EP2917577A1

EP2917577A1 - Hermetic compressor comprising exhaust muffler

Info

Publication number: EP2917577A1
Application number: EP13770869.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ismail YESILAYDIN; Muhterem Ertoy; Sati Sevtap SENER
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2012-10-05
Filing date: 2013-09-24
Publication date: 2015-09-16
Also published as: WO2014053357A1; CN104797819A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hermetic compressor (1 ), the efficiency of which is improved, comprising a casing (2), a body (3) disposed inside the casing (2), that carries and/or bears the basic mechanical components like the cylinder, piston, crankshaft, and the piston rod, and at least one exhaust muffler (4) disposed inside the casing (2), having a hollow, closed volume, providing the attenuation of the noise generated during pumping of the refrigerant fluid.

Description

HERMETIC COMPRESSOR COMPRISING EXHAUST MUFFLER

The present invention relates to a compressor comprising an exhaust muffler.
In reciprocating hermetic compressors, the pressure of the refrigerant fluid sucked from the suction muffler is increased as a result of the reciprocating motion of the piston inside the cylinder and the high pressure fluid is delivered to the exhaust muffler to be sent to the refrigeration cycle from there. The pressure of the refrigerant fluid delivered to the exhaust muffler is 5 to 20 times more than the pressure of the fluid in the suction muffler depending on the working conditions of the cooling device.
Under high pressure, pressure surges occur in the refrigerant fluid at the exit of the cylinder originating from the reciprocating motion of the piston. Noise is generated resulting from these pressure surges and flow of the refrigerant during passage of the fluid into the exhaust muffler. The exhaust muffler provides the noise power level to be kept at the desired level by providing attenuation of the pressure surges and certain frequencies of the generated noise.
The exhaust mufflers are situated on the body which is disposed inside the casing. A cover is placed over the exhaust muffler that closes the top surface thereof. During mounting of the cover over the exhaust muffler, the use of a screw fitted to a hole arranged on the base of the exhaust muffler by passing through an opening located on the cover is known in the technique. The screw prevents the flow continuity of the refrigerant inside the exhaust muffler. The efficiency of the compressor decreases.
In the Korean Patent Document No. KR20010064987, a compressor is described that comprises a cover placed over the exhaust muffler and a screw that passes through an opening on the cover to be fixed to a hole located on the base of the exhaust muffler during the mounting of the cover on the exhaust muffler.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a hermetic compressor having an exhaust muffler wherein the flow of the refrigerant contained therein is improved.
The hermetic compressor realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a casing, a body disposed inside the casing, carrying and/or bearing the basic mechanical elements like the cylinder, piston, crankshaft and piston rod, at least one exhaust muffler having a hollow, closed volume, providing the attenuation of the noise generated during pumping of the refrigerant fluid, at least one cover covering the upper surface of the exhaust muffler and at least one partition wherein the refrigerant circulates, remaining between the cover and the exhaust muffler when the cover is placed on the exhaust muffler.
The hermetic compressor of the present invention comprises at least one locking mechanism situated outside the partition wherein the refrigerant circulates and that provides the cover to be mounted to the exhaust muffler. By means of the locking mechanism, the cover is provided to be tightly attached to the exhaust muffler without using an additional element like a screw that passes through the inner volume of the exhaust muffler. Thus, the volume of the partition is utilized effectively. Flow continuity is provided during the passage of the refrigerant through the partition. Consequently, pressure is prevented from decreasing and efficiency of the compressor is improved.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hermetic compressor comprises the exhaust muffler having a base situated on the body and side walls surrounding the base, and at least one locking mechanism having at least one first element that is situated on the surface of the exhaust muffler contacting the cover when the cover is placed on the exhaust muffler and at least one second element situated on the cover, which provides the cover to be fixed to the exhaust muffler by moving forward on the first element without narrowing down the partition volume when the cover is placed on the exhaust muffler. When the cover is placed on the exhaust muffler by the producer, the first element moves forward on the second element. The first element and the second element are locked by being inserted into one another.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism comprises a second element in gear form and a first element in gear rack form whereon the second element moves forward and is locked thereto. By means of the first element and the second element, the cover is placed on the exhaust muffler by being rotated by the producer. Meanwhile, the second element in gear form moves by rotating on the first element in gear rack form. The cover is provided to be entirely fixed to the exhaust muffler when the forward motion of the second element on the first element ends.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first element is situated almost on the entire side wall surface facing the cover when the cover is placed on the exhaust muffler. Thus, the second element and the first element are provided to be fixed by being inserted into one another along the entire surface of the cover contacting the exhaust muffler.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hermetic compressor comprises the hollow cover which is shaped as a half cylinder, having a top wall extending parallel to the base of the exhaust muffler and a lateral wall extending from the top wall towards the base and further comprises the second element that is situated almost on the entire surface of the lateral wall facing the side wall when the cover is placed on the exhaust muffler. The cover and the exhaust muffler are inserted into one another when the cover is placed on the exhaust muffler, and the cover and the exhaust muffler inserted into one another form the hollow cylinder shape.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the sideways cross-section of the cover is smaller than the sideways cross-section of the exhaust muffler. When the cover is placed on the exhaust muffler, the side walls of the exhaust muffler surround the lateral walls of the cover all around.
In a derivative of this embodiment, the locking means comprises the second element situated on the surface of the lateral wall facing outside of the exhaust muffler and the first element disposed on the surface of the side wall facing inside of the exhaust muffler. When the cover is placed on the exhaust muffler, the second element moves forward on the first element and provides the cover disposed inside the exhaust muffler to be tightly attached to the exhaust muffler.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the sideways cross-section of the cover is greater than the sideways cross-section of the exhaust muffler. When the cover is placed on the exhaust muffler, the lateral walls of the cover surround the side walls of the exhaust muffler all around.
In a derivative of this embodiment, the locking means comprises the second element situated on the surface of the lateral wall facing inside of the exhaust muffler and the first element disposed on the surface of the side wall facing outside of the exhaust muffler. When the cover is placed on the exhaust muffler, the second element moves forward on the first element and provides the cover to be tightly attached to the exhaust muffler.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hermetic compressor comprises at least one sealing element situated between the cover and the exhaust muffler. A gasket, etc is used as the sealing element. The sealing element can be integrated with the cover. Thus, leakage of refrigerant between the cover and the exhaust muffler is prevented.
By means of the present invention, the interior volume of the exhaust muffler is utilized effectively and the pressure decrease occurring inside the exhaust muffler is prevented. Consequently, the efficiency of the hermetic compressor is increased. Furthermore, the feature of the exhaust muffler to attenuate noises at certain frequencies is enhanced.
The hermetic compressor realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 – is the cross-sectional view of a hermetic compressor.
Figure 2 – is the top view of a body.
Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the exhaust muffler and some portion of the body related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 – is the view of detail A in Figure 3.
Figure 5 - is the top view of the exhaust muffler and some portion of the body related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 – is the view of detail B in Figure 5.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Hermetic compressor
Casing
Body
Exhaust muffler
Cover
Partition
Locking mechanism
Base
Side wall
First element
Second element
Top wall
Lateral wall
Sealing element

In cooling devices, for example in refrigerators, the circulation of the refrigerant fluid is provided by a hermetic compressor (1).
The hermetic compressor (1) comprises a casing (2) carrying the components therein, a body (3) disposed inside the casing (2),carrying and/or bearing the basic mechanical components like the cylinder, piston, crankshaft, and the piston rod, at least one exhaust muffler (4) disposed inside the casing (2), having a hollow, closed volume, providing the attenuation of the noise generated during pumping of the refrigerant fluid, at least one cover (5) covering the upper surface of the exhaust muffler (4) and at least one partition (6) wherein the refrigerant circulates, that remains between the cover (5) and the exhaust muffler (4) when the cover (5) is placed on the exhaust muffler (4) (Figure 1).
The hermetic compressor (1) of the present invention comprises at least one locking mechanism (7) situated outside the partition (6) and which provides the cover (5) to be fixed to the exhaust muffler (4). The cover (5) is placed on the exhaust muffler (4) by being rotated. Meanwhile, the cover (5) is provided to be fixed to the exhaust muffler (4) by means of the locking mechanism (7). When the cover (5) is placed on the exhaust muffler (4), the volume remaining between the cover (5) and the exhaust muffler (4) forms the partition (6). The refrigerant circulates inside the partition (6) that is surrounded by the cover (5) and the exhaust muffler (4). An additional screw, etc. is not used during placement of the cover (5) on the exhaust muffler (4). Thus, no component that may disrupt the refrigerant flow is situated inside the partition (6) and flow continuity is provided during passage of the refrigerant through the exhaust muffler (4). The decrease of fluid pressure is minimized and improvement is provided in efficiency of the compressor (1) (Figure 2, Figure 3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hermetic compressor (1) comprises the exhaust muffler (4) having a base (8) situated on the body (3) and side walls (9) surrounding the base (8) and a locking mechanism (7) having at least one first element (10) disposed on the side wall (9), at least one second element (11) disposed on the cover (5) so as to be opposite the first element (10) when the cover (5) is placed on the exhaust muffler (4), providing the cover (5) to be fixed to the exhaust muffler (4) upon locking of the first element (10) and the second element (11) to one another. The locking mechanism (7) is situated between the cover (5) and the exhaust muffler (4). The second element (11) is situated on the cover (5) so as to be inserted into one another with the first element (10). The second element (11) and the first element (10) come opposite to one another while the cover (5) is fixed on the exhaust muffler (4) and are fixed by being inserted into one another. When the cover (5) is fixed to the exhaust muffler (4), almost the entire first element (10) and the second element (11) are situated opposite to one another. The cover (5) is provided to be fixed tightly to the exhaust muffler (4) by the first element (10) and the second element (11) being inserted into one another. The exhaust muffler (4) and the cover (5) are locked through their side surfaces by means of the first element (10) and the second element (11). Thus, no additional screw, etc. is situated inside the partition (6) wherein the refrigerant circulates. Therefore, refrigerant leakage from inside the exhaust muffler (4) to the outside is prevented and an environment is formed inside the partition (6) wherein flow continuity of the refrigerant is provided. The decrease of refrigerant pressure is minimized and improvement is provided in efficiency of the compressor (1) (Figure 2, Figure 3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism (7) comprises a second element (11) in gear form and a first element (10) in gear rack form. The cover (5) is placed on the body (3) by being rotated. While the cover (5) is being rotated, the second element (11) rotating around its axis, also starts to rotate on the first element (10). The lengths of the first element (10) and the second element (11) are almost equal. When the cover (5) is entirely fixed to the exhaust muffler (4), the second element (11) and the first element (10) are interlocked to one another (Figure 3, Figure 4).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first element (10) surrounds the side wall (9). By means of the second element (11) and the first element (10) being inserted into one another, locking is provided along the side wall (9). Thus, the cover (5) is provided to be tightly attached to the exhaust muffler (4) and a gap remaining between the cover (5) and the exhaust muffler (4) is prevented.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hermetic compressor (1) comprises the cover (5) having a top wall (12) that extends parallel to the base (8) and a lateral wall (13) perpendicular to the top wall (12), extending towards the base (8) and further comprises the second element (11) that surrounds the lateral wall (13). When the cover (5) is placed on the exhaust muffler (4), the side walls (9) and the lateral walls (13) are situated one inside the other. The first element (10) and the second element (11) located on these surfaces of the cover (5) and the exhaust muffler (4) contacting one another, are interlocked to each other (Figure 3, Figure 4).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the cover (5) is smaller than the diameter of the exhaust muffler (4). While the cover (5) is being placed on the exhaust muffler (4), the cover (5) approaches towards the base (8) of the exhaust muffler (4) by rotating. Meanwhile, the second element (11) moves forward on the first element (10). When the second element (11) completes the forward motion on the first element (10), almost the entire lateral wall (13) remains inside the exhaust muffler (4) and the side walls (9) surround the lateral walls (13) all around (Figure 3).
In a derivative of this embodiment, the locking mechanism (7) comprises the second element (11) situated on the surface of the lateral wall (13) facing outside of the exhaust muffler (4) and the first element (10) disposed on the surface of the side wall (9) facing inside of the exhaust muffler (4). While the cover (5) is fixed on the exhaust muffler (4), the second element (11) moves forward on the first element (10) by rotating and starts being inserted into one another with the first element (10). The cover (5) is provided to be fixed to the exhaust muffler (4) as the first element (10) and the second element (11), situated on opposite surfaces of the side walls (9) and the lateral walls (13), become interlocked to one another.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the cover (5) is greater than the diameter of the exhaust muffler (4). When the cover (5) is fixed on the exhaust muffler (4), the side walls (9) of the cover (5) remain almost entirely inside the exhaust muffler (4). When the forward motion of the second element (11) on the first element (10) is completed, almost the entire side walls (9) are surrounded by the lateral walls (13). Thus, leakage of refrigerant from inside the exhaust muffler (4) to the outside is prevented (Figure 5, Figure 6).
In a derivative of this embodiment, the locking mechanism (7) comprises the second element (11) situated on the surface of the lateral wall (13) facing inside of the exhaust muffler (4) and the first element (10) disposed on the surface of the side wall (9) facing outside of the exhaust muffler (4). The cover (5) is mounted on the exhaust muffler (4) by being rotated. Meanwhile, the cover (5) starts to surround the side walls (9) of the exhaust muffler (4). While the cover (5) moves forward in the direction of the base (8) of the exhaust muffler (4), the second element (11) moves around the first element (10) by rotating. When the forward motion of the second element (11) on the first element (10) is completed, the cover (5) surrounds the exhaust muffler (4) all around and is fixed to the exhaust muffler (4) tightly.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hermetic compressor (1) comprises at least one sealing element (14) disposed on at least one of the surfaces of the cover (5) and the exhaust muffler (4) contacting one another. Thus, leak-proofing is provided between the cover (5) and the exhaust muffler (4) (Figure 3, Figure 4).
In the hermetic compressor (1) of the present invention, the cover (5) is provided to be fixed to the exhaust muffler (4), without using an additional screw, etc., by means of the locking mechanism (7). Consequently, the refrigerant is prevented from encountering any kind of obstruction during its flow and flow continuity is provided in the interior volume of the exhaust muffler (4). Not only the efficiency of the hermetic compressor (1) is increased but also the losses originating from refrigerant flow are improved.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These different embodiments should also be considered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A hermetic compressor (1) comprising a casing (2), a body (3) disposed inside the casing (2), that carries and/or bears the basic mechanical components like the cylinder, piston, crankshaft, and the piston rod, at least one exhaust muffler (4) disposed inside the casing (2), having a hollow, closed volume, providing the attenuation of the noise generated during pumping of the refrigerant fluid, at least one cover (5) covering the upper surface of the exhaust muffler (4) and at least one partition (6) wherein the refrigerant circulates, that remains between the cover (5) and the exhaust muffler (4) when the cover (5) is placed on the exhaust muffler (4), characterized by a locking mechanism (7) that is situated outside the partition (6) and that provides the cover (5) to be fixed to the exhaust muffler (4).
The hermetic compressor (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the exhaust muffler (4) having a base (8) situated on the body (3) and side walls (9) surrounding the base (8) and by the locking mechanism (7) having at least one first element (10) disposed on the side wall (9), at least one second element (11) disposed on the cover (5) so as to be opposite the first element (10) when the cover (5) is placed on the exhaust muffler (4), providing the cover (5) to be fixed to the exhaust muffler (4) upon locking of the first element (10) and the second element (11) to one another.
The hermetic compressor (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by a second element (11) in gear form and a first element (10) in gear rack form.
The hermetic compressor (1) as in Claim 2 or 3, characterized by a first element (10) that surrounds the side wall (9).
The hermetic compressor (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 4, characterized by the cover (5) having a top wall (12) that extends parallel to the base (8) and a lateral wall (13) perpendicular to the top wall (12) and extending towards the base (8) and by the second element (11) that surrounds the lateral wall (13).
The hermetic compressor (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a cover (5), the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the exhaust muffler (4).
The hermetic compressor (1) as in Claim 5 or 6, characterized by the second element (11) situated on the surface of the lateral wall (13) facing outside of the exhaust muffler (4) and the first element (10) disposed on the surface of the side wall (9) facing inside of the exhaust muffler (4).
The hermetic compressor (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 5, characterized by a cover (5), the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the exhaust muffler (4).
The hermetic compressor (1) as in Claim 5 or 8, characterized by the second element (11) situated on the surface of the lateral wall (13) facing inside of the exhaust muffler (4) and the first element (10) disposed on the surface of the side wall (9) facing outside of the exhaust muffler (4).
The hermetic compressor (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by at least one sealing element (14) disposed on at least one of the surfaces of the cover (5) and the exhaust muffler (4) contacting one another.