Compressor system and method of lubricating the compressor system

This application claims the benefit of pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/989,527 filed Nov. 21, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention relates generally to compressors and compressor components, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for providing lubrication to such compressors and compressor components. In one aspect, the present invention relates to systems and methods for providing lubrication to compressors having internal gearboxes.

Compressors are used, for example, in compression systems (e.g., refrigeration systems) to compress gas, such as “halocarbon”, ammonia, natural gas, or the like. Typically, compressors employ a wide variety of components in operational association with one another. When the compressor is operated, many of these components contact each other such that surfaces of the components rub, and/or wear against each other. Therefore, it is necessary to provide the compressor components with lubrication.

If the components are not adequately lubricated, numerous undesirable conditions can be encountered. For example, shifting, sliding, abrading, of rotating components, as well as other components that are in “intimate” contact with each other, can subject such components to wear and tear due to friction. As such, without adequate lubrication, friction tends to inhibit, or potentially prevent altogether, relative movement of the components. Abrasion of non-lubricated, or sparsely lubricated, components in intimate engagement or contact can cause surfaces of the components to become scored, pitted, gouged, or otherwise damaged.

Often, to provide lubrication effectively and efficiently, one or more pumps are used within a compressor system. Although sufficient in many respects, such pumps may not be adequate in at least some circumstances. For example, in the event of a pump becoming inoperative, the flow of lubricant to the portions of the compressor system lubricated by that pump is obstructed. Additionally, if unobserved, substantial damage to certain compressor components can potentially occur and can thus affect the overall functioning of the compressor system. It would therefore be advantageous if a system that continuously provided lubrication to the various components of the compressor is developed and more specifically, if such continuous lubrication was not impeded or obstructed upon a pump or similar mechanism used with or within the compressor system becoming inoperative.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a compressor system is disclosed. In at least some embodiments of the present invention, the compressor system includes: (i) a compressor oil circuit in operable association with a compressor for compressing fluids, (ii) a gear pump in operable association with a gearbox, wherein the gearbox comprises a plurality of gears mounted on a gear shaft for driving the compressor, and (iii) a lubrication system including at least two lubricant feeds for carrying lubricant to the compressor and the gearbox from a lubricant source. Also provided is a connection line connecting the compressor and the gearbox for transferring lubricant from the compressor oil circuit to the gear pump and/or from the gear pump to the compressor oil circuit.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of lubricating the compressor system is disclosed. The method includes providing a compressor, a gearbox having a plurality of gears, a compressor oil circuit, a gear pump and a lubrication system comprising a lubricant source and at least two lubricant feeds. The method further includes providing a connection line between the compressor and the gearbox for transferring lubricant from the compressor oil circuit to the gear pump and/or from the gear pump to the compressor oil circuit. The method additionally includes transferring lubricant from the lubricant source via the at least two lubricant feeds to the compressor and the gearbox.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a compressor system in combination with a lubrication system is provided. The compressor system further includes a rotary screw compressor and a gearbox in operational association with the compressor, while the lubrication system for lubricating the compressor system includes a lubricant source and at least two lubricant feeds for transferring lubricant from the lubricant source to the compressor and the gearbox. Also provided is a connection line connecting the gearbox and the compressor for transferring lubricant from the compressor oil circuit to the gear pump and/or from the gear pump to the compressor oil circuit.

Various other aspects, objects, features and embodiments of the present invention are disclosed with reference to the following specification, including the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Embodiments of the invention are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings and these embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or the arrangement of the components illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the invention is capable of other embodiments and/or of being practiced or carried out in other various ways. The drawings illustrate a best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like components. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view, partly in cross-section with portions broken away, of an exemplary compressor system employing a rotary screw compressor, a gearbox and a lubrication system in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view, partly in cross-section with portions broken away, of the compressor system of FIG. 1, further including an additional pump positioned in a first location with respect to the compressor system, in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view, partly in cross-section with portions broken away, of the compressor system of FIG. 1, and further including an additional pump positioned in a second location with respect to the compressor system, in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.

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