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US 11,732,707 B2Granted
Inlet valve system
AssigneeSiemens Energy, Inc.
InventorJoel T. Sanford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inlet valve system (10), as may be used for a cylinder chamber (20) of a compressor, such as a reciprocating compressor, is disclosed. A plurality of inlet valves (250) is movable between an open position and a closed position. The plurality of inlet valves is arranged between an unloader chamber (120) and a cylinder chamber (20) of the compressor. A control valve (270, 270′) is coupled to a controller (300) and is movable between a first position and a second position to close the inlet valves. A check valve (260, 260′) is movable between a first position and a second position to open the inlet valves. The check valve and the control valve are respectively fluidly coupled to a control chamber (252), which is decoupled from any pressure control external to cylinder chamber (20).
Claims29
An inlet valve system for a cylinder chamber of a compressor, comprising:
- a plurality of inlet valves each being movable between an open position and a closed position in response to a pressure differential, the plurality of inlet valves arranged between an unloader chamber and the cylinder chamber of the compressor;
- a control valve coupled to a controller and movable between a first position and a second position to close the inlet valves, wherein the control valve comprises a stem disposed in a central bore;
- a check valve movable between a first position and a second position to open the inlet valves, the check valve and the control valve each respectively fluidly coupled to a control chamber, which is decoupled from any pressure control external to the cylinder chamber;
- and
- at least one seal arranged at the stem to define a pressure boundary between the control chamber and the central bore, the pressure boundary being continuously defined by the at least one seal regardless of the position of the control valve;
- wherein, when the control valve is in the first position, the check valve is fluidly coupled to the cylinder chamber, and each inlet valve of the plurality of inlet valves is in the opened position, and, when the control valve is in the second position, each valve of the plurality of inlet valves is in the closed position,
- wherein, when the control valve is in the first position, pressure drop in the cylinder chamber is trapped in the control chamber by way of the check valve in response to cyclical pressure variation in the cylinder chamber, and further by way of the pressure boundary defined by the at least one seal.
4 more elements
An inlet valve system for a cylinder chamber of a compressor, comprising:
- a plurality of inlet valves each being movable between an open position and a closed position in response to a pressure differential, the plurality of inlet valves arranged between an unloader chamber and the cylinder chamber of the compressor;
- a control valve coupled to a controller and movable between a first position and a second position to close the inlet valves, wherein the control valve comprises a stem disposed in a central bore;
- a check valve movable between a first position and a second position to open the inlet valves, the check valve and the control valve each respectively fluidly coupled to a control chamber, which is decoupled from any pressure control external to the cylinder chamber;
- and
- at least one seal arranged at the stem to define a pressure boundary between the control chamber and the central bore,
- wherein, when the control valve is in the first position, the check valve is fluidly coupled to the cylinder chamber, and each inlet valve of the plurality of inlet valves is in the opened position, and, when the control valve is in the second position, each valve of the plurality of inlet valves is in the closed position,
- wherein, when the control valve is in the first position pressure drop in the cylinder chamber is trapped in the control chamber by way of the check valve in response to cyclical pressure variation in the cylinder chamber,
- wherein the check valve is laterally offset relative to a central axis of the inlet valve system.
5 more elements
An inlet valve each being system for a cylinder chamber of a compressor, comprising:
- a plurality of inlet valves movable between an open position and a closed position in response to a pressure differential, the plurality of inlet valves arranged between an unloader chamber and the cylinder chamber of the compressor;
- a control valve coupled to a controller and movable between a first position and a second position to close the inlet valves, wherein the control valve comprises a stem disposed in a central bore;
- a check valve movable between a first position and a second position to open the inlet valves, the check valve and the control valve each respectively fluidly coupled to a control chamber, which is decoupled from any pressure control external to the cylinder chamber;
- and
- at least one seal arranged at the stem to define a pressure boundary between the control chamber and the central bore,
- wherein, when the control valve is in the first position, the check valve is fluidly coupled to the cylinder chamber, and each inlet valve of the plurality of inlet valves is in the opened position, and, when the control valve is in the second position, each valve of the plurality of inlet valves is in the closed position,
- wherein, when the control valve is in the first position pressure drop in the cylinder chamber is trapped in the control chamber by way of the check valve in response to cyclical pressure variation in the cylinder chamber,
- wherein, in the second position of the control valve, the stem is axially extended so that an axial end of the stem mechanically forces the check valve to an open position.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.