Patent Publication Number: US-7213406-B2

Title: Pipe support for compressor subassembly

Description:
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. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention follows, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a compressor assembly in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the vibration experienced by a pipe without supports as compared to vibration experienced by a pipe with supports. 
   

   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. 1  shows a compressor assembly  10  including a plurality of compressors  12  having pipes  14  connected to same. As is well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, pipes  14  are communicated with various inlets and outlets of compressors  12  for carrying refrigerant and/or other fluids during use of compressor  12  for the desired function. 
   As set forth above, compressors  12  generate vibration and gas pulsation through pipes  14 , and such gas pulsation and vibration when transmitted to pipes  14  result in vibration of pipes  14 , especially vibration or movement relative to compressor  12 . 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 members  16  are provided for supporting pipes  14  relative to compressors  12  and, thereby, for advantageously reducing vibrations in the pipes  14 . 
   According to the invention, compressors  12  advantageously have a base member  18 , and in this case compressors  12  are mounted to base  18 . Support members  16  can advantageously also be mounted to base  18  and also to piping  14 . 
   In accordance with the present invention, pipes  14  have ends  20  where they are connected to compressors  12 , and have intermediate portions  22  extending therebetween. It should be apparent from placement of the reference numerals that the intermediate portions are intended to include the entire expanse of pipe  14  extending between ends  20 , and that pipes  14  are not necessarily a simple straight pipe. 
   In accordance with the present invention, support members  16  are advantageously mounted to base  18  and to intermediate portions  22  so as to support intermediate portions  22  relative to compressor  12  and thereby reduce vibration in pipes  14 . 
     FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the invention wherein two pipes  14  are supported, and these pipes are positioned substantially horizontally with respect to base  18 , or substantially parallel thereto. These pipes  14  are also spaced vertically at a different distance from base  18 , and are further typically spaced laterally a different distance from compressor  12 . 
   In accordance with the invention, support members  16  can advantageously be positioned to be connected to both pipes  14 . A plurality of supports, two (2) in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , can also be provided and can advantageously be spaced along the length of intermediate portion  22 . 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 compressor  12 . 
   In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present invention, vibration was evaluated in a pipe of similar configuration to that shown in  FIG. 1 . with and without supports.  FIG. 2  shows 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. 2  also shows resulting frequency of vibration in a pipe which has been provided with supports in the two high-frequency vibration locations.  FIG. 2  advantageously shows that the vibration has been substantially reduced. 
   In accordance with the invention, and referring back to  FIG. 1 , support members  16  can be secured relative to intermediate portion  22  of pipe  14  utilizing any suitable fastener. In the preferred embodiment, adjustable band fasteners  26  are utilized. These adjustable band fasteners are desirable since they can be utilized to secure support member  16  relative to pipes  14  having different diameters. 
   As mentioned above, a typical compressor assembly  10  will utilize pipes  14  of different size which are spaced vertically with respect to base  18 . Further, these pipes can be spaced at different lateral distances from compressors  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , upper pipe  14   a  has a smaller diameter than lower piper  14   b , and is positioned much closer to compressor  12  than pipe  14   b . In this configuration, support  16  can advantageously be provided having a stepped surface facing pipes  14 , for example as shown in  FIG. 1 , whereby one surface  28  is positioned for suitable connection to lower pipe  14   b  while a different surface  30 , laterally spaced relative to surface  28 , is properly positioned for securing relative to piping  14   a . It should of course be appreciated that while  FIG. 1  shows supports  16  connected to two pipes at different locations, pipe  16  can advantageously be utilized in different configuration as well, for example where three of more pipes are used and support  16  has three or more corresponding stepped surfaces. 
   It should also be appreciated that while  FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein compressors  12  and supports  16  are both mounted to a base  18 , other configurations are possible as well. For example, support  16  could be connected directly to compressor  12  and pipes  14 , if desired. However, the configuration of  FIG. 1  is particularly desirable since base  18  is a typical base for use with such components, and has a plurality of mounting surfaces or areas which are well suited toward mounting of support  16  as 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. 
   It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible of modification of form, size, arrangement of parts and details of operation. The invention rather is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.