Multistage blowdown valve for a compressor system
AssigneeColtec Industries Inc.
InventorSteven D. Centers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-stage blowdown valve is provided that uses a single control signal to simultaneously decompress the interstage and the second stage in a compressor system. The valve uses a series of sliding spools located linearly within a single bore to either prevent or allow fluid communication between two isolated passageways each having an inlet port and a discharge port. The valve, when used as a two stage blowdown valve in a multi-stage compressor system, can prevent compressor failure from occurring by ensuring that both the interstage and the second stages are decompressed, not only the interstage.
Claims20
A valve for being controlled by a single control signal from a compressor system, the valve comprising:
- a bore;
- a plurality of spools located linearly within the bore, the plurality of spools having a first position when the control signal is in a first state, the plurality of spools having a second position when the control signal is in a second state;
- spring means for biasing the plurality of spools;
- a first inlet port being in fluid communication with a first discharge port when the control signal is in the second state, the first inlet port being fluidly isolated from the first discharge port when the control signal is in the first state;
- and
- a second inlet port being in fluid communication with a second discharge port when the control signal is in the second state, the second inlet port being fluidly isolated from the second discharge port when the control signal is in the first state;
- wherein the first inlet port and the first discharge port are fluidly isolated from both the second inlet port and the second discharge port.
A blowdown valve for being controlled by a single pneumatic pressure signal from a compressor system having an interstage compressor and a second stage compressor, wherein the pneumatic pressure signal can be a low pressure or a high pressure, the valve comprising:
- a bore;
- a plurality of spools located linearly within the bore, the plurality of spools having a first position when the pneumatic pressure signal is the low pressure, the plurality of spools having a second position when the pneumatic pressure signal is the high pressure;
- a compression spring for biasing the plurality of spools to the closed position;
- a first inlet port being in fluid communication with a first discharge port when the pneumatic pressure signal is the high pressure, the first inlet port being fluidly isolated from the first discharge port when the pneumatic pressure signal is the low pressure;
- a second inlet port being in fluid communication with a second discharge port when the pneumatic pressure signal is the high pressure, the second inlet port being fluidly isolated from the second discharge port when the pneumatic pressure signal is the low pressure;
- a first muffler coupled to the first discharge port;
- and
- a second muffler coupled to the second discharge port;
- wherein the first inlet port is effectively coupled to the interstage compressor and the second inlet port is effectively coupled to the second stage compressor;
- wherein the first inlet port and the first discharge port are fluidly isolated from both the second inlet port and the second discharge port.
An electronic control system for a single or a network of oil less, two stage compressor packages, operatively connected to a pressure system in which pressure is to be maintained within a desired pressure range, for controlling the operation of the single or the network of compressor packages, the system comprising:
- measuring means, operatively connected to the first and the second compressor stages, for determining the pressure exiting the first and the second compressor stages;
- processing means, operatively connected to the measuring means for receiving signals from the measuring means, for comparing the determined pressure exiting the first compressor and the second compressor stages with a predetermined range of possible pressures;
- means, operatively connected to the oil free, two stage compressor package and the processing means, for shutting down the compressor package before the compressor package is damaged;
- and
- a valve for simultaneously releasing the pressure from the first and the second compressor stages, said valve being controlled from a single control signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.