CENTRIFUGAL REFRIGERANT GAS COMPRESSOR

• US 3,612,710 A
• Filed: 04/30/1970
• Issued: 10/12/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gordon L. Mount
• Original Assignee: Gordon L. Mount
• Inventors: Mount, Gordon L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Raduazo, Henry F.
• Application Number:
  US05/033,242
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 415/131,118,9,14
• US Class Current: 415/14
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 21/04 responsive to undesired position of rotor relative to stator or to breaking-off of a part of the rotor, e.g. indicating such position
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 27/001 Testing thereof; Determination or simulation of flow characteristics; Stall or surge detection, e.g. condition monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 27/0292 Stop safety or alarm devices, e.g. stop-and-go control; Disposition of check-valves

Abstract

The compressor includes a member engaged by the impeller if the same moves from normal operating position. Instantaneously, upon such engagement, the member is moved out of engagement with the impeller and effects actuation of contacts in an electrical circuit to signal the movement of the impeller and/or shut down the compressor before damage to the machine takes place.

Claims

1. A centrifugal refrigerant gas compressor including a casing and an impeller journaled for rotation in said casing, detecting means for detecting movement of said impeller from normal operating position, said detecting means including a support fixedly mounted in said casing with the inner end of said support located in juxtaposition to said impeller, a probe pivotally mounted in said end of said support and having a contact portion extending outwardly from said support, means cooperable with said probe to yieldingly maintain said contact portion thereof in operative position in proximity to said impeller for engagement thereby upon movement of said impeller out of normal operating position, said probe upon contact by said impeller being instantaneously movable about said pivotal mounting in the direction of rotation of said impeller out of engagement therewith, electrical contact means mounted in said support for actuation by said probe upon movement of said contact portion out of operative position, and means operable to hold said probe out of said operative position subsequent to contact by said impeller.

2. A centrifugal refrigerant gas compressor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said probe and said support are formed with coacting spherical surfaces, whereby said probe is capable of universal movement about the center of said spherical surfaces.

3. A centrifugal refrigerant gas compressor including a casing and an impeller journaled for rotation in said casing, detecting means for detecting movement of said impeller from normal operating position comprising a tubular support fixedly mounted in said casing and having an inner end located in juxtaposition to said impeller, a probe member mounted in said inner end of said support and having a contact portion extending outwardly from said support in operative position in proximity to said impeller or contact thereby upon movement of said impeller out of normal operating position, said probe and support having coacting spherical surfaces, said contact portion being movable about the center of said spherical surfaces upon contact by said impeller out of contacting engagement therewith, a block formed of insulating material slidably mounted in said tubular support, an electrical contact carried by said block, spring means mounted in said support and operable to yieldingly urge said block toward said probe and maintain said contact in engagement with a portion of said probe inwardly of said spherical surfaces, and an electrical conductor connected to said contact and extending outwardly through said support.

4. A centrifugal refrigerant gas compressor as set forth in claim 3 wherein said tubular support is of circular form and having threaded engagement with said support.

5. A centrifugal refrigerant gas compressor as set forth in claim 3 and including means for sealing the outer portion of said electrical conductor in the outer portion of said support.