1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to a system for eliminating or at least minimizing vibration associated connection fractures of multiple hermetic compressors that are combined into a singly working manifold and single circuit.
2. Description of the Background Art
Presently, there exist many multiple hermetic compressor single circuit manifold compressor designs. These known multiple hermetic compressor manifold designs have known problems with vibrational related fracture failures, discharge gas interference, as well as oil level indication. When only one compressor, or less than all compressors, are running in these multiple compressor manifolds, there exists vibrational differences between the compressors which can cause fatigue fractures in hard coupled, short manifold connections. Also, the hot gas discharge of multiple compressors feeding into the same manifold can create additional vibration as well as interference between the discharge of the compressors.
Finally, oil level indicators have not been provided with manifolded hermetic compressors. Furthermore, during single compressor operation of a tandem or multi-compressor system, the oil in the inactive compressor drains through the oil equalization manifold into the active compressor, thereby creating an imbalance of too high of an oil level in the active compressor (and too low of an oil level in the inactive compressor). The high oil level in the active compressor results in excess oil flowing into the circulating refrigerant. Too much oil in the circulating refrigerant causes valve failure in reciprocating compressors due to the incompressibility of the liquid oil. Hence, there presently exists a need for assuring proper levels of oil are maintained in the tandem and other multi-compressor configurations.
In response to the realized inadequacies of these earlier multiple hermetic compressor manifold systems, it has become clear that there is a need for a multiple hermetic compressor manifold system that overcomes all of these mentioned deficiencies. The multiple hermetic compressor manifold system design must provide for adequate vibrational absorption between the multiple compressors. The present design must further provide for hot gas discharge interference between compressors to be minimized. Next, the present design must allow for oil level indication while assuring that proper levels of oil are balanced in the compressors so that oil from an inactive compressor does not excessively flow into and therefore flood the active compressor(s). Finally, the present design should lend itself to relatively easy single compressor replacement into the multiple hermetic compressor manifold. Inasmuch as the art consists of various types of multiple hermetic compressor single manifold circuit refrigeration systems, it can be appreciated that there is a continuing need for and interest in improvements to multiple hermetic compressors, single manifold circuit systems, and in this respect, the present invention addresses these needs and interests.
Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide an improvement which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution to the advancement of multiple hermetic compressor manifold single circuit system designs.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved multiple hermetic compressor manifold design for use in a refrigeration system that has all the advantages and none of the disadvantages of the earlier multiple hermetic compressor manifold designs.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a multiple hermetic compressor manifold design that minimizes or eliminates vibrational stress fractures in the manifold system.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a multiple hermetic compressor manifold design that minimizes or eliminates discharge gas interference between compressors of the manifold set.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a multiple hermetic compressor design that includes an oil level indicator.
An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a multiple hermetic compressor manifold design that allows for single compressor replacement into the multiple hermetic compressor manifold.
Another object of the invention is to provide an oil level balancer for tandem and other multiple compressor systems so as to maintain a proper oil level in the compressor and preventing an active compressor from drawing excessive oil from an inactive compressor that would otherwise result in the excess oil circulating with the refrigerant and causing damage to the active compressor.
The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is defined by the appended claims with the specific embodiment shown in the attached drawings. The present invention is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the need for the advantages of an improved multiple hermetic compressor manifold system design. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, the invention comprises a piping manifold design that minimizes or eliminates vibrational associated manifold stress failures by providing for adequate vibrational absorption in the manifold piping system through improved design and materials. Further, pipe manifold design improvements provide for reduced hot gas discharge interference between compressors. Additionally, pipe manifold design improvements and the use of a site glass provide for oil level monitoring. Further, an oil level balancer is provided for maintaining a proper oil level in the compressors thereby preventing an active compressor from drawing excess oil from an inactive compressor. Finally, pipe manifold design and materials improvement provide for easy removal and replacement of a single compressor in the multiple hermetic compressor manifold system. Therefore, it can be readily seen that the present invention provides for improved reliability, use and maintenance. Thus, a multiple hermetic compressor manifold design of the present invention would be greatly appreciated.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
For a more succinct understanding and of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
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Each compressor of a multiple hermetic compressor parallel single circuit assembly can operate singly or jointly. In the illustrations provided of a known multiple compressor manifold system see
In the preferred embodiment (FIG. 2), manifolds are constructed using a maximum number of turns as well as using vibration absorbing materials to limit rigid connections to a minimum thereby providing dampening action to incident vibrations. Further, a wye fitting 26 is used in lieu of a tee fitting on the hot gas discharge manifold to provide for smoother gas passage out of the manifold and to provide for less back pressure problems. This construction should provide for a venturi effect creating a lower back pressure than normal. Next, an oil level indicating site glass 27 is provided on the oil equalization manifold assembly 17 to provide a visual indication of oil level.
Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Now that the invention has been described,
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 60/347,820, filed Oct. 29, 2001, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20030095871 A1 | May 2003 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60347820 | Oct 2001 | US |