Ingersoll-rand Company

Stephen Eaton

Roger Cook

Terry Adams

A variable oil flow regulator for minimizing noise generated typically by an oil-injected rotary screw compressor when the compressor transitions from an on-load mode for compressing fluid to an off-load mode. The regulator includes a housing having a first end, a second end and a chamber formed therein extending between the first and second ends. The regulator also includes a first port formed at the first end of the housing for admitting a pressure signal into the chamber corresponding to a compression level of the fluid, a second port formed at the second end of the housing for admitting the oil into the chamber, and a third port formed in the housing between the first and second ends of the housing for discharging the oil admitted into the chamber through the second port. The regulator further comprises a piston slidably disposed in the chamber between the first and second ends of the housing, the piston having a first end in fluid communication with the pressure signal and a second end in fluid communication with the oil. The piston is movable into a first position for allowing unrestricted flow of the oil between the second and third ports when the compressor is in the on-load mode and into a second position for restricting flow of the oil between the second and third ports when the compressor is in the off-load mode, the position of the piston being dependent upon the pressure differential between the pressure signal and the oil.

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Bolton, United Kingdom

Stephen Eaton