cross head shoe supports formed integral to and extending from said
wall in opposite directions, said cross head shoe supports being
supported only by the wall; a cross head disposed in each of the
cross head shoe supports; a reciprocating compressor piston coupled
to the cross head and disposed in a reciprocating compressor
cylinder assembly; and a reciprocating compressor crankshaft
assembly at least partially disposed in an interior region of the
frame and coupled to the piston via a supporting rod, said wall
surrounding the portion of the crankshaft assembly disposed in the
frame.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the frame includes a
plurality of apertures located between the cross head shoe
supports.
18. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising a bearing support
integral with the one-piece frame and having an arcuate shape.
19. A reciprocating-compressor assembly, comprising a frame
constructed of a single piece of material, comprising: continuous
arcuate wall surrounding an interior volume about the longitudinal
axis of the frame; and a pair of cross head shoe supports integral
with and extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
of the frame in opposite directions and extending from and
supported only by the arcuate wall.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to reciprocating
compressors. More particularly, the present invention relates to
horizontally-opposed reciprocating compressors. Still more
particularly, the present invention relates to the structural frame
that supports the crankshaft of a horizontally opposed
reciprocating compressor.
[0002] Reciprocating compressors are positive-displacement pumps
that pressurize a fluid by moving, or stroking, a piston axially
within a cylinder. In horizontally-opposed reciprocating
compressors, the pistons are connected, via cross heads and
connecting rods, to a crankshaft that is rotated by an external
power source. The pistons are positioned horizontally and arranged
in pairs opposed at different planes across the crankshaft. In
conventional applications, the crankshaft is supported within a
frame that supports the reciprocating loads, coupled moments, and
torque on the crankshaft.
[0003] Most standard frames have a generally rectangular
cross-section with vertical walls cantilevered from a heavy base.
In order to minimize flexion and distortion of the vertical walls,
the walls are generally very thick and interconnected at their tops
by a plurality of high-strength tie bars. These tie bars must be
made to very tight tolerances as any variations in length can have
a major impact on the assembly of the tie bars. Further, as the
capacity, speed, and pressure of a compressor increases, the size
and weight of the frame also increases in order to manage the
increased reciprocating loads, coupled moments, and torque.
[0004] Thus, there remains a need to develop methods and apparatus
for supporting reciprocating machinery, which overcome some of the
foregoing difficulties while providing more advantageous overall
results.
SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0005] The embodiments of the present invention are directed toward
methods and apparatus for a reciprocating compressor barrel frame
comprising a continuous curved wall having an inner surface and an
outer surface. A housing is formed by the inner surface of the
curved wall. A pair cross head shoe supports extend from the outer
surface of said curved wall in opposite directions perpendicular to
said housing. A plurality of bearing support members are disposed
within the housing and supported by the curved wall. The bearing
support members are arranged so as to support a crankshaft disposed
within the housing. A base flange is connected to the curved wall
and is operable to attach to a structure that will support the
frame.
[0006] In certain embodiments, a reciprocating compressor comprises
a crankshaft and a plurality of cross heads coupled to the
crankshaft via connecting rods. The compressor also comprises a
frame comprising a continuously curved wall that encloses the
crankshaft that is rotatably mounted within the frame. A plurality
of cross head shoe supports extend from and are formed integral to
the curved wall of the frame. Each cross head is supported by cross
head shoes that are removably connected to the cross head shoe
supports. A plurality of bearing support members are disposed
within the housing and are supported by the curved wall. A
plurality of bearings are disposed between the crankshaft and the
plurality of bearing support members. A lubricant sump is disposed
within the housing and arranged so as to lubricate the
crankshaft.
[0007] Thus, the present invention comprises a combination of
features and advantages that enable it to overcome various problems
of prior devices. The various characteristics described above, as
well as other features, will be readily apparent to those skilled
in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments of the invention, and by referring to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For a more detailed description of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention, reference will now be made to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a view of a reciprocating compressor including a
frame constructed in accordance with embodiments of the
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partial sectional end view of a reciprocating
compressor including a frame constructed in accordance with
embodiments of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an partial sectional isometric view of a frame
constructed in accordance with embodiments of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an end view of the frame of FIG. 3; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a sectional end view of a cross head disposed in a
frame constructed in accordance with embodiments of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, reciprocating compressor 10
comprises frame 14, crankshaft 16, connecting rods 18, cross heads
20, pistons 22, cylinders 24, and valve assemblies 26. A power
supply is coupled to one end of crankshaft 16 and provides the
power to rotate the crankshaft. Crankshaft 16 is supported within
frame 14. Connecting rods 18 couple cross heads 20 and pistons 22
to crankshaft 16. Pistons 22 move linearly within cylinders 24.
Valve assemblies 26 control flow into and out of cylinders 24.
[0015] As crankshaft 16 is rotated by a power supply, connecting
rods 18 and cross heads 20 transform the rotational motion of the
crankshaft into linear movement of pistons 22 within cylinders 22.
As pistons 22 stroke forward within cylinders 24, the pressure
within the cylinder increases until discharge valves in valve
assembly 26 open to allow pressurized fluids to exit the cylinder.
As pistons 22 stroke backward, the pressure within the cylinders 24
decreases and an inlet valve in valve assembly 26 opens to allow
fluid to fill the cylinder. Crankshaft 16 is arranged such that
while one piston strokes forward the piston on the opposite side of
the crankshaft strokes backward. While this arrangement helps
maintain balance, the coupled moments, which are formed by the
variation of plane of action of the pistons' operation, are
transferred by the crank shaft 16 and are supported by the frame of
compressor 10.
[0016] Regardless of the efforts taken to balance crankshaft 16,
there will be some unbalanced forces and compressor 10 will be
subject to vibratory reciprocating loads. By supporting crankshaft
16 and all of the other moving components, frame 14 will be
subjected to the reciprocating loads, coupled moments, and torque
on the crankshaft and has to be able to withstand those loads
without excessive distortion. In order to improve the distribution
of the reciprocating loads, coupled moments, and torque as well as
the distortion of the frame itself, frame 14 is a "barrel"-type
frame comprising a continuous, curved wall 28 that forms a
crankshaft housing 30.
[0017] Curved wall 28 surrounds crankshaft 16 such that the loads
generated in a plurality of directions by the movement of the
crankshaft and the reciprocating actions of the piston assemblies
are transferred to the wall. Because wall 28 is continuously
curved, every element of the wall is supported by adjacent elements
within the wall and the curved wall is effectively self-supported
against these loads in a plurality of directions. Therefore, no
external tie bars are necessary to support and balance the
reciprocating loads as are found in the existing art. Curved wall
28 also improves the efficiency with which the reciprocating loads,
coupled moments, and torque are dissipated, thus allowing a
reduction in wall thickness, and hence a reduction in the weight of
frame 14 versus a conventional box-type frame.
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, barrel-type frame 14
integrally comprises curved wall 28, housing 30, cross head shoe
supports 32, base flange 34, end flanges 36, bearing supports 38,
lubricant sump 40, access openings 42, and arcuate wall portions
60. Frame 14 is shown as having two cross heads, but multiple pairs
of cross heads are possible. Frame 14 may be constructed from a
single casting that is machined to include desired features.
Constructing frame 14 from a single piece of material eliminates
welding and other high-temperature processes that may distort the
frame. Furthermore Frame 14 may be constructed with plurality of
ribs formed between wall 28, base flange 34, and cross head shoe
supports 32 that provide structural rigidity and potentially
increase thermal transfer capability of the frame.
[0019] Base flange 34 is a flat, rectangular member that provides a
base suitable for attachment to a foundation or other structure
that will support the compressor. Base flange 34 may comprise a
bolt pattern or other means for securing the compressor. Curved
wall 28 extends from base flange 34 to form substantially
cylindrical housing 30 having end flanges 36. Although curved wall
28 is illustrated as being substantially cylindrical, other curved
shapes are possible and may provide advantages in certain
applications.
[0020] Housing 30 provides an enclosure adapted to receive a
crankshaft and comprises bearing supports 38, lubricant sump 40,
access openings 42, and arcuate wall portions 60. Bearing supports
38 provide mounting and attachment points for bearings that support
the crankshaft. Lubricant sump 40 provides a reservoir of lubricant
that can be used to lubricate the bearings and crankshaft. Access
openings 42 and arcuate wall portions 60 are formed in curved wall
28 of housing 30 and extend between cross head shoe supports 32.
Each access opening 42 is disposed between an adjacent pair of
arcuate wall portions 60. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated
by FIG. 3, four access openings 42 and three arcuate wall portions
60 are formed in curved wall 28 of housing 30. Access openings 42
provide access to the crankshaft and other components installed
within the housing. When in operation, access opening 42 as well as
end flanges 36 may be covered with simple hinged covers, clamped
covers, or other type covers.
[0021] Frame 14 also features cross head shoe supports 32 that are
constructed integral with wall 28. Integral cross head shoe support
32 provides support for each of the shoes and cross head as well as
further increase the strength of wall 28. The integral feature of
cross head shoe support 32 with the frame 14 also allows machining
of the crank shaft bore and the cross head shoe support bore with
the same machining set up. This eliminates misalignment problems
between the cross head with the crank shaft as it is inherent with
the conventional separate cross head guide design. Furthermore, the
integral design eliminates the extra machining and bolting
arrangement which is required by the conventional attachment
design.
[0022] Cross head shoe supports 32 comprise an internal cavity 44
shaped to receive cross head and cross head shoe. Cavity 44 may be
fitted with a stationary cross head shoe 50, see FIG. 5, that
provides a precision-machined surface for guiding the cross head
52. Shoes 50 are removable and can be replaced as needed. By
mounting cross head shoes 50 on shoe support 32, the surfaces of
the shoe support are protected from damage and only the shoes need
to be replaced in the event of surface wear. Hence, the replaceable
shoes will protect frame 14 from any primary damage caused by the
motion of cross head on the shoes. In certain embodiments, cross
head shoe supports 32 have access openings that allow for the
removal and replacement of shoes 50 without removing cross head
52.
[0023] While preferred embodiments of this invention have been
shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one
skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teaching of
this invention. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only
and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the
system and apparatus are possible and are within the scope of the
invention. For example, the relative dimensions of various parts,
the materials from which the various parts are made, and other
parameters can be varied, so long as the compressor frame apparatus
retain the advantages discussed herein. Accordingly, the scope of
protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but
is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall
include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.
* * * * *