Reciprocating compressor frame

Abstract

A reciprocating compressor barrel frame comprising a continuous curved wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. A housing is formed by the inner surface of the curved wall. A pair cross head shoe supports extend from the outer surface of said curved wall in opposite directions perpendicular to said housing. A plurality of bearing support members are disposed within the housing and supported by the curved wall. The bearing support members are arranged so as to support a crankshaft disposed within the housing. A base flange is connected to the curved wall and is operable to attach to a structure that will support the frame.

1 . A reciprocating compressor frame comprising 
 a continuous curved wall having an inner surface and an outer surface    a housing formed by the inner surface of said curved wall;    a pair of cross head shoe supports extending from the outer surface of said curved wall in opposite directions, wherein said cross head shoe supports are perpendicular to said housing.    
     
     
         2 . The reciprocating compressor frame of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of bearing support members disposed within said housing and supported by said curved wall.  
     
     
         3 . The reciprocating compressor frame of  claim 2  wherein said bearing support members are arranged so as to support a crankshaft disposed within said housing.  
     
     
         4 . The reciprocating compressor frame of  claim 1  further comprising a base flange connected to said curved wall, wherein said base flange is operable to attach to a structure that will support the frame.  
     
     
         5 . The reciprocating compressor frame of  claim 1  further comprising a lubricant sump disposed within said housing.  
     
     
         6 . The reciprocating compressor frame of  claim 5  wherein said lubricant sump is arranged so as to lubricate a crankshaft disposed within said housing.  
     
     
         7 . The reciprocating compressor frame of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of access openings through said curved wall.  
     
     
         8 . The reciprocating compressor frame of  claim 7  wherein said access openings are arranged so as to provide access to a crankshaft, connecting rods, or bearings disposed within said housing.  
     
     
         9 . The reciprocating compressor frame of  claim 7 , further comprising access openings on said cross head shoe supports.  
     
     
         10 . The reciprocating compressor frame of  claim 7 , further comprising hinged or clamped on covers that cover said access openings.  
     
     
         11 . The reciprocating compressor frame of  claim 1  wherein said curved wall and said cross head shoe supports are constructed from a single piece of material.  
     
     
         12 . The reciprocating compressor frame of  claim 1  further comprising stationary cross head shoes removably connected to said cross head shoe supports.  
     
     
         13 . A reciprocating compressor comprising: 
 a crankshaft;    a plurality of cross heads coupled to said crankshaft via connecting rods;    a frame comprising a curved wall that encloses said crankshaft, wherein said crankshaft is rotatably mounted within said frame; and    a plurality of cross head shoe supports extending from and formed integral to the curved wall of the frame, wherein each cross head is supported by cross head shoes that are removably connected to said cross head shoe supports.    
     
     
         14 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a plurality of bearing support members disposed within said housing and supported by said curved wall; and    a plurality of bearings disposed between said crankshaft and said plurality of bearing support members.    
     
     
         15 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 13  further comprising a lubricant sump disposed within said housing and arranged so as to lubricate said crankshaft.  
     
     
         16 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a plurality of access openings through the curved wall, wherein said access openings are arranged so as to provide access to said crankshaft; and    a plurality of covers operable to cover said access openings.    
     
     
         17 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 16  wherein said plurality of covers are hinged or clamped to said frame.  
     
     
         18 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 13  wherein the curved wall and the cross head shoe supports are constructed from a single piece of material.  
     
     
         19 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 13  further comprising cross head shoes disposed between said cross heads and the cross head shoe supports, wherein said cross head shoes are removably connected to said cross head shoe supports.  
     
     
         20 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 a plurality of access openings through the cross head shoe supports, wherein said access openings are arranged so as to provide access to said cross head shoes; and    a plurality of covers operable to cover said access openings.    
     
     
         21 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 20  wherein said plurality of covers are hinged or clamped to said frame.  
     
     
         22 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 20  wherein said cross head shoes are removable through said access openings without removing the cross head.