CN112081743A

CN112081743A - Discharge valve assembly and scroll compressor

Info

Publication number: CN112081743A
Application number: CN201910507195.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朱伟; 沙海天; 纪高锋
Original assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Suzhou Co Ltd
Current assignee: Copeland Suzhou Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-12
Filing date: 2019-06-12
Publication date: 2020-12-15

Abstract

The invention relates to a discharge valve assembly and a scroll compressor. In one aspect, there is provided a discharge valve assembly comprising a cover housing configured as a cylindrical housing including a cylindrical side wall and defining an inner cavity, and a movable valve member, the valve member being disposed in the inner cavity, and the cover housing being provided with a flow passage to fluidly communicate the inner cavity with a discharge space, fluid discharged from the discharge port being dischargeable into the discharge space through the flow passage via the inner cavity, the flow passage being disposed at the cylindrical side wall, and the valve member being movable between a first position in which the valve member allows the discharged fluid to be discharged into the discharge space via the inner cavity and the flow passage, and a second position in which the valve member prevents backflow of fluid from the discharge space into the discharge port via the flow passage and the inner cavity. The present invention provides a discharge valve assembly having improved reliability and stability and a noise reduction function.

Description

Discharge valve assembly and scroll compressor

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a discharge valve assembly and a scroll compressor, and more particularly, to a discharge valve assembly applied to a scroll compressor, and a scroll compressor equipped with such a discharge valve assembly.

Background

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Scroll compressors belong to positive displacement compression machines. The compression mechanism of a scroll compressor generally includes a non-orbiting scroll member and an orbiting scroll member. The vanes of the non-orbiting and orbiting scroll members engage with each other to compress a working fluid (e.g., refrigerant). Generally, after a working fluid is introduced into a compression mechanism from a suction port, compression of the working fluid is achieved by movement of a fixed scroll part and a movable scroll part, and a compressed high-pressure gas is discharged through a discharge port. A discharge valve assembly for discharging gas is typically provided in the compressor and moves between a fully closed and a fully open condition during steady state operation of the compressor. During compressor shutdown, the discharge valve assembly will close. When the discharge valve assembly is fully closed, reverse flow of discharge gas through the scroll member is prevented. The discharge valve assembly is normally closed, and the normally closed configuration of the discharge valve assembly requires a discharge force (i.e., a pressure differential) to open the discharge valve assembly. The discharge valve assembly relies on the pressure in the discharge space to close the valve.

However, there is a need for further improvements in stability and reliability, shutdown functionality, and noise reduction functionality in prior art discharge valve assemblies.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved discharge valve assembly to increase the stability and reliability of the discharge valve assembly.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved shutdown and noise reduction discharge valve assembly.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an improved scroll compressor to increase the reliability and stability of the scroll compressor and reduce costs.

One or more of the above objects can be achieved by a discharge valve assembly according to the present invention. The present invention provides a discharge valve assembly for a compressor including a compression mechanism adapted to compress a fluid and defining a discharge space, the compression mechanism including a discharge port, the discharge valve assembly including a cover housing configured as a cylindrical housing including a cylindrical side wall and defining an inner cavity, and a movable valve member provided in the inner cavity, and the cover housing being provided with a flow passage to fluidly communicate the inner cavity with the discharge space, through which fluid discharged from the discharge port can be discharged into the discharge space via the inner cavity, wherein the flow passage is provided at the cylindrical side wall, and the valve member is movable between a first position in which the valve member allows the discharged fluid to be discharged into the discharge space via the inner cavity and the flow passage, in the second position, the valve member prevents backflow of fluid from the discharge space to the discharge port via the flow-through passage and the lumen.

Preferably, the cover housing further includes a bottom wall so as to be configured as a cylindrical housing having one end opened.

Preferably, at least one pressure equalizing hole is provided at the bottom wall.

Preferably, the pressure equalizing bore includes a guide chamfer tapering inwardly from an outer surface of the bottom wall.

Preferably, the flow-through channel comprises at least one set of through-holes arranged along a central longitudinal axis of the cap housing at the cylindrical side wall, wherein each set of through-holes comprises a plurality of through-holes evenly distributed along a circumferential direction of the cap housing at the cylindrical side wall.

Preferably, the through hole is a round hole or a special-shaped opening.

Preferably, the total flow area of the flow channels is larger than the flow area of the discharge opening.

Preferably, the outer periphery of the valve member is a clearance fit with the inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall such that the cylindrical sidewall is capable of guiding movement of the valve member between the first and second positions.

Preferably, the valve member comprises a disc-shaped body and a contact sidewall extending from a periphery of the disc-shaped body substantially perpendicular to the disc-shaped body, the contact sidewall being clearance-fitted with an inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall.

Preferably, the valve member has a substantially H shape or a substantially U shape opening to a discharge port side or a discharge space side in a cross section along a central longitudinal axis of the cover housing.

Preferably, a spring is provided on one or both sides of the valve member.

Preferably, the discharge valve assembly further comprises a stopper having a central through hole, the stopper being disposed axially below the valve member for limiting a range of axial downward movement of the valve member, an outer surface of the stopper mating with an inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall.

Preferably, the central through hole has a flow area larger than that of the discharge port.

Preferably, the discharge valve assembly is configured such that: the first position includes a position where the valve member is away from the discharge port side so that the flow passage is not blocked at all by the valve member.

The invention also provides a scroll compressor, wherein the scroll compressor comprises the discharge valve assembly.

Preferably, the scroll compressor includes a partition plate for partitioning an inner space of the scroll compressor to define the discharge space, the partition plate being provided with a central aperture to which the shell housing is attached.

Preferably, in the case where the cap housing further includes a bottom wall so as to be configured as a cylindrical housing having one end opened, the free end of the cylindrical side wall of the cap housing is attached to the central aperture such that the remaining portion of the cap housing including the bottom wall is located in the discharge space.

Therefore, the air discharge and pressure relief function and the shutdown function of the scroll compressor adopting the valve assembly are obviously improved, the reliability and the stability of the valve assembly are improved, and the improved discharge valve assembly has the noise reduction function. Moreover, in practical use, the noise reduction function and the shutdown function can be realized by simple change or adjustment of the partial structure of the existing functional (noise reduction and exhaust) assembly without causing additional operation noise and exhaust pressure drop, and the design has versatility, thereby reducing the cost.

Drawings

The features and advantages of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will become more readily understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a scroll compressor according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the discharge valve assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the discharge valve assembly is in a first normally closed position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the discharge valve assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the discharge valve assembly is in a second open position.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the discharge valve assembly of fig. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the valve member of the discharge valve assembly of fig. 2 and 3.

Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a stop of the discharge valve assembly of fig. 2 and 3.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a discharge valve assembly in accordance with another aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein springs are provided on both sides of the valve member.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a discharge valve assembly in accordance with yet another aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein two sets of through-holes are provided on a sidewall of a bonnet housing.

Detailed Description

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The same or similar reference numerals are used to designate the same components in the respective drawings, and thus the configurations of the same components will not be described repeatedly.

Although the valve assembly according to the present disclosure is described herein in connection with a scroll compressor. However, it will be appreciated that the valve assembly according to the present disclosure is not limited in application to scroll compressors, and may be applied to any other application requiring a restriction in the flow of fluid. Further, in the following description of the exemplary embodiments, the valve assembly is mounted at the central aperture of the bulkhead, however, depending on the location of the aperture (or called the compression mechanism discharge aperture) described below, the valve assembly according to the present disclosure may also be mounted at other locations of the scroll compressor without limitation in the arrangement exemplified herein.

The basic configuration and principle of a scroll compressor 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to fig. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, a scroll compressor 10 includes a generally cylindrical housing 12, a top cover 14 disposed at one end of the housing 12, and a bottom cover 16 disposed at the other end of the housing 12. A cylindrical shell 12, a top cover 14 and a bottom cover 16 form the outer shell of the scroll compressor 10. It should be understood that the housing of the scroll compressor 10 may vary depending on the particular application, and for example, may be closed or may be semi-closed (e.g., omitting the bottom cover 16).

A partition plate 15 for partitioning an internal space of the compressor into a high pressure side and a low pressure side may be provided in a housing of the scroll compressor (also simply referred to as "compressor") 10, particularly between the top cover 14 and the shell 12. The high pressure side is defined between the partition 15 and the top cover 14, and the low pressure side is defined between the partition 15, the housing 12 and the bottom cover 16. An intake joint (not shown) for sucking a working fluid (e.g., refrigerant) is provided at a low pressure side, and a discharge joint 18 for discharging the compressed working fluid is provided at a high pressure side. When the compressor is operated, a low-temperature, low-pressure working fluid enters a low-pressure side of the compressor 10 through an intake joint, is compressed into a high-temperature, high-pressure working fluid and is discharged to a high-pressure side, and then is discharged out of the compressor 10 through a discharge joint 18.

A motor 20, a rotary shaft 30, and a compression mechanism are provided in a casing of the compressor 10. The motor 20 is constituted by a stator and a rotor and is configured to drive the rotation shaft 30 to rotate. The rotation shaft 30 is fixedly connected to a rotor of the motor 20. The compression mechanism includes a non-orbiting scroll member 80 and an orbiting scroll member 70. Rotating shaft 30 is configured to drive orbiting scroll member 70 relative to non-orbiting scroll member 80.

Compressor 10 also includes a main bearing housing 40. Main bearing housing 40 is fixedly attached to cylindrical housing 12 and is located within housing 12. Main bearing housing 40 is configured to support a compression mechanism, specifically orbiting scroll member 70. The rotary shaft 30 is rotatably supported by a main bearing provided in a main bearing housing 40. A lubricant passage is provided in the rotary shaft 30 to supply lubricant at the bottom cover 16 to the various bearings and other movable parts of the compressor 10.

Orbiting scroll member 70 includes an end plate 72, a hub 74 formed on one side of the end plate, and a helical blade 76 formed on the other side of the end plate. Non-orbiting scroll member 80 includes an end plate 82, a spiral vane 86 formed on one side of the end plate, and a discharge port 88 formed at a substantially central position of the end plate. Wherein the discharge port 88 communicates with an upwardly opening recess 89, which recess 89 in turn is in fluid communication with a discharge space 90 defined by the top cover 14 and the partition 15. An annular recess 92 is formed in non-orbiting scroll member 80. Within this recess 92 is disposed a floating seal assembly 94.

Recesses

89, 92 cooperate with floating seal assembly 94 to define axial pressure biasing chambers that receive pressurized fluid compressed by

vanes

76, 86 to apply an axial biasing force to non-orbiting scroll member 80 to force the tips of each

vane

76, 86 into sealing engagement with the opposing end plate surfaces of

end plates

72, 82, respectively.

A series of compression chambers of decreasing volume from the radially outer side to the radially inner side are formed between spiral vane 86 of non-orbiting scroll member 80 and spiral vane 76 of orbiting scroll member 70. The radially outermost compression pocket is at suction pressure and the radially innermost compression pocket is at discharge pressure. The intermediate compression chamber is between the suction pressure and the discharge pressure and is therefore also referred to as the intermediate pressure chamber.

One end of the rotating shaft 30 is provided with an eccentric crank pin 36. Eccentric crank pin 36 fits within hub 74 of orbiting scroll member 70. A relief bushing may be disposed between eccentric crank pin 36 and hub 74 of orbiting scroll member 70. When motor 20 is activated, eccentric crank pin 36 of rotatable shaft 30 drives hub 74 of orbiting scroll member 70 such that orbiting scroll member 70 is able to orbit relative to non-orbiting scroll member 80 (i.e., the central axis of orbiting scroll member 70 moves about the central axis of non-orbiting scroll member 80, but orbiting scroll member 70 does not itself rotate about its central axis) to effect compression of the working fluid in the series of compression chambers. The translational rotation is accomplished by an oldham ring (not shown) disposed between non-orbiting scroll member 70 and orbiting scroll member 80.

The working fluid compressed by the non-orbiting scroll member 70 and the orbiting scroll member 80 is discharged to a high pressure side through a discharge port 88. In order to prevent the discharge fluid of the high pressure side from flowing back into the compression mechanism via the discharge port 88, a normally closed discharge valve assembly 100 is provided at the central orifice 151 of the diaphragm 15. The valve assembly 100 is configured to allow the working fluid in the compression chamber of the compression mechanism to flow to the discharge space 90 of the high pressure side, but prevent the discharged fluid of the discharge space 90 from flowing back into the compression chamber.

Discharge valve assembly 100 will now be described in conjunction with fig. 2-6.

The discharge valve assembly comprises a cap housing 110 and a movable valve member 120, the cap housing 110 being attached to the central aperture 151 and the cap housing 110 being configured as a cylindrical housing comprising a cylindrical sidewall 112 and defining an internal cavity 111, the valve member 120 being disposed in the internal cavity 111. It should be noted that the cylindrical sidewall is not limited to a cylindrical sidewall. Also, referring to fig. 2, a set of through holes 114 arranged along the central longitudinal axis L of the cap housing 110 at the cylindrical side wall 112, each including a plurality of through holes uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction of the cap housing 110 at the cylindrical side wall 112, serves as a flow passage to fluidly communicate the inner cavity 111 with the discharge space 90, through which the fluid discharged from the discharge port 88 can be discharged into the discharge space 90 via the inner cavity 111. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 8, two sets of through holes 114 are shown, the number of sets of through holes can be as desired, and thus more than two sets of through holes can be provided, wherein the through holes are round holes, and in other aspects of the embodiment, the through holes can be shaped openings.

And, the valve member 120 is movable between a first open position, see fig. 3, in which the valve member 120 allows the discharged fluid to be discharged into the discharge space 90 via the internal cavity 111 and the through hole 114 as a flow passage, and a second closed position, see fig. 2, in which the valve member 120 prevents the fluid from the discharge space 90 from flowing back to the discharge port 88 via the through hole 114 and the internal cavity. Preferably, the total flow area of the flow channels, i.e. all through holes, is larger than the flow area of the drain opening 88, so that a good drain function is ensured.

In this embodiment, the cover housing 110 further includes a bottom wall 113 so as to be configured as a cylindrical housing having one end opened. With this configuration, the fluid is discharged from the discharge port into the inner cavity 111 of the cover housing 110, and the discharged fluid is discharged from the plurality of through holes 114 on the cylindrical side wall 112 at substantially 90 ° to the flow-in direction, so that the discharged fluid is effectively buffered, a part of energy is consumed, and noise is reduced. Preferably, the free end of the cylindrical side wall 112 of the cap housing 110 is attached to the central aperture 151 such that the remaining portion of the cap housing 110, including the bottom wall 113, is located in the discharge space 90.

Specifically, the above-described first open position and second closed position of the valve member are explained with reference to fig. 2 to 3. The first open position is a position in which the valve member 120 moves along the central longitudinal axis L of the cover housing 110 toward the bottom wall 113 to pass over the through hole 114 in the cylindrical side wall 112 during operation of the compressor (i.e., a position in which the through hole 114 is allowed to be partially or fully exposed), so that fluid from the discharge port 88 entering the inner cavity 111 can be discharged from the through hole 114 to the discharge space 90, during the shutdown of the compressor, the valve member 120 moves away from the bottom wall 113 due to its own weight and the urging of discharge fluid from the discharge space 90, a position such that the valve member 120 covers the through hole 114 (completely covers the discharge port 88 or covers a lower portion of the discharge port 88) or a position such that the valve member 120 engages with a corresponding stopper so as to cover the discharge port 88, so that the discharge fluid is prevented from flowing back to the discharge port 88, the construction of which will be described in detail below.

In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 2, a pressure equalization hole 115 is provided at the bottom wall 113. The pressure balancing hole 115 is such as to facilitate outflow of fluid between the valve member 120 and the bottom wall 113 while preventing a pressure difference, caused by an increase in pressure of the valve member 120 on the bottom wall side, from impeding movement to the first position when the valve member 120 is moved towards the bottom wall 113 to the first position during operation of the compressor due to discharge pressure, and the pressure balancing hole 115 is such as to allow inflow of discharge fluid from the discharge space 90 from the balancing hole while the valve member 120 is moved away from the bottom wall 113 to the second position during shutdown, while facilitating prevention of a pressure difference, caused by a decrease in pressure of the valve member 120 on the bottom wall side, from impeding movement to the second position. Preferably, referring to fig. 4, the pressure balancing hole 115 includes a guide chamfer 115a tapering inwardly from the outer surface of the bottom wall 113 to facilitate guiding the gas inflow. Of course, a plurality of pressure equalizing holes may be provided at the bottom wall 113 as needed.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the valve member 120 includes a disc-shaped body 121 and a contact sidewall 122 extending from a periphery of the disc-shaped body 121 generally perpendicular to the disc-shaped body, the contact sidewall 122 being in a clearance fit with an inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall 112 such that the cylindrical sidewall 112 can guide movement of the valve member between the first and second positions. By virtue of this configuration of the valve member, the valve member 120 can be reduced in inclination to provide reliability of the valve assembly. Wherein the valve member may be of free-cutting steel. In particular, the valve member 120 has a substantially H shape or a substantially U shape opening to the discharge port side or the discharge space side in a cross section along the center longitudinal axis L of the cover housing.

In another aspect of the embodiment, the discharge valve assembly further comprises a limiting member 130, the limiting member 130 is used for limiting the axial downward movement range of the valve member, which is described in connection with fig. 2, 3 and 6, and the limiting member is configured as a limiting member having a central through hole 131, wherein the inner circumferential surface of the central through hole 131 is a circular arc surface to reduce turbulence of the discharged fluid when passing therethrough, and/or the outer surface of the limiting member 130 is coupled with the inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall 112, and in one aspect, the outer surface of the limiting member is in threaded connection or interference fit with the inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall. In other embodiments, the limiting member may be a snap spring. Further, the stopper may be formed integrally with the cover case, and may be, for example, a protrusion protruding inward from an inner surface of the cover case. Preferably, the flow area of the central through hole 131 is larger than the flow area of the discharge port 88.

In yet another aspect of the embodiment, referring to fig. 7, springs 140 may be provided on both sides of the valve member 120 to enable the valve member to be suspended in the internal cavity to avoid noise caused by the valve member bumping up and down (e.g., hitting the bottom wall 113 or stop) during movement. It is contemplated that a spring may also be provided on one side of the valve member 120 to enable the valve member to be suspended in the internal cavity.

In yet another aspect of the embodiments, the discharge valve assembly is configured such that: the first position includes a position where the valve member 120 is away from the discharge port side so that the flow passage is not blocked at all by the valve member 120. By means of this design, the original flow area of the compressor is not affected, since the valve member is not at all in the flow channel when the valve member is in the open position.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the precise construction herein shown and described and that other modifications and variations may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A discharge valve assembly (100) for a compressor,

the compressor includes a compression mechanism adapted to compress a fluid and defining a discharge space (90), the compression mechanism includes a discharge port (88), the discharge valve assembly includes a cover housing (110) and a movable valve member (120), the cover housing (110) is configured as a cylindrical housing including a cylindrical sidewall (112) and defines an inner cavity (111), the valve member (120) is disposed in the inner cavity (111), and the cover housing (110) is provided with a flow passage through which the fluid discharged from the discharge port (88) can be discharged into the discharge space (90) via the inner cavity (111) to fluidly communicate the inner cavity (111) with the discharge space (90),

the flow passage is provided at the cylindrical side wall (112), and the valve member (120) is movable between a first position in which the valve member (120) allows the discharged fluid to be discharged into the discharge space (90) via the internal cavity (111) and the flow passage, and a second position in which the valve member (120) prevents the fluid from the discharge space (90) from flowing back to the discharge port (88) via the flow passage and the internal cavity (111).

2. The discharge valve assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the cap housing (110) further comprises a bottom wall (113) configured as a cylindrical housing open at one end, at least one pressure balancing hole (115) being provided at the bottom wall (113).

3. The discharge valve assembly (100) of claim 2, wherein the pressure balancing hole (115) includes a guide chamfer (115a) that tapers inwardly from an outer surface of the bottom wall (113).

4. Discharge valve assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the flow-through passage comprises at least one set of through holes (114) arranged along a central longitudinal axis (L) of the cap housing (110) at the cylindrical side wall (112), wherein each set of through holes comprises a plurality of through holes evenly distributed along a circumferential direction of the cap housing (110) at the cylindrical side wall (112).

5. The discharge valve assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein a total flow area of the flow passages is greater than a flow area of the discharge port (88).

6. The discharge valve assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein an outer periphery of the valve member (120) is clearance fit with an inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall (112) such that the cylindrical sidewall (112) can guide movement of the valve member (120) between the first and second positions.

7. The discharge valve assembly (100) of claim 6, wherein the valve member (120) includes a disc-shaped body (121) and a contact sidewall (122) extending from a periphery of the disc-shaped body substantially perpendicular to the disc-shaped body (121), the contact sidewall (122) being a clearance fit with an inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall (112).

8. The discharge valve assembly (100) of claim 7, wherein a spring (140) is provided on one or both sides of the valve member (120).

9. The discharge valve assembly (100) of any of claims 1-8, further comprising a retainer (130) having a central through bore (131), the retainer (130) disposed axially below the valve member for limiting a range of axial downward movement of the valve member, an outer surface of the retainer (130) mating with an inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall (112).

10. Discharge valve assembly (100) according to claim 9, wherein the central through hole (131) has a larger flow area than the discharge opening (88).

11. The discharge valve assembly (100) of any of claims 1-8, wherein the discharge valve assembly is configured such that: the first position includes a position where the valve member (120) is away from the discharge port side so that the flow passage is not blocked at all by the valve member (120).

12. A scroll compressor (10) characterized by comprising a discharge valve assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The scroll compressor of claim 12, wherein the scroll compressor (10) includes a partition plate (15), the partition plate (15) defining the discharge space (90) for partitioning an interior space of the scroll compressor (10), the partition plate (15) being provided with a central orifice (151), the cover housing (110) being attached to the central orifice (151).

14. The scroll compressor of claim 13, wherein, in a case where the cover housing (110) further includes a bottom wall (113) so as to be configured as a cylindrical housing open at one end, a free end of a cylindrical side wall (112) of the cover housing (110) is attached to the central orifice (151) such that the remaining portion of the cover housing (110) including the bottom wall (113) is located in the discharge space (90).