CYLINDER HEAD FOR PISTON COMPRESSOR

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to cylinder heads for a piston compressor. In one example embodiment, a cylinder head is disclosed including a suction chamber, a pressure chamber spatially separated from the suction chamber, a suction connection communicates with the suction chamber for supplying a compression medium, and a pressure connection communicates with the pressure chamber for discharging the compressed compression medium. The suction connection and/or the pressure connection may be adjusted into at least two positions on the cylinder head.

Description

The invention relates to a cylinder head for a piston compressor, comprising a suction chamber and a pressure chamber spatially separated therefrom, a suction connection that communicates with the suction chamber for supplying a compression medium and a pressure connection that communicates with the pressure chamber for discharging compressed compression medium being provided on the cylinder head. The invention also relates to a piston compressor comprising a compressor housing, a cylinder arranged therein in which a piston moves back and forth in order to compress a compression medium, and a cylinder head arranged on the compressor housing on the cylinder.

Piston compressors are used in many different fields of application, e.g. for compressing gases, but also as piston pumps for conveying liquids. In vehicles, particularly in vehicles of great length such as trains or trucks, compressed-air braking systems are generally used. In these, ambient air is compressed for example on the towing vehicle by means of a piston compressor to form compressed air which supplies the braking system. The wheels or axles are then braked using conventional disc or drum brakes. The energy for braking is usually provided by springs or the like, and the compressed air is used to hold the brake in the open state counter to the spring force. This means that, for safety reasons, the brake closes automatically if the pressure is too low, for example due to a leak. By comparison with hydraulic braking systems, as are usually used for example in passenger cars, compressed-air braking systems are advantageous in that no hydraulic fluid is required, which is particularly advantageous in long vehicles. Another advantage is that the brakes of wagons or trailers that can be coupled and uncoupled can also be supplied with the compressed air generated by the piston compressor on the towing vehicle, for example, in a relatively simple manner. As a result of using compressed air, no hydraulic fluid can escape when coupling and uncoupling wagons or trailers. Due to the substantially constant generation of compressed air, any short-term leakage which may occur, for example when a wagon or trailer is uncoupled, does not matter.

In the case of trucks in particular, the installation space in the towing vehicle is usually very limited, which makes arranging the piston compressor more difficult. Due to increasingly strict legal regulations, the engine compartment in which the compressor is often arranged is also usually enclosed in order to produce the lowest possible noise emissions. Last but not least, exhaust gas cleaning devices, such as SCR catalytic converters, particle filters, etc., which further limit the available installation space, are also required to comply with the increasingly strict exhaust gas legislation. Manufacturers therefore strive to be as flexible as possible with regard to the arrangement of the piston compressor. With conventional compressors, however, such flexibility can only be insufficiently achieved, since a change in the spatial arrangement of the compressor is usually accompanied by a change in the design of the entire compressor or at least parts thereof, e.g. a change in connections, which is disadvantageous because this leads to a high expenditure of time and money.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a piston compressor and a cylinder head for a piston compressor that allows the piston compressor to be arranged as flexibly as possible without having to make structural changes to the piston compressor, in particular to the cylinder head.

According to the invention, this problem is solved in that the suction connection and/or the pressure connection can be adjusted into at least two positions on the cylinder head, the suction chamber preferably being arranged at least in portions radially outside the pressure chamber or vice versa. This increases the flexibility with regard to the arrangement of the compressor and improves the accessibility of the suction connection and/or the pressure connection.

Advantageously, the suction chamber annularly surrounds the pressure chamber at least in portions or the pressure chamber annularly surrounds the suction chamber in at least portions, the suction connection preferably being provided radially on the outside of the circumference of the cylinder head or on a first axial cylinder head end of the cylinder head and/or the pressure connection preferably being provided radially on the outside of the circumference of the cylinder head or on a first axial cylinder head end of the cylinder head. As a result, the flexibility of the arrangement of the suction connection and the pressure connection can be increased further, and in particular the suction connection and/or the pressure connection can be easily adjusted in the circumferential direction on the cylinder head.

At least one valve seat plate is advantageously provided on the cylinder head, which valve seat plate delimits the suction chamber and/or the pressure chamber at a second axial cylinder head end.

According to an advantageous embodiment, at least the suction connection is provided on a suction insert which is adjustably arranged in the cylinder head and at least partially delimits the suction chamber, a plurality of openings or one opening extending in the circumferential direction being provided on the cylinder head for adjusting the position of the suction connection, the suction connection projecting at least partially outward through one of the openings. The suction insert is preferably annular at least in portions, the suction connection being arranged radially on the circumference of the suction insert, and the openings or the opening extending in the circumferential direction being provided radially on the circumference of the cylinder head, the suction connection projecting at least partially radially outward through one of the openings. The suction connection can, however, also be arranged on an end face of the suction insert and the openings can be provided on the first axial end of the cylinder head, the suction connection projecting at least partially axially outward through one of the openings. Depending on the desired alignment of the suction connection, the position of the suction insert relative to the cylinder head can therefore be changed, thereby making it possible to very easily adjust the suction connection.

Particularly preferably, the pressure chamber is annular and arranged centrally on the inside of the cylinder head and the suction insert is annular, the suction insert being arranged radially outside the pressure chamber and surrounding the pressure chamber. The suction connection can thereby be adjusted in the circumferential direction of the cylinder head, and the pressure connection is substantially unchangeable in the axial direction.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressure connection is provided on a pressure insert which partially delimits the pressure chamber, a plurality of openings being provided on the cylinder head for adjusting the position of the pressure connection, the pressure connection of the pressure insert projecting at least partially outward through one of the openings in the cylinder head. The pressure insert is in this case preferably annular at least in portions, the pressure connection being arranged on an end face of the pressure insert and the openings being provided on the first axial cylinder head end of the cylinder head, the pressure connection projecting at least partially axially outward through one of the openings, or the pressure connection being arranged radially on the circumference of the pressure insert and the openings being provided radially on the circumference of the cylinder head, the pressure connection projecting at least partially radially outward through one of the openings. As a result, a simple adjustment option can be created for the pressure connection in a manner analogous to the suction connection. The radial and/or axial alignment of the pressure connection and the openings can increase the flexibility of the adjustability.

It is also advantageous for at least one pressure element to be provided on the suction insert and/or on the pressure insert, which pressure element braces the suction insert and/or the pressure insert axially against the valve seat plate, the pressure element preferably being a resilient O-ring which is arranged in a preferably annular groove on the suction insert and/or pressure insert. This ensures that there is no axial play between the suction insert and/or pressure insert and the cylinder head, thereby improving the seal between the suction insert and/or pressure insert and the valve seat plate. As a result of the simple design as a resilient O-ring, simple mounting can be ensured and the most uniform possible contact pressure of the suction insert and/or pressure insert over the entire extension of the suction insert and/or pressure insert is achieved.

The suction insert is advantageously made of a heat-insulating material, preferably plastics material. This reduces the heating of the suctioned compression medium, which means that the delivery rate of the compressor can be increased.

If the cylinder head is fastened to the compressor housing of the piston compressor by means of a clamping ring arranged on the circumference of the cylinder head, a simple mounting option can be created which allows the position of the suction connection and/or the pressure connection to be changed quickly, the clamping ring preferably having at least one interruption on the circumference and the ends of the clamping ring that face one another in the interruption having radially outwardly directed tabs on which the clamping ring can be clamped by means of a fastening device in order to fasten the cylinder head to the compressor housing.

In the Following, the Present Invention Shall be Described in Greater Detail with Reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, which Show Exemplary, Schematic and Non-Limiting Advantageous Embodiments of the Invention. In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view through a cylinder head which is mounted on a compressor housing of a piston compressor,

FIG. 2 shows a cylinder head according to the invention mounted on a compressor housing of a piston compressor,

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a cylinder head comprising adjustable suction and pressure connections.

FIG. 1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a cylinder head 1 in a mounted state on the compressor housing 2 of a piston compressor 3. The basic structure and mode of operation of a piston compressor are known, and are therefore not discussed in detail here. The cylinder head 1 is arranged on the axial end of the cylinder 4 on the compressor housing 2 in a known manner and outwardly seals the cylinder 4 in the axial direction. A piston 5 is movably arranged in the cylinder 4, which piston compresses a compression medium and is driven by a crankshaft (not shown) via a push rod 25 (shown schematically). The crankshaft is rotatably mounted in the compressor housing, and a drive torque which is provided, for example, by the internal combustion engine of a truck, an electric motor of a locomotive or in another suitable manner is applied to the crankshaft in a known manner. A rotational movement of the crankshaft is converted into a substantially translatory oscillating movement of the piston 5 via the crankshaft and the push rod 25. In the example shown, the compressor is an air compressor, and the compression medium is therefore ambient air. Of course, the ambient air can be pretreated, for example filtered or dehumidified, by means of suitable devices (not shown). Other compression media can self-evidently also be used.

The cylinder head 1 has a pressure chamber 6 which is designed in this case as a central, substantially annular pressure chamber 6, and a suction chamber 7 which is spatially separated from the pressure chamber 6. The suction chamber 7 is also annular in this case and lies radially outside the pressure chamber 6, i.e. substantially surrounds the pressure chamber 6. A valve seat plate 8 is arranged on a second axial cylinder head end ZE2 of the cylinder head 1, between the cylinder head 1 and the compressor housing 2. Suction openings 9 corresponding to the suction chamber 7 and pressure openings 10 corresponding to the pressure chamber 6 are provided in the valve seat plate 8, which openings each pass through the valve seat plate 8 in the axial direction so that the cylinder is connected to the suction chamber 7 and the pressure chamber 6. The valve seat plate 8 thus forms the valve seat of the suction valve SV and the pressure valve DV. The suction openings 9 and pressure openings 10 are each closed or opened by valve elements 11, 12 which are usually pressure-controlled. As shown in FIG. 1, the valve seat plate 8 can, for example, be fastened to the cylinder head 1 by a central screw 24 and delimits the suction chamber 7 and the pressure chamber 6 in the axial direction on the second axial cylinder head end ZE2. Suction valve elements 11 are arranged at the suction openings 9 on the end face of the valve seat plate 8 that faces the cylinder 4, and pressure valve elements 12 are arranged at the pressure openings 10 on the end face of the valve seat plate 8 that faces away from the cylinder 4. The suction valve SV and pressure valve DV are in this case designed as lamellar valves, but of course other designs would also be conceivable, such as spring-operated non-return valves or annular valves. It would also be conceivable for closed-loop or open-loop controlled valves to be provided, in which case a corresponding valve controller would be required, for example similar to that of a reciprocating piston engine. The specific type of design for the suction valve SV and pressure valve DV is, however, irrelevant for the present invention.

When the piston 5 moves away from the valve seat plate 8 (in this case downward), a negative pressure is generated in the cylinder 4, as a result of which the suction valve elements 11 are lifted off from the valve seat plate 8 and the pressure valve elements 12 are pressed against the valve seat plate 8. As a result, the pressure openings 10 are closed and the suction openings 9 are released. As a result, the compression medium, in this case air, is sucked into the suction chamber 7 from the environment via a suction connection 14 communicating with the suction chamber 7 (see FIG. 2), and flows from the suction chamber 7 via the suction openings 9 into the cylinder 4. When the piston 5 moves back toward the valve seat plate 8 (in this case upward), the pressure conditions in the cylinder 4 change and a positive pressure is generated in the cylinder 4, as a result of which the suction valve elements 11 are pressed against the valve seat plate 8 and the suction openings 9 close. The compression medium is now compressed in the cylinder 4 until the pressure valve elements 12 lift off from the valve seat plate 8 and the compressed compression medium flows through the pressure openings 10 into the pressure chamber 6 and onward to a pressure connection 13 connected thereto, which pressure connection is provided, in the embodiment shown, on the first axial cylinder head end ZE1 of the cylinder head 1 that faces away from the cylinder 4.

The pressure in the cylinder 4 at which the pressure valve DV opens substantially depends on the structural design of the pressure valve DV, which is determined according to the desired pressure level to be achieved. In the case of the lamellar valves shown, the achievable pressure level depends, for example, on the rigidity of the lamellas; the more rigid the lamella, the later the pressure valve DV opens and the higher the pressure of the compressed compression medium. If closed-loop or open-loop controlled valves are used, it would be conceivable, for example, for the pressure valve(s) DV to open on a specific stroke of the piston 5 or depending on a specific pressure in the cylinder 4. Pressure regulation of this kind, however, requires correspondingly controllable valves, which is of course associated with increased expenditure. However, pressure regulation can be useful, for example, when the ambient pressure outside the piston compressor 3 is subject to strong fluctuations, which can be the case, for example, when a vehicle is operated at different altitudes.

In the example shown, the pressure connection 13 is arranged in the axial direction on a cylinder head cover 1a which is fastened to a first axial cylinder head end ZE1 of the cylinder head 1 by means of fastening elements such as screws 20. From the pressure connection 13, the compressed compression medium KM can be supplied, for example, to a pressure accumulator (not shown) or can also be used directly to be supplied, for example, to a compressed-air braking system. The alignment of the pressure connection 13 depends substantially on the requirements of the piston compressor, and therefore the pressure connection 13 could also be provided radially on the outside of the circumference of the cylinder head 1. The pressure chamber 6 would of course have to be formed accordingly in the cylinder head 1. The pressure chamber 6 does not necessarily have to be annular and central, for example, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. For example, the pressure chamber 6 could also be arranged annularly radially outside the suction chamber 7, i.e. a substantially reversed arrangement of the suction chamber 7 and pressure chamber 6 as shown. The pressure connection 13 could therefore also be provided on the radial circumferential surface of the cylinder head 1 or in turn on the first axial cylinder head end ZE1 such that the pressure connection 13 communicates with the pressure chamber 6.

Likewise, both the suction chamber 7 and the pressure chamber 6 could be annular at least in portions and be arranged radially on the outside of the cylinder head.

For example, the suction chamber 7 and the pressure chamber 6 could adjoin one another in the circumferential direction and each extend over part of the circumference of the cylinder head 1, as is shown schematically in FIG. 3 by the dashed lines. The suction connection 14 (or the suction connections 14) and the pressure connection 13 (or the pressure connections 13) could then each be arranged in the radial direction on the circumference of the cylinder head 1 or also in the axial direction on the first axial cylinder head end ZE1. Of course, it is possible for either only the suction connection 14 or the pressure connection 13 to be arranged radially and for the other to be arranged axially, or both could be arranged axially. It is therefore clear that there are many possibilities for the specific structural design, which is substantially based on predetermined boundary conditions such as a planned installation position of the piston compressor 3. It is essential for the invention that there is a pressure chamber 6 comprising a pressure connection 13 and that there is a suction chamber 7 which comprises a suction connection 14 and is spatially separated from the pressure chamber 6.

In order to be as flexible as possible in the arrangement of the piston compressor 3, according to the invention, the suction connection 14 and/or the pressure connection 13 can be adjusted into at least two positions on the cylinder head 1. The piston compressor 3 can thus be adapted very easily to different installation situations without having to make complex structural modifications to the cylinder head 1. In one simple embodiment, the pressure connection 13, as shown in FIG. 1, is arranged on the first axial cylinder head end ZE1 in the axial direction and communicates with the central annular pressure chamber 6. The pressure connection 13 would therefore be substantially unchangeable. Of course, the pressure connection 13 does not have to be arranged exactly in the center of the cylinder head cover 1a, but could also be arranged slightly eccentrically; it is essential that it is connected to the pressure chamber 6.

The suction connection 14 could then be designed, for example, in such a way that at least two suction connections 14 would be provided on the outer circumference of the cylinder head 1 so as to be diametrically opposed in the radial direction, for example. The adjustability would be implemented in that, although the two suction connections 14 communicate with the suction chamber 7 in the radial direction, only one suction connection 14 is used for supplying the compression medium KM, with the other suction connection 14 being closed. It could be closed, for example, by means of a suitable closure plug 26, for example a thread would be provided on the suction connection 14 in a suitable manner. A closure plug 26 of this kind is shown by way of example in FIG. 3 in an exploded view for an axial suction connection 14 and an axial pressure connection 13. Of course, a sealing element (not shown) can also be provided on the suction connection 14, on the pressure connection 13 and/or on the relevant closure plug 16, and, because of the relatively high pressure in particular on the pressure connection 13, this is advantageous for preventing leakage or only allowing a small amount of leakage of compressed compression medium. In order to be even more flexible in the arrangement of the piston compressor 3, more than two suction connections 14 could of course also be provided on the circumference, for example four suction connections 14 which are each spaced apart at an angle of 90° or even a plurality of pressure connections 13, as shown in FIG. 3.

The reverse variant would also be conceivable, with an annular pressure chamber 6 located radially on the outside and a suction chamber 7 located centrally on the inside. Correspondingly, a plurality of pressure connections 13 could be arranged on the circumference of the cylinder head 1, with preferably only one of the pressure connections 13 being used in each case. However, the adjustability is of course not limited to either the suction connection 14 or the pressure connection 13, but equally both connections could be adjustable, as shown in FIG. 3, with the system remaining the same. The direction of extension of the suction connections 14 and pressure connections 13 is also not restricted to the axial and radial directions. With a suitable structural design of the cylinder head 1, one or more suction connections 14 (or pressure connections 13) could also extend, for example, at 45° with respect to the axial and radial directions.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention according to FIGS. 1 and 2, at least the suction connection 14 is provided on a suction insert 15 which at least partially delimits the suction chamber 7. The suction insert 15 is arranged in a recess 27 on the cylinder head 1 and at least partially forms the suction chamber 7. The suction insert 15 is designed, for example, as an annulus that has a substantially U-shaped cross section, the open end face of the suction insert 15 resting axially on the valve seat plate 8. The suction chamber 7 is thus formed within the U-shaped cross section. The suction insert 15 can thus be adjusted over the circumference relative to the housing of the cylinder head 1. The position of the suction connection 14 on the circumference of the cylinder head 1 can thus also be adjusted by adjusting the suction insert 15 over the circumference. A plurality of openings 16 can be provided on the housing of the cylinder head 1 in order to adjust the position of the suction connection 14. The suction insert 15 can then be arranged in the cylinder head 1 in such a way that the suction connection 14 projects at least partially outward through one of the openings 16. In the embodiment shown according to FIG. 2, two openings 16 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder head 1, which openings are spaced apart from one another at a specified angular distance in order to adjust the position of the suction connection 14. The suction insert 15 is in this case substantially annular, the suction connection 14 being arranged radially on the circumference of the suction insert 15. The suction insert 15 can be arranged in the cylinder head 1 in such a way that the suction connection 14, depending on the desired alignment, projects at least partially radially outward through one of the (in this case two) openings 16.

It is also conceivable for an opening 16 to extend in the circumferential direction in the form of an elongate hole on the circumference of the housing of the cylinder head 1. In this way, the position of the suction connection 14 in the region of the opening 16 could be adjusted practically continuously, which allows particularly flexible adjustability for the suction connection 14.

Analogously thereto, it would of course also be conceivable for the openings 16 to be provided on the first axial cylinder head end ZE1 instead of on the radial circumferential surface of the cylinder head 1, and for the suction connection 14 to be arranged on an axial end face of the suction insert 15 that faces the first axial cylinder head end ZE1. The suction insert 15 can then be arranged in the cylinder head 1 in such a way that the suction connection 14, depending on the desired alignment, projects through one of the openings 16 at the axial end, for example at the cylinder head cover 1a, in the axial direction.

In the advantageous embodiment in FIG. 2, the suction insert 15 is substantially annular and is arranged radially outside the centrally inner pressure chamber 6. The suction insert 15 thus substantially completely surrounds the pressure chamber 6. The pressure chamber 6 is in this case integrated directly in the cylinder head 1, which is particularly advantageous in the case of relatively high compression pressures since good sealing of the pressure chamber 6 is ensured and, apart from the valve seat plate 8, no additional sealing measures are required. Sealing elements can of course be provided for the suction insert 15, as shown in FIG. 1.

Of course, as with the suction connection 14, similar adjustability for the pressure connection 13 could also be implemented. For this purpose, the pressure connection 13 could be provided on a pressure insert (not shown) which at least partially delimits the pressure chamber 6. The pressure insert would then again be adjustably arranged in the cylinder head. A plurality of openings 16 would therefore be provided on the cylinder head 1 for adjusting the position of the pressure connection 13, the pressure insert being arranged on the cylinder head 1 in such a way that the pressure connection 13 projects at least partially outward through one of the openings 16. For example, the pressure insert could be annular at least in portions and the pressure connection 13 could be arranged on an end face of the pressure insert that axially faces the first cylinder head end ZE1. The openings 16 would be provided on the first axial end of the cylinder head 1 (in this case on the cylinder head cover 1a), the pressure connection 13 projecting at least partially axially outward through one of the openings 16. In exactly the same way, the pressure connection 13 could also be arranged radially on the circumference of the pressure insert and the openings could be provided radially on the circumference of the cylinder head 1. The pressure insert would then be arranged in the cylinder head 1 in such a way that the pressure connection 13 projects at least partially radially outward through one of the openings 16, analogously to the example of the suction connection 14 shown in FIG. 2.

A suction line (not shown) can be connected to the suction connection 14, for example, which suction line draws in air from outside a vehicle via a filter. A pressure line (not shown) by means of which the compressed compression medium is supplied to a pressure accumulator, for example, can be arranged at the pressure connection 13. The suction insert 15 and/or the pressure insert can, for example, be made from a suitable plastics material or from a metal material, for example aluminum, steel, etc. Of course, a combination of a plurality of materials, e.g. a plurality of plastics materials that have different material properties, would also be conceivable in order to adapt the suction insert 15 and/or the pressure insert to certain conditions of use. In particular, it is advantageous for the suction insert 15 to be manufactured from a suitable heat-insulating plastics material. This has the advantage that the suctioned compression medium is heated to a lesser degree, for example by the adjoining pressure chamber 6 or the cylinder 4 in which higher temperatures generally prevail than in the suction chamber 7. The lesser heating leads to an increase in the delivery rate of the piston compressor, i.e. leads substantially to a higher degree of efficiency of the compressor. For example, the portions of the suction insert 15 resting against the valve seat plate 8 could be made of a suitable, relatively soft plastics material in order to improve the seal, and the remaining portions of the suction insert 15 could be made of another plastics material that has suitable strength properties. Many known processes can be used to manufacture the suction insert 15 and the pressure insert, for example casting processes such as sand casting, die casting, etc., or also additive processes such as 3D printing, laser sintering, etc. Metal materials such as aluminum or steel are preferably used for the cylinder head 1 and the compressor housing 2, but suitable plastics materials would also be conceivable.

The shape of the openings 16 can be selected substantially as desired. However, it should in any case be selected such that sufficient space is provided for the suction connection 14 and/or the pressure connection 13 to pass through. In the example shown, the openings 16 are substantially rectangular with rounded corners and a certain amount of play is provided between the suction connection 14 and the cylinder head 1 in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction in order to facilitate mounting.

FIG. 2 shows the cylinder head 1 in the mounted state on the compressor housing 2, the cylinder head 1 being fastened to the compressor housing 2 by means of a clamping ring 17 in the example shown. The clamping ring 17 has at least one interruption 17a on the circumference, the ends of the clamping ring 17 that face one another in the interruption 17a having radially outwardly directed tabs 18 on which the clamping ring 17 can be clamped by means of a fastening device 19 in order to fasten the cylinder head 1 to the compressor housing 2. The fastening device 19 is in this case in the form of a screw connection. The clamping ring 17 allows quick and simple mounting and, in particular, allows the suction connection 14 and/or pressure connection 13 to be adjusted quickly and easily. For this purpose, the clamping ring 17 would have to be loosened, for example, such that the suction insert 15 can be adjusted over the circumference. The clamping ring 17 can then be clamped again. In addition, the clamping ring 17 also ensures a sufficiently good seal between the cylinder head 1 and the compressor housing 2. Of course, the cylinder head 1 could also be fastened to the compressor housing 2 in a different way, for example opposing flanges could be provided on the cylinder head 1 and the compressor housing 2, in which flanges corresponding bores are distributed on the circumference. Screw connections to which the flanges are screwed in the axial direction could be arranged in the bores. Of course, a sealing element or a sealing compound can also be provided between the cylinder head 1 and the compressor housing 2 for better sealing.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the suction insert 15 is closed by the valve seat plate 8 on the side facing the cylinder. In order to achieve a sufficiently good seal between the valve seat plate 8 and the suction insert 15, it is advantageous for at least one pressure element 21 to be provided on the end face of the suction insert 15 facing the first axial cylinder head end ZE1. When mounting the cylinder head 1, the suction insert 15 is brought into the desired position so that the suction connection 14 is in the desired position, for example projects through one of the provided openings 16, and is braced with the compressor housing 2 by means of the clamping ring 17. With a corresponding structural design of the cylinder head 1, the bracing of the clamping ring 17 creates an axial force which is exerted on the pressure element 21 by a surface 22 of the recess 27 in the cylinder head 1 that is axially opposite the suction insert 15 (see FIG. 1). In the example shown, the pressure element 21 is designed as a resilient O-ring and is arranged in an annular groove 23 on the suction insert 15. As a result of the axial force exerted on the O-ring by the surface 22, the O-ring is elastically deformed and presses the suction insert 15 against the valve seat plate 8 in a manner substantially analogous to a spring. This ensures that there is no axial play between the cylinder head 1 and the suction insert 15 and between the suction insert 15 and the valve seat plate 8, thereby improving the seal between the suction insert 15 and the valve seat plate 8. Of course, other designs for the pressure element 21 would also be conceivable; for example, individual rubber elements, helical springs or even a disc spring could be provided as the pressure element 21. If a pressure insert is provided for the pressure connection 13, it is of course advantageous that at least one pressure element 21 is also provided on the pressure insert. If the pressure insert or the suction insert 15 has a structural design other than an annular shape, it is of course advantageous for the shape of the pressure element 21 to be adapted to the shape of the relevant insert.

Claims

1. Cylinder head for a piston compressor, the cylinder head comprising:

a suction chamber;

a pressure chamber spatially separated from the suction chamber;

a suction connection configured and arranged to communicate with the suction chamber for supplying a compression medium; and

a pressure connection configured and arranged to communicate with the pressure chamber for discharging the compressed compression medium;

wherein the suction connection and/or the pressure connection is configured and arranged to be adjusted into at least two positions on the cylinder head.

2. The cylinder head of claim 1, wherein the suction chamber is arranged radially outside the pressure chamber at least in portions, wherein the pressure chamber is arranged radially outside the suction chamber at least in portions.

3. The cylinder head of claim 2, wherein the suction chamber annularly surrounds the pressure chamber at least in portions or in that the pressure chamber annularly surrounds the suction chamber at least in portions.

4. The cylinder head of claim 1, wherein the suction connection is provided radially on the outside of the circumference of the cylinder head or on a first axial cylinder head end of the cylinder head and/or in that the pressure connection is provided radially on the outside of the circumference or on a first axial cylinder head end of the cylinder head.

5. The cylinder head of claim 1, further including at least one valve seat plate is provided on the cylinder head, the at least one valve seat plate is configured and arranged to delimit the suction chamber and/or the pressure chamber on a second axial cylinder head end.

6. The cylinder head of claim 1, wherein at least the suction connection is provided on a suction insert, which insert is configured and arranged to be adjustably arranged in the cylinder head and which at least partially delimits the suction chamber, a plurality of openings or one opening extending in the circumferential direction being provided on the cylinder head for adjusting the position of the suction connection, the suction connection projecting at least partially outward through one of the openings.

7. The cylinder head of claim 6, wherein the suction insert is annular at least in portions, the suction connection being arranged radially on the circumference of the suction insert, and in that the openings or the opening extending in the circumferential direction are provided radially on the circumference of the cylinder head, the suction connection projecting at least partially radially outward through one of the openings.

8. The cylinder head of claim 6, wherein the suction insert is annular at least in portions, the suction connection being arranged on an end face of the suction insert, and in that the openings or the opening extending in the circumferential direction are provided on the first axial cylinder head end of the cylinder head, the suction connection projecting at least partially axially outward through one of the openings.

9. The cylinder head of claim 6, wherein the pressure chamber is annular and is arranged centrally on the inside of the cylinder head and in that the suction insert is annular and is arranged radially outside the pressure chamber and surrounds the pressure chamber.

10. The cylinder head of claim 6, wherein the pressure connection is provided on a pressure insert which partially delimits the pressure chamber, a plurality of openings being provided on the cylinder head, the plurality of openings are configured and arranged for adjusting the position of the pressure connection, the pressure connection of the pressure insert projecting at least partially outward through one of the openings in the cylinder head.

11. The cylinder head of claim 10, wherein the pressure insert is annular at least in portions, the pressure connection is arranged on an end face of the pressure insert, and in that the openings are provided on the first axial cylinder head end of the cylinder head, the pressure connection projecting at least partially axially outward through one of the openings.

12. The cylinder head of claim 10, wherein the pressure insert is annular at least in portions, the pressure connection being arranged radially on the circumference of the pressure insert, and in that the openings are provided radially on the circumference of the cylinder head, the pressure connection projecting at least partially radially outward through one of the openings.

13. The cylinder head of claim 10, wherein at least one pressure element is provided on the suction insert and/or on the pressure insert, wherein the at least one pressure element braces the suction insert and/or the pressure insert axially against the valve seat plate.

14. The cylinder head of claim 13, wherein the pressure element is a resilient O-ring configured and arranged on the suction insert and/or pressure insert.

15. The cylinder head of claim 6, wherein the suction insert and/or the pressure insert are made of a heat-insulating material.

16. Piston compressor comprising:

a compressor housing;

a cylinder arranged within the compressor housing;

a piston arranged with the cylinder, the piston configured and arranged to move back and forth in order to compress a compression medium; and

a cylinder head arranged on the compressor housing on the cylinder;

wherein the cylinder head includes a suction chamber, a pressure chamber spatially separated from the suction chamber, a suction connection configured and arranged to communicate with the suction chamber for supplying a compression medium, and a pressure connection configured and arranged to communicate with the pressure chamber for discharging the compressed compression medium being provided on the cylinder head, wherein the suction connection and/or the pressure connection is configured and arranged to be adjusted into at least two positions on the cylinder head.

17. The piston compressor of claim 16, wherein the cylinder head is fastened to the compressor housing of a piston compressor via a clamping ring arranged on the circumference of the cylinder head.

18. The piston compressor of claim 17, wherein the clamping ring has at least one interruption on the circumference and in that the ends of the clamping ring that face one another in the at least one interruption have radially outwardly directed tabs configured and arranged to be clamped by the clamping ring via a fastening device in order to fasten the cylinder head to the compressor housing.

19. The cylinder head of claim 14, wherein the pressure element is further configured and arranged in an annular groove of the suction insert and/or pressure insert.