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Valve for a compressor assemblyRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, CombinedValve for a compressor assembly description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070201991, Valve for a compressor assembly. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] The present invention relates to a valve configured for use in a compressor assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a valve configured to provide selective fluid communication between a separator and a sump of a compressor. [0002] Rotary screw compressors typically include at least two oil-flooded intermeshing rotors that rotate in unison to create a flow of compressed gas. The rotors are flooded in a lubricant such as oil to lubricate and cool the rotors. As a result of the rotors being flooded in oil, the oil becomes entrained in the flow of compressed gas. Often, it is undesirable for oil to be entrained in the compressed gas because the oil can damage equipment that utilizes the compressed gas. In addition, the failure to recover and reuse the oil would require the constant addition of oil to replenish the compressor system. Therefore, before the compressed gas is transported to the equipment, a substantial amount of the entrained oil is removed from the compressed gas flow using an oil separator. The separated oil can be transported to a sump for storage and reuse in the compressor. In addition, the separated oil can be transported to an oil cooler to cool the oil, and/or an oil filter to filter the oil before it is directed back to the compressor for reuse. SUMMARY [0003] In one embodiment, the invention provides a compressor assembly including a separator having a separator space. The separator is operable to remove a liquid from a mixture of the liquid and a gas. The assembly includes a sump having a sump space that is positioned to receive the liquid from the separator. A valve is positioned between the separator space and the sump space and is moveable to a closed position in response to a predetermined flow between the sump space and the separator space. A biasing member is positioned to bias the valve toward an open position [0004] In another embodiment the invention provides a method of operating a compressor assembly having a sump in fluid communication with a separator. The method includes passing a mixture of a liquid and a gas into the separator. The mixture defines a separator pressure. The method also includes separating a substantial amount of the liquid from the mixture and passing the liquid to the sump to define a sump pressure. The method also includes biasing a valve toward an open position, and blocking a substantial amount of the liquid from passing into the sump by moving the valve toward a closed position when the difference between the separator pressure and the sump pressure exceeds a predetermined value. [0005] In yet another embodiment the invention provides a valve that includes a chamber and a sump. The chamber is positioned to receive a flow of fluid including a liquid and a gas. The sump is adapted to contain the liquid. The valve also includes a valve housing and a valve member. The valve housing is at least partially disposed within the sump to define a valve space in fluid communication with the chamber. The valve housing defines an aperture that provides fluid communication between the valve space and the sump. The valve member at least partially disposed within the valve housing and is movable between an open position in which liquid flows from the chamber to the sump and a closed position in which flow between the chamber and the sump is inhibited. A biasing member biases the valve member toward the open position, and the valve member is moveable toward the closed position in response to a pressure differential between the sump and the chamber that is greater than a predetermined value. [0006] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compressor assembly employing the present invention; [0008] FIG. 2 is a section view of a portion of a compressor assembly including a valve embodying the present invention in an open position; and [0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective section view of a portion of the compressor assembly, including the valve of FIG. 2 in a closed position. [0010] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a compressor assembly 10 that includes a compressor core 12, a sump 14 and a separator 16. The compressor core 12 attaches to the sump 14 and includes a drive member 18 and a compressor 20, such as an oil flooded rotary screw compressor, a centrifugal compressor or any other suitable compressor design. The illustrated sump 14 includes support members 21 that are attached to the sump 14 to support the sump 14 above a foundation. In other constructions, the sump 14 is set upon a foundation to support the compressor assembly 10. The illustrated compressor 20, the sump 14, and the separator 16 include portions that are integrally formed, such as by casting. In another construction, the compressor assembly 10 can be formed by coupling the compressor 20 and the separator 16 to the sump 14, such as by welded or bolted connections. [0012] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sump includes a sump housing 24 having at least one wall 25, a base 26 and a cover 28. The walls 25, base 26 and cover 28 attach to one another to substantially enclose a sump space 30. In preferred constructions, the walls 25, base 26, and cover 28 are permanently attached to one another (e.g., welded), or integrally formed as a single piece, or a combination thereof. In these constructions, separation of the components is generally not possible without destroying or damaging one or more of the components. The sump 14 can be manufactured from steel, aluminum or any suitable material and can be formed using any suitable method, such as casting, molding, forging, welding, brazing, bolting, and the like. The sump space 30 contains a liquid such as oil, water, refrigerant, coolant, etc. [0013] The cover 28 is a substantially flat component that extends to, and connects each wall 25 to substantially enclose the top of the sump space 30. In preferred constructions, the cover 28 defines a component support area that receives the compressor 20, the drive member 18, and the separator 16. In these constructions, the cover 28 provides structural support for the components it supports. The cover 28 includes a cover aperture 32 that extends through the cover 28. While the illustrated cover aperture 32 is a circular aperture, it should be understood that the cover aperture 32 can be virtually any shape. The cover 28 also includes a portion 34 adjacent to the cover aperture 32 with an increased thickness to provide additional stiffness to the cover 28 in the area adjacent the cover aperture 32. [0014] The base 26 is a substantially flat component that extends to, and connects each wall 25 to substantially enclose the bottom of the sump space 30. The illustrated base 26 includes a base aperture 36 extending through the base 26 and positioned directly below the cover aperture 32 such that the centers of the base aperture 36 and the cover aperture 32 lie on a common axis that is substantially normal to the base 26. The illustrated base aperture 36 is substantially cylindrical and includes a threaded portion 38. The illustrated base 26 includes a portion 40 with an increased thickness that is adjacent the base aperture 36 to provide additional stiffness and thread length to the base 26 in the area adjacent the base aperture 36. In other constructions, other base aperture shapes may be employed. [0015] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the cover 28 at least partially defines a separator housing 42 that extends from the cover 28 to at least partially form a separator space 44. In preferred constructions, the separator space 44 is positioned directly above the cover aperture 32. The illustrated separator housing 42 is integrally formed as part of the cover 28. The separator housing 42 can be integrally formed as part of the cover 28 by casting, molding, forging, or any suitable forming method. In another construction, the separator housing 42 can include a separate piece attached to the cover using any suitable connection, such as a welded, brazed or bolted connections. [0016] A valve 46 having a valve housing 48, is positioned between the sump space 30 and the separator space 44. The valve housing 48 includes a first end 56, a second end 58 and a plug 60 coupled to the first end 56. [0017] The plug 60 includes a blind bore 62, a recess 64, and an outer threaded portion 66 that engages the threads 38 of the base aperture 36 to couple the valve housing 48 to the base 26. The illustrated plug 60 also includes an O-ring seal 68 positioned between the plug 60 and the base 26 to inhibit the liquid contained within the sump space 30 from leaking through the base aperture 36. In preferred constructions, the valve housing 48 is integrally machined as a single piece with the plug 60. Alternatively, the valve housing 48 can be cast, forged or injection molded as a single piece with the plug 60. In still other constructions, the valve housing 48 and the plug 60 are fabricated using welding, brazing, soldering or other joining techniques. [0018] The valve housing 48 extends through the cover aperture 32 such that the second end 58 of the valve housing 48 is positioned on the separator side of the cover aperture 32. The second end 58 connects the cover 28 at the cover aperture 32 to complete the connection of the valve housing 48 to the sump 14. The second end 58 of the valve housing 48 includes an undercut configured to receive an O-ring seal 70. The O-ring seal 70 inhibits fluid flow from the separator space 44 to the sump space 30 without traveling through the valve housing 48. [0019] The valve housing 48 defines at least one valve housing aperture 72 that provides fluid communication between the separator space 44 and the sump space 30. The illustrated valve housing 48 includes two generally circular valve housing apertures 72. In other constructions a single hole or more than two holes can be employed. For example, one construction employs several rows of small holes that extend around the valve housing 48. In yet another construction, the holes may be other shapes or may include holes of several sizes. [0020] The valve housing 48 also defines a valve seat 74 positioned between the valve housing apertures 72 and the second end 58 of the valve housing 48. The illustrated valve seat 74 is integrally-formed with the valve housing 48 and can be machined, cast, forged or injection molded integrally with the valve housing 48. In other constructions the valve seat 74 can be a separate element coupled to the valve housing 48 using any suitable connection, such as welded, brazed, bolted, or threaded connections and the like. Continue reading about Valve for a compressor assembly... Full patent description for Valve for a compressor assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Valve for a compressor assembly patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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