Frame for fluid machines

Abstract

Herein described is a frame ( 10 ) for a fluid machine of the reciprocating type. The frame ( 10 ) bears one or more cylinders ( 12 ) moving inside each of which, with a reciprocating movement, is a piston operated by a crankshaft ( 14 ). The frame ( 10 ) is made up of one or more modules ( 20 ) of the same size and shape, within each one of the modules ( 20 ) being provided a single chamber ( 16 ) adapted to accommodate the crank mechanisms of each single cylinder ( 12 ). Each module ( 20 ) is further provided with a pair of opposite side walls ( 22, 24 ) and with one or more fixing means ( 26 ) which allow rigid coupling to each other, adjacently arranging their respective side walls ( 22, 24 ), of two or more of the identical modules ( 20 ) for providing a frame ( 10 ) for fluid machines provided with two or more cylinders ( 12 ).

1 . Reciprocating compressor for compressible fluids, comprising a frame ( 10 ) bearing one or more cylinders ( 12 ) moving inside each of which, with a reciprocating movement, is a piston operated by a crankshaft ( 14 ), the fluid to be compressed by said compressor being introduced into each cylinder ( 12 ) through one or more suctioning pipes ( 18 ), while the fluid compressed by said compressor being ejected from said cylinder ( 12 ) towards one or more discharge pipes ( 18 ′), characterised in that said frame ( 10 ) is made up of one or more modules ( 20 ) of the same size and shape, within each one of said modules ( 20 ) being provided a single chamber ( 16 ) adapted to accommodate the crank mechanisms of each of said cylinders ( 12 ), each of said modules ( 20 ) being further provided with a pair of opposite side walls ( 22 ,  24 ) and with one or more fixing means ( 26 ) which allow rigid coupling to each other, adjacently arranging their respective side walls ( 22 ,  24 ), of two or more of said identical modules ( 20 ) for providing a frame ( 10 ) for reciprocating compressors provided with two or more cylinders ( 12 ). 
   
   
       2 . Reciprocating compressor according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said fixing means ( 26 ) are inserted into suitable holes ( 26 ′) made on each of said opposite side walls ( 22 ,  24 ) of each of said modules ( 20 ). 
   
   
       3 . Reciprocating compressor according to  claim 1 , characterised in that made on one of said side walls ( 22 ) of each of said modules ( 20 ) is at least one shaped portion ( 28 ) which is inserted in a shape-coupling manner into a respective shaped portion ( 30 ) obtained on the other shaped portion of said side walls ( 26 ) of the adjacent module ( 20 ), in order to facilitate the coupling of said modules ( 20 ) when using fluid machines provided with two or more cylinders ( 12 ). 
   
   
       4 . Reciprocating compressor according to  claim 3 , characterised in that fitted on each of said opposite side walls ( 22 ,  24 ) are one or more centering pins ( 32 ). 
   
   
       5 . Reciprocating compressor according to  claim 1 , characterised in that each of said modules ( 20 ) is provided, on each of said opposite side walls ( 22 ,  24 ), with a circular hole ( 34 ) which allows the passage of said crankshaft ( 14 ). 
   
   
       6 . Reciprocating compressor according to  claim 5 , characterised in that inserted inside each of said circular holes ( 34 ) is a support plate ( 36 ) for said crankshaft ( 14 ) to prevent excessive flexure stress of said crankshaft ( 14 ) during the operation of said fluid machine. 
   
   
       7 . Reciprocating compressor according to  claim 6 , characterised in that said support plate ( 36 ) for said crankshaft ( 14 ) is fixed onto each of said opposite side walls ( 22 ,  24 ) by means of a plurality of bolts ( 38 ). 
   
   
       8 . Reciprocating compressor according to  claim 5 , characterised in that inserted inside each of said circular holes ( 34 ) are one or more support bearings ( 40 ) for said crankshaft ( 14 ) when said modules ( 20 ) are coupled to each other to provide a frame ( 10 ) for reciprocating compressors provided with two or more cylinders ( 12 ). 
   
   
       9 . Reciprocating compressor according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said frame ( 10 ) is made through melting metal. 
   
   
       10 . Reciprocating compressor according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said frame ( 10 ) is made through machining by means of tool machines.