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US 12,055,145 B2Granted
Self-positioning volume slide valve for screw compressor
AssigneeCopeland Industrial LP
InventorsJean-Louis Picouet, Steven Fels
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Dual slide valve assemblies having volume slide valve members that are self-positioning. The slide valve assemblies include a self-positioning volume slide valve mechanism that automatically slidably adjusts to control compressor volume ratio and power input to the compressor. The slide valve assemblies also include a capacity slide valve mechanism that is slidably movable to control compressor capacity.
Claims16
A slide valve assembly for use in a compressor, the slide valve assembly comprising:
- a slide valve carriage;
- a volume slide valve member secured to the slide valve carriage and slidably movable longitudinally with respect to the slide valve carriage, the volume slide valve member being self- positioning along the axis of movement;
- and
- a capacity slide valve mechanism secured to the slide valve carriage and slidably movable longitudinally with respect to the slide valve carriage;
- wherein the slide valve assembly does not include a rackshaft connected to the volume slide valve member.
2 more elements
A compressor comprising:
- a compressor housing;
- a main rotor mounted within the compressor housing;
- and
- a slide valve assembly mounted inside the compressor housing that is cooperable with the main rotor, wherein the slide valve assembly includes:
- a slide valve carriage;
- a volume slide valve member secured to the slide valve carriage and slidably movable longitudinally with respect to the slide valve carriage, the volume slide valve member being self-positioning along the axis of movement to control compressor volume ratio;
- and
- a capacity slide valve mechanism secured to the slide valve carriage and slidably movable longitudinally with respect to the slide valve carriage to control compressor capacity;
- wherein the slide valve assembly does not include a rackshaft connected to the volume slide valve member.
6 more elements
A method of operating a compressor having a slide valve assembly, wherein the slide valve assembly includes:
- a slide valve carriage;
- a volume slide valve member secured to the slide valve carriage and slidably movable longitudinally with respect to the slide valve carriage, the volume slide valve member being self-positioning along the axis of movement;
- and a capacity slide valve mechanism secured to the slide valve carriage and slidably movable longitudinally with respect to the slide valve carriage, wherein the slide valve assembly does not include a rackshaft connected to the volume slide valve member, the method comprising:
- operating the compressor under operation conditions that cause unbalanced forces acting upon the volume slide valve member;
- adjusting the position of the volume slide valve member by self-positioning of the slide valve member in response to the unbalanced forces;
- and
- operating the compressor under operation conditions where there are balanced forces acting upon the volume slide valve member.
4 more elements
A slide valve assembly for use in a compressor, the slide valve assembly comprising:
- a slide valve carriage;
- a volume slide valve member secured to the slide valve carriage and slidably movable longitudinally with respect to the slide valve carriage, the volume slide valve member being self-positioning along the axis of movement;
- and
- a capacity slide valve mechanism secured to the slide valve carriage and slidably movable longitudinally with respect to the slide valve carriage;
- wherein the slide valve assembly does not include an actuator connected to the volume slide valve member.
2 more elements
A compressor comprising:
- a compressor housing;
- a main rotor mounted within the compressor housing;
- and
- a slide valve assembly mounted inside the compressor housing that is cooperable with the main rotor, wherein the slide valve assembly includes:
- a slide valve carriage;
- a volume slide valve member secured to the slide valve carriage and slidably movable longitudinally with respect to the slide valve carriage, the volume slide valve member being self-positioning along the axis of movement to control compressor volume ratio;
- and
- a capacity slide valve mechanism secured to the slide valve carriage and slidably movable longitudinally with respect to the slide valve carriage to control compressor capacity;
- wherein the slide valve assembly does not include an actuator connected to the volume slide valve member.
6 more elements
A method of operating a compressor having a slide valve assembly, wherein the slide valve assembly includes:
- a slide valve carriage;
- a volume slide valve member secured to the slide valve carriage and slidably movable longitudinally with respect to the slide valve carriage, the volume slide valve member being self-positioning along the axis of movement;
- and a capacity slide valve mechanism secured to the slide valve carriage and slidably movable longitudinally with respect to the slide valve carriage, wherein the slide valve assembly does not include an actuator connected to the volume slide valve member;
- the method comprising:
- operating the compressor under operation conditions that cause unbalanced forces acting upon the volume slide valve member;
- adjusting the position of the volume slide valve member by self-positioning of the volume slide valve member in response to the unbalanced forces;
- and
- operating the compressor under operation conditions where there are balanced forces acting upon the volume slide valve member.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.