Multi-stage compressor and multi-stage compression process

Abstract

A plurality of parallel compression paths connect a suction chamber to a discharge chamber. A plurality of compression chambers are formed in each compression path. Fluid is drawn to the suction chamber and is then compressed in the compression chambers in each compression path in a plurality of compression stages. Afterward, the fluid is discharged from the discharge chamber. A first compression chamber that corresponds to a predetermined compression stage in each compression path is connected to a second compression chamber that corresponds to a subsequent compression stage in the compression path through a communication chamber. The communication chamber is provided separately for each compression path.

1 . A multi-stage compressor including a plurality of compression paths, which connect a suction chamber that draws a fluid from the exterior to a discharge chamber that discharges the fluid to the exterior, the compression paths being parallel, each compression path including a plurality of compression chambers, wherein the fluid drawn to the suction chamber is compressed in the compression chambers of each compression path in a plurality of compression stages and is discharged from the discharge chamber, the compressor being characterized in that: 
 a first compression chamber that corresponds to a predetermined compression stage in each compression path is connected to a second compression chamber that corresponds to a subsequent compression stage in the compression path through a communication chamber, which is provided separately for each compression path.    
     
     
         2 . The multi-stage compressor as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a drive shaft, a swash plate that rotates integrally with the drive shaft, and a piston movably located in each compression chamber for reciprocating movement in accordance with the rotation of the swash plate.  
 
     
     
         3 . The multi-stage compressor as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the compression chambers are located alternately around the drive shaft.    
     
     
         4 . The multi-stage compressor as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the second compression chamber is located adjacent to the first compression chamber in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the drive shaft.  
     
     
         5 . The multi-stage compressor as set forth in any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the fluid is carbon dioxide.  
     
     
         6 . A multi-stage compressor including a plurality of compression paths that connect a suction chamber to a discharge chamber, the compression paths being parallel, the compressor compressing a fluid to a high pressure in a plurality of compression chambers in each compressing path in a plurality of compression stages, each compression chamber corresponding to one compression stage, wherein: 
 a compression chamber N that corresponds to a compression stage N in each compression path is connected to a compression chamber (N+1) that corresponds to a compression stage (N+1) in the compression path through a communication chamber, which is provided separately for each compression path, and N is an integer.    
     
     
         7 . A multi-stage compressor including a plurality of compression lines that connect a suction chamber to a discharge chamber, the compression lines being parallel, the compressor compressing a fluid to a high pressure in a plurality of compression chambers in each compression line in a plurality of compression stages, each compression chamber corresponding to one compression stage, the compressor comprising: 
 a plurality of compression paths, which are formed by the compression lines, wherein one or more compression chambers N that correspond to a compression stage N in at least one compression path is connected to one or more compression chambers (N+1) that correspond to a compression stage (N+1) in the compression path through a communication chamber, which is provided separately for each compression path.    
     
     
         8 . A multi-stage compression process comprising: 
 supplying a fluid from the exterior to a plurality of compression paths through a suction chamber;    compressing the fluid in a compressing chamber that corresponds to a predetermined compression stage in each compression path;    supplying the compressed fluid to a compression chamber that corresponds to a subsequent compression stage through a communication chamber, which is provided separately for each compression path;    compressing the supplied fluid to a high pressure; and    supplying the high pressure fluid to a discharge chamber before discharging the fluid from the discharge chamber to the exterior.    
     
     
         9 . The multi-stage compression process as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the fluid is compressed through reciprocating movement of a piston.