Mechanism to Raise the Efficiency of a Reciprocating Refrigeration Compressor

Abstract

An improvement to raise the efficiency of a reciprocating refrigeration compressor, the improvement comprising a channel in the piston that transfers pressure from the clearance volume of the cylinder to the low pressure side of the piston when an opening of the channel aligns with a groove or a duct in the cylinder wall. The channel comprises a ball extending from and held to the clearance volume opening of the channel by a spring. When the spring is compressed, the ball is moved from the opening, and pressure in the clearance volume is transferred to the low pressure side of the piston.

1 . An improved reciprocating compressor comprising a cylinder body and a piston, the improvement comprising at least one channel in the piston, the channel connecting a clearance volume at a first side of the piston to a low pressure side of the piston, wherein the channel comprises:
 a) a first segment on the clearance volume side of the piston comprising:
 a spherical-shaped opening having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the remainder of the segment, and 
 a ball, a spring, and an adjustable set screw, the ball i) moveable in the first segment and in communication with the spring, ii) extending into the spherical-shaped opening, and iii) having a diameter greater that the opening diameter and less than the diameter of the remainder of the segment, and 
   b) a second segment having an opening at the low pressure side of the piston, the second segment having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first segment,   wherein the ball seals the channel when the spring is extended and opens the channel when the spring is compressed.   
     
     
         2 . The improved compressor of  claim 1  wherein the set screw is in communication with the spring such that adjusting the set screw applies a force from the spring to the ball, forcing the ball to seal the spherical-shaped opening. 
     
     
         3 . A method of improving the efficiency of a reciprocating compressor comprising using the improved compressor of  claim 1  wherein, when the piston completes a compression stroke, a portion of the ball extending from the spherical-shaped opening contacts a valve plate located in the clearance volume side of the piston, the contact moving the ball in the channel by compressing the spring to open the spherical-shaped opening to allow high pressure in the clearance volume to flow through the channel to the low pressure side of the piston. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the high pressure flows to a compressor crankcase.