Reciprocating Compressor with Vented Discharge Valve

Abstract

A compressor ( 20 ) comprises: a case ( 22 ); and at least one piston ( 40 ) mounted for reciprocating movement, each in a respective cylinder ( 42 ) of the case. The at least one piston has a peripheral surface ( 50 ) and an upper surface ( 52 ). At least one discharge valve comprises: a valve element ( 150 ) shiftable between a closed condition and an open condition; a valve guide ( 170 ); one or more springs ( 180 ) held at least partially the valve guide biasing the valve element from the open condition toward the closed condition; and one or more vents ( 300 ) in the valve guide providing a flow path from a region above the valve element upward through the valve guide.

1 . A compressor ( 20 ) comprising:
 a case ( 22 ); and   at least one piston ( 40 ) mounted for reciprocating movement, each in a respective cylinder ( 42 ) of the case, the at least one piston having a peripheral surface ( 50 ) and an upper surface ( 52 ); and   at least one discharge valve comprising:
 an annular valve element ( 150 ) shiftable between a closed condition and an open condition; 
 a valve guide ( 170 ); 
 one or more springs ( 180 ) held at least partially the valve guide biasing the valve element from the open condition toward the closed condition; and 
 one or more vents ( 300 ) in the valve guide providing a flow path from a region above the valve element upward through the valve guide. 
   
     
     
         2 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein:
 the one or more springs are a plurality of coil springs. 
 
     
     
         3 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein:
 the one or more springs are eight to sixteen springs per cylinder. 
 
     
     
         4 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein:
 the one or more springs are partially accommodated in one or more pockets ( 182 ); and 
 the one or more vents extend to the one or more spring pockets. 
 
     
     
         5 . The compressor of  claim 4  wherein:
 the each of the one or more vents is coaxial with a respective associated one of the one or more pockets. 
 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein:
 one or more peripheral openings ( 320 ) provide communication from the cylinder to a discharge plenum ( 76 ). 
 
     
     
         8 . The compressor of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a motor ( 28 ); 
 a crankshaft ( 34 ) driven by the motor; and 
 at least one connecting rod ( 48 ) coupling the crankshaft to the at least one piston. 
 
     
     
         9 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein:
 the one or more vents each comprise a drilled hole. 
 
     
     
         10 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one piston comprises a plurality of identical pistons. 
 
     
     
         11 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein:
 the cylinder is formed in a cylinder block ( 44 ); 
 a valve plate assembly ( 70 ) is mounted to the cylinder block; and 
 the valve guide is mounted to the valve plate assembly. 
 
     
     
         12 . The compressor of  claim 11  wherein:
 the valve plate assembly has a seat ( 132 ) forming a seating surface ( 130 ) of a suction valve; 
 the piston upper surface has an outer portion ( 54 ) and projection ( 80 ) extending centrally upward; and 
 the piston has a top-dead-center condition wherein the projection is partially received within the seat. 
 
     
     
         13 . The compressor of  claim 12  wherein:
 the seat forms an outer seating surface ( 160 ) of a discharge valve; 
 the valve plate assembly has an inner seat ( 166 ) forming an inner seating surface ( 164 ) of the discharge valve; 
 the piston has a recess ( 200 ) in the projection; and 
 in the top-dead-center condition, the inner seat is partially received within the recess. 
 
     
     
         14 . A method for manufacturing the compressor of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 drilling to form the at least one vent.   
     
     
         15 . A method for using the compressor of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 reciprocating the piston in the cylinder, during an upward portion of the reciprocating a flow of fluid passing through the at least one vent.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein:
 the flow of fluid is a branch of a flow being discharged from the cylinder with another branch passing out a peripheral opening. 
 
     
     
         17 . A vapor compression system comprising the compressor of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . The vapor compression system of  claim 17  being a refrigeration system. 
     
     
         19 . A compressor ( 20 ) comprising:
 a case ( 22 ); and   at least one piston ( 40 ) mounted for reciprocating movement, each in a respective cylinder ( 42 ) of the case, the at least one piston having a peripheral surface ( 50 ) and an upper surface ( 52 ); and   at least one discharge valve comprising:
 a valve element ( 150 ) shiftable between a closed condition and an open condition; 
 a valve guide ( 170 ); 
 one or more springs ( 180 ) held at least partially the valve guide biasing the valve element from the open condition toward the closed condition; 
 one or more vents ( 300 ) in the valve guide providing a first branch of flow path from a region above the valve element upward through the valve guide; and 
 a peripheral opening providing a second branch of the flow path from the region above the valve element outward through the peripheral opening. 
   
     
     
         20 . The compressor of  claim 19  wherein:
 the valve element is an annular element. 
 
     
     
         21 . The compressor of  claim 20  wherein:
 the one or more springs are eight to sixteen springs per cylinder.