Valve for a compressor assembly

Abstract

A compressor assembly including a separator having a separator space. The separator is operable to remove a liquid from a mixture of the liquid and a gas. The assembly includes a sump having a sump space that is positioned to receive the liquid from the separator. A valve is positioned between the separator space and the sump space and is moveable to a closed position in response to a predetermined flow between the sump space and the separator space. A biasing member is positioned to bias the valve toward an open position

1 . A compressor assembly comprising: 
 a separator having a separator space and operable to remove a liquid from a mixture of the liquid and a gas;    a sump having a sump space and positioned to receive the liquid from the separator;    a valve positioned between the separator space and the sump space and moveable to a closed position in response to a predetermined flow between the sump space and the separator space; and    a biasing member positioned to bias the valve toward an open position.    
   
   
       2 . The compressor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve includes a bleed hole that provides uninterrupted fluid communication between the sump space and the separator space.  
   
   
       3 . The compressor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a coil spring.  
   
   
       4 . The compressor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the separator is at least partially formed as part of the sump.  
   
   
       5 . The compressor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sump includes a base, and wherein a portion of the valve is coupled to the base.  
   
   
       6 . The compressor assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a plate positioned between the sump and the separator.  
   
   
       7 . The compressor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve includes a rod that is substantially fixed with respect to the sump and a valve member coupled to the rod and movable along the rod in response to the flow between the sump space and the separator space.  
   
   
       8 . The compressor assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the valve member is coupled to the biasing member such that the biasing member biases the valve member toward an open position, and wherein the rod defines a shoulder that inhibits movement of the valve member toward the open position.  
   
   
       9 . The compressor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve threadably engages the sump.  
   
   
       10 . A method of operating a compressor assembly having a sump in fluid communication with a separator, the method comprising: 
 passing a mixture of a liquid and a gas into the separator, the mixture defining a separator pressure;    separating a substantial amount of the liquid from the mixture;    passing the liquid to the sump to define a sump pressure;    biasing a valve toward an open position; and    blocking a substantial amount of the liquid from passing into the sump by moving the valve toward a closed position when the difference between the separator pressure and the sump pressure exceeds a predetermined value.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising selecting a biasing member to select the predetermined value.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising inhibiting re-entrainment of the liquid into the gas by positioning a plate between the sump and the separator.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising fixedly attaching a rod to the sump and movably coupling a valve member to the rod, the valve member movable between a closed position and an open position.  
   
   
       14 . A valve comprising: 
 a chamber positioned to receive a flow of fluid including a liquid and a gas;    a sump adapted to contain the liquid;    a valve housing at least partially disposed within the sump to define a valve space in fluid communication with the chamber, the valve housing defining an aperture that provides fluid communication between the valve space and the sump;    a valve member at least partially disposed within the valve housing and movable between an open position in which liquid flows from the chamber to the sump and a closed position in which flow between the chamber and the sump is inhibited; and    a biasing member that biases the valve member toward the open position, and wherein the valve member is moveable toward the closed position in response to a pressure differential between the sump and the chamber that is greater than a predetermined value.    
   
   
       15 . The valve of  claim 14 , wherein the valve housing is coupled to the sump.  
   
   
       16 . The valve of  claim 14 , wherein the chamber is at least partially formed as part of the sump.  
   
   
       17 . The valve of  claim 14 , wherein a first end of the valve housing is coupled to the chamber, the chamber operable to separate the liquid from the gas.  
   
   
       18 . The valve of  claim 14 , further comprising a plate positioned between the sump and the separator.  
   
   
       19 . The compressor assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the valve includes a rod that is substantially fixed with respect to the sump and a valve member coupled to the rod and movable along the rod in response to the flow between the sump space and the separator space.  
   
   
       20 . The compressor assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the valve member is coupled to the biasing member such that the biasing member biases the valve member toward an open position, and wherein the rod defines a shoulder that inhibits movement of the valve member toward the open position.