Conference Year
2016
Keywords
reed, valve, damping
Abstract
Reed valve dynamics has a major role on the performance and reliability of compressors and has been the subject of many studies over the years. In terms of mathematical modeling, most of these studies describe valve dynamics through a mass-spring-damper system, in which a damping coefficient has to be empirically adjusted. This is a consequence of little knowledge about the effect of different parameters on valve damping. For instance, in spite of great effort to understand viscous effects on the pressure distribution acting on the valve surface, very few works have addressed such effects on valve damping, especially for valve geometries found in compressors. The present study aims to experimentally quantify valve damping under controlled conditions, considering the effects of clamping geometry, clamping force, gasket thickness and the presence of fluid around the valve. Finally, experimental data of damping coefficients are used to predict valve dynamics and compressor efficiency. We found that the damping coefficients of typical valves adopted in small reciprocating compressors have negligible effect on compressor efficiency and valve bending stress, but can change by up to17% the valve impact velocity against the seat.