Patent Grant
10288056
The presently disclosed embodiments generally relate to heating and cooling components. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a discharge manifold for use with multiple compressors.
In some commercial HVAC applications, an HVAC system may utilize multiple compressors in a parallel configuration that work together to satisfy the refrigeration load. The multiple compressors employ a common suction line and a common discharge line to circulate refrigerant gas through the HVAC system. A discharge gas manifold may be provided to operatively connect the multiple compressors to the common discharge line. In some instances, the discharge gas manifold requires extra bracketing to keep the discharge gas manifold from moving due to significant vibration levels of the refrigerant gas entering the main conduit of the discharge gas manifold. Such extra bracketing adds expense to the system. Thus, there is a desire for a discharge gas manifold that can be coupled to multiple refrigeration compressors that does not require extra bracketing, and reduces the vibration levels of the refrigerant gas entering the main conduit of the discharge gas manifold.
In one aspect, an HVAC component is provided. The HVAC component includes at least two refrigeration compressors. The HVAC component includes a gas manifold operably coupled to each of the refrigeration compressors to allow a discharged gas to flow therethrough.
In one aspect, a gas manifold utilized on the discharge line of an HVAC component with a parallel compressor configuration is provided. The discharge gas manifold includes a main conduit having a distal, and a proximal end. The discharge gas manifold includes an end feeder conduit extending from the distal end of the main conduit. The space inside of the end feeder conduit is in communication with the space inside of the main conduit. The end feeder conduit also includes a portion which forms an angle between 0°-60° with the axis of the main conduit. The discharge gas manifold also includes at least one intermediate feeder conduit extending from an area between the distal end and the proximal end of the main conduit. The space inside each of the intermediate feeder conduits is in communication with the space inside of the main conduit. Each of the intermediate feeder conduits further includes a portion, having a longitudinal axis, which forms an angle between 0°-60° with the longitudinal axis of the main conduit.
The embodiments and other features, advantages and disclosures contained herein, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.
The end feeder conduit 24 includes an end first portion 26 extending from the distal end 20 of the main conduit 18. In an exemplary embodiment, the end first portion 26 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the main conduit 18. In other embodiments, the end first portion 26 may form an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main conduit 18. The end feeder conduit 24 includes an end second straight portion 30, which forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the end first portion 26. In an exemplary embodiment, the end second straight portion 30 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end first portion 26. The end feeder conduit 24 includes an end third straight portion 34, which forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the end second straight portion 30. In an exemplary embodiment, the end third straight portion 34 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end second straight portion 30. The end third straight portion 34, of the end feeder conduit 24, is operably coupled to a discharge line of at least one of the refrigeration compressors 12. The end feeder conduit 24 includes an end first curved portion 28 joining the end first portion 26 and the end second straight portion 30. The end feeder conduit 24 includes an end second curved portion 32 joining the end second straight portion 30 and the end third straight portion 34.
The discharge gas manifold 16 also includes at least one intermediate feeder conduit 36 extending from an area between the distal end 20 and the proximal end 22 of the main conduit 18. The space inside each of the intermediate feeder conduits 36 is in communication with the space inside of the main conduit 18. Each of the intermediate feeder conduits 36 includes an intermediate first straight portion 38, having a longitudinal axis, which forms an angle between 0°-60° with the longitudinal axis of the main conduit 18. The intermediate first straight portion 38 is adjacent to the main conduit 18. In other embodiments, the intermediate first straight portion 38 forms an angle between 0°-45° with the longitudinal axis of the main conduit 18. Each of the intermediate feeder conduits 36 includes an intermediate second straight portion 42 which forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the main conduit 18. In an exemplary embodiment, the intermediate second straight portion 42 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main conduit 18. Each of the intermediate feeder conduits 36 includes an intermediate third straight portion 46 which forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the intermediate second straight portion 42. The third straight portion 46 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the intermediate second straight portion 42. In an exemplary embodiment, the intermediate third straight portion 46, of each of the intermediate feeder conduits 36, is operably coupled to a discharge line of at least one of the refrigeration compressors 12. Each of the intermediate feeder conduits 36 includes an intermediate first curved portion 40 joining the intermediate first straight portion 38 and the intermediate second straight portion 42. Each of the intermediate feeder conduits 36 includes an intermediate second curved portion 44 joining the intermediate second straight portion 42 and the intermediate third straight portion 46.
During typical operation, the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas exits each of the refrigeration compressors 12 and enters an inlet 48 of a respective one of the intermediate feeder conduits 36, or an inlet 50 of the end feeder conduit 24. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas flows through the intermediate first straight portion 38, of each of the intermediate feeder conduits 36, and flows through the end first curved portion 28, of the end feeder conduit 24 to enter the main conduit 18. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas then flows through the main conduit 18 to the different HVAC components (not shown) that form parts of the HVAC system (not shown)
Because the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas enters the main conduit 18 through an intermediate feeder conduit 36 having an intermediate first straight portion 38 that forms an angle between 0°-60° with the longitudinal axis of the main conduit 18, the gas flow is not introduced at a substantially 90° angle to the flow of gas within the main conduit 18 as is the case in prior art systems. Turbulent flow at this juncture is therefore reduced by introducing the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas into the main conduit 18 through an intermediate feeder conduit 36 having an intermediate first straight portion 38 that forms an angle between 0°-60° with the longitudinal axis of the main conduit 18. By reducing such turbulence, vibration and the need for extra bracketing will be reduced. It will be appreciated that the geometry of each of the intermediate feeder conduits 36 may take any form from the inlet 48 to the intermediate first straight portion 38 to promote the flow of gas to the main conduit 18.
Because the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas enters the main conduit 18′ through an intermediate feeder conduit 36′ and end feeder conduit 24′ at an angle which is substantially parallel to the main conduit flow axis 49 the gas flow is not introduced at a substantially 90° angle to the flow of gas within the main conduit 18′ as is the case in prior art systems. The coupler 68 will redirect each flow of gas toward the main conduit flow axis 49 in a reduced turbulence manner because the flow axes 43 and 47 are parallel to (and positioned close to) the main conduit flow axis 49. Turbulent flow at this juncture is therefore reduced by introducing the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas into the main conduit 18′ through an intermediate feeder conduit 36′ and end feeder conduit 24′ each having a respective second flow axis that is substantially parallel to the main conduit flow axis By reducing such turbulence, vibration and the need for extra bracketing will be reduced.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/216,093, filed Mar. 17, 2014, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/807,873 filed Apr. 3, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety into the present disclosure.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180051920 A1 | Feb 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61807873 | Apr 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14216093 | Mar 2014 | US |
| Child | 15797050 | US |
