1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to compressors and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for noise control in compressors used in refrigeration systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Compressors generate a high-pressure level of gas pulsation at the compressor discharge port or passage. This high-pressure level is a leading cause of internal mechanism failure, such as, for example, check valves. Additionally, the high-pressure level is a main source of noise and vibration problems.
Contemporary devices have attempted to address these problems with compressor mufflers that are reactive, i.e., designed based upon the volume change to reflect acoustic waves. As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,154, the scroll compressor has a cylindrical housing having welded at the upper end thereof a cap and at the lower end thereof a base. The cap is provided with a refrigerant discharge fitting which may have the usual discharge valve therein. A transversely extending partition is affixed to the housing by being welded about its periphery at the same point that the cap is welded to the housing. While such reactive mufflers can suppress some gas pulsation, they are of limited use where a more compact muffler is required or where a refrigerant requires a higher operating pressure.
Accordingly, there is a need for a compressor muffler that can withhold higher gas pulsation, even at higher operating pressures. There is a further need for such a muffler that can generate lower noise and vibration within a desired physical size and/or shape limitation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a compressor muffler that absorbs sound generated from gas pulsation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a compressor muffler that efficiently absorbs such sound over a wide range of frequencies.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such a compressor muffler that provides a compact size.
In one aspect, a muffler is provided for a compressor used in a refrigeration system. The muffler has a muffler chamber defined in part by a cap and has an intake and an exhaust. The cap has an inner surface with at least a portion that is opposite to the intake. The inner surface has a plurality of Helmholtz resonators.
In another aspect, a scroll compressor for a refrigeration system is provided which comprises a non-orbiting scroll member, an orbiting scroll member, a crankshaft, and a muffler. The non-orbiting scroll member is meshingly engaged with orbiting scroll member. The crankshaft is operably connected to the orbiting scroll member. The muffler has a muffler chamber with an intake and an exhaust. The intake is in fluid communication with the non-orbiting scroll member. The muffler chamber is defined at least in part by a cap having an inner surface with a plurality of Helmholtz resonators.
In yet another aspect, a method of absorbing sound in a compressor used in a refrigeration system is provided which comprises providing a liner having a plurality of orifices, with at least one of the orifices having a first diameter that is different from a second diameter of another of the orifices; positioning the liner along an inner surface of a muffler chamber; and directing the sound into the muffler chamber and across a plurality of Helmholtz resonators that are defined at least in part by the plurality of orifices.
The muffler can further comprise a liner having a plurality of perforations, with the liner being connected to the inner surface thereby forming a gap between the liner and the inner surface. The plurality of perforations may be in fluid communication with the gap, and each of the plurality of perforations can form or partially form one of the plurality of Helmholtz resonators. The muffler can further comprise a liner having a plurality of holes, with the liner being connected to the inner surface, and the holes being in substantially fluid isolation from each other. The perforations or holes can have different diameters. The perforations or holes can have varying spacing therebetween. The liner may have a shape that corresponds to a shape of the inner surface of the cap. The muffler may further comprising a sound absorbing material. The sound absorbing material can be positioned in the gap between the liner and the inner surface of the cap.
The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.
Referring now to
A non-orbiting scroll member 60 is positioned in meshing engagement with an orbiting scroll member 70 to provide for compression of the refrigerant. The scroll compressor 10 has various other components known in the art to allow for compression of the refrigerant, such as, for example, a motor, crankshaft, bearings, conduits and seals. The details of these components has been omitted for brevity but are contemplated by the present disclosure and are known by one of ordinary skill in the art.
The scroll compressor 10 has a compressor muffler in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and generally represented by reference numeral 100. The muffler 100 has a muffler chamber 110 and a shell or liner 120 positioned in the chamber. The muffler chamber 110 is defined in part by cap 30 and partition 50. However, the present disclosure contemplates other structures defining or partially defining the muffler chamber 110, such as, for example, support members. The non-orbiting scroll member 60 has a centrally disposed intake or passage 80, which is in fluid communication with the discharge muffler chamber 110, and the refrigerant discharge fitting or exhaust 40 is also in fluid communication with the chamber 110. While the exemplary embodiment is described with respect to scroll compressor 10, the present disclosure contemplates the use of compressor muffler 100 with other types of compressors used in refrigeration systems. Also, preferably, at least a portion of the liner 120 and/or the inner surface of the cap 30 is positioned opposite to intake 80.
Referring to
The liner 120 has a number of perforations or orifices 130 therethrough that are in fluid communication with the gap 125. The perforations 130 form an array of Helmholtz resonators, which absorb the sound, e.g., compressor gas pulsation, that is generated by the scroll compressor 10 and which passes through the muffler chamber 110. Liner 120 preferably has perforations 130 having different diameters so as to absorb sound over a broader range of frequencies.
The particular size and number of the perforations 130 can be varied to increase the sound absorbing characteristics of liner 120 depending upon the sound being generated by the particular scroll compressor 10. Such parameters as perforation diameter and perforation ratio can be evaluated to increase the sound absorbing characteristics of the liner 120. Additionally, the positioning of the perforations 130 can also be varied according to the particular geometry of the muffler chamber 110, as well as the sound being generated by the scroll compressor 10, such as, for example, having first perforations 130′ with a first diameter and being located directly opposite to the intake 80, and having second perforations 130″ with a second diameter and being located adjacent to the first perforations.
The spacing between the perforations 130 can also be varied to improve the sound absorbing characteristics of liner 120. In the exemplary embodiment, perforations 130 are shown with a circular or substantially circular shape. However, the present disclosure contemplates alternative shapes also being used to improve the sound absorbing characteristics of the Helmholtz resonators. The thickness of the liner 120 can also be varied to provide a more efficient throat or neck for improved sound absorbing characteristics for each of the Helmholtz resonators. The size of gap 125 can be varied to further increase the sound absorbing characteristics of liner 120. The size of gap 125, e.g., the distance between the liner 120 and the inner surface of the cap 30, can be varied to control the peak frequency of the sound that is absorbed. Typically, a deeper gap 125 will provide for a lower absorbing peak frequency.
By adjusting the diameter of the perforations 130, the perforation ratio for the liner 120 and the thickness of the liner, the muffler 100 can be provided with a sound absorption coefficient with a maximum peak that is in proximity to the frequency of the gas pulsation, while also tuning for absorption of a broader range of frequencies.
In the exemplary embodiment of
Muffler 100 can also have a sound absorbing material positioned in the gap 125 to further increase the sound absorbing characteristics for each of the perforations 130. The liner 120 can be made from a material that allows for connection with the cap 30 and facilitates the manufacturing process but is rigid enough to withstand the gas pulsations generated by the scroll compressor 10.
Referring to
The liner 220 has a number of holes or orifices 230 formed therein. In the exemplary embodiment of
To form the holes 230 to include a resonator neck 233 connected to the volume 235, the liner 220 may be two separate liners (one having the resonator necks 233 and the other having the volumes 235) that are overlapped or connected to each other, or the liner can be a single, integral liner that is machined or otherwise provided with the Helmholtz resonators formed therein. Additionally, the size or length of the resonator necks 233 can be further varied by drilling or otherwise forming the holes 233 at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the liner 220 to increase the length of the necks and increase energy dissipation.
Referring to
The liner 320 has a number of holes or orifices 330 formed therein. In the exemplary embodiment of
The honeycomb-like structure forming volumes 335 can be a separate liner that is connected to a liner having resonator necks 333, or the liner can be a single, integral structure with the holes 330 machined or otherwise formed therein. Additionally, the size or length of the resonator necks 333 can be further varied by drilling or otherwise forming the holes 333 at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the liner 320 to increase the length of the necks and increase energy dissipation. Additionally, liner 320 can be a combination of isolated holes 330 and perforations (in fluid communication with a partial gap formed between a portion of the liner and the cap 30).
While the instant disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US2005/030711 | 8/29/2005 | WO | 00 | 2/29/2008 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2007/027168 | 3/8/2007 | WO | A |
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Entry |
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International Search Report issued Oct. 10, 2006 for the corresponding International Application PCT/US2005/030711. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20090232670 A1 | Sep 2009 | US |