Oil balance system and method for compressors connected in series
AssigneeHallowell International, LLC
InventorDavid N. Shaw
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A compressor system includes a first compressor, which has a first low side oil sump, in a first shell and a second compressor, which has a second low side oil sump, in a second shell. The first and second compressors are connected in series. There is an oil transfer conduit connected between the first low side sump of the first compressor and the second low side sump of the second compressor. The system also includes a normally open check valve in the oil transfer conduit. Additionally, a bleed is provided to effect oil transfer via the oil transfer conduit when the normally open valve is closed.
Claims16
A compressor system comprising:
- a first compressor in a first casing, said first compressor having a first low side lubricant sump;
- a second compressor in a second casing, said second compressor having a second low side lubricant sump;
- said first and second compressors being connected in series;
- a lubricant transfer conduit connected between said first low side sump of said first compressor and said second low side sump of said second compressor;
- a normally open check valve in said lubricant transfer conduit;
- said normally open check valve permitting lubricant flow between both of said lubricant sumps when both of said compressors are off;
- said normally open check valve permitting lubricant flow from said first lubricant sump to said second lubricant sump when said first compressor is off and said second compressor is on
- said normally open check valve being closed when both of said compressors are on;
- and
- a bypass associated with said check valve to permit lubricant flow from said second compressor casing to said first compressor casing when said normally open check valve is closed.
A method for effecting oil balance in a compressor system, including the steps of:
- establishing a first compressor in a first casing having a first low side lubricant sump;
- establishing a second compressor in a second casing having a second low side lubricant sump;
- said first and second compressors being connected in series;
- positioning a lubricant transfer conduit between said first low side lubricant sump and said second low side lubricant sump;
- positioning a normally open check valve in said lubricant transfer conduit;
- said normally open check valve permitting flow in both directions in said lubricant transfer conduit between said first low side lubricant sump and said second low side lubricant sump when both of said compressors are off;
- said normally open check valve permitting flow in said lubricant transfer conduit from said first low side lubricant sump to said second low side lubricant sump when said first compressor is off and said second compressor is on;
- said normally open check valve being closed when both of said compressors are on;
- and
- positioning a bypass associated with said check valve to permit lubricant flow from said second compressor sump to said first compressor sump when both of said compressors are on.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.