阅读说明：本技术 制冷剂压缩机密封装置 (Sealing device for refrigerant compressor ) 是由 李天磊 L·孙 M·B·多布丽察 于 2019-06-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于HVAC应用的离心式压缩机包括能够绕一轴线旋转的旋转部件、静态部件和固定到静态部件和旋转部件中的一者的刷式密封件。刷式密封件包括与静态部件和旋转部件中的另一者接触的刷毛。(A centrifugal compressor for HVAC applications includes a rotating component rotatable about an axis, a static component, and a brush seal fixed to one of the static and rotating components. The brush seal includes bristles in contact with the other of the static component and the rotating component.)

1. A centrifugal compressor for HVAC applications, the centrifugal compressor comprising:

a rotating member rotatable about an axis;

a static component;

a brush seal secured to one of the static and rotary components and including bristles, wherein the bristles contact the other of the static and rotary components.

2. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the brush seal is positioned to prevent fluid leakage in an axial direction between the rotating and static components.

3. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the brush seal is positioned to prevent fluid leakage in a radial direction between the rotating and static components.

4. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the compressor is a multi-stage centrifugal compressor.

5. The compressor of claim 1, wherein each of said bristles has at least a portion that is inclined with respect to a radial direction.

6. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the brush seal includes a plurality of axially spaced bristle portions that contact the rotating component.

7. The compressor of claim 6, wherein a portion of said plurality of axially spaced bristle portions extends radially inward of a second portion of said plurality of axially spaced bristle portions.

8. The compressor of claim 7, wherein the rotary member includes a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being axially spaced from the second surface, the first surface being radially inward of the second surface, the portion of the axially spaced plurality of bristle portions being in contact with the first surface, and the second portion of the axially spaced plurality of bristle portions being in contact with the second surface.

9. The compressor of claim 1, wherein said bristles contact a surface of an annular groove in said rotary member.

10. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the rotating member comprises a shaft.

11. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the compressor is a single stage compressor.

12. The compressor of claim 5, wherein each of the bristles has at least a portion that is angled relative to a radial direction in a rotational direction of the rotary member.

13. A refrigerant cooling system, comprising:

at least one centrifugal compressor, the centrifugal compressor comprising:

a rotating member rotatable about an axis;

a static component;

a brush seal secured to one of the static and rotary components and including bristles, wherein the bristles contact the other of the static and rotary components.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the compressor is a multi-stage centrifugal compressor.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the bristles has at least a portion that is inclined with respect to a radial direction.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the brush seal includes a plurality of axially spaced bristle portions that contact the rotating component.

17. A refrigerant heat pump system, comprising:

at least one centrifugal compressor comprising

A rotating member rotatable about an axis;

a static component;

a brush seal secured to one of the static and rotary components and including bristles, wherein the bristles contact the other of the static and rotary components.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the compressor is a multi-stage centrifugal compressor.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein each of the bristles has at least a portion that is inclined with respect to a radial direction.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the brush seal includes a plurality of axially spaced bristle portions that contact the rotating component.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to sealing devices for reducing fluid leakage in turbomachinery compressors, and more particularly to brush sealing devices.

Background

The refrigerant compressor is used to circulate a refrigerant through a refrigerant circuit in a chiller or a heat pump. A known refrigerant circuit includes a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator.

Disclosure of Invention

A centrifugal compressor for HVAC applications according to an example of the present disclosure includes a rotating component rotatable about an axis, a static component, and a brush seal fixed to one of the rotating component and the static component. The brush seal includes bristles in contact with the other of the static component and the rotating component.

In another example of the foregoing, the brush seal is positioned to prevent leakage of fluid in an axial direction between the rotating component and the static component.

In another example of any of the foregoing, the brush seal is positioned to prevent leakage of fluid in a radial direction between the rotating component and the static component.

In another example of any of the foregoing, the compressor is a multi-stage centrifugal compressor.

In another example of any of the foregoing, the bristles each have at least a portion that is angled with respect to a radial direction.

In another example of any of the foregoing, the brush seal includes a plurality of axially spaced bristle portions in contact with the rotating component.

In another example of any of the foregoing, one of the plurality of axially spaced bristle sections extends radially inward of the second plurality of axially spaced bristle sections.

In another example of any of the foregoing, the rotating component includes a first surface axially spaced from a second surface. The first surface is radially inward of the second surface. A portion of the plurality of axially spaced bristle sections is in contact with the first surface and a second portion of the plurality of axially spaced bristle sections is in contact with the second surface.

In another example of any of the foregoing, the bristles contact a surface of an annular groove in the rotating component.

In another example of any of the foregoing, the rotating component includes a shaft.

In another example of any of the foregoing, the compressor is a single stage compressor.

In another example of any of the foregoing, each bristle has at least a portion that is angled relative to a radial direction in a direction of rotation of the rotating component.

A refrigerant cooling system according to an example of the present disclosure includes at least one centrifugal compressor including a rotating component rotatable about an axis, a static component, and a brush seal fixed to one of the rotating and static components. The brush seal includes bristles in contact with the other of the static component and the rotating component.

In another example of the foregoing, the compressor is a multi-stage centrifugal compressor.

In another example of any of the foregoing, each bristle has at least a portion that is angled relative to the radial direction.

In another example of any of the foregoing, the brush seal includes a plurality of axially spaced bristle portions in contact with the rotating component.

A refrigerant heat pump system according to an example of the present disclosure includes at least one centrifugal compressor including a rotating component rotatable about an axis, a static component, and a brush seal fixed to one of the static and rotating components. The brush seal includes bristles in contact with the other of the static component and the rotating component.

In another example of the foregoing, the compressor is a multi-stage centrifugal compressor.

In another example of any of the foregoing, each bristle has at least a portion that is angled relative to the radial direction.

In another example of any of the foregoing, the brush seal includes a plurality of axially spaced bristle portions in contact with the rotating component.

These and other features can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant circuit.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of an exemplary compressor having an exemplary brush seal arrangement.

FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of an axial view of the exemplary brush seal assembly shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary brush seal assembly.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary brush seal assembly.

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary brush seal assembly.

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary brush seal assembly.

FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary brush seal assembly.

FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary brush seal assembly.

FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary brush seal assembly.

FIG. 11 illustrates another exemplary brush seal assembly.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a refrigerant cooling system or refrigerant heat pump system 20. The refrigerant system 20 includes a main refrigerant loop or circuit 22 in communication with one or more compressors 24, condensers 26, evaporators 28, and expansion devices 30. By way of example, the refrigerant system 20 may be used in a chiller or a heat pump. It is noted that while a particular example of refrigerant system 20 is shown, the application extends to other refrigerant system configurations. For example, the main refrigerant circuit 22 may include an economizer (economizer) downstream of the condenser 26 and upstream of the expansion device 30.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion 32 of the exemplary compressor 24 including a rotating component 34 and a static component 36 rotatable about an axis A. The brush seal 38 is secured to the static component 36 and includes a plurality of bristles 40 that contact a surface 42 of the rotating component 34. Thus, the brush seal 38 seals the gap G between the rotating and static components 34, 36_R. As shown by way of example, the gap G_RExtends radially and circumferentially relative to axis a, and brush seal 38 also extends radially and circumferentially to seal gap G against axial fluid F_R. In some embodiments, the brush seal 38 may be a complete ring. Fluid F may flow in either direction relative to bristles 40.

In some embodiments, compressor 24 is a single-stage centrifugal compressor having a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber, and brush seal 38 minimizes leakage losses between the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber by sealing one or more gaps between the rotating and static components. In some embodiments, the compressor is a multi-stage centrifugal compressor, and the brush seals 38 minimize leakage losses between each adjacent stage by sealing one or more gaps between the rotating and static components. While the brush seal 38 is secured to the static component 36 and the bristles 40 contact the rotating component 34 in the exemplary compressor 24, in alternative embodiments the brush seal may be secured to the rotating component and the bristles contact the static component.

Fig. 3 illustrates an axial view of a portion of the exemplary brush seal 38 shown in fig. 2. As shown, each bristle 40 is at an angle θ to the radial direction D relative to the axis a. Bristles 40 are angled from radial direction D in direction R, which represents the direction of rotation of rotary member 34 (see fig. 2). Inclining the bristles 40 in the rotational direction R of the rotary member 34 reduces the rotational resistance of the rotary member 34 from the brush seal 38. Although the bristles 40 are shown generally as angled as in the embodiment of fig. 3, in other embodiments, the radially inner portion of each bristle may be angled. In other embodiments, the bristles 40 may not be angled.

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion 132 of the compressor 24 having an axial gap G between a sealing rotating member 134 and a member 136_AThe brush seal 138. Brush seal 138 seals through gap G_ARadial leakage fluid F_R. The bristles 140 contact a surface 142 of the rotating member 134. In some embodiments, the rotating component 134 is an impeller (impeller), and the brush seal 138 seals a gap G between the impeller and the static component 136_A. It should be understood that the same reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views. It should also be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed and illustrated in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements may benefit from the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary brush seal configuration 250 that includes three axially spaced bristle portions 240A/240B/240C that contact the surface 242 of the rotating component 234. As shown, the rotating component 234 has a constant radius from at least the bristle portion 240A to the bristle portion 240C. The bristle sections 240A/240B/240C are substantially radially aligned with respect to the axis A.

Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary brush seal configuration 350 that includes a bristle portion 340A axially spaced from a bristle portion 340B. The bristle portion 340A contacts the surface 342A of the rotational component 334, and the bristle portion 340B contacts the surface 342B of the rotational component 334. Surface 342A has a radius 352A and surface 342B has a radius 352B. Radius 352B is greater than radius 352A such that surface 342B is radially outward of surface 342A. The bristle portion 340A extends radially inward of the bristle portion 340B.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary brush seal configuration 450 that includes four axially spaced bristle portions 440A/440B/440C/440D. Portions 440A and 440B are radially aligned and contact surface 442A of rotating member 438, and portions 440C and 440D are radially aligned and contact surface 442B of rotating member 438. Surface 442A has a radius 452A and surface 442B has a radius 452B. Radius 452B is greater than radius 452A such that surface 442B is radially outward of surface 442A. The bristle portions 440A and 440B extend radially inward of the bristle portions 440C and 440D.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary brush seal configuration 550 that includes three bristle portions 540A/540B/540C that are axially spaced apart. The rotary member 538 includes three axially spaced annular grooves 554A/554B/554C. The bristle portion 540A is axially aligned with the recess 554A, the bristle portion 540B is axially aligned with the recess 554B, and the bristle portion 540C is axially aligned with the recess 554C. In the example shown, the bristle part 540A/540B/540C contacts a surface of the rotary member 538 within the recess 554A/554B/554C, but in other embodiments the bristle part 540A/540B/540C may not contact a surface of the rotary member.

Fig. 9 illustrates an exemplary brush seal configuration 650. The brush seal 638 has two axially spaced bristle portions 640A and 640B that contact a surface 642 of the rotating member 638. Two brush seals 656, 658 extend radially outward from surface 642 such that bristle sections 660, 662 contact brush seal 638, which has bristle sections 640A and 640B. The bristle portion 660 is axially located between the bristle portions 640A and 640B. The bristle portion 640B is axially located between the bristle portions 660 and 662.

Fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary brush seal configuration 750 that includes a base 752 and a plurality of carbon nanotube bristles 754 extending from the base 752. In some examples, the base 752 may be one or more of a variety of metals, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, and/or titanium. In some examples, the carbon nanotube bristles 754 are made by a chemical vapor deposition process. In some examples, the carbon nanotube bristles 754 are bonded to a metal base 752.

In some examples, during operation, the free ends of the carbon nanotube bristles 754 contact a rotating component (not shown) to form a brush seal and minimize leakage. In the example shown, the carbon nanotube bristles 754 extend radially inward from an inner diameter of the base 752, but other configurations including carbon nanotube bristles 754 extending radially outward from a structure may be used.

Fig. 11 illustrates another exemplary liner-type (push) seal configuration 850. The exemplary carbon nanotube bristle 854 includes a pad 856 attached to an end thereof and between the carbon nanotube bristle 854 and the rotation component 838. In this example, during normal operation of the compressor, an air film will be established between the pad 856 and the rotary component 838, which eliminates contact between the seal 850 and the rotary component 838. The flexible nature of the carbon nanotube bristles 854 will shift and restore the position of the aerodynamic pad 856. In some examples, the pad 856 can be one or more of a variety of metals, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, and/or titanium. In some examples, the radially inner surface of pad 856 can be smooth, coated, or further chemical vapor deposition coated with carbon nanotubes.

The exemplary pad 856 may include a forward portion 858, an aft portion 860 axially spaced from the forward portion, and an interior 862 radially inward of the forward portion 858 and the aft portion 860. The front 860, rear 860, and inner 862 may generally be formed in a U-shape in some examples, as shown. The bristles 854 can be axially positioned between the front plate 864 and the rear plate 866.

In other examples, the carbon nanotubes 854 may be replaced with a beam-like structure, a grid structure, or a maze structure.

The bristle density and diameter of the described embodiments may be designed to minimize cross-sectional area of leakage fluid and frictional resistance against rotation of the shaft. In some embodiments, the ability of the bristles to flex allows the bristles to contact the rotating components at all times, which accommodates shaft offset. When refrigerant leakage fluid tries to flow through the brush seal, the refrigerant will experience resistance from the bristles, thereby causing a reduction in leakage flow.

By adjusting the radial position of the radial and axial brush seals relative to the axis of rotation a, the axial thrust on the rotating element can be balanced, which minimizes the forces that reside on the axial bearing.

Although the various examples have the particular components shown in the figures, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. Some features or characteristics from one example may be used in combination with features or characteristics from another example.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above-described embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive. That is, modifications to the disclosure will fall within the scope of the claims.

Although the different examples are shown with particular components, examples of the disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. Some features or characteristics from any embodiment may be used in combination with features or characteristics from any other embodiment.

The foregoing description is to be construed in an illustrative and not a restrictive sense. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that certain modifications may fall within the scope of the present disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.