Piston Compressor with a Closing Device for the Outlet Line

Abstract

A piston compressor for compressing a gas, which optionally can be disconnected from a drive device by a clutch, has an inlet valve, which is arranged between an inlet line for gas to be compressed and a compression chamber of the piston compressor, and an outlet valve, which is arranged between the compression chamber of the piston compressor and an outlet line for compressed gas. The piston compressor includes a closing device which closes the outlet line with respect to the compression chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A piston compressor for compressing a gas, comprising:
 an inlet valve, which is arranged between an inlet line for gas for compression and a compression chamber of the piston compressor;   an outlet valve, which is arranged between the compression chamber of the piston compressor and an outlet line for compressed gas;   a separate closing device, which is arranged downstream of the outlet valve in a flow direction of the gas by which the outlet line is closable with respect to the compression chamber;   a clutch by which the piston compressor is separable from a drive device; and   a control device which has a signal connection both to the clutch and to the separate closing device; wherein   a switchable valve device forms the closing device, and   the control device is configured to switch the switchable valve device into a closed position when the clutch between the piston compressor and the drive device is open.   
     
     
         2 . The piston compressor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the switchable valve device closes the outlet line in a manner dependent on the pressure difference prevailing at the two sides of the switchable valve device.   
     
     
         3 . The piston compressor as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein
 the switchable valve device is configured so as to switch into a closed position simultaneously with the opening of the clutch.   
     
     
         4 . The piston compressor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 a 2/2-way valve forms the switchable valve device.   
     
     
         5 . The piston compressor as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the switchable valve device is configured so as to switch into a closed position simultaneously with the opening of the clutch.   
     
     
         6 . A method for operating a piston compressor for compressing a gas, the piston compressor having an inlet valve arranged between an inlet line for gas for compression and a compression chamber, and having an outlet valve arranged between the compression chamber and an outlet line for compressed gas, the method comprising the acts of:
 determining when a clutch arranged between the piston compressor and a drive device is open; and   switching, via a control device having a signal connection both to the clutch and to a switchable valve device arranged downstream of the outlet valve in a flow direction of the gas, the switchable valve device into a closed position when the clutch between the piston compressor and the drive device is open.   
     
     
         7 . The method for operating a piston compressor as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein
 the control device switches the switchable valve device into an open position when the clutch between the piston compressor and the drive device is closed.