Head Discharging Compressor System

Abstract

A cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor system includes a compressor pump having a compression cylinder and piston. An inlet valve moves to an open position and allows air to enter the compression cylinder through an inlet valve clearance during intake strokes of the piston. The inlet valve moves to a closed position and prevents air from exiting the compression cylinder through the inlet valve clearance during compression strokes of the piston. An orifice has a minimum cross sectional area smaller than the inlet valve clearance. The orifice allows air to enter the compression cylinder during intake strokes of the piston and allows air to exit the compression cylinder during piston compression strokes. The amount of air passing through the orifice is significantly less than the amount of air passing through the inlet valve clearance during each intake stroke. The orifice relieves backpressure within the compression cylinder.

1 . A compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor, the air compressor having a compressor pump having a compression cylinder, the compression cylinder having a piston positioned to reciprocate with intake and compression strokes within the compression cylinder, the compressor head comprising:
 an inlet valve, said inlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said inlet valve having a valve clearance when said inlet valve is in said open position, said inlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to enter the compression cylinder through said valve clearance during intake strokes of the piston, said inlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from exiting the compression cylinder through the valve clearance during compression strokes of the piston; and   an orifice having a cross sectional size that is significantly smaller than the effective area of said valve clearance of said inlet valve, said orifice positioned to allow air to enter the compression cylinder during intake strokes of the piston and to allow air to exit the compression cylinder during compression strokes of the piston.   
   
   
       2 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1 , said compressor head further comprising an outlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said outlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to exit said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve during intake strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve when said piston is not reciprocating in said compression cylinder, said outlet valve being substantially leak free when in said closed position. 
   
   
       3 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1 , said compressor head further comprising an outlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said outlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to exit said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve during intake strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve when said piston is not reciprocating in said compression cylinder, said outlet valve being substantially leak free when in said closed position, said outlet valve comprising an elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       4 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an outlet valve that is an elastomeric o-ring check valve,   a hollow valve shaft, said valve shaft having a tapered portion, a non-tapered portion, an open top, and an inside surface;   a sealing ring having a closed position and an open position, said sealing ring being capable of reciprocating along said non-tapered portion of said valve shaft from said closed position and said open position;   an actuation ring positioned to reciprocate along said tapered portion of said valve shaft, said actuation ring biasing said sealing ring to said closed position; and   said open top of said valve shaft being positioned to allow air from the environment surrounding said cylinder arrangement to flow across and cool said inside surface of said valve shaft.   
   
   
       5 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1  having an outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       6 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1  having an outlet valve comprising a metallic sealing check valve. 
   
   
       7 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1 , said inlet valve comprising a reed valve. 
   
   
       8 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1  having an outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated check valve. 
   
   
       9 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1  further comprising an outlet valve, said outlet valve being capable of sealing and preventing air that has been compressed by said piston from flowing back through said outlet valve when said outlet valve is closed during intake strokes of said piston. 
   
   
       10 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a cylinder valve plate, said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and being positioned to allow air to exit said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston; and   an outlet valve positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       11 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   a cylinder outlet chamber for receiving air that has been compressed by said piston in said compression cylinder;   a cylinder valve plate positioned between said cylinder inlet chamber and said compression cylinder and between said compression cylinder and said cylinder outlet chamber;   said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass from said cylinder inlet chamber into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to pass through said valve plate from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and positioned to allow air to pass through said valve plate from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston; and   an outlet valve being positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to pass from said compression cylinder to said cylinder outlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston,   
   
   
       12 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       13 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice extending from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       14 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said inlet valve comprising a reed valve; and   said orifice being positioned to extend through said reed valve to allow air to flow into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       15 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said orifice extending from said compression cylinder to the environment surrounding said compressor pump;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from the environment surrounding said compressor pump to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to the environment surrounding said compressor pump during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       16 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice including an orifice tube extending from said cylinder inlet chamber to the exterior of said compressor pump and to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       17 . The compressor bead for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 1  further comprising an outlet valve, a discharge tube, and an air reservoir, said outlet valve being positioned to prevent the loss of air pressure within said air reservoir and said discharge tube through said compressor pump when said piston is not reciprocating. 
   
   
       18 . A compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor, the air compressor having a compressor pump having a compression cylinder, the compression cylinder having a piston positioned to reciprocate with intake and compression strokes within the compression cylinder, the compressor head comprising:
 an inlet valve, said inlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said inlet valve having a valve clearance when said inlet valve is in said open position, said inlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to enter the compression cylinder through said valve clearance during intake strokes of the piston, said inlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from exiting the compression cylinder through the valve clearance during compression strokes of the piston; and   an air passage extending from upstream of said inlet valve to said compression cylinder, said air passage having a cross sectional size that is significantly smaller than the effective area of said valve clearance of said inlet valve, said air passage positioned to allow air to enter the compression cylinder during intake strokes of the piston and to allow air to exit the compression cylinder during compression strokes of the piston.   
   
   
       19 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18 , said air passage further comprising an orifice, said orifice having a cross sectional size that is significantly smaller than the effective area of said valve clearance of said inlet valve, said orifice positioned to allow air to enter the compression cylinder during intake strokes of the piston and to allow air to exit the compression cylinder during compression strokes of the piston. 
   
   
       20 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18 , said compressor head further comprising an outlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said outlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to exit said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve during intake strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve when said piston is not reciprocating in said compression cylinder, said outlet valve being substantially leak free when in said closed position. 
   
   
       21 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18 , said compressor head further comprising an outlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said outlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to exit said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve during intake strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve when said piston is not reciprocating in said compression cylinder, said outlet valve being substantially leak free when in said closed position, said outlet valve comprising an elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       22 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18  further comprising:
 an outlet valve that is an elastomeric o-ring check valve,   a hollow valve shaft, said valve shaft having a tapered portion, a non-tapered portion, an open top, and an inside surface;   a sealing ring having a closed position and an open position, said sealing ring being capable of reciprocating along said non-tapered portion of said valve shaft from said closed position and said open position;   an actuation ring positioned to reciprocate along said tapered portion of said valve shaft, said actuation ring biasing said sealing ring to said closed position; and   said open top of said valve shaft being positioned to allow air from the environment surrounding said cylinder arrangement to flow across and cool said inside surface of said valve shaft.   
   
   
       23 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18  having an outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       24 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18  having an outlet valve comprising a metallic sealing check valve. 
   
   
       25 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18 , said inlet valve comprising a reed valve. 
   
   
       26 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18  having an outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated check valve. 
   
   
       27 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18  further comprising an outlet valve, said outlet valve being capable of sealing and preventing air that has been compressed by said piston from flowing back through said outlet valve when said outlet valve is closed during intake strokes of said piston. 
   
   
       28 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18  further comprising:
 a cylinder valve plate, said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said air passage being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and being positioned to allow air to exit said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston; and   an outlet valve positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       29 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   a cylinder outlet chamber for receiving air that has been compressed by said piston in said compression cylinder;   a cylinder valve plate positioned between said cylinder inlet chamber and said compression cylinder and between said compression cylinder and said cylinder outlet chamber;   said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass from said cylinder inlet chamber into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston;   said air passage being positioned to allow air to pass through said valve plate from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and positioned to allow air to pass through said valve plate from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston; and   an outlet valve being positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to pass from said compression cylinder to said cylinder outlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       30 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said air passage being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said air passage being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       31 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18  further comprising.
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said air passage extending from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder;   said air passage being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said air passage being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       32 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18  further comprising:
 said inlet valve comprising a reed valve; and   said air passage being positioned to extend through said reed valve to allow air to flow into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       33 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18  further comprising;
 said air passage extending from said compression cylinder to the upstream environment surrounding said compressor pump;   said air passage being positioned to allow air to flow from the upstream environment surrounding said compressor pump to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said air passage being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to the upstream environment surrounding said compressor pump during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       34 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said air passage comprising an orifice tube extending from said cylinder inlet chamber to the exterior of said compressor pump and to said compression cylinder;   said air passage being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said air passage being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       35 . The compressor head for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 18  further comprising an outlet valve, a discharge tube, and an air reservoir, said outlet valve being positioned to prevent the loss of air pressure within said air reservoir and said discharge tube through said compressor pump when said piston is not reciprocating. 
   
   
       36 . A cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor comprising:
 a compressor pump having a compression cylinder, said compression cylinder having a piston positioned to reciprocate with intake and compression strokes within said compression cylinder;   an inlet valve, said inlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said inlet valve having a valve clearance when said inlet valve is in said open position, said inlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to enter said compression cylinder through said valve clearance during intake strokes of said piston, said inlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from exiting said compression cylinder through said valve clearance during compression strokes of said piston;   an orifice having a minimum cross sectional size that is smaller than said valve clearance of said inlet valve, said orifice allowing air to enter said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice allowing air to exit said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston;   a discharge tube and an air reservoir, said discharge tube allowing air to flow from said compressor pump to said air reservoir; and   an outlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said outlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to exit said compression cylinder and enter said discharge tube during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve during intake strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from said discharge tube and from said air reservoir from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve when said piston is not reciprocating in said compression cylinder, said outlet valve being substantially leak free when in said closed position.   
   
   
       37 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36 , said outlet valve comprising an elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       38 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36 , said outlet valve being an elastomeric o-ring check valve further comprising:
 a hollow valve shaft, said valve shaft having a tapered portion, a non-tapered portion, an open top, and an inside surface;   a sealing ring having a closed position and an open position, said sealing ring being capable of reciprocating along said non-tapered portion of said valve shaft from said closed position and said open position;   an actuation ring positioned to reciprocate along said tapered portion of said valve shaft, said actuation ring biasing said sealing ring to said closed position; and   said open top of said valve shaft being positioned to allow air from the environment surrounding said cylinder arrangement to flow across and cool said inside surface of said valve shaft.   
   
   
       39 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36 , said outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       40 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36 , said outlet valve comprising a metallic sealing check valve. 
   
   
       41 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36 , said inlet valve comprising a reed valve. 
   
   
       42 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36 , said outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated check valve. 
   
   
       43 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36 , said outlet valve being capable of sealing and maintaining air pressure within said discharge tube to prevent the escape of air from the air reservoir to the environment surrounding said cylinder arrangement when said piston is not reciprocating within said compression cylinder. 
   
   
       44 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36 , said outlet valve being capable of sealing and preventing air that has been compressed by said piston from flowing back through said outlet valve when said outlet valve is closed during intake strokes of said piston. 
   
   
       45 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36  further comprising a cylinder valve plate, said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and being positioned to allow air to exit said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve being positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston. 
   
   
       46 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   a cylinder outlet chamber for receiving air that has been compressed by said piston in said compression cylinder:   a cylinder valve plate positioned between said cylinder inlet chamber and said compression cylinder and between said compression cylinder and said cylinder outlet chamber;   said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass from said cylinder inlet chamber into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to pass through said valve plate from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and positioned to allow air to pass through said valve plate from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston; and   said outlet valve being positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to pass from said compression cylinder to said cylinder outlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       47 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       48 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice extending from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       49 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36  further comprising:
 said inlet valve comprising a reed valve; and   said orifice being positioned to extend through said reed valve to allow air to flow into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       50 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36  further comprising:
 said orifice extending from said compression cylinder to the environment surrounding said compressor pump;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from the environment surrounding said compressor pump to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to the environment surrounding said compressor pump during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       51 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice including an orifice tube extending from said cylinder inlet chamber to the exterior of said compressor pump and to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       52 . The cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor of  claim 36 , said outlet valve being positioned to prevent the loss of air pressure within said air reservoir and said discharge tube through said compressor pump when said piston is not reciprocating. 
   
   
       53 . A compressor pump for a reciprocating air compressor comprising:
 a compression cylinder, said compression cylinder having a piston positioned to reciprocate with intake and compression strokes within said compression cylinder;   an inlet valve, said inlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said inlet valve having a valve clearance when said inlet valve is in said open position, said inlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to enter said compression cylinder through said valve clearance during intake strokes of said piston, said inlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from exiting said compression cylinder through said valve clearance during compression strokes of said piston;   an orifice having a minimum cross sectional size that is smaller than said valve clearance of said inlet valve, said orifice allowing air to enter said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice allowing air to exit said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston; and   an outlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said outlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to exit said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve during intake strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve when said piston is not reciprocating in said compression cylinder, said outlet valve being substantially leak free when in said closed position.   
   
   
       54 . The compressor pump of  claim 53 , said outlet valve comprising an elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       55 . The compressor pump of  claim 53 , said outlet valve being an elastomeric o-ring check valve further comprising:
 a hollow valve shaft, said valve shaft having a tapered portion, a non-tapered portion, an open top, and an inside surface;   a sealing ring having a closed position and an open position, said sealing ring being capable of reciprocating along said non-tapered portion of said valve shaft from said closed position and said open position;   an actuation ring positioned to reciprocate along said tapered portion of said valve shaft, said actuation ring biasing said sealing ring to said closed position; and   said open top of said valve shaft being positioned to allow air from the environment surrounding said cylinder arrangement to flow across and cool said inside surface of said valve shaft.   
   
   
       56 . The compressor pump of  claim 53 , said outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       57 . The compressor pump of  claim 53 , said outlet valve comprising a metallic scaling check valve. 
   
   
       58 . The compressor pump of  claim 53 , said inlet valve comprising a reed valve. 
   
   
       59 . The compressor pump of  claim 53 , said outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated check valve. 
   
   
       60 . The compressor pump of  claim 53 , said outlet valve being capable of sealing and maintaining air pressure within said discharge tube to prevent the escape of air from the air reservoir to the environment surrounding said compressor pump when said piston is not reciprocating within said compression cylinder. 
   
   
       61 . The compressor pump of  claim 53 , said outlet valve being capable of sealing and preventing air that has been compressed by said piston from flowing back through said outlet valve when said outlet valve is closed during intake strokes of said piston. 
   
   
       62 . The compressor pump of  claim 53  further comprising a cylinder valve plate, said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and being positioned to allow air to exit said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve being positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston. 
   
   
       63 . The compressor pump of  claim 53  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   a cylinder outlet chamber for receiving air that has been compressed by said piston in said compression cylinder;   a cylinder valve plate positioned between said cylinder inlet chamber and said compression cylinder and between said compression cylinder and said cylinder outlet chamber;   said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass from said cylinder inlet chamber into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to pass through said valve plate from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and positioned to allow air to pass through said valve plate from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston; and   said outlet valve being positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to pass from said compression cylinder to said cylinder outlet chamber through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       64 . The compressor pump of  claim 53  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       65 . The compressor pump of  claim 53  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice extending from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       66 . The compressor pump of  claim 53  further comprising:
 said inlet valve comprising a reed valve; and   said orifice being positioned to extend through said reed valve to allow air to flow into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       67 . The compressor pump of  claim 53  further comprising:
 said orifice extending from said compression cylinder to the environment surrounding said compressor pump;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from the environment surrounding said compressor pump to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to the environment surrounding said compressor pump during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       68 . The compressor pump of  claim 53  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice including an orifice tube extending from said cylinder inlet chamber to the exterior of said compressor pump and to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       69 . A cylinder valve plate for a reciprocating air compressor having an air compressor pump, the compressor pump having a compression cylinder and a piston positioned to reciprocate with intake and compression strokes within the compression cylinder, said cylinder valve plate comprising:
 a valve plate body for mounting within the compressor pump;   an inlet valve positioned on said valve plate body, said inlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said inlet valve having a valve clearance when said inlet valve is in said open position, said inlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to enter the compression cylinder through said valve clearance during intake strokes of the piston, said inlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from exiting the compression cylinder through said valve clearance during compression strokes of the piston;   an orifice having a minimum cross sectional size that is smaller than said valve clearance of said inlet valve, said orifice allowing air to enter the compression cylinder during intake strokes of the piston, said orifice allowing air to exit the compression cylinder during compression strokes of the piston; and   an outlet valve positioned relative to said valve plate body, said outlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said outlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to exit the compression cylinder during compression strokes of the piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering the compression cylinder through said outlet valve during intake strokes of the piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering the compression cylinder through said outlet valve when the piston is not reciprocating in the compression cylinder, said outlet valve being substantially leak free when in said closed position.   
   
   
       70 . The cylinder valve plate of  claim 69 , said outlet valve comprising an elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       71 . The cylinder valve plate of  claim 69 , said outlet valve being an elastomeric o-ring check valve further comprising:
 a hollow valve shaft, said valve shaft having a tapered portion, a non-tapered portion, an open top, and an inside surface;   a scaling ring having a closed position and an open position, said sealing ring being capable of reciprocating along said non-tapered portion of said valve shaft from said closed position and said open position;   an actuation ring positioned to reciprocate along said tapered portion of said valve shaft, said actuation ring biasing said sealing ring to said closed position; and   said open top of said valve shaft being positioned to allow air from the environment surrounding said cylinder arrangement to flow across and cool said inside surface of said valve shaft.   
   
   
       72 . The cylinder valve plate of  claim 69 , said outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       73 . The cylinder valve plate of  claim 69 , said outlet valve comprising a metallic sealing check valve. 
   
   
       74 . The cylinder valve plate of  claim 69 , said inlet valve comprising a reed valve. 
   
   
       75 . The cylinder valve plate of  claim 69 , said outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated check valve. 
   
   
       76 . The cylinder valve plate of  claim 69 , said outlet valve being capable of sealing and maintaining air pressure within said discharge tube to prevent the escape of air from the air reservoir to the environment surrounding the reciprocating air compressor when said piston is not reciprocating within said compression cylinder. 
   
   
       77 . The cylinder valve plate of  claim 69 , said outlet valve being capable of sealing and preventing air that has been compressed by said piston from flowing back through said outlet valve when said outlet valve is closed during intake strokes of said piston. 
   
   
       78 . The cylinder valve plate of  claim 69 , the compressor pump having a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding the compressor pump and for providing air to the compression cylinder, said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from the cylinder inlet chamber to the compression cylinder during intake strokes of the piston, said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from the compression cylinder to the cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of the piston. 
   
   
       79 . The cylinder valve plate of  claim 69 , the compressor pump having a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding the compressor pump and for providing air to the compression cylinder, said orifice extending from the cylinder inlet chamber to the compression cylinder, said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from the cylinder inlet chamber to the compression cylinder during intake strokes of the piston, said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from the compression cylinder to the cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of the piston. 
   
   
       80 . The cylinder valve plate of  claim 69 , said inlet valve comprising a reed valve, said orifice being positioned to extend through said reed valve to allow air to flow into the compression cylinder during intake strokes of the piston and to allow air to exit from the compression cylinder during compression strokes of the piston. 
   
   
       81 . The cylinder valve plate of  claim 69  further comprising:
 said orifice extending from the compression cylinder to the environment surrounding the compressor pump;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from the environment surrounding the compressor pump to the compression cylinder during intake strokes of the piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from the compression cylinder to the environment surrounding the compressor pump during compression strokes of the piston.   
   
   
       82 . The cylinder valve plate of  claim 69 , the compressor pump having a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding the compressor pump and for providing air to the compression cylinder;
 said orifice including an orifice tube extending from the cylinder inlet chamber to the exterior of the compressor pump and to the compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from the cylinder inlet chamber to the compression cylinder during intake strokes of the piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from the compression cylinder to the cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of the piston.   
   
   
       83 . A compressor pump for a reciprocating air compressor comprising,
 a compression cylinder, said compression cylinder having a piston positioned to reciprocate with intake and compression strokes within said compression cylinder;   an inlet valve, said inlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said inlet valve having a valve clearance when said inlet valve is in said open position, said inlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to enter said compression cylinder through said valve clearance during intake strokes of said piston, said inlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from exiting said compression cylinder through said valve clearance during compression strokes of said piston;   an orifice having a minimum cross sectional size that is smaller than said valve clearance of said inlet valve, said orifice allowing air to enter said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice allowing air to exit said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston;   a discharge tube and an air reservoir, said discharge tube allowing air to flow from said compressor pump to said air reservoir; and   an outlet valve positioned between said compression cylinder and said discharge tube, said outlet valve being the only valve positioned between said compression cylinder and said discharge tube, said outlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said outlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to exit said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve during intake strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve when said piston is not reciprocating in said compression cylinder, said outlet valve being substantially leak free when in said closed position.   
   
   
       84 . The compressor pump of  claim 83 , said outlet valve comprising an elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       85 . The compressor pump of  claim 83 , said outlet valve being an elastomeric o-ring check valve further comprising:
 a hollow valve shaft, said valve shaft having a tapered portion, a non-tapered portion, an open top, and an inside surface;   a sealing ring having a closed position and an open position, said sealing ring being capable of reciprocating along said non-tapered portion of said valve shaft from said closed position and said open position;   an actuation ring positioned to reciprocate along said tapered portion of said valve shaft, said actuation ring biasing said sealing ring to said closed position; and   said open top of said valve shaft being positioned to allow air from the environment surrounding said cylinder arrangement to flow across and cool said inside surface of said valve shaft.   
   
   
       86 . The compressor pump of  claim 83 , said outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       87 . The compressor pump of  claim 83 , said outlet valve comprising a metallic sealing check valve. 
   
   
       88 . The compressor pump of  claim 83 , said inlet valve comprising a reed valve. 
   
   
       89 . The compressor pump of  claim 83 , said outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated check valve. 
   
   
       90 . The compressor pump of  claim 83 , said outlet valve being capable of sealing and maintaining air pressure within said discharge tube to prevent the escape of air from the air reservoir to the environment surrounding said compressor pump when said piston is not reciprocating within said compression cylinder. 
   
   
       91 . The compressor pump of  claim 83 , said outlet valve being capable of sealing and preventing air that has been compressed by said piston from flowing back through said outlet valve when said outlet valve is closed during intake strokes of said piston. 
   
   
       92 . The compressor pump of  claim 83  further comprising a cylinder valve plate, said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and being positioned to allow air to exit said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve being positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston. 
   
   
       93 . The compressor pump of  claim 83  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   a cylinder outlet chamber for receiving air that has been compressed by said piston in said compression cylinder;   a cylinder valve plate positioned between said cylinder inlet chamber and said compression cylinder and between said compression cylinder and said cylinder outlet chamber;   said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass from said cylinder inlet chamber into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston,   said orifice being positioned to allow air to pass through said valve plate from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and positioned to allow air to pass through said valve plate from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston; and   said outlet valve being positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to pass from said compression cylinder to said cylinder outlet chamber through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       94 . The compressor pump of  claim 83  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       95 . The compressor pump of  claim 83  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice extending from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       96 . The compressor pump of  claim 83  further comprising:
 said inlet valve comprising a reed valve; and   said orifice being positioned to extend through said reed valve to allow air to flow into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       97 . The compressor pump of  claim 83  further comprising;
 said orifice extending from said compression cylinder to the environment surrounding said compressor pump;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from the environment surrounding said compressor pump to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to the environment surrounding said compressor pump during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       98 . The compressor pump of  claim 83  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice including an orifice tube extending from said cylinder inlet chamber to the exterior of said compressor pump and to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       99 . A reciprocating air compressor system comprising:
 a compressor pump having a compression cylinder, said compression cylinder having a piston positioned to reciprocate with intake and compression strokes within said compression cylinder;   an engine for reciprocating said piston within said compression cylinder;   an inlet valve, said inlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said inlet valve having a valve clearance when said inlet valve is in said open position, said inlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to enter said compression cylinder through said valve clearance during intake strokes of said piston, said inlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from exiting said compression cylinder through said valve clearance during compression strokes of said piston;   an orifice having a minimum cross sectional size that is smaller than said valve clearance of said inlet valve, said orifice allowing air to enter said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice allowing air to exit said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston;   a discharge tube and an air reservoir, said discharge tube allowing air to flow from said compressor pump to said air reservoir; and   an outlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said outlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to exit said compression cylinder and enter said discharge tube through said outlet valve during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve during intake strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from said discharge tube and from said air reservoir from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve when said piston is not reciprocating in said compression cylinder, said outlet valve being substantially leak free when in said closed position.   
   
   
       100 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99  further comprising a pressure switch for operating said motor, said pressure switch being positioned to cause said motor to reciprocate said piston and cause said air compressor system to compress air when air pressure in said air reservoir is below a predetermined minimum level, said pressure switch being positioned to cause said motor to stop reciprocating said piston and cause said air compressor system to stop compressing air when air pressure in said air reservoir is above predetermined maximum level. 
   
   
       101 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99 , said outlet valve comprising an elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       102 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99 , said outlet valve being an elastomeric o-ring check valve further comprising:
 a hollow valve shaft, said valve shaft having a tapered portion, a non-tapered portion, an open top, and an inside surface;   a sealing ring having a closed position and an open position, said sealing ring being capable of reciprocating along said non-tapered portion of said valve shaft from said closed position and said open position;   an actuation ring positioned to reciprocate along said tapered portion of said valve shaft, said actuation ring biasing said sealing ring to said closed position; and   said open top of said valve shaft being positioned to allow air from the environment surrounding said cylinder arrangement to flow across and cool said inside surface of said valve shaft.   
   
   
       103 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99 , said outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated elastomeric o-ring check valve. 
   
   
       104 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99 , said outlet valve comprising a metallic sealing check valve. 
   
   
       105 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99 , said outlet valve being capable of sealing and maintaining air pressure within said discharge tube to prevent the escape of air from the air reservoir to the environment surrounding said air compressor system when said piston is not reciprocating within said compression cylinder. 
   
   
       106 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99 , said outlet valve being capable of sealing and preventing air that has been compressed by said piston from flowing back through said outlet valve when said outlet valve is closed during intake strokes of said piston. 
   
   
       107 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99 , said inlet valve comprising a reed valve. 
   
   
       108 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99 , said outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated check valve. 
   
   
       109 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99  further comprising a cylinder valve plate, said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and being positioned to allow air to exit said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston. 
   
   
       110 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   a cylinder outlet chamber for receiving air that has been compressed by said piston in said compression cylinder;   a cylinder valve plate positioned between said cylinder inlet chamber and said compression cylinder and between said compression cylinder and said cylinder outlet chamber;   said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass from said cylinder inlet chamber into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to pass through said valve plate from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and positioned to allow air to pass through said valve plate from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston; and   said outlet valve being positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to pass from said compression cylinder to said cylinder outlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       111 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       112 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice extending from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       113 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99  further comprising:
 said inlet valve comprising a reed valve; and   said orifice being positioned to extend through said reed valve to allow air to flow into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       114 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99  further comprising:
 said orifice extending from said compression cylinder to the environment surrounding said compressor pump;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from the environment surrounding said compressor pump to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to the environment surrounding said compressor pump during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       115 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99  further comprising:
 a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compression cylinder;   said orifice including an orifice tube extending from said cylinder inlet chamber to the exterior of said compressor pump and to said compression cylinder;   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said cylinder inlet chamber to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston; and   said orifice being positioned to allow air to flow from said compression cylinder to said cylinder inlet chamber during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       116 . The reciprocating air compressor system of  claim 99 , said outlet valve being positioned to prevent the loss of air pressure within said air reservoir and said discharge tube through said compressor pump when said piston is not reciprocating. 
   
   
       117 . A cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor comprising:
 a compressor pump having a compression cylinder, said compression cylinder having a piston positioned to reciprocate with intake and compression strokes within said compression cylinder;   an inlet valve comprising a reed valve, said inlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said inlet valve having a valve clearance when said inlet valve is in said open position, said inlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to enter said compression cylinder through said valve clearance during intake strokes of said piston, said inlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from exiting said compression cylinder through said valve clearance during compression strokes of said piston;   an orifice having a minimum cross sectional size that is smaller than said valve clearance of said inlet valve, said orifice allowing air to enter said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice allowing air to exit said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston;   a discharge tube and an air reservoir, said discharge tube allowing air to flow from said compressor pump to said air reservoir:   an outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated elastomeric check valve, said outlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said outlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to exit said compression cylinder and enter said discharge tube during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve during intake strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from said discharge tube and from said air reservoir from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve when said piston is not reciprocating in said compression cylinder, said outlet valve being substantially leak free when in said closed position; and   a cylinder valve plate, said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and being positioned to allow air to exit said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve being positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       118 . A cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor comprising:
 a compressor pump having a compression cylinder, said compression cylinder having a piston positioned to reciprocate with intake and compression strokes within said compression cylinder;   a cylinder inlet chamber for receiving air from the environment surrounding said compressor pump and for providing air to said compressor cylinder;   a cylinder outlet chamber for receiving air that has been compressed by said piston in said compression cylinder;   an inlet valve comprising a reed valve, said inlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said inlet valve having a valve clearance when said inlet valve is in said open position, said inlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to enter said compression cylinder from said cylinder inlet chamber through said valve clearance during intake strokes of said piston, said inlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from exiting said compression cylinder through said valve clearance during compression strokes of said piston;   an orifice having a minimum cross sectional size that is smaller than said valve clearance of said inlet valve, said orifice allowing air to enter said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice allowing air to exit said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston;   a discharge tube and an air reservoir, said discharge tube allowing air to flow from said compressor pump to said air reservoir;   an outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated elastomeric check valve, said outlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said outlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to exit said compression cylinder and enter said cylinder outlet chamber and said discharge tube during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve during intake strokes of said piston, said outlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from said cylinder outlet chamber, from said discharge tube and from said air reservoir from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve when said piston is not reciprocating in said compression cylinder, said outlet valve being substantially leak free when in said closed position; and   a cylinder valve plate, said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and being positioned to allow air to exit said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve being positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston.   
   
   
       119 . A cylinder arrangement for a reciprocating air compressor comprising:
 a compressor pump having a compression cylinder, said compression cylinder having a piston positioned to reciprocate with intake and compression strokes within said compression cylinder;   an inlet valve comprising a reed valve, said inlet valve having an open position and a closed position, said inlet valve having a valve clearance when said inlet valve is in said open position, said inlet valve moving to said open position and allowing air to enter said compression cylinder through said valve clearance during intake strokes of said piston, said inlet valve moving to said closed position and preventing air from exiting said compression cylinder through said valve clearance during compression strokes of said piston;   an orifice having a minimum cross sectional size that is smaller than said valve clearance of said inlet valve, said orifice allowing air to enter said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice allowing air to exit said compression cylinder during compression strokes of said piston;   a discharge tube and an air reservoir, said discharge tube allowing air to flow from said compressor pump to said air reservoir;   an outlet valve comprising a spring-actuated elastomeric check valve, said outlet valve having a hollow valve shaft, said valve shaft having a tapered portion, a non-tapered portion, an open top, and an inside surface, said outlet valve having a sealing ring having a closed position and an open position, said sealing ring being capable of reciprocating along said non-tapered portion of said valve shaft from said closed position and said open position, said outlet valve having an actuation ring positioned to reciprocate along said tapered portion of said valve shaft, said actuation ring biasing said sealing ring to said closed position, said open top of said valve shaft being positioned to allow air from the environment surrounding said cylinder arrangement to flow across and cool said inside surface of said valve shaft;   said sealing ring moving to said open position and allowing air to exit said compression cylinder and enter said discharge tube during compression strokes of said piston, said actuation ring moving said sealing ring to said closed position and preventing air from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve during intake strokes of said piston, said actuation ring moving said sealing ring to said closed position and preventing air from said discharge tube and from said air reservoir from entering said compression cylinder through said outlet valve when said piston is not reciprocating in said compression cylinder, said sealing ring being substantially leak free when in said closed position; and   a cylinder valve plate, said inlet valve being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate into said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston, said orifice being positioned on said valve plate to allow air to pass through said valve plate to said compression cylinder during intake strokes of said piston and being positioned to allow air to exit said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston, said outlet valve being positioned relative to said valve plate to allow air to exit from said compression cylinder through said valve plate during compression strokes of said piston.