IP Library Granted Patent US 8,007,263
Granted Patent B2
US 8,007,263 · App. 12/333,737 · Granted Aug 30, 2011

Water-lubricated compressor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,007,263
App. No.
12/333,737
Granted
Aug 30, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A water-lubricated compressor has a discharge on-off valve in a discharge channel located between a discharge port of a compressor body and a water separating/recovering unit. A water circulation on-off valve is disposed in a water circulation channel located between a water cooler and a water supply portion in the compressor body. A gas release channel provides communication between a gas phase portion of the water separating/recovering unit and the exterior of the water separating/recovering unit. A gas release on-off valve is disposed in the gas release channel. When the compressor body is not in operation, the discharge on-off valve and the water circulation on-off valve are closed and the gas release on-off valve is opened, allowing water to be recovered to the water separating/recovering unit. When there is no demand for compressed gas, it is possible to remove water from the water cooler, which otherwise may be damaged.

Claims (17)

1. A water-lubricated compressor comprising:

a compressor body;

a water separating/recovering unit disposed in a discharge channel of said compressor body;

a water circulation channel for supplying water separated by said water separating/recovering unit to a water supply portion in said compressor body;

a water cooler disposed in said water circulation channel;

a discharge on-off valve disposed in said discharge channel at a position between a discharge port of said compressor body and said water separating/recovering unit;

a water circulation on-off valve disposed in said water circulation channel at a position between said water cooler and said water supply portion in said compressor body;

a gas release channel providing communication between a gas phase portion of said water separating/recovering unit and the exterior of said water separating/recovering unit;

a gas release on-off valve disposed in said gas release channel; and

a controller adapted to make control so as to open said discharge on-off valve and said water circulation on-off valve and close said gas release on-off valve when said compressor body is in operation, and so as to close said discharge on-off valve and said water circulation on-off valve and open said gas release on-off valve when said compressor body is not in operation.

2. The water-lubricated compressor according to claim 1 , wherein discharge stop means is disposed in said discharge channel succeeding said water separating/recovering unit.

3. The water-lubricated compressor according to claim 2 , wherein said discharge stop means is an on-off valve adapted to close said discharge channel.

4. The water-lubricated compressor according to claim 3 , wherein said controller makes control so as to close said discharge channel when said compressor body is not in operation.

5. The water-lubricated compressor according to claim 2 , wherein said discharge stop means is a check valve adapted to be opened so as to permit compressed gas to flow in only a discharge direction of said discharge channel.

6. The water-lubricated compressor according to claim 1 , wherein a water inlet of said water cooler is formed in a bottom position of said water cooler, and said water circulation channel located within said water cooler is disposed so as to occupy an upper position or become horizontal toward a downstream side.

7. The water-lubricated compressor according to claim 1 , wherein a water outlet of said water cooler is formed in a top position of said water cooler.

8. The water-lubricated compressor according to claim 1 , further comprising a bypass channel for communication between said water circulation channel located between said water separating/recovering unit and said water cooler and said water circulation channel located between said water cooler and said water circulation on-off valve, and a bypass on-off valve disposed in said bypass channel, wherein said controller opens said bypass on-off valve when said compressor body is not in operation.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2022
From: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.), AKA KOBE STEEL, LTD.,
To: KOBELCO COMPRESSORS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059352/0373 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2008
From: YOSHIMURA, SHOJI; TAMURA, AKINORI
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
Reel/Frame 021979/0267 →