Air compressor having thermal valve

Details Air compressor having thermal valve Air compressor having thermal valve

2001-11-05

2003-06-10

Tyler, Cheryl J. (Department: 3746)

Pumps

With condition responsive control of coolant or lubricant

C236S034500, C236S09300A, C165S297000, C165S300000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06575707

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to compressor systems, and more particularly to air compressor systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior art air compressors typically include a compressor, a motor to drive the compressor and a coolant system to cool the air discharged by the compressor and the components of the compressor. The compressor generally compresses air to pressures above normal atmospheric pressures. The coolant system includes a cooler and a bypass valve. In some prior art arrangements, the bypass valve is a temperature sensitive thermal valve.
FIG. 5
illustrates a prior art thermal bypass valve
10
in a non-actuated position, in which coolant, normally oil, bypasses the cooler.
FIG. 6
illustrates the thermal bypass valve in the actuated position, in which coolant is directed to the cooler.
In
FIGS. 5 and 6
, the valve
10
has an inlet
14
from the coolant system, an outlet
18
to the coolant system, a cooler exit
22
, and a cooler return
26
. The cooler is a heat exchanger that cools the coolant. The valve
10
includes a spool
30
and a wax cartridge
34
interconnected to the spool
30
. The wax cartridge
34
is directly exposed to the coolant flow from the inlet in both the non-actuated position (
FIG. 5
) and the actuated position (FIG.
6
). The wax cartridge
34
senses the inlet fluid temperature of the coolant. In the non-actuated position illustrated in
FIG. 5
, the coolant flow enters the valve
10
through the inlet
14
, and exits through the outlet
18
. The valve
10
is generally in the non-actuated position when the inlet fluid temperature is below a predetermined level. As the inlet fluid temperature increases above a predetermined level, the wax cartridge
34
expands and actuates the valve
10
to the actuated position, illustrated in FIG.
6
. When the valve
10
is in the actuated position, the coolant flow enters the valve
10
through the inlet
14
, exits the valve
10
through the cooler exit
22
, flows through the cooler, reenters the valve
10
through the cooler return
26
, and exits the valve
10
through the outlet
18
. In both the actuated (
FIG. 6
) and non-actuated positions (FIG.
5
), the wax cartridge
34
is directly exposed to the coolant flow from the inlet
14
. The wax cartridge
34
senses the inlet fluid flow, and the temperature of the inlet coolant flow influences the wax cartridge
34
when the spool
30
is in both the actuated and non-actuated position.
The temperature of the inlet fluid flow is relatively unstable and fluctuates over a range of temperatures. As the inlet temperature fluctuates up and down, the wax cartridge senses the inlet fluid temperature and moves the spool
30
back and forth between the actuated position and the non-actuated position. This fluctuation of the inlet temperature and movement of the spool
30
is undesirable and creates additional wear and tear on the components of the valve
10
, and inconsistent fluid flow through the cooler. Additionally, the fluctuation of the inlet temperature creates an inconsistent outlet temperature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a thermal valve for a compressor system wherein the wax cartridge senses the temperature of the inlet fluid flow only when the spool is in the non-actuated position. The wax cartridge does not sense the temperature of the inlet fluid flow when the spool is in the actuated position. The wax cartridge senses the temperature of the outlet fluid flow when the valve is in the actuated position. The temperature of the outlet fluid flow from the cooler is relatively stable, and does not fluctuate as much as the inlet fluid temperature.


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