U.S. patent application number 17/428964 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-21 for cylinder head for piston compressor.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hoerbiger Wien GmbH. Invention is credited to Roland Cesak, Markus Ertl, Paul Knofe.
Application Number | 20220120265 17/428964 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006096934 |
Filed Date | 2022-04-21 |
![](/patent/app/20220120265/US20220120265A1-20220421-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20220120265/US20220120265A1-20220421-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20220120265/US20220120265A1-20220421-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20220120265/US20220120265A1-20220421-D00003.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20220120265 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cesak; Roland ; et
al. |
April 21, 2022 |
CYLINDER HEAD FOR PISTON COMPRESSOR
Abstract
Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to
cylinder heads for a piston compressor. In one example embodiment,
a cylinder head is disclosed including a suction chamber, a
pressure chamber spatially separated from the suction chamber, a
suction connection communicates with the suction chamber for
supplying a compression medium, and a pressure connection
communicates with the pressure chamber for discharging the
compressed compression medium. The suction connection and/or the
pressure connection may be adjusted into at least two positions on
the cylinder head.
Inventors: |
Cesak; Roland; (Schwabbruck,
DE) ; Knofe; Paul; (Schongau, DE) ; Ertl;
Markus; (Murnau am Staffelsee, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hoerbiger Wien GmbH |
Vienna |
|
AT |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006096934 |
Appl. No.: |
17/428964 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
February 5, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2020/052794 |
371 Date: |
August 5, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 39/14 20130101;
F04B 39/125 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04B 39/12 20060101
F04B039/12; F04B 39/14 20060101 F04B039/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 6, 2019 |
AT |
A50091/2019 |
Claims
1. Cylinder head for a piston compressor, the cylinder head
comprising: a suction chamber; a pressure chamber spatially
separated from the suction chamber; a suction connection configured
and arranged to communicate with the suction chamber for supplying
a compression medium; and a pressure connection configured and
arranged to communicate with the pressure chamber for discharging
the compressed compression medium; wherein the suction connection
and/or the pressure connection is configured and arranged to be
adjusted into at least two positions on the cylinder head.
2. The cylinder head of claim 1, wherein the suction chamber is
arranged radially outside the pressure chamber at least in
portions, wherein the pressure chamber is arranged radially outside
the suction chamber at least in portions.
3. The cylinder head of claim 2, wherein the suction chamber
annularly surrounds the pressure chamber at least in portions or in
that the pressure chamber annularly surrounds the suction chamber
at least in portions.
4. The cylinder head of claim 1, wherein the suction connection is
provided radially on the outside of the circumference of the
cylinder head or on a first axial cylinder head end of the cylinder
head and/or in that the pressure connection is provided radially on
the outside of the circumference or on a first axial cylinder head
end of the cylinder head.
5. The cylinder head of claim 1, further including at least one
valve seat plate is provided on the cylinder head, the at least one
valve seat plate is configured and arranged to delimit the suction
chamber and/or the pressure chamber on a second axial cylinder head
end.
6. The cylinder head of claim 1, wherein at least the suction
connection is provided on a suction insert, which insert is
configured and arranged to be adjustably arranged in the cylinder
head and which at least partially delimits the suction chamber, a
plurality of openings or one opening extending in the
circumferential direction being provided on the cylinder head for
adjusting the position of the suction connection, the suction
connection projecting at least partially outward through one of the
openings.
7. The cylinder head of claim 6, wherein the suction insert is
annular at least in portions, the suction connection being arranged
radially on the circumference of the suction insert, and in that
the openings or the opening extending in the circumferential
direction are provided radially on the circumference of the
cylinder head, the suction connection projecting at least partially
radially outward through one of the openings.
8. The cylinder head of claim 6, wherein the suction insert is
annular at least in portions, the suction connection being arranged
on an end face of the suction insert, and in that the openings or
the opening extending in the circumferential direction are provided
on the first axial cylinder head end of the cylinder head, the
suction connection projecting at least partially axially outward
through one of the openings.
9. The cylinder head of claim 6, wherein the pressure chamber is
annular and is arranged centrally on the inside of the cylinder
head and in that the suction insert is annular and is arranged
radially outside the pressure chamber and surrounds the pressure
chamber.
10. The cylinder head of claim 6, wherein the pressure connection
is provided on a pressure insert which partially delimits the
pressure chamber, a plurality of openings being provided on the
cylinder head, the plurality of openings are configured and
arranged for adjusting the position of the pressure connection, the
pressure connection of the pressure insert projecting at least
partially outward through one of the openings in the cylinder
head.
11. The cylinder head of claim 10, wherein the pressure insert is
annular at least in portions, the pressure connection is arranged
on an end face of the pressure insert, and in that the openings are
provided on the first axial cylinder head end of the cylinder head,
the pressure connection projecting at least partially axially
outward through one of the openings.
12. The cylinder head of claim 10, wherein the pressure insert is
annular at least in portions, the pressure connection being
arranged radially on the circumference of the pressure insert, and
in that the openings are provided radially on the circumference of
the cylinder head, the pressure connection projecting at least
partially radially outward through one of the openings.
13. The cylinder head of claim 10, wherein at least one pressure
element is provided on the suction insert and/or on the pressure
insert, wherein the at least one pressure element braces the
suction insert and/or the pressure insert axially against the valve
seat plate.
14. The cylinder head of claim 13, wherein the pressure element is
a resilient O-ring configured and arranged on the suction insert
and/or pressure insert.
15. The cylinder head of claim 6, wherein the suction insert and/or
the pressure insert are made of a heat-insulating material.
16. Piston compressor comprising: a compressor housing; a cylinder
arranged within the compressor housing; a piston arranged with the
cylinder, the piston configured and arranged to move back and forth
in order to compress a compression medium; and a cylinder head
arranged on the compressor housing on the cylinder; wherein the
cylinder head includes a suction chamber, a pressure chamber
spatially separated from the suction chamber, a suction connection
configured and arranged to communicate with the suction chamber for
supplying a compression medium, and a pressure connection
configured and arranged to communicate with the pressure chamber
for discharging the compressed compression medium being provided on
the cylinder head, wherein the suction connection and/or the
pressure connection is configured and arranged to be adjusted into
at least two positions on the cylinder head.
17. The piston compressor of claim 16, wherein the cylinder head is
fastened to the compressor housing of a piston compressor via a
clamping ring arranged on the circumference of the cylinder
head.
18. The piston compressor of claim 17, wherein the clamping ring
has at least one interruption on the circumference and in that the
ends of the clamping ring that face one another in the at least one
interruption have radially outwardly directed tabs configured and
arranged to be clamped by the clamping ring via a fastening device
in order to fasten the cylinder head to the compressor housing.
19. The cylinder head of claim 14, wherein the pressure element is
further configured and arranged in an annular groove of the suction
insert and/or pressure insert.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a cylinder head for a piston
compressor, comprising a suction chamber and a pressure chamber
spatially separated therefrom, a suction connection that
communicates with the suction chamber for supplying a compression
medium and a pressure connection that communicates with the
pressure chamber for discharging compressed compression medium
being provided on the cylinder head. The invention also relates to
a piston compressor comprising a compressor housing, a cylinder
arranged therein in which a piston moves back and forth in order to
compress a compression medium, and a cylinder head arranged on the
compressor housing on the cylinder.
[0002] Piston compressors are used in many different fields of
application, e.g. for compressing gases, but also as piston pumps
for conveying liquids. In vehicles, particularly in vehicles of
great length such as trains or trucks, compressed-air braking
systems are generally used. In these, ambient air is compressed for
example on the towing vehicle by means of a piston compressor to
form compressed air which supplies the braking system. The wheels
or axles are then braked using conventional disc or drum brakes.
The energy for braking is usually provided by springs or the like,
and the compressed air is used to hold the brake in the open state
counter to the spring force. This means that, for safety reasons,
the brake closes automatically if the pressure is too low, for
example due to a leak. By comparison with hydraulic braking
systems, as are usually used for example in passenger cars,
compressed-air braking systems are advantageous in that no
hydraulic fluid is required, which is particularly advantageous in
long vehicles. Another advantage is that the brakes of wagons or
trailers that can be coupled and uncoupled can also be supplied
with the compressed air generated by the piston compressor on the
towing vehicle, for example, in a relatively simple manner. As a
result of using compressed air, no hydraulic fluid can escape when
coupling and uncoupling wagons or trailers. Due to the
substantially constant generation of compressed air, any short-term
leakage which may occur, for example when a wagon or trailer is
uncoupled, does not matter.
[0003] In the case of trucks in particular, the installation space
in the towing vehicle is usually very limited, which makes
arranging the piston compressor more difficult. Due to increasingly
strict legal regulations, the engine compartment in which the
compressor is often arranged is also usually enclosed in order to
produce the lowest possible noise emissions. Last but not least,
exhaust gas cleaning devices, such as SCR catalytic converters,
particle filters, etc., which further limit the available
installation space, are also required to comply with the
increasingly strict exhaust gas legislation. Manufacturers
therefore strive to be as flexible as possible with regard to the
arrangement of the piston compressor. With conventional
compressors, however, such flexibility can only be insufficiently
achieved, since a change in the spatial arrangement of the
compressor is usually accompanied by a change in the design of the
entire compressor or at least parts thereof, e.g. a change in
connections, which is disadvantageous because this leads to a high
expenditure of time and money.
[0004] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a
piston compressor and a cylinder head for a piston compressor that
allows the piston compressor to be arranged as flexibly as possible
without having to make structural changes to the piston compressor,
in particular to the cylinder head.
[0005] According to the invention, this problem is solved in that
the suction connection and/or the pressure connection can be
adjusted into at least two positions on the cylinder head, the
suction chamber preferably being arranged at least in portions
radially outside the pressure chamber or vice versa. This increases
the flexibility with regard to the arrangement of the compressor
and improves the accessibility of the suction connection and/or the
pressure connection.
[0006] Advantageously, the suction chamber annularly surrounds the
pressure chamber at least in portions or the pressure chamber
annularly surrounds the suction chamber in at least portions, the
suction connection preferably being provided radially on the
outside of the circumference of the cylinder head or on a first
axial cylinder head end of the cylinder head and/or the pressure
connection preferably being provided radially on the outside of the
circumference of the cylinder head or on a first axial cylinder
head end of the cylinder head. As a result, the flexibility of the
arrangement of the suction connection and the pressure connection
can be increased further, and in particular the suction connection
and/or the pressure connection can be easily adjusted in the
circumferential direction on the cylinder head.
[0007] At least one valve seat plate is advantageously provided on
the cylinder head, which valve seat plate delimits the suction
chamber and/or the pressure chamber at a second axial cylinder head
end.
[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least the
suction connection is provided on a suction insert which is
adjustably arranged in the cylinder head and at least partially
delimits the suction chamber, a plurality of openings or one
opening extending in the circumferential direction being provided
on the cylinder head for adjusting the position of the suction
connection, the suction connection projecting at least partially
outward through one of the openings. The suction insert is
preferably annular at least in portions, the suction connection
being arranged radially on the circumference of the suction insert,
and the openings or the opening extending in the circumferential
direction being provided radially on the circumference of the
cylinder head, the suction connection projecting at least partially
radially outward through one of the openings. The suction
connection can, however, also be arranged on an end face of the
suction insert and the openings can be provided on the first axial
end of the cylinder head, the suction connection projecting at
least partially axially outward through one of the openings.
Depending on the desired alignment of the suction connection, the
position of the suction insert relative to the cylinder head can
therefore be changed, thereby making it possible to very easily
adjust the suction connection.
[0009] Particularly preferably, the pressure chamber is annular and
arranged centrally on the inside of the cylinder head and the
suction insert is annular, the suction insert being arranged
radially outside the pressure chamber and surrounding the pressure
chamber. The suction connection can thereby be adjusted in the
circumferential direction of the cylinder head, and the pressure
connection is substantially unchangeable in the axial
direction.
[0010] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the
invention, the pressure connection is provided on a pressure insert
which partially delimits the pressure chamber, a plurality of
openings being provided on the cylinder head for adjusting the
position of the pressure connection, the pressure connection of the
pressure insert projecting at least partially outward through one
of the openings in the cylinder head. The pressure insert is in
this case preferably annular at least in portions, the pressure
connection being arranged on an end face of the pressure insert and
the openings being provided on the first axial cylinder head end of
the cylinder head, the pressure connection projecting at least
partially axially outward through one of the openings, or the
pressure connection being arranged radially on the circumference of
the pressure insert and the openings being provided radially on the
circumference of the cylinder head, the pressure connection
projecting at least partially radially outward through one of the
openings. As a result, a simple adjustment option can be created
for the pressure connection in a manner analogous to the suction
connection. The radial and/or axial alignment of the pressure
connection and the openings can increase the flexibility of the
adjustability.
[0011] It is also advantageous for at least one pressure element to
be provided on the suction insert and/or on the pressure insert,
which pressure element braces the suction insert and/or the
pressure insert axially against the valve seat plate, the pressure
element preferably being a resilient O-ring which is arranged in a
preferably annular groove on the suction insert and/or pressure
insert. This ensures that there is no axial play between the
suction insert and/or pressure insert and the cylinder head,
thereby improving the seal between the suction insert and/or
pressure insert and the valve seat plate. As a result of the simple
design as a resilient O-ring, simple mounting can be ensured and
the most uniform possible contact pressure of the suction insert
and/or pressure insert over the entire extension of the suction
insert and/or pressure insert is achieved.
[0012] The suction insert is advantageously made of a
heat-insulating material, preferably plastics material. This
reduces the heating of the suctioned compression medium, which
means that the delivery rate of the compressor can be
increased.
[0013] If the cylinder head is fastened to the compressor housing
of the piston compressor by means of a clamping ring arranged on
the circumference of the cylinder head, a simple mounting option
can be created which allows the position of the suction connection
and/or the pressure connection to be changed quickly, the clamping
ring preferably having at least one interruption on the
circumference and the ends of the clamping ring that face one
another in the interruption having radially outwardly directed tabs
on which the clamping ring can be clamped by means of a fastening
device in order to fasten the cylinder head to the compressor
housing.
[0014] In the Following, the Present Invention Shall be Described
in Greater Detail with Reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, which Show
Exemplary, Schematic and Non-Limiting Advantageous Embodiments of
the Invention. In the Drawings:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a sectional view through a cylinder head which is
mounted on a compressor housing of a piston compressor,
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a cylinder head according to the invention
mounted on a compressor housing of a piston compressor,
[0017] FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a cylinder head
comprising adjustable suction and pressure connections.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a cylinder head 1
in a mounted state on the compressor housing 2 of a piston
compressor 3. The basic structure and mode of operation of a piston
compressor are known, and are therefore not discussed in detail
here. The cylinder head 1 is arranged on the axial end of the
cylinder 4 on the compressor housing 2 in a known manner and
outwardly seals the cylinder 4 in the axial direction. A piston 5
is movably arranged in the cylinder 4, which piston compresses a
compression medium and is driven by a crankshaft (not shown) via a
push rod 25 (shown schematically). The crankshaft is rotatably
mounted in the compressor housing, and a drive torque which is
provided, for example, by the internal combustion engine of a
truck, an electric motor of a locomotive or in another suitable
manner is applied to the crankshaft in a known manner. A rotational
movement of the crankshaft is converted into a substantially
translatory oscillating movement of the piston 5 via the crankshaft
and the push rod 25. In the example shown, the compressor is an air
compressor, and the compression medium is therefore ambient air. Of
course, the ambient air can be pretreated, for example filtered or
dehumidified, by means of suitable devices (not shown). Other
compression media can self-evidently also be used.
[0019] The cylinder head 1 has a pressure chamber 6 which is
designed in this case as a central, substantially annular pressure
chamber 6, and a suction chamber 7 which is spatially separated
from the pressure chamber 6. The suction chamber 7 is also annular
in this case and lies radially outside the pressure chamber 6, i.e.
substantially surrounds the pressure chamber 6. A valve seat plate
8 is arranged on a second axial cylinder head end ZE2 of the
cylinder head 1, between the cylinder head 1 and the compressor
housing 2. Suction openings 9 corresponding to the suction chamber
7 and pressure openings 10 corresponding to the pressure chamber 6
are provided in the valve seat plate 8, which openings each pass
through the valve seat plate 8 in the axial direction so that the
cylinder is connected to the suction chamber 7 and the pressure
chamber 6. The valve seat plate 8 thus forms the valve seat of the
suction valve SV and the pressure valve DV. The suction openings 9
and pressure openings 10 are each closed or opened by valve
elements 11, 12 which are usually pressure-controlled. As shown in
FIG. 1, the valve seat plate 8 can, for example, be fastened to the
cylinder head 1 by a central screw 24 and delimits the suction
chamber 7 and the pressure chamber 6 in the axial direction on the
second axial cylinder head end ZE2. Suction valve elements 11 are
arranged at the suction openings 9 on the end face of the valve
seat plate 8 that faces the cylinder 4, and pressure valve elements
12 are arranged at the pressure openings 10 on the end face of the
valve seat plate 8 that faces away from the cylinder 4. The suction
valve SV and pressure valve DV are in this case designed as
lamellar valves, but of course other designs would also be
conceivable, such as spring-operated non-return valves or annular
valves. It would also be conceivable for closed-loop or open-loop
controlled valves to be provided, in which case a corresponding
valve controller would be required, for example similar to that of
a reciprocating piston engine. The specific type of design for the
suction valve SV and pressure valve DV is, however, irrelevant for
the present invention.
[0020] When the piston 5 moves away from the valve seat plate 8 (in
this case downward), a negative pressure is generated in the
cylinder 4, as a result of which the suction valve elements 11 are
lifted off from the valve seat plate 8 and the pressure valve
elements 12 are pressed against the valve seat plate 8. As a
result, the pressure openings 10 are closed and the suction
openings 9 are released. As a result, the compression medium, in
this case air, is sucked into the suction chamber 7 from the
environment via a suction connection 14 communicating with the
suction chamber 7 (see FIG. 2), and flows from the suction chamber
7 via the suction openings 9 into the cylinder 4. When the piston 5
moves back toward the valve seat plate 8 (in this case upward), the
pressure conditions in the cylinder 4 change and a positive
pressure is generated in the cylinder 4, as a result of which the
suction valve elements 11 are pressed against the valve seat plate
8 and the suction openings 9 close. The compression medium is now
compressed in the cylinder 4 until the pressure valve elements 12
lift off from the valve seat plate 8 and the compressed compression
medium flows through the pressure openings 10 into the pressure
chamber 6 and onward to a pressure connection 13 connected thereto,
which pressure connection is provided, in the embodiment shown, on
the first axial cylinder head end ZE1 of the cylinder head 1 that
faces away from the cylinder 4.
[0021] The pressure in the cylinder 4 at which the pressure valve
DV opens substantially depends on the structural design of the
pressure valve DV, which is determined according to the desired
pressure level to be achieved. In the case of the lamellar valves
shown, the achievable pressure level depends, for example, on the
rigidity of the lamellas; the more rigid the lamella, the later the
pressure valve DV opens and the higher the pressure of the
compressed compression medium. If closed-loop or open-loop
controlled valves are used, it would be conceivable, for example,
for the pressure valve(s) DV to open on a specific stroke of the
piston 5 or depending on a specific pressure in the cylinder 4.
Pressure regulation of this kind, however, requires correspondingly
controllable valves, which is of course associated with increased
expenditure. However, pressure regulation can be useful, for
example, when the ambient pressure outside the piston compressor 3
is subject to strong fluctuations, which can be the case, for
example, when a vehicle is operated at different altitudes.
[0022] In the example shown, the pressure connection 13 is arranged
in the axial direction on a cylinder head cover 1a which is
fastened to a first axial cylinder head end ZE1 of the cylinder
head 1 by means of fastening elements such as screws 20. From the
pressure connection 13, the compressed compression medium KM can be
supplied, for example, to a pressure accumulator (not shown) or can
also be used directly to be supplied, for example, to a
compressed-air braking system. The alignment of the pressure
connection 13 depends substantially on the requirements of the
piston compressor, and therefore the pressure connection 13 could
also be provided radially on the outside of the circumference of
the cylinder head 1. The pressure chamber 6 would of course have to
be formed accordingly in the cylinder head 1. The pressure chamber
6 does not necessarily have to be annular and central, for example,
as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. For example, the pressure
chamber 6 could also be arranged annularly radially outside the
suction chamber 7, i.e. a substantially reversed arrangement of the
suction chamber 7 and pressure chamber 6 as shown. The pressure
connection 13 could therefore also be provided on the radial
circumferential surface of the cylinder head 1 or in turn on the
first axial cylinder head end ZE1 such that the pressure connection
13 communicates with the pressure chamber 6.
[0023] Likewise, both the suction chamber 7 and the pressure
chamber 6 could be annular at least in portions and be arranged
radially on the outside of the cylinder head.
[0024] For example, the suction chamber 7 and the pressure chamber
6 could adjoin one another in the circumferential direction and
each extend over part of the circumference of the cylinder head 1,
as is shown schematically in FIG. 3 by the dashed lines. The
suction connection 14 (or the suction connections 14) and the
pressure connection 13 (or the pressure connections 13) could then
each be arranged in the radial direction on the circumference of
the cylinder head 1 or also in the axial direction on the first
axial cylinder head end ZE1. Of course, it is possible for either
only the suction connection 14 or the pressure connection 13 to be
arranged radially and for the other to be arranged axially, or both
could be arranged axially. It is therefore clear that there are
many possibilities for the specific structural design, which is
substantially based on predetermined boundary conditions such as a
planned installation position of the piston compressor 3. It is
essential for the invention that there is a pressure chamber 6
comprising a pressure connection 13 and that there is a suction
chamber 7 which comprises a suction connection 14 and is spatially
separated from the pressure chamber 6.
[0025] In order to be as flexible as possible in the arrangement of
the piston compressor 3, according to the invention, the suction
connection 14 and/or the pressure connection 13 can be adjusted
into at least two positions on the cylinder head 1. The piston
compressor 3 can thus be adapted very easily to different
installation situations without having to make complex structural
modifications to the cylinder head 1. In one simple embodiment, the
pressure connection 13, as shown in FIG. 1, is arranged on the
first axial cylinder head end ZE1 in the axial direction and
communicates with the central annular pressure chamber 6. The
pressure connection 13 would therefore be substantially
unchangeable. Of course, the pressure connection 13 does not have
to be arranged exactly in the center of the cylinder head cover 1a,
but could also be arranged slightly eccentrically; it is essential
that it is connected to the pressure chamber 6.
[0026] The suction connection 14 could then be designed, for
example, in such a way that at least two suction connections 14
would be provided on the outer circumference of the cylinder head 1
so as to be diametrically opposed in the radial direction, for
example. The adjustability would be implemented in that, although
the two suction connections 14 communicate with the suction chamber
7 in the radial direction, only one suction connection 14 is used
for supplying the compression medium KM, with the other suction
connection 14 being closed. It could be closed, for example, by
means of a suitable closure plug 26, for example a thread would be
provided on the suction connection 14 in a suitable manner. A
closure plug 26 of this kind is shown by way of example in FIG. 3
in an exploded view for an axial suction connection 14 and an axial
pressure connection 13. Of course, a sealing element (not shown)
can also be provided on the suction connection 14, on the pressure
connection 13 and/or on the relevant closure plug 16, and, because
of the relatively high pressure in particular on the pressure
connection 13, this is advantageous for preventing leakage or only
allowing a small amount of leakage of compressed compression
medium. In order to be even more flexible in the arrangement of the
piston compressor 3, more than two suction connections 14 could of
course also be provided on the circumference, for example four
suction connections 14 which are each spaced apart at an angle of
90.degree. or even a plurality of pressure connections 13, as shown
in FIG. 3.
[0027] The reverse variant would also be conceivable, with an
annular pressure chamber 6 located radially on the outside and a
suction chamber 7 located centrally on the inside. Correspondingly,
a plurality of pressure connections 13 could be arranged on the
circumference of the cylinder head 1, with preferably only one of
the pressure connections 13 being used in each case. However, the
adjustability is of course not limited to either the suction
connection 14 or the pressure connection 13, but equally both
connections could be adjustable, as shown in FIG. 3, with the
system remaining the same. The direction of extension of the
suction connections 14 and pressure connections 13 is also not
restricted to the axial and radial directions. With a suitable
structural design of the cylinder head 1, one or more suction
connections 14 (or pressure connections 13) could also extend, for
example, at 45.degree. with respect to the axial and radial
directions.
[0028] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the
invention according to FIGS. 1 and 2, at least the suction
connection 14 is provided on a suction insert 15 which at least
partially delimits the suction chamber 7. The suction insert 15 is
arranged in a recess 27 on the cylinder head 1 and at least
partially forms the suction chamber 7. The suction insert 15 is
designed, for example, as an annulus that has a substantially
U-shaped cross section, the open end face of the suction insert 15
resting axially on the valve seat plate 8. The suction chamber 7 is
thus formed within the U-shaped cross section. The suction insert
15 can thus be adjusted over the circumference relative to the
housing of the cylinder head 1. The position of the suction
connection 14 on the circumference of the cylinder head 1 can thus
also be adjusted by adjusting the suction insert 15 over the
circumference. A plurality of openings 16 can be provided on the
housing of the cylinder head 1 in order to adjust the position of
the suction connection 14. The suction insert 15 can then be
arranged in the cylinder head 1 in such a way that the suction
connection 14 projects at least partially outward through one of
the openings 16. In the embodiment shown according to FIG. 2, two
openings 16 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of
the cylinder head 1, which openings are spaced apart from one
another at a specified angular distance in order to adjust the
position of the suction connection 14. The suction insert 15 is in
this case substantially annular, the suction connection 14 being
arranged radially on the circumference of the suction insert 15.
The suction insert 15 can be arranged in the cylinder head 1 in
such a way that the suction connection 14, depending on the desired
alignment, projects at least partially radially outward through one
of the (in this case two) openings 16.
[0029] It is also conceivable for an opening 16 to extend in the
circumferential direction in the form of an elongate hole on the
circumference of the housing of the cylinder head 1. In this way,
the position of the suction connection 14 in the region of the
opening 16 could be adjusted practically continuously, which allows
particularly flexible adjustability for the suction connection
14.
[0030] Analogously thereto, it would of course also be conceivable
for the openings 16 to be provided on the first axial cylinder head
end ZE1 instead of on the radial circumferential surface of the
cylinder head 1, and for the suction connection 14 to be arranged
on an axial end face of the suction insert 15 that faces the first
axial cylinder head end ZE1. The suction insert 15 can then be
arranged in the cylinder head 1 in such a way that the suction
connection 14, depending on the desired alignment, projects through
one of the openings 16 at the axial end, for example at the
cylinder head cover 1a, in the axial direction.
[0031] In the advantageous embodiment in FIG. 2, the suction insert
15 is substantially annular and is arranged radially outside the
centrally inner pressure chamber 6. The suction insert 15 thus
substantially completely surrounds the pressure chamber 6. The
pressure chamber 6 is in this case integrated directly in the
cylinder head 1, which is particularly advantageous in the case of
relatively high compression pressures since good sealing of the
pressure chamber 6 is ensured and, apart from the valve seat plate
8, no additional sealing measures are required. Sealing elements
can of course be provided for the suction insert 15, as shown in
FIG. 1.
[0032] Of course, as with the suction connection 14, similar
adjustability for the pressure connection 13 could also be
implemented. For this purpose, the pressure connection 13 could be
provided on a pressure insert (not shown) which at least partially
delimits the pressure chamber 6. The pressure insert would then
again be adjustably arranged in the cylinder head. A plurality of
openings 16 would therefore be provided on the cylinder head 1 for
adjusting the position of the pressure connection 13, the pressure
insert being arranged on the cylinder head 1 in such a way that the
pressure connection 13 projects at least partially outward through
one of the openings 16. For example, the pressure insert could be
annular at least in portions and the pressure connection 13 could
be arranged on an end face of the pressure insert that axially
faces the first cylinder head end ZE1. The openings 16 would be
provided on the first axial end of the cylinder head 1 (in this
case on the cylinder head cover 1a), the pressure connection 13
projecting at least partially axially outward through one of the
openings 16. In exactly the same way, the pressure connection 13
could also be arranged radially on the circumference of the
pressure insert and the openings could be provided radially on the
circumference of the cylinder head 1. The pressure insert would
then be arranged in the cylinder head 1 in such a way that the
pressure connection 13 projects at least partially radially outward
through one of the openings 16, analogously to the example of the
suction connection 14 shown in FIG. 2.
[0033] A suction line (not shown) can be connected to the suction
connection 14, for example, which suction line draws in air from
outside a vehicle via a filter. A pressure line (not shown) by
means of which the compressed compression medium is supplied to a
pressure accumulator, for example, can be arranged at the pressure
connection 13. The suction insert 15 and/or the pressure insert
can, for example, be made from a suitable plastics material or from
a metal material, for example aluminum, steel, etc. Of course, a
combination of a plurality of materials, e.g. a plurality of
plastics materials that have different material properties, would
also be conceivable in order to adapt the suction insert 15 and/or
the pressure insert to certain conditions of use. In particular, it
is advantageous for the suction insert 15 to be manufactured from a
suitable heat-insulating plastics material. This has the advantage
that the suctioned compression medium is heated to a lesser degree,
for example by the adjoining pressure chamber 6 or the cylinder 4
in which higher temperatures generally prevail than in the suction
chamber 7. The lesser heating leads to an increase in the delivery
rate of the piston compressor, i.e. leads substantially to a higher
degree of efficiency of the compressor. For example, the portions
of the suction insert 15 resting against the valve seat plate 8
could be made of a suitable, relatively soft plastics material in
order to improve the seal, and the remaining portions of the
suction insert 15 could be made of another plastics material that
has suitable strength properties. Many known processes can be used
to manufacture the suction insert 15 and the pressure insert, for
example casting processes such as sand casting, die casting, etc.,
or also additive processes such as 3D printing, laser sintering,
etc. Metal materials such as aluminum or steel are preferably used
for the cylinder head 1 and the compressor housing 2, but suitable
plastics materials would also be conceivable.
[0034] The shape of the openings 16 can be selected substantially
as desired. However, it should in any case be selected such that
sufficient space is provided for the suction connection 14 and/or
the pressure connection 13 to pass through. In the example shown,
the openings 16 are substantially rectangular with rounded corners
and a certain amount of play is provided between the suction
connection 14 and the cylinder head 1 in the axial direction and in
the circumferential direction in order to facilitate mounting.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows the cylinder head 1 in the mounted state on the
compressor housing 2, the cylinder head 1 being fastened to the
compressor housing 2 by means of a clamping ring 17 in the example
shown. The clamping ring 17 has at least one interruption 17a on
the circumference, the ends of the clamping ring 17 that face one
another in the interruption 17a having radially outwardly directed
tabs 18 on which the clamping ring 17 can be clamped by means of a
fastening device 19 in order to fasten the cylinder head 1 to the
compressor housing 2. The fastening device 19 is in this case in
the form of a screw connection. The clamping ring 17 allows quick
and simple mounting and, in particular, allows the suction
connection 14 and/or pressure connection 13 to be adjusted quickly
and easily. For this purpose, the clamping ring 17 would have to be
loosened, for example, such that the suction insert 15 can be
adjusted over the circumference. The clamping ring 17 can then be
clamped again. In addition, the clamping ring 17 also ensures a
sufficiently good seal between the cylinder head 1 and the
compressor housing 2. Of course, the cylinder head 1 could also be
fastened to the compressor housing 2 in a different way, for
example opposing flanges could be provided on the cylinder head 1
and the compressor housing 2, in which flanges corresponding bores
are distributed on the circumference. Screw connections to which
the flanges are screwed in the axial direction could be arranged in
the bores. Of course, a sealing element or a sealing compound can
also be provided between the cylinder head 1 and the compressor
housing 2 for better sealing.
[0036] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the suction insert 15 is closed by
the valve seat plate 8 on the side facing the cylinder. In order to
achieve a sufficiently good seal between the valve seat plate 8 and
the suction insert 15, it is advantageous for at least one pressure
element 21 to be provided on the end face of the suction insert 15
facing the first axial cylinder head end ZE1. When mounting the
cylinder head 1, the suction insert 15 is brought into the desired
position so that the suction connection 14 is in the desired
position, for example projects through one of the provided openings
16, and is braced with the compressor housing 2 by means of the
clamping ring 17. With a corresponding structural design of the
cylinder head 1, the bracing of the clamping ring 17 creates an
axial force which is exerted on the pressure element 21 by a
surface 22 of the recess 27 in the cylinder head 1 that is axially
opposite the suction insert 15 (see FIG. 1). In the example shown,
the pressure element 21 is designed as a resilient O-ring and is
arranged in an annular groove 23 on the suction insert 15. As a
result of the axial force exerted on the O-ring by the surface 22,
the O-ring is elastically deformed and presses the suction insert
15 against the valve seat plate 8 in a manner substantially
analogous to a spring. This ensures that there is no axial play
between the cylinder head 1 and the suction insert 15 and between
the suction insert 15 and the valve seat plate 8, thereby improving
the seal between the suction insert 15 and the valve seat plate 8.
Of course, other designs for the pressure element 21 would also be
conceivable; for example, individual rubber elements, helical
springs or even a disc spring could be provided as the pressure
element 21. If a pressure insert is provided for the pressure
connection 13, it is of course advantageous that at least one
pressure element 21 is also provided on the pressure insert. If the
pressure insert or the suction insert 15 has a structural design
other than an annular shape, it is of course advantageous for the
shape of the pressure element 21 to be adapted to the shape of the
relevant insert.
* * * * *