Control element with buckled member

Abstract

A control element having a beam member divided into an actuation section and a valve section positioned on opposing sides of a pivot member, in which active control of the actuation section causes buckling of the valve section to bring the valve section from a closed state to an open state or causes relaxing of the valve section to bring the valve section from an open state to a closed state.

1 . A compressor having a compression chamber or an expander having an expansion chamber, the compressor or expander incorporating a valve that opens towards the compression chamber in the case of a compressor and towards the expansion chamber in the case of an expander, the valve having a control element, the control element comprising:
 a beam member loaded in compression to cause the beam member to buckle between opposed ends of the beam member; and   a motion limiting member disposed between the opposed ends of the member and arranged to limit buckling of the beam member and separate the beam member into a first section and a second section while allowing longitudinal motion of the beam member relative to the motion limiting member.   
     
     
         2 . The compressor or expander of  claim 1 , the control element further comprising an actuation mechanism disposed in relation to the beam member to operate on one of the first section and the second section to cause a corresponding change in the other of the first section and the second section. 
     
     
         3 . The compressor or expander of  claim 2  in which the actuation mechanism comprises electromagnets, hydraulics, pneumatics, or piezo-electrics. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor or expander of  claim 2  in which the actuation mechanism comprises a second control element. 
     
     
         5 . The compressor or expander of  claim 1  in which the motion limiting member comprises a pivot. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The compressor or expander of  claim 1  used as a compressor. 
     
     
         8 . The compressor or expander of  claim 1  used as an expander. 
     
     
         9 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The compressor of  claim 7  in which the control element is configured to allow flow into the compression chamber passively when a pressure differential exists that is lower in the compression chamber than in a low pressure inlet chamber, in combination with a second control element which opens away from the compression chamber such that it allows flow passively out of the compression chamber when a pressure differential exists that is higher in the compression chamber than in a high pressure discharge chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The expander of  claim 8  in which the control element is configured to allow gas flow out of the expansion chamber passively when a pressure differential exists that is higher in the expansion chamber than in a low pressure discharge chamber, in combination with a second control element which opens away from the expansion chamber such that it allows gas to flow passively into the expansion chamber when a pressure differential exists that is lower in the expansion chamber than in a high pressure inlet chamber. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The compressor or expander of  claim 1  comprising a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber, the valve being arranged between the low pressure chamber and the compression chamber in the case of a compressor or between the low pressure chamber and the expansion chamber in the case of an expander, and further comprising a second valve arranged between the high pressure chamber and the compression chamber in the case of a compressor or between the high pressure chamber and the expansion chamber in the case of an expander; in which the compressor or expander is configured to switch from operating as a compressor to operating as an expander where the high pressure chamber is supplied by a high pressure source such that it becomes a high pressure inlet chamber, and the low pressure chamber is connected to a lower pressure discharge circuit such that it becomes a low pressure discharge chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The compressor or expander of  claim 16  where the second valve is configured to be held open actively during a portion of the expansion cycle when the compressor or expander operates as an expander. 
     
     
         18 . The compressor or expander of  claim 16  where when the compressor or expander operates as an expander the second valve is closed with active control during the expansion cycle at a cylinder pressure that is adequately low pressure enough so the remaining expansion causes the expansion chamber pressure to drop to near or below or equal to the low pressure discharge chamber pressure at or near or before the maximum expansion chamber volume to allow the valve arranged between the low pressure chamber and the expansion chamber to open with passive or active control. 
     
     
         19 . The compressor or expander of  claim 16  where the first valve opens at or near bottom dead center and closes while low pressure gas is being discharged into the low pressure discharge chamber, at a pressure that is adequately high enough for the remaining volume reduction of the expansion chamber to bring the expansion chamber pressure up to or higher than the high pressure intake chamber pressure to allow the high pressure intake valve to open with passive or active control. 
     
     
         20 . The compressor of  claim 13  where the first valve actuation means is sealed form the low pressure chamber. 
     
     
         21 . The compressor of  claim 13  where the second valve actuation end is at the same pressure as the high pressure chamber. 
     
     
         22 . The compressor of  claim 13  where the first valve actuation end is sealed from the compression and/or expansion chamber. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled)