US20080302516A1 - Compressor Cooling System and Method of Use - Google Patents
Compressor Cooling System and Method of Use Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080302516A1 US20080302516A1 US12/133,628 US13362808A US2008302516A1 US 20080302516 A1 US20080302516 A1 US 20080302516A1 US 13362808 A US13362808 A US 13362808A US 2008302516 A1 US2008302516 A1 US 2008302516A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- compressor
- air
- cooling system
- enclosure
- holes
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B39/00—Component parts, details, or accessories, of pumps or pumping systems specially adapted for elastic fluids, not otherwise provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B25/00 - F04B37/00
- F04B39/06—Cooling; Heating; Prevention of freezing
- F04B39/066—Cooling by ventilation
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
- Compressors, Vaccum Pumps And Other Relevant Systems (AREA)
- Compressor (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/933,674 filed Jun. 8, 2007 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). This application is incorporated by reference herein as though set forth in full.
- The field of this invention relates to systems and methods for cooling compact heat generating devices such as air compressors.
- Portable oxygen concentrators are commonly used in the home medical market to treat ambulatory patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. To make an oxygen concentrator portable, the oxygen concentrator must be as small as possible and weigh as little as possible while delivering sufficient concentrated oxygen gas flow to the ambulatory patient.
- An air compressor is used in an oxygen concentrator to supply high-pressure feed air to a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Module or concentrator. An air compressor generates heat during use and is cooled by a fan cooling system (fan mounted to a driveshaft of the compressor). The fan moves cooling air over an air compression chamber, thereby cooling that portion of the device that is heated by the compression of the air and by friction. The fan may also be used to cool a motor of the compressor. In order to prevent the noise from the compressor from escaping outside the device, the compressor may be encased in a sound-proof enclosure. The enclosure keeps compressor noise from escaping and allows for the ingress and egress of cooling air.
- The fan cooling system for an air compressor has the limitation that the fan speed is generally limited to the compressor speed, and the pressure and velocity that may be generated by the fan is limited by the diameter of the fan so that small compressors may not be adequately cooled. Furthermore, if the compressor cooling fan is required to force air through a filter, or through a tortuous path for noise abatement, an auxiliary fan is required. An additional electric fan can be used, but these fans may be noisy and/or larger than the compressor.
- To solve these problems and others, an aspect of present invention involves a cooling system and method for a compact heat generating device (e.g., air compressor) that may be used in a portable device such as a portable oxygen concentrator. An enclosure surrounds the compressor for noise abatement. The enclosure has a number of holes, nozzles, or jet ducts in it located opposite the areas that require cooling. These openings cause jet impingement, which is the basis for this cooling scheme, at selective thermal hot spots. A blower sucks air from inside the enclosure and blows it through a tortuous path to a location remote from the compressor housing. The negative pressure generated by the blower provides the motive force for the air jets. The diameter, shape, and flow rate of the jets are designed to provide for turbulent flow of the cooling air jets. The cooling air jets are of non-uniform length and direction, thereby breaking up the sound waves emanating from the compressor.
- A further aspect of the invention involves a compressor cooling system for an air compressor. The compressor cooling system includes an air compressor having an external surface; an enclosure for enclosing the air compressor inside the enclosure; an air passage formed on the inside of the enclosure between the enclosure and the external surface of the air compressor; multiple holes in the enclosure; and a negative pressure source coupled to the air passage for drawing air through the multiple holes and into the enclosure for cooling the compressor.
- Another aspect of the invention involves a method of using a compressor cooling system. The method includes imparting a negative pressure in the air passage with the negative pressure source, drawing air through the multiple holes and into the enclosure for cooling the compressor; creating turbulent air flow in the air passage with the multiple holes, cooling the compressor and reducing compressor noise; and expelling the air flow from the compressor cooling system with the negative pressure source.
- Further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a review of the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set forth below.
-
FIG. 1 is a simple schematic of an embodiment of a gas separation device, which is an exemplary system/environment for the compressor cooling system. -
FIG. 2 is a simple schematic of an embodiment of a compressor and an embodiment of a compressor cooling system. - With reference to
FIG. 1 , agas separation device 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention will first be described before describing an embodiment of acompressor cooling system 100. Thegas separation device 10 and thecooling system 100 will be described in conjunction with cooling a compressor; however, in alternative embodiments, thecooling system 100 may be used to cool other compact heat generating devices such as vacuum pumps, internal combustion engines, lasers, electronics, etc. Thegas separation device 10 may include anair compressor 20, which may be combination compressor/vacuum generator (hereinafter “compressor”), a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Module orconcentrator 30, ameasurement mechanism 40, and aflow control mechanism 50. - In a preferred embodiment, the
gas separation device 10 is a portable oxygen concentrator weighing in the range of 2-20 pounds. An example portable oxygen concentrator system that comprises thegas separation device 10 is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,702, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein as though set forth in full. In particular, the portableoxygen concentrator system 100 and described with reference toFIGS. 1-16 , and especiallyFIGS. 1 , 2, 12, 15, and 16, may be used as thegas separation device 10. - In use, a feed fluid such as ambient air may be drawn into the
compressor 20 and delivered under high pressure to thePSA Module 30. In a preferred embodiment, thecompressor 20 is a combination compressor and vacuum pump/generator. The vacuum generator is preferably driven by the same motor as the compressor and is integrated with the compressor. The vacuum generator draws exhaust gas from thePSA module 30 to improve the recovery and productivity of thePSA module 30. ThePSA module 30 separates a desired product fluid (e.g., oxygen) from the feed fluid (e.g., air) and expels exhaust fluid. Characteristics of the product fluid (e.g., flow/purity) may be measured by ameasurement mechanism 40. Delivery of the product fluid may be controlled with theflow control mechanism 50. - With reference to
FIG. 2 , an embodiment of acompressor cooling system 100 for cooling thecompressor 20 will be described. Thecompressor cooling system 100 includes a close-fittingplastic enclosure 120 that encloses thecompressor 20. The space between the outside of thecompressor 20 and the inside of theenclosure 120 forms an air gap/passage 125 for cooling air transfer there through. - The
enclosure 120 is substantially air tight and includes multiple (i.e., more than one) holes, nozzles, or jet ducts 130 (hereinafter “holes”) that communicate with theair passage 125. There are no fluid inlets other than theholes 130, which are opposite to the portions of the compressor 20 (e.g., cylinder walls) that need cooling. Theholes 130 may be of various lengths and/or diameters so that the sound waves emanating from thecompressor 20 take different times to reach the outside of theenclosure 120, thereby reducing the noise emitted from thecompressor 20. - The inlet of a
centrifugal blower 140 is connected to theair passage 125, thereby maintaining a vacuum in theair passage 125 around thecompressor 20, drawing air in through theholes 130. - The size and flow rate of the air through the
holes 130 may be adjusted/varied to keep the flow though theholes 130 and into theair passage 125 turbulent so as to maximize heat transfer from thecompressor 20. Theholes 130 are configured so that the Reynolds number for this air flow though theholes 130 and into theair passage 125 is maintained above approximately 2000 in order to achieve turbulent flow and maximize heat transfer from thecompressor 20. - A
tortuous duct 150 is connected to the outlet of thecentrifugal blower 140. The blower exhaust may be routed through thetortuous duct 150 in order to minimize the noise of the system. - The
compressor cooling system 100 will now be described in use. During use of thecompressor 20 heat is generated by thecompressor 20. Thecentrifugal blower 140 draws air out of theair passage 125 in the enclosure and blows it through thetortuous duct 150 to a location remote from thecompressor 20. The negative pressure generated by theblower 140 provides the motive force at the holes 130 (e.g., holes, nozzles, or jet ducts) for the creation of air jets onto and around opposite sides of the compressor 20 (e.g., cylinder walls) that need cooling. The diameter, shape, and configuration of theholes 130 and the flow rate through thesystem 100 are designed to provide for turbulent flow of cooling air jets in thepassage 125. This cooling air jet impingement is the basis for cooling thecompressor 20 at selective thermal hot spots. The cooling air jets are of non-uniform length and direction, thereby breaking up the sound waves emanating from thecompressor 20. - The
compressor cooling system 100 allows smaller compressor cooling fans or no compressor cooling fans to be provided in cooling thecompressor 20. Thecompressor cooling system 100 also reduces the need for an auxiliary cooling fan. With a smaller compressor cooling fan, the compressor system takes up less space than in the past. The turbulent flow in thecompressor cooling system 100 breaks up the sound waves emanating from thecompressor 20, reducing the noise from the compressor system. Since the cooling fan only adds heat and energy to the exhaust air leaving the compressor enclosure the cooling air delivered to the compressor is cooler than it would be in the case of a fan providing positive pressure to the compressor cooling system. - The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention, especially in the following claims, should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
- Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.
Claims (12)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/133,628 US20080302516A1 (en) | 2007-06-08 | 2008-06-05 | Compressor Cooling System and Method of Use |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US93367407P | 2007-06-08 | 2007-06-08 | |
US12/133,628 US20080302516A1 (en) | 2007-06-08 | 2008-06-05 | Compressor Cooling System and Method of Use |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080302516A1 true US20080302516A1 (en) | 2008-12-11 |
Family
ID=40094781
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/133,628 Abandoned US20080302516A1 (en) | 2007-06-08 | 2008-06-05 | Compressor Cooling System and Method of Use |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080302516A1 (en) |
TW (1) | TW200916180A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008154273A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8821133B2 (en) * | 2011-11-03 | 2014-09-02 | Draeger Medical Systems, Inc. | Transportable medical air compressor |
Citations (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3305665A (en) * | 1959-11-17 | 1967-02-21 | Laing Vortex Inc | Forced circulation electric heater employing cross-flow type fan |
US3804942A (en) * | 1971-11-16 | 1974-04-16 | Shimizu Construction Co Ltd | Air purifier |
US4203302A (en) * | 1978-07-14 | 1980-05-20 | The Laitram Corporation | Floor mounted air conditioner |
US4302224A (en) * | 1979-10-12 | 1981-11-24 | Greene & Kellogg, Inc. | Compact oxygen concentrator |
US4342573A (en) * | 1979-10-12 | 1982-08-03 | Greene & Kellogg, Incorporated | Compact oxygen concentrator |
US4378982A (en) * | 1981-08-28 | 1983-04-05 | Greene & Kellogg, Inc. | Compact oxygen concentrator |
US4424686A (en) * | 1981-03-09 | 1984-01-10 | The Laitram Corporation | Floor mounted air conditioner |
US4511377A (en) * | 1983-11-01 | 1985-04-16 | Greene & Kellogg, Inc. | Apparatus for the production of oxygen |
US4826510A (en) * | 1988-01-13 | 1989-05-02 | The John Bunn Company | Portable low profile DC oxygen concentrator |
US4971609A (en) * | 1990-02-05 | 1990-11-20 | Pawlos Robert A | Portable oxygen concentrator |
US5827358A (en) * | 1996-11-08 | 1998-10-27 | Impact Mst, Incorporation | Rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption oxygen concentration method and apparatus |
US6346139B1 (en) * | 1999-05-12 | 2002-02-12 | Respironics, Inc. | Total delivery oxygen concentration system |
US6481212B2 (en) * | 2000-04-19 | 2002-11-19 | General Electric Company | Combustion turbine cooling media supply system and related method |
US20040213679A1 (en) * | 2003-04-22 | 2004-10-28 | R. Conrader Company | Air compressor with inlet control mechanism and automatic inlet control mechanism |
US20050103341A1 (en) * | 2003-10-07 | 2005-05-19 | Deane Geoffrey F. | Portable gas fractionalization system |
US6908503B2 (en) * | 2002-04-24 | 2005-06-21 | Airsep Corporation | Reduced noise oxygen concentrator |
WO2005077824A1 (en) * | 2004-02-16 | 2005-08-25 | Teijin Pharma Limited | Oxygen concentrating apparatus |
US20050204923A1 (en) * | 2002-03-05 | 2005-09-22 | Hitoshi Nakamura | Oxygen enricher |
US6949133B2 (en) * | 2002-01-31 | 2005-09-27 | Airsep Corporation | Portable oxygen concentrator |
US20060011065A1 (en) * | 2004-07-19 | 2006-01-19 | Hastings John M | Inlet nozzle for oxygen concentrator |
US20060230939A1 (en) * | 2005-04-05 | 2006-10-19 | Bliss Peter L | Portable oxygen concentrator |
US7156903B2 (en) * | 2003-09-02 | 2007-01-02 | Airsep Corporation | Sound enclosure for portable oxygen concentrators |
US20070094835A1 (en) * | 2005-01-07 | 2007-05-03 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Extraction cleaning with air flow drying |
US20070137487A1 (en) * | 2005-12-20 | 2007-06-21 | Whitley Roger D | Portable medical oxygen concentrator |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2003246607A (en) * | 2002-02-22 | 2003-09-02 | Teijin Ltd | Oxygen concentrating apparatus |
-
2008
- 2008-06-05 US US12/133,628 patent/US20080302516A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2008-06-05 TW TW097120877A patent/TW200916180A/en unknown
- 2008-06-05 WO PCT/US2008/065873 patent/WO2008154273A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3305665A (en) * | 1959-11-17 | 1967-02-21 | Laing Vortex Inc | Forced circulation electric heater employing cross-flow type fan |
US3804942A (en) * | 1971-11-16 | 1974-04-16 | Shimizu Construction Co Ltd | Air purifier |
US4203302A (en) * | 1978-07-14 | 1980-05-20 | The Laitram Corporation | Floor mounted air conditioner |
US4302224A (en) * | 1979-10-12 | 1981-11-24 | Greene & Kellogg, Inc. | Compact oxygen concentrator |
US4342573A (en) * | 1979-10-12 | 1982-08-03 | Greene & Kellogg, Incorporated | Compact oxygen concentrator |
US4424686A (en) * | 1981-03-09 | 1984-01-10 | The Laitram Corporation | Floor mounted air conditioner |
US4378982A (en) * | 1981-08-28 | 1983-04-05 | Greene & Kellogg, Inc. | Compact oxygen concentrator |
US4511377A (en) * | 1983-11-01 | 1985-04-16 | Greene & Kellogg, Inc. | Apparatus for the production of oxygen |
US4826510A (en) * | 1988-01-13 | 1989-05-02 | The John Bunn Company | Portable low profile DC oxygen concentrator |
US4971609A (en) * | 1990-02-05 | 1990-11-20 | Pawlos Robert A | Portable oxygen concentrator |
US5827358A (en) * | 1996-11-08 | 1998-10-27 | Impact Mst, Incorporation | Rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption oxygen concentration method and apparatus |
US6346139B1 (en) * | 1999-05-12 | 2002-02-12 | Respironics, Inc. | Total delivery oxygen concentration system |
US6481212B2 (en) * | 2000-04-19 | 2002-11-19 | General Electric Company | Combustion turbine cooling media supply system and related method |
US6949133B2 (en) * | 2002-01-31 | 2005-09-27 | Airsep Corporation | Portable oxygen concentrator |
US20050204923A1 (en) * | 2002-03-05 | 2005-09-22 | Hitoshi Nakamura | Oxygen enricher |
US7179326B2 (en) * | 2002-03-05 | 2007-02-20 | Teijin Limited | Oxygen concentration apparatus |
US6908503B2 (en) * | 2002-04-24 | 2005-06-21 | Airsep Corporation | Reduced noise oxygen concentrator |
US20040213679A1 (en) * | 2003-04-22 | 2004-10-28 | R. Conrader Company | Air compressor with inlet control mechanism and automatic inlet control mechanism |
US7156903B2 (en) * | 2003-09-02 | 2007-01-02 | Airsep Corporation | Sound enclosure for portable oxygen concentrators |
US20050103341A1 (en) * | 2003-10-07 | 2005-05-19 | Deane Geoffrey F. | Portable gas fractionalization system |
WO2005077824A1 (en) * | 2004-02-16 | 2005-08-25 | Teijin Pharma Limited | Oxygen concentrating apparatus |
US20070163441A1 (en) * | 2004-02-16 | 2007-07-19 | Teijin Pharma Limited | Oxygen concentrating apparatus |
US20060011065A1 (en) * | 2004-07-19 | 2006-01-19 | Hastings John M | Inlet nozzle for oxygen concentrator |
US20070094835A1 (en) * | 2005-01-07 | 2007-05-03 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Extraction cleaning with air flow drying |
US20060230939A1 (en) * | 2005-04-05 | 2006-10-19 | Bliss Peter L | Portable oxygen concentrator |
US20070137487A1 (en) * | 2005-12-20 | 2007-06-21 | Whitley Roger D | Portable medical oxygen concentrator |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8821133B2 (en) * | 2011-11-03 | 2014-09-02 | Draeger Medical Systems, Inc. | Transportable medical air compressor |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2008154273A2 (en) | 2008-12-18 |
TW200916180A (en) | 2009-04-16 |
WO2008154273A3 (en) | 2009-02-05 |
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Owner name: SEQUAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HARRINGTON, STEVEN M.;REEL/FRAME:021052/0567 Effective date: 20080604 |
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