An Experimental Test Device for Accelerated Endurance Evaluation of Compressor Valve Assemblies

Valve and con?ressor manufacturers have o=ten sought a means by which the time required to conduct compressor valve fatigue evaluations could be significantly reduced. Screening new concepts and improvements in design, processing and manufacture in a manner which proper+y simulates the compressor and produces realistic valve failure modes has often been a concern in initiating development activities. A technology improvement program has addressed the need to rapidly establish the endurance characteristics of complete valve assemblies; such as plate, ring and channel configurations, in such a way that reasonably realistic valve cycle dynamics and failure modes are achieved. A valve endurance test device is described which permits the accelerated fatigue evaluation of valve elements as part of their complete seat and stop assemblies. The test device is a multi-chamber machine with a rotating ported plate wnich defines passages to and from each of three valve port openings. As the ported plate rotates it sequentially exposes inlet and exhaust ports to rapidly open and close the valve twice per port-plate revolution. Three valve port openings allow experimental assemblies to be run in direct comparison with baseline v~lves at the same time and under the same operating conditions. The basic design of the device, its control features and the instrumentation used to monitor valve motion and pressure differential are discusseg.