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 Climatuff® compressors are designed to handle the extreme conditions of heat pump applications, including higher operating temperatures, liquid refrigerant flooding, adverse electrical stresses, and the stress of long operating hours. To maintain this level of superior performance, Trane adheres to a strict compressor testing philosophy, which yields continuous application and design improvements. |
 “Snowball” underwent a continuous flood back test in the Trane compressor life test facility for 27 years, before finally ceasing to operate in 2000. The test demonstrates the reliability of the compressor under conditions like low indoor airflow or system overcharge. |
All Climatuff® compressors feature highly reliable Rotolock mechanical fittings. These fittings make service and replacement much easier because there is no brazing or cutting required. Enhanced safety is another benefit.
 The next phase takes place on the upstroke of the piston. The suction valve closes, holding back the incoming flow of gas until the next intake stroke. This abrupt stop creates a pressure pulse that travels backward along the inlet path at the speed of sound. The pulse of refrigerant vapor hits the bottom of the motor, muffling noise as it cools the bottom windings. Why Valve Design Is Critical.Valve design is critical to liquid refrigerant tolerance. On mild days, liquid refrigerant can accumulate in the suction line and flood the compressor on start-up. Because of this, valves must be able to tolerate some slugging. Climatuff’s valve assembly has been designed to allow liquid refrigerant to be expelled from the cylinder without damaging the valves. Valves experience more mechanical, thermal and pressure-related stresses than any other component of the compressor. In heat pumps for example, they spring open and shut 57 times a second, up to 800 million times a year. Because of this wear and tear, an indestructible valve material is required. Trane manufactures discharge and suction valves using a special Swedish-type valve steel. The steel has a unique microstructure that has a high carbon content and a very low amount of non-metallic inclusions, such as sulfides and silicates. This composition makes Climatuff® valves highly impact and distortion-resistant. They’re also resistant to metal fatigue and are not affected by excessive heat.
Valves are made of Swedish-type steel to handle extreme heat and the stress of opening and closing 57 times a second. How Reciprocating Compression Works.
On the downstroke of the piston, when pressure in the cylinder is less than suction pressure, the suction valve is pushed off its seat allowing refrigerant into the cylinder. The gas enters efficiently in a cylindrical pattern around the circumference of the valve. On the upstroke, the suction valve closes preventing refrigerant from leaving the cylinder. When cylinder pressure exceeds discharge pressure, the large round discharge valve lifts completely off its seat allowing gas to efficiently exit the cylinder. If there is liquid present, flow dynamics resulting from tapered surfaces and valve proximity will allow the liquid to be purged from the cylinder without damaging the valves. Besides being gas flow efficient, Trane’s valving is engineered to tolerate some liquid slugging. |
