Compressor, in particular lateral channel compressor

Abstract

The compressor, in particular lateral channel compressor, comprises a casing member ( 2, 4 ) and an impeller ( 6 ) which is disposed therein rotatably about an axial axis of rotation and which is spaced from the casing member ( 2, 4 ) by a sealing gap ( 18 ). The sealing gap is sealed by means of a sealing arrangement which comprises an encircling sealing ring ( 20 ) and a spring element ( 34, 44, 46, 48 ) that forces the sealing ring ( 20 ) against a contact surface ( 22 ). The spring load that is applied by the spring element ( 34, 44, 46, 48 ) helps obtain automatic, dynamic adaptation to alternating spatial geometries during operation, for example upon temperature fluctuations, which ensures constantly good sealing effects.

1 . A compressor, in particular lateral channel compressor, comprising a casing member ( 2 ,  4 ) and an impeller ( 6 ) which is disposed therein rotatably about an axis of rotation and which is spaced from the casing member ( 2 ,  4 ) by a sealing gap ( 18 ) which is sealed by a sealing arrangement that comprises a sealing ring ( 20 ), characterized in that the sealing arrangement comprises a spring element ( 34 ,  34   a ,  34   b ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ) which forces the sealing ring ( 20 ) against a contact surface ( 22 ).  
   
   
       2 . A compressor according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the contact surface ( 22 ) is a wall area ( 28 ) of a sealing groove ( 26 ) that is worked into the casing member ( 2 ,  4 ); and in that the wall area ( 28 ) is such that, with the sealing ring ( 20 ) contacting, it exhibits a tolerance clearance towards the impeller ( 6 ) during standard operation.  
   
   
       3 . A compressor according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that a clamping ring ( 24 ) is provided which rests on the sealing ring ( 20 ) and which the spring element ( 34 ,  34 A,  34 B,  44 ) acts on and which transfers the spring load to the sealing ring ( 20 ).  
   
   
       4 . A compressor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring pre-load is adjustable by an adjusting element ( 42 ).  
   
   
       5 . A compressor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring load acts in a radial direction so that the sealing ring ( 20 ) is expanded or compressed radially.  
   
   
       6 . A compressor according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the spring element is a spring washer which rests by its circumference on the sealing ring ( 20 ).  
   
   
       7 . A compressor according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the clamping ring ( 24 ) or the sealing ring ( 20 ) comprises a point of separation with two opposed ring ends ( 30 ) which the spring element ( 34 ,  34 A,  34 B,  44 ) acts on.  
   
   
       8 . A compressor according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the spring element ( 34 ) comprises two spring legs ( 34 A,  34 B), the spring load of which acts on a respective ring end ( 30 ).  
   
   
       9 . A compressor according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the adjusting element ( 42 ) is disposed between the spring legs ( 34 A,  34 B) for setting the spring pre-load.  
   
   
       10 . A compressor according to one of  claims 7  to  9 , characterized in that, between the spring element ( 34 ,  34 A,  34 B,  44 ) and a side wall, extending in the radial direction, of the casing member ( 2 ,  4 ), provision is made for an intermediate element ( 36 ) which comprises guiding grooves ( 38 ) for the ring ends ( 30 ) of the sealing ring ( 20 ) and/or the clamping ring ( 24 ).  
   
   
       11 . A compressor according to one of  claims 5  to  10 , characterized in that the spring element ( 34 ,  34 A,  34 B,  44 ) is safeguarded by a fastening element ( 35 ) against displacement in an axial direction.  
   
   
       12 . A compressor according to one of  claims 1  to  4 , characterized in that the spring load acts in the axial direction so that the sealing ring ( 20 ) is pressed axially against the contact surface.