HK1123341B - Absorptive muffler assembly for a compressor assembly & method for providing the same - Google Patents

Description

Suction muffler assembly for a compressor assembly and method

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to compressors. More particularly, the present invention relates to suction mufflers used in compressor systems.

Background

Suction mufflers are well known and used in compressor based refrigeration systems. A typical absorptive muffler comprises an inner muffler body and an outer muffler body, both arranged in the form of concentric cylinders made of sound absorbing material in a housing positioned at the discharge side of the compressor. The muffler is designed to eliminate high-pressure pulsation in the discharge gas discharged from the compressor. The exhaust gas passes through an annular cavity between the two cylinders of the muffler assembly, thereby eliminating the high pressure pulsations.

One disadvantage of existing absorptive mufflers is that the exhaust gas may be discharged from the compressor at relatively high pressure pulsations and frequencies such that the muffler does not fully absorb energy. As a result, the internal muffler body may vibrate. In a typical muffler, the internal muffler body is mechanically coupled to the housing, such that such vibrations cause increased noise.

There is therefore a need for a muffler assembly that more effectively reduces the vibration and noise transmitted from the housing. The present invention meets the above-described need.

Disclosure of Invention

An exemplary muffler assembly for a compressor assembly includes a first body and a second body that substantially surrounds the first body. An elastomeric mount having at least one elastomeric portion supports the first body and isolates the second body from vibration of the first body.

In one example, the resilient mount comprises rigid arms with a resilient bumper between the arms. In one example, a plurality of such arms are included proximate each end of the first body.

Various features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary compressor assembly including a muffler assembly designed according to an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view illustrating an exemplary elastomeric mount having an elastomeric portion;

FIG. 3 is an end schematic view of an exemplary muffler assembly;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another feature of an exemplary muffler assembly;

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary compressor assembly 10, the compressor assembly 10 compressing fluid received in an intake port 11 and delivering the compressed fluid into a discharge housing 12. As the compressed fluid is discharged from the discharge housing 12, the fluid passes through the muffler assembly 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the compressor assembly 10 comprises a screw compressor, but the present invention is not limited to only a particular type of compressor.

In one example, the muffler assembly 14 includes a first body 16 and a second body 18. For example, each of the first body 16 and the second body 18 includes a known sound absorbing material used in known compressor mufflers. In one example, the first body 16 and the second body 18 are both made of polypropylene surrounded by a perforated metal sheet. The illustrated example shows the second body 18 substantially surrounding the first body 16.

As the high pressure gas exits the discharge housing 12 and enters the muffler assembly 14, the fluid passes through the passage 20 between the first body 16 and the second body 18. Any high pressure pulsations of the discharge fluid will be eliminated by the first body 16 and the second body 18.

The example muffler assembly 14 includes a resilient mount 22 for supporting the first body 16 relative to the second body 18 to establish the passage 20 therebetween. The elastomeric mount 22 at least partially isolates vibrations of the first body 16 due to high pressure pulsations of the exhaust fluid from the second body 18 and the outer housing 24 of the muffler assembly 14. By resiliently supporting the first body 16, vibration energy transferred between the first body 16 and the second body 18 or the outer housing 24 is minimized, thereby reducing radiated sound. The second body 18 is supported relative to the housing 24 in a known manner.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of an exemplary elastomeric mount 22. The resilient mount 22 includes a rigid support arm 26, a rigid bracket arm 28, and a resilient portion 30. In one example, the support arm 26 is attached to the first body 16 near one end by known means such as welding or brazing. The opposite end of the support arm 26 is at least partially received in a corresponding portion of the bracket arm 28. The bracket arms 28 are attached to the outer housing 24 in a known manner such as welding or brazing. In one example, the support arm 26 and the bracket arm 28 comprise steel. In another example, the support arm 26 and the bracket arm 28 comprise aluminum. In yet another example, the support arm 26 and the bracket arm 28 comprise a thermoplastic material.

The exemplary resilient portion 30 is mounted in the recess 29 of the bracket arm 28. The resilient portion 30 receives an end of the support arm 26 to provide a cushion between the support arm 26 and the bracket arm 28. At the same time, the resilient portion 30 facilitates a reliable connection between the support arm 26, the resilient portion 30, and the bracket arm 28 such that the arms cooperate sufficiently to support the first body 16 in the housing 24.

In one example, the elastic portion 30 comprises neoprene. In another example, the resilient mount 22 comprises a coil spring. In another example, the resilient mount 22 comprises a leaf spring.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the first body 16 and the second body 18 of the example muffler assembly 14. In the illustrated example, the first body 16 and the second body 18 are concentric cylinders forming a passage 20 therebetween that extends in an axial direction (i.e., into the paper). The resilient mount 22 in this example supports the first body 16 from at least three locations 32, 34, 36, respectively. In one example, three sets of cooperating bracket arms 28 and support arms 26 extend radially between the first body 16 and the outer housing 24. In this example, the locations 32-36 are evenly spaced 120 apart. The first body 16 is supported entirely by the resilient mount 22 such that vibrations of the first body 16 are isolated from the outer housing 24.

Fig. 4 illustrates another feature of the muffler assembly 14. In this example, the muffler assembly 14 includes two resilient mounts 22 proximate opposite ends of the first body 16. The example elastomeric mount 22 allows for sufficient fluid passage 20 while reliably supporting the first body 16 and minimizing any energy transfer between the first body 16 and the outer housing 24, thereby isolating the outer housing 24 from vibrations of the first body 16.

The disclosed examples provide somewhat improved sound effects because they reduce vibration and radiated noise.

The foregoing description is exemplary only and not limiting in nature. Any variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims (11)

1. An absorptive muffler assembly for a compressor assembly, comprising:

a first body;

a second body substantially enclosing the first body; and

a resilient mount having at least one resilient portion and at least one support arm for supporting the first body and at least partially isolating the second body from vibrations of the first body;

wherein an absorptive muffler assembly comprises a housing and bracket arms attached to the housing, wherein the at least one support arm is attached to the first body.

2. The absorptive muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second bodies comprise concentric cylinders.

3. The absorptive muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein the resilient mount comprises at least three support arms and three cooperating bracket arms extending radially between the first and second bodies.

4. The absorptive muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein the first body comprises a sound absorbing material.

5. The absorptive muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient portion provides a cushion between the at least one support arm and the bracket arm.

6. The absorptive muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein the second body includes a housing and a sound absorbing material between the housing and the first body.

7. The absorptive muffler assembly of claim 1, including a second resilient mount proximate an opposite end of the first body.

8. The absorptive muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein the resilient portion comprises neoprene.

9. The absorptive muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein the resilient mount comprises a spring.

10. The suction muffler assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein a suction muffler assembly muffler is located near a discharge side of the compressor assembly.

11. A method of providing a compressor assembly having a suction muffler assembly with a first body, a second body and a resilient mount, the method comprising:

substantially surrounding the first body with a second body; and

isolating vibrations formed by the second body from the first body with an elastomeric mount, wherein the elastomeric mount includes at least one elastomeric portion and at least one support arm;

wherein an absorptive muffler assembly comprises a housing and bracket arms attached to the housing, wherein the at least one support arm is attached to the first body.