Discharge valve for compressor

Abstract

A compressor assembly including a compressor mechanism, a compression chamber and a discharge chamber. A discharge port provides fluid communication between the compression chamber and the discharge chamber. A valve seat circumscribes the discharge port. A discharge valve member having a valve head, a biasing section and a valve support is provided and may be formed out of a single integral part. The valve head is engageable with the valve seat. A non-threaded coupling member may mount the valve support to the cylinder block of the compressor mechanism. A guide member engageable with the biasing section of the valve member may also be provided. The valve head may include a second concave surface positioned opposite the surface engageable with the valve seat and have an effective area larger than the discharge port area. The valve head and valve seat may each be partially spherical surfaces having a common radius.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A compressor assembly comprising: 
 a compressor mechanism having a compression chamber and a discharge chamber;    a discharge port providing fluid communication between said compression chamber and said discharge chamber;    a valve seat surface circumscribing said discharge port wherein said valve seat surface includes an inner radial perimeter defining a discharge port area; and    a discharge valve member having a valve head, a biasing section and a valve support, wherein said valve head, said biasing section and said valve support are portions of a single integrally formed part, said valve support being mounted to said compressor mechanism; said biasing section biasing said valve head in a longitudinal direction toward said valve seat surface, said longitudinal direction being perpendicular to a plane containing said discharge port area, and said valve head having a first surface sealingly engageable with said valve seat surface and a second surface disposed opposite said first surface wherein said first surface defines a substantially convex surface and said second surface defines a substantially concave surface, said first surface and said valve seat surface each being substantially shaped to define a portion of a sphere, said second surface exposed to fluid within said discharge chamber and extending radially outwardly of said discharge port whereby, in a plane oriented perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, said second surface defines an effective area greater than said discharge port area.    
   
   
       23 . The compressor assembly of  claim 22  wherein said valve seat surface has a substantially concave shape.  
   
   
       24 . The compressor assembly of  claim 23  wherein said first surface and valve seat surface are each substantially shaped to define a portion of a sphere.  
   
   
       25 . The compressor assembly of  claim 22  wherein said first surface and said valve seat surface have a substantially equivalent radius.  
   
   
       26 . The compressor assembly of  claim 22  wherein operation of said compressor mechanism creates a maximum pressure differential between said compression chamber and said discharge chamber of at least about 500 psi.  
   
   
       27 . The compressor assembly of  claim 22  further comprising a guide member engageable with said biasing section and positioned to limit lateral movement of said discharge valve member.