US20100322786A1

US20100322786A1 - Pressure control unit

Info

Publication number: US20100322786A1
Application number: US12/739,996
Authority: US
Inventors: Paulo Roberto Dos Santos
Original assignee: Festo Automacao Ltda
Current assignee: Festo Automacao Ltda
Priority date: 2007-11-14
Filing date: 2008-11-14
Publication date: 2010-12-23
Also published as: CL2008003387A1; PE20091698A1; EP2217814A1; WO2009062276A1; CO6120172A1; ECSP088892A; AR069336A1; BRPI0705341A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel pressure control unit for air compressors, which was never described in prior art up to the present. The pressure control unit comprises all basic instruments and components combined into a single robust and practical housing. The pressure control unit, according to the present invention, has a major model and a constructive variant, wherein the major model is essentially digital, and the constructive variant is essentially analog. The main advantages from the use of the pressure control unit, according to the present invention, are related to the following features: easy installation; simple and pleasant interface, and long lifetime of the internal components and instruments, which are protected by a robust housing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel pressure control unit for piston compressors, which was never described in prior art up to the present.
The main object of the present invention is to combine all essential devices used in conjunction with a piston compressor into one equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The piston compressor is part of a group of positive displacement compressors (volumetric) and essentially uses a connecting rod and piston assembly, in order to convert the rotary motion of a translational axis of a piston or plunger. Thus, in each rotation of the actuator, the piston performs a forth stroke and another back stroke in the direction of the cylinder head, creating a cycle of operation. This type of compressor has its operation closely related to the valves that control the air input, air compression and air expansion cycles.
Due to the automatic operation of valves, the compressor aspires and discharges the gas respectively in pressures instantly reigning in the suction line and outlet line.
Typically, air compressors, including piston compressors, require a series of components and instruments so they can be used correctly. In essence, said instruments and components comprise:

- Pressure gauges, which are used to indicate the existing air pressures. Generally, these pressure gauges indicate the pressure within the compressor reservoirs and the pressure of the air outlet;
- Two-position two-way valves, which are used in case of failure of said pressure gauges;
- On/off Selector switches, whose function is to control the compressor motor operation;
- Pressure sensor, which is directly associated with the electric motor;
- Pressure regulator, which controls the compressor output pressure, and;
- Pipes and fittings.

Currently, all these components and instruments are installed separately and interconnected by pipes and fittings.
Consequently, the current state of the art comprises, as the context described above, three major disadvantages, which are discussed below.
The first disadvantage refers to the existence of different points of connection, which results in higher probability of air leakage between said above-mentioned components and instruments.
The second disadvantage refers to the need of assembly and eventual welding of all above-mentioned components and instruments, which requires time and qualified labor.
The third disadvantage is related to the fragility of said components and instruments since they are assembled at the upper portion of the compressor reservoir.
Therefore, based on the above-mentioned context, it is clear that there is a need for the construction of a new equipment that solves the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was developed in order to overcome these and other drawbacks of the prior art, by providing a novel pressure control unit for air compressors, which was never described in prior art up to the present.
The pressure control unit, according to the present invention, comprises all basic instruments and components combined into a single robust and practical housing.
The pressure control unit, according to the present invention, has a major model and a constructive variant, wherein said major model is essentially digital and said constructive variant is essentially analog.
The main advantages from the use of the pressure control unit, according to the present invention, are related to the following features:

- easy installation;
- simple and pleasant interface, and;
- long lifetime of the internal components and instruments, which are protected by a robust housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given here below, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front upper perspective view of the pressure control unit, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side lower perspective view of the pressure control unit, according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front upper perspective view of a constructive variant of the pressure control unit depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The pressure control unit, according to the present invention, which is indicated with the reference numeral (1), comprises an essentially quadrangular body formed by the unification of an upper portion (2) and a lower portion (3).
Said upper portion (2), which is a parallelepiped-shaped block, has a frontal surrounding frame (2.1), and inside of said frontal surrounding frame (2.1), there is the face (2.2) of said upper portion (2).
Said face (2.2) has a digital display (2.3), with three buttons (2.4) and light-emitting signaling units (2.5).
Said digital display (2.3) has a rectangular profile and is arranged centrally in said face (2.2) of the upper portion (2). Said buttons (2.4) have circular profiles and are horizontally arranged just below the digital display (2.3). Said light-emitting signaling units (2.5), preferably light-emitting diodes (LEDs), have circular profiles and are arranged vertically next to the sides of said digital display (2.3).
The top of said upper portion (2) also has an emergency button (2.6).
It is important to emphasize that one of the side walls of said upper portion (2) comprises a series of vertical slots (2.7), which are used for the cooling of said upper portion (2) and its respective internal components.
The lower portion (3), which is a parallelepiped-shaped block, has a posterior recess (3.1), as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The face (3.2) of said lower portion (3) has an annular projection (3.3), from which is extended the handle (3.4) of a pressure regulating valve (not shown), which is housed within said lower portion (3).
Said face (3.2) also has a low-relief side lower area (3.5), and in this area (3.5), there is a selector switch (3.6).
Said selector switch (3.6) has an open/closed position.
Under said selector switch (3.6), there is a protrusion (3.7), from which is projected the air inlet (3.8) that is a high-relief annular structure.
Said lower portion (3) also has a safety valve (3.9) and a pressure relief valve (3.10) arranged in one of its side walls. It is also noted an air outlet hole (3.11) arranged in the side wall opposite to the above-mentioned wall.
As the construction of the pressure control unit (1) is basic, it is easy to observe its operation.
As previously mentioned, the pressure control unit (1), according to the present invention, was designed to replace all of the basic instruments and devices used in conjunction with compressors. Consequently, the pressure control unit (1), according to the present invention, comprises a single air input (3.8), wherein said air input (3.8) is connected to the air output of the compressor (not shown). The compressed air from the compressor “feeds” then the pressure control unit (1).
The pressure of this compressed air is adjusted by a handle (3.4) of a pressure-regulating valve. Thus, the air obtained in the air output hole (3.11) is sized as needed by said pressure-regulating valve.
Said digital display (2.3) was designed to indicate the internal pressure of the compressor (the same pressure in the air input (3.8)), the working pressure (the pressure of the air output hole (3.11)), and the set point (the amount of pressure required to turn-on and turn-off the engine and the compressor).
The indication of each one of these three pressure parameters is shown individually, wherein the switching of these indications is accomplished through buttons (2.4), that is, when each button is clicked on (note that just one button is clicked on at a time), the pressure that will be displayed on the digital display (2.3) is determined.
Said light-emitting signaling units (2.5), together with any additional captions, were designed to indicate which pressure is being displayed on the digital display (2.3).
The pressure control unit (1), according to the present invention, as described above, comprises de following safety devices:

- Emergency button (2.6): when it is pressed, the emergency button (2.6) interrupts the operation of said pressure control unit (1);
- Safety valve (3.9): it is set to “open” at a given pressure, and;
- Pressure relief valve (3.10): it exhausts the air from the chamber of the compressor cylinder, allowing the engine to start-up with pressure relief, resulting in lower start-up electrical current.

It should also be mentioned that the selector switch (3.6) opens and closes the air inlet of the pressure control unit (1).
The present invention also provides a constructive variant, which is illustrated in FIG. 3.
Said constructive variant, which is indicated with the reference numeral (4), is essentially similar to the pressure control unit (1). However, said constructive variant (4) has an essentially parallelepiped shape (instead of an essentially quadrangular shape, as in the case of the pressure control unit (1)).
Furthermore, said constructive variant comprises only one analog dual pressure indicator (4.1) on the face of its upper portion.
Said analog dual pressure indicator (4.1) is provided with two scales and two pointers (a pointer for each scale). A scale and its respective pointer indicate the pressure of the compressor (and therefore, the inlet pressure), and the other said scale and its respective pointer indicate the output pressure.
It should me mentioned that the constructive variant (4) does not have switching buttons and light-emitting signaling units, and pressure values for switching on/off the motor are pre-adjusted during the production process.
Based on the above-described context, it is clear that the use of the control unit of pressure (1), according to the present invention, offers many advantages.
For manufacturers of compressors, the main advantages can be summarized as follows:

- Reducing the number of components, allowing the purchase of a single piece;
- Reduction of assembly time;
- Reduction of labor for assembly;
- Reduction of leakages, since it is a single component without multiple connections, and;
- Possibility of configuration tailored to customers' needs.

For users of compressors, the main advantages can be summarized as follows:

- Easy and friendly operation;
- Small percentage of maintenance;
- Robustness, and;
- Security.

It should also be noted that FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are only to exemplify the present invention, but not to limit the scope of the present invention.
Based on the above mentioned, it is possible to say that the pressure control unit (1), according to the present invention, exhibits technical merit, absolute novelty, inventive activity and industrial applicability, therefore fully deserving the privilege of the invention now being claimed.

Claims

1. Pressure control unit characterized by the fact that it comprises:

a digital display (2.3);

an emergency button (2.6);

a handle (3.4) of a pressure-regulating valve;

a selector switch (3.6);

an air input (3.8);

a safety valve (3.9);

a pressure relief valve (3.10), and;

an air output hole (3.11).

2. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said digital display (2.3), said emergency button (2.6), said handle (3.4) of a pressure-regulating valve, said selector switch (3.6), said air input (3.8), said safety valve (3.9) and said pressure relief valve (3.10) are inserted into a essentially quadrangular body.

3. Pressure control unit, according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that said essentially quadrangular body is formed by the unification of said upper portion (2) and said lower portion (3).

4. Pressure control unit, according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said upper portion (2) has a frontal surrounding frame (2.1), and inside of said frontal surrounding frame (2.1), there is the face (2.2) of said upper portion (2).

5. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said digital display (2.3) is located on the face (2.2) of said upper portion (2).

6. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said digital display (2.3) has a rectangular profile and is arranged centrally in said face (2.2) of the upper portion (2).

7. Pressure control unit, according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that said face (2.2) of the upper portion (2) comprises three buttons (2.4) and light-emitting signaling units (2.5).

8. Pressure control unit, according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that said buttons (2.4) and said light-emitting signaling units (2.5) have circular profiles.

9. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said buttons (2.4) and said light-emitting signaling units (2.5) are horizontally arranged just below said digital display (2.3) and said light-emitting signaling units (2.5) are arranged vertically next to the sides of said digital display (2.3).

10. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said emergency button (2.6) is located at the top of said upper portion (2).

11. Pressure control unit, according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that one of the side walls of said upper portion (2) comprises a series of vertical slots (2.7).

12. Pressure control unit, according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the face (3.2) of said lower portion (3) has an annular projection (3.3).

13. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said handle (3.4) of a pressure-regulating valve is projected from the annular projection (3.3) located on the face (3.2) of said portion lower (3).

14. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said selector switch (3.6) is located in a low-relief side lower area (3.5) existing on the face (3.2) of said lower portion (3).

15. Pressure control unit, according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that under the selector switch (3.6) there is a protrusion (3.7), from which is projected the air inlet (3.8)

16. Pressure control unit, according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that said air inlet (3.8) is a high-relief annular structure.

17. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said lower portion (3) further comprises a safety valve (3.9) and a pressure relief valve (3.10).

18. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said safety valve (3.9) and said pressure relief valve (3.10) are arranged in a side wall of said lower portion (3).

19. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said lower portion (3) further comprises an air output hole (3.11).

20. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said air output hole (3.11) is located on the side wall opposite to the wall where said valves (3.9) and (3.10) are located.

21. Pressure control unit, according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said lower portion (3) has a posterior recess (3.1).

22. Pressure control unit, according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said upper portion (2) and said lower portion (3) comprise parallelepiped-shaped blocks.

23. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said digital display (2.3) indicates the internal pressure of the compressor, the working pressure, and the desired pressure, in accordance with the handling of said handle (3.4) of a pressure-regulating valve.

24. Pressure control unit, according to claim 23, characterized by the fact that the indication of each one of the three pressure parameters is shown individually.

25. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the switching of said pressure parameters indicated in a digital display (2.3) is accomplished through buttons (2.4), wherein just one button (2.4) is clicked on at a time.

26. Pressure control unit, according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that said light-emitting signaling units (2.5) are, preferably, light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

27. Pressure control unit, according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that, optionally, additional captions can be used in conjunction with said light-emitting signaling units (2.5).

28. Pressure control unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said selector switch (3.6) has an open/closed position.

29. Pressure control unit, as a constructive variant (4) similar to the pressure control unit (1), according to the previous claims, characterized by the fact said constructive variant has an essentially parallelepiped shape and comprises only one analog dual pressure indicator (4.1) on the face of its upper portion, wherein said analog dual pressure indicator (4.1) is provided with two scales and two pointers, wherein said scale and its respective pointer indicate the pressure of the compressor and the other said scale and its respective pointer indicate the output pressure.