Patent ID: 6584791
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: F04B,F04C,F25B

Abstract:
A pressure equalization system for a compressor having a compressor inlet for receiving a fluid at a first pressure and a compressor outlet for discharging the fluid at a second pressure, the compressor operable to compress a fluid from the first pressure to the second pressure, the system comprising:a valve proximate to and in fluid communication with the compressor outlet and having an open and a closed position, the valve movable to the open position when the compressor is operating to allow the fluid at the second pressure to flow through the valve, and the valve movable to the closed position when the compressor stops operating to prevent backflow of the fluid at the second pressure through the valve toward the compressor inlet; and a bleed port upstream of the valve and in fluid communication with the compressor inlet to equalize the pressure of the fluid contained in the compressor when the compressor stops operating; the pressure equalization system further comprising a housing in communication with the compressor outlet that houses the bleed port and the valve, wherein the valve divides the housing into at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the housing encompassing a space between a housing inlet and the valve and the second portion of the housing encompassing a space between the valve and a housing outlet, and wherein the compressor includes an external shell and the housing of the pressure equalization system is disposed internally within the shell.