Pipe support for compressor subassembly

A compressor assembly, including a compressor, at least one pipe having ends and an intermediate portion between the ends, the at least one pipe being connected to the compressor at the ends, and at least one support member for supporting the intermediate portion of the at least one pipe relative to the compressor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Compressors are widely used for various different needs, one of which is the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration industry. Such compressors involve the flow of refrigerant to various system components, and piping is frequently required to carry working fluids to various inlets and outlets of the compressor.

In operation, the compressor generates vibration, which is transmitted to the piping and can cause breakage. This vibration can be due to gas pulsations, direct vibration from the compressor, and the like.

The need exists for a solution to the vibration as described above. It therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide such a solution.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinbelow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects and advantages have been readily attained.

According to the invention, a compressor assembly is provided which comprises: a compressor; at least one pipe having ends and an intermediate portion between the ends, the at least one pipe being connected to the compressor at the ends; and at least one support member for supporting the intermediate portion of the at least one pipe relative to the compressor.

The support member in accordance with the present invention can advantageously be utilized to support vertically-spaced pipes, and also can be utilized at different locations along the intermediate portions so as to greatly reduce the vibration experienced by these pipes and thereby reduce frequency of breakage of these pipes due to same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to compressor subassemblies and, more particularly, to a support member for a piping subassembly of a compressor which advantageously reduces vibration in the piping so as to avoid problems caused by same.

FIG. 1shows a compressor assembly10including a plurality of compressors12having pipes14connected to same. As is well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, pipes14are communicated with various inlets and outlets of compressors12for carrying refrigerant and/or other fluids during use of compressor12for the desired function.

As set forth above, compressors12generate vibration and gas pulsation through pipes14, and such gas pulsation and vibration when transmitted to pipes14result in vibration of pipes14, especially vibration or movement relative to compressor12. This vibration leads to early failure of the pipes and the need for potentially expensive maintenance and repair.

In accordance with the present invention, support members16are provided for supporting pipes14relative to compressors12and, thereby, for advantageously reducing vibrations in the pipes14.

According to the invention, compressors12advantageously have a base member18, and in this case compressors12are mounted to base18. Support members16can advantageously also be mounted to base18and also to piping14.

In accordance with the present invention, pipes14have ends20where they are connected to compressors12, and have intermediate portions22extending therebetween. It should be apparent from placement of the reference numerals that the intermediate portions are intended to include the entire expanse of pipe14extending between ends20, and that pipes14are not necessarily a simple straight pipe.

In accordance with the present invention, support members16are advantageously mounted to base18and to intermediate portions22so as to support intermediate portions22relative to compressor12and thereby reduce vibration in pipes14.

FIG. 1shows an embodiment of the invention wherein two pipes14are supported, and these pipes are positioned substantially horizontally with respect to base18, or substantially parallel thereto. These pipes14are also spaced vertically at a different distance from base18, and are further typically spaced laterally a different distance from compressor12.

In accordance with the invention, support members16can advantageously be positioned to be connected to both pipes14. A plurality of supports, two (2) in the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, can also be provided and can advantageously be spaced along the length of intermediate portion22. It should of course be appreciated that the exact location and number of supports to be used depends upon the configuration of pipe to be supported as well as the vibration expected to be caused by operation of compressor12.

In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present invention, vibration was evaluated in a pipe of similar configuration to that shown inFIG. 1. with and without supports.FIG. 2shows the vibration experienced as a function of location along the pipe. The vibration in the pipe without supports is quite large at some locations, and those locations are excellent positions for locating a support in accordance with the present invention.FIG. 2also shows resulting frequency of vibration in a pipe which has been provided with supports in the two high-frequency vibration locations.FIG. 2advantageously shows that the vibration has been substantially reduced.

In accordance with the invention, and referring back toFIG. 1, support members16can be secured relative to intermediate portion22of pipe14utilizing any suitable fastener. In the preferred embodiment, adjustable band fasteners26are utilized. These adjustable band fasteners are desirable since they can be utilized to secure support member16relative to pipes14having different diameters.

As mentioned above, a typical compressor assembly10will utilize pipes14of different size which are spaced vertically with respect to base18. Further, these pipes can be spaced at different lateral distances from compressors12. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, upper pipe14ahas a smaller diameter than lower piper14b, and is positioned much closer to compressor12than pipe14b. In this configuration, support16can advantageously be provided having a stepped surface facing pipes14, for example as shown inFIG. 1, whereby one surface28is positioned for suitable connection to lower pipe14bwhile a different surface30, laterally spaced relative to surface28, is properly positioned for securing relative to piping14a. It should of course be appreciated that whileFIG. 1shows supports16connected to two pipes at different locations, pipe16can advantageously be utilized in different configuration as well, for example where three of more pipes are used and support16has three or more corresponding stepped surfaces.

It should also be appreciated that whileFIG. 1shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein compressors12and supports16are both mounted to a base18, other configurations are possible as well. For example, support16could be connected directly to compressor12and pipes14, if desired. However, the configuration ofFIG. 1is particularly desirable since base18is a typical base for use with such components, and has a plurality of mounting surfaces or areas which are well suited toward mounting of support16as desired.

It should be readily be appreciated that the supports provided in accordance with the present invention can advantageously be used to reduce vibration in pipes as desired, thereby extending the useful life of compressor and pipe assemblies as desired.