Patent Application
20190234524
Embodiments of the present application generally relate to an inlet valve to control an inlet flow of a fluid. More particularly, but not exclusively, embodiments of the present application relate to an inlet valve that generally forms a venturi using control components that are positioned outside of a flow path of the fluid.
Traditionally, at least certain types of inlet valves control the supply of an incoming fluid by adjusting the location of, or the extent that, a moveable plate or barrier of the inlet valve is positioned directly in the pathway of the flow, if any, of the incoming fluid. For example, inlet valves for air compressors often control an incoming flow of ambient air through the use of a throttle plate or piston that generally resides directly in the pathway of the air flow. According to such designs, the control of the supply of airflow typically generally involves adjusting the position of throttle plate or piston within the pathway of the airflow to control the size of the associated restriction within the inlet valve. Thus, with such designs, the passage of the air through the inlet valve typically involves the incoming air flow having to flow around at least a portion of the throttle plate or piston.
The presence of such plates and positions, among other barriers or obstacles in the pathway of the incoming air flow can result in the development of local low pressures in the inlet valve and/or the associated system, as well as create relatively high-pressure drops across the restriction. In at least compression applications, the associate compression module typically has to work against such pressure differences created by the inlet valve to compress the fluid, such as air, to a pre-determined pressure. Thus, the compression module often has to perform additional work to compensate for the pressure differences created by such traditional inlet valves, which can adversely impact the efficiency of the compressor. Additionally, such inlet valves typically are designed and/or sized to accommodate a specific, and generally limited, capacity, which can at least limit the number of applications that each particular designed or sized inlet valve can be used. Further, the presence of such barriers within the air pathway can facilitate contaminants, including, but not limited to oil and/or debris, that is/are on such barriers being transferred from the barrier and into the passing flow of the inlet fluid. Further, the passage of air around such barriers in the pathway can generate sounds that can increase the level of noise generated during the operation of the associated device.
An aspect of an embodiment of the present application is an apparatus comprising a support frame, a flexible conduit, and a control assembly. The flexible conduit can include a first end, a second end, and an inner wall, the inner wall defining a pathway within the flexible conduit. Further, the first and second ends of the flexible conduit can be at opposing ends of the flexible conduit and coupled to the support frame. The control assembly can be coupled to the flexible conduit and configured to provide a force to selectively adjust a size of a restriction formed by the inner wall within a portion of the pathway. Further, according to certain embodiments, the control assembly is external to, and not positioned within, the pathway.
Another aspect of an embodiment of the present application is an apparatus having a flexible conduit that can have an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall defining at least a portion of a pathway through the flexible conduit. The apparatus can also include a control assembly having a plurality of clamps and one or more actuators, the plurality of clamps being coupled to a portion of the flexible conduit. The one or more actuators can be configured to selectively displace the plurality of clamps between at least a first position and a second position to adjust a distance between opposing portions of the inner wall at a throat area of the pathway. Further, the pathway can have a venturi shape at least when opposing portions of the inner wall at the throat area are separated by a distance. Further, according to certain embodiments, the control assembly is positioned external to, and not positioned within, the pathway.
Another aspect of an embodiment of the present application is a method for operating an inlet valve of a compressor system that includes determining, using a system controller of a compressor system, a pressure of a working fluid within the compressor system, and activating, in response to the pressure determination of the system controller, a control assembly of the inlet valve. The method can further include displacing, in response to the activation of the control assembly, a portion of an inlet valve to adjust a size of a restriction within a pathway of the inlet valve. Additionally, at least when opened, the pathway has a venturi shape. Further, according to certain embodiments, the control assembly is positioned external to, and not positioned within, the pathway.
The description herein makes reference to the accompanying figures herein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the application, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present application is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings. Further, like numbers in the respective figures indicate like or comparable parts.
Certain terminology is used in the foregoing description for convenience and is not intended to be limiting. Words such as “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “first,” and “second” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. This terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the words “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted. The phrase “at least one of” followed by a list of two or more items, such as “A, B or C,” means any individual one of A, B or C, as well as any combination thereof.
According to the illustrated embodiments, the support frame 104 includes a first end plate 110a and a second end plate 110b, the first and second end plates 110a, 110b being positioned at opposing ends of the support frame 104. Both the first and second end plates 110a, 110b can include apertures 112a, 112b (
The support frame 104 can include one or more supports 116 that extend between at least the first and second end plates 110a, 110b, and which can be constructed to generally rigidly support at least a portion of the plate-less inlet valve assembly 100. For example, according to certain embodiments, the supports 116 can comprise one or more posts or walls, among other structures, that provide structural support for the plate-less inlet valve assembly 100, including, for example, generally maintaining a linear distance between at least the first and second end plates 110a, 110b. The first and second end plates 110a, 110b can be secured to the supports 116 in a variety of manners, including, for example, via mechanical connectors, including, but not limited to, one or more bolts, nuts, screws, and/or threaded connections, among other manners of securing the supports 116 to the end plates 110a, 110b. For example, according to certain embodiments, at least portions of the supports 116 can include a male thread that mates with an internal thread of the adjacent first and second end plates 110a, 110b, and/or mates with other internal threaded members at or around the first and second end plates 110a, 110b. However, while the foregoing provides certain examples, the first and second end plates 110a, 110b can be secured, or otherwise coupled, to the supports 116 of the support frame 104 in a variety of other manners.
The flexible conduit 102 can include a conduit wall 118 having an inner wall 120 and an outer wall 122. The inner wall 120 can generally define a pathway 124 through the flexible conduit 102. Further, the conduit wall 118 can extend between a first end 126a and a second end 126b of the flexible conduit 102, the first and second ends 126a, 126b being on opposing ends of the conduit wall 118. According to the illustrated embodiment, the flexible conduit 102 can have a generally cylindrical configuration that extends along the central longitudinal axis 114 of the plate-less inlet valve assembly 100. plate-less inlet valve assembly 100 Further, while the flexible conduit 102 is shown in
The flexible conduit 102 can be constructed from a variety of different materials and/or combinations of materials. For example, according to certain embodiments, the flexible conduit 102 can comprise an elastomer, such as, for example, a rubber, among other materials that may seek to at least assist, or otherwise accommodate, the flexible conduit 102 with returning to an initial shape and/or orientation after the flexible conduit 102 has been, or is being, released from one or more deformed shapes or other orientations. Further, according to certain embodiments, the flexible conduit 102, may, or may not, be generally dependent on a positioning of the control assembly 106 to return the flexible conduit 102 to an initial shape and/or position after the flexible conduit 102 has been, or is being, released from another deformed shape and/or position. Further, according to certain embodiments, the flexible conduit 102 can comprise a combination of materials in which one or more materials have a higher degree of flexibility and/or elasticity than other materials that provide a force that at least assists at least a portion of the flexible conduit 102 with returning to an initial shape and/or orientation after the flexible conduit 102 has been, or is being, released from forces that may have facilitated at least a portion of the flexible conduct 100 being in another, deformed shape and/or at a different orientation.
The flexible conduit 102 can be securely coupled to the support frame 104. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, opposing first and second ends 126a, 126b of the flexible conduit 102 can be relatively securely coupled to each of the first and second end plates 110a, 110b, respectively, such as, for example, by use one or more retention bodies 130a, 130b of the support frame 104. The retention bodies 130a, 130b may, or may not, be integral portions of the associated first and second end plates 110a, 110b, or can be other portions of the support frame 104. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, the retention body 130a in the form of a first flange or collar can inwardly extend from a portion of the first end plate 110a in general proximity to the first aperture 112a, and be sized to be positioned about, or in relative close proximity to, at least a portion of an inner wall 120 of the flexible conduit 102. For example, according to certain embodiments, the retention body 130a can be positioned about an inner perimeter of at least a portion of the inner wall 120 at or around the first end 126a of the flexible conduit 102. Similarly, according to the illustrated embodiment, the retention body 130b in the form of a second flange or collar can inwardly extend from a portion of the second end plate 110b in proximity to the second aperture 112b and be sized to be positioned about, or in relative close proximity to, at least another portion of the inner wall 120 of the flexible conduit 102. For example, similar to the other retention body 130a, the retention body 130b can be positioned about an inner perimeter of the inner wall 120 at or around the second end 126b of the flexible conduit 102.
The engagement between the flexible conduit 102 and the retention bodies 130a, 130b can be secured in a variety of manners. For example, according to certain embodiments in which the retention bodies 130a, 130b are first and second flanges that are configured to be positioned about, or against, an inner perimeter of a portion of the inner wall 120 of the flexible conduit 102, the retention bodies 130a, 130b and/or at least the corresponding portion of the inner wall 120 of the flexible conduit 120 can have a size(s), such as, for example, diameter(s), that allow the flexible conduit 102 to be stretched over the first and second retention bodies 130a, 130b. According to certain embodiments, the elasticity of the flexible conduit 102 can be used to create a force against the retention bodies 130a, 130b that can at least assist in retaining the flexible conduit 102 in relatively secure engagement with the retention bodies 130a, 130b, and thus with the support frame 104. Alternatively, or additionally, the flexible conduit 102 can be secured to the retention bodies 130a, 130b via use of an adhesive, clamp(s), and/or a mechanical fastener(s), such as, for example, a pin, bolt, or screw. For example, according to certain embodiments, the flexible conduit 102 can be coupled to the retention bodies 130a, 130b via hose clamps that compress at least a portion of the flexible conduit 102 about, and to, the retention bodies 130a, 130b.
According to the illustrated embodiments, the first and second endplates 110a, 110b of the support frame 104 can be coupled to first and second guide plates 148a, 148b, respectively. The first guide plate 148a can be positioned circumferentially about a portion of the conduit wall 118 of the conduit 102 in general proximity to the first end 126a. Similarly, the second guide plate 148b can be positioned circumferentially about a portion of the conduit wall 118 of the conduit 102 in general proximity to the second end 126b. Further, according to certain embodiments, the first and second guide plates 148a, 148b can provide alignment and additional structural support for the flexible conduit 102 to adjoin the support frame 104. In certain embodiments, the first and second guide plates 148a, 148b can be coupled to the first and second endplates 110a, 110b of the support frame 104 via use of an adhesive, clamp(s), and/or a mechanical fastener(s), such as, for example, a pin, bolt, or screw, among other connections.
The control assembly 106 can be configured to selectively provide a force that changes a size of a restriction 133 contained within the pathway 124, and/or adjust the size of an associated throat area 132 of the pathway 124 that can be positioned between and/or around opposing sides of the restriction 133, in a manner that can allow the flexible conduit 102 to at least act or function at least close to a venturi. For example, as shown by at least
As shown by at least
According to certain embodiments, the flexible conduit 102 and/or the control assembly 106 can be configured to be normally in a closed position, as shown, for example, by
According to certain embodiments, including, for example, embodiments in which the flexible conduit 102 is normally in the closed position, the control assembly 106 can be configured to selectively at least provide a generally outwardly directed force on the flexible conduit 102, and moreover, on the conduit wall 118 at or around the vicinity of the throat area 132, that can expand or increase, or otherwise adjust, the size or area of the throat area 132, and thus the size of the restriction 133 therein, so as to adjust the quantity of working fluid that can pass through the throat area 132 and/or through the flexible conduit 102. For example, according to certain embodiments, the control assembly 106, including, for example, the below discussed clamp system 134, can be coupled to, or otherwise in engagement with, the flexible conduit 102 so as to provide a generally outwardly directed force at or around the throat area 132 of the flexible conduit 102, such as for example, to at least a portion of a perimeter or circumference of the conduit wall 118 at or around a midsection of a longitudinal length of the flexible conduit 102, in a manner that can facilitate the displacement, bending, deformation, and/or deflection at least a portion of the conduit wall 118 in a generally outwardly direction. For example, according to certain embodiments, the below discussed clamp system 134 can be connected to, or otherwise coupled to, the conduit wall 118 such that generally outwardly displacement, or release, of the clamp system 134, can result in a generally outwardly directed pulling force being exerted against the conduit wall 118. Such force(s) against the flexible conduit 102 can at least assist in displacing opposing sides of a portion of the inner wall 120 of the flexible conduit 102 at or in the vicinity of the throat area 132 away from each other so as to increase the size, such as, for example, the area, of the throat area 132, and/or reduce or eliminate the restriction 133 within the throat area 132.
The flexible conduit 102 can return from an open position, such as, for example, from the positions illustrated in
While the foregoing examples are described in terms of the flexible conduit 102 normally being in the closed position, according to certain embodiments, the flexible conduit 102 can be in a normally open position, as shown for example by
The control assembly 106 can selectively adjust the size of the throat area 132, and thus the corresponding restriction 133, in a variety of different manners. For example, as shown in
According to certain embodiments, the clamp system 134 can include a plurality of clamps, such as, for example, a first clamp 135 and a second clamp 136, among other clamps. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first clamp 134 can be coupled to a first bracket 137, and a second clamp 136 coupled to a second bracket 138, the first and second brackets 137, 138 each being be coupled to the second end plate 110b. The first and second brackets 137, 138 can be coupled to the end plate 110b in a variety of manners, including, for example, via mechanical connectors, including, but not limited to, one or more bolts, nuts, screws, inter-locking connectors, and/or threaded connections, among other manners of coupling the first and second brackets 137, 138 to the end plate 110b. For example, according to certain embodiments, at least portions of the first and second brackets 137, 138 can include male threads or inter-locking connectors that mate with internal threads of the adjacent second end plate 110b, and/or which mate with other internal threaded members or other inter-locking connectors at or around the second end plate 110b. However, while the foregoing provides certain examples, the second end plate 110b can be coupled, or otherwise secured, to the first and second brackets 137, 138 of the control assembly 106 in a variety of other manners.
The first and second actuators 150, 151 are configured to control the displacement of the first and second clamps 135, 136 of the clamp system 134, respectively, between a first, inner or engaged position and the second, outer or released position, as well as to positions therebetween. Moreover, selective operation of the actuators 150, 151, and thus associated control of the position(s) of the clamps 135, 136, can control a size of the throat area 132 and associated restriction 133 of the flexible conduit 102. The first and second actuators 150, 151 can comprise a variety of different types of components and/or assemblies to facilitate the movement, such as, for example, linear displacement, of the clamps 135, 136 of the clamp system 134. For example, according to certain embodiments, the first and second actuators 150, 151 can be pneumatic circuits that include one or more pneumatically actuated pistons, drivers, cylinders, and/or motors that are attached or otherwise coupled to the first and second clamps 135, 136. According to such embodiments, the pneumatic circuit can be configured to convert compressed air or hydraulics into mechanical power, such as, for example, via expansion of at least a portion of a pneumatically actuated piston, that can push at least a portion of the clamp system 134 in a manner that facilitates displacement of the first and second clamps 135, 136 of the clamp system 134 toward at least one of the first, inner position and the second, outer position. Alternatively, according to other embodiments, the first and second actuators 150, 151 can include an electric circuit that has one or more magnetic coils and/or one or more electrically actuated pistons that are configured to provide a magnetic or mechanical force used to facilitate the linear displacement of the clamp system 134.
Further, according to alternative embodiments, rather than utilizing both first and second actuators 150, 151, one single actuator can be configured to control the displacement of both the first and second clamps 135, 136 of the clamp system 134 between the first, inner position and the second, outer position, as well as to positions therebetween, and thereby be used in connection with controlling a size of the throat area 132 and associated restriction 133 of the flexible conduit 102. Additionally, or alternatively, according to certain embodiments, at least a portion of the clamps 135, 136 can be attached to the conduit wall 118, such as, for example, via an adhesive, coupling, or mechanical fastener, including bolts, screws, and pins, among other manners of coupling the clamps 135, 136 to the flexible conduit 102.
While the forgoing example describes an embodiment in which the control assembly 106 comprises a clamp system 134 including first and second actuators 150, 151 and first and second claims 135, 136, the clamp system 134 can take a variety of other forms. For example, the clamp system 134 can include selectively displaceable arms or jaws, among other control members, that can be positioned against, or otherwise coupled to, the conduit wall 118 of the flexible conduit 102 in a manner that can facilitate selective displacement of at least a portion of the conduit wall 118 in a manner that can facilitate selective changes or adjustments in the size of the throat area 132 and/or the associated restriction 133, while also at least assisting in forming a venturi type or shaped pathway 124.
According to the illustrated embodiment, the plate-less inlet valve assembly 100 can be part of, or otherwise coupled to, an air compressor. For example,
In an attempt to remove at least some heat generated by the compression of the working fluid, according to certain embodiments, a coolant, such as, for example water or a water based coolant, from a coolant system 170 can be circulated into and/or about the compressor housing 160. The compressed working fluid, as well as at least some coolant, can exit a discharge side 172 of the compressor housing 160 and delivered to a separator 174 that can be configured to withdraw coolant, contaminates, or other items or materials from the compressed working fluid. The removed coolant and/or contaminants can be delivered to one or more separator tanks 176, while the separated compressed working fluid can be discharged from the rotary screw compressor system 158 via an outlet line 178 so that the compressed working fluid can be delivered to machinery and/or equipment that may utilize and/or store the compressed working fluid.
According to certain embodiments, the compressor system 158 can include a system controller 180 that is communicatively coupled to the control assembly 106, and, moreover, to the first and second actuators 150, 151 of the control assembly 106. According to such embodiments, the system controller 180 can provide instructions and/or information used to operate the control assembly 106. Moreover, information or instructions provided by the system controller 180 can be used to operate the first and second actuators 150, 151, and thus the clamp system 134, so as to change the size of the throat area 132 and thus the associated restriction 133, and thereby change or adjust the amount of inlet working fluid flow, if any, that passes through the flexible conduit 102. For example, according to certain embodiments, the system controller 180 can be in communication with one or more sensors 182, such as, for example, pressure and/or flow sensors, that provide information regarding the inlet and/or compressed working fluid at one or more locations about the compressor system 158. For example, according to the exemplary compressor system 158 depicted in
The system controller 180 can also be configured to detect, or receive information indicating, at least potentially hazardous situations. According to such embodiments, the system controller 180 can provide an emergency or safeguard response that seeks to operate the control assembly 106 in a manner that restricts the throat area 132 to a degree that seeks to prevent, and/or minimize, the passage of working fluid flow through the flexible conduit 102. For example, the system controller 180 can provide instructions to the control assembly 106 to operate the first and second actuators 150, 151 in a manner that generally closes the throat area 132, and thereby prevents the flow of working fluid past the throat area 132, thereby generally isolating the second end 126b of the flexible conduit 102 from the first end 126a of the flexible conduit 102a.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment(s), but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as permitted under the law. Furthermore it should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably, or preferred in the description above indicates that feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and any embodiment lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one” and “at least a portion” are used, there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. Further, when the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item may include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.
