Reciprocating compressor with non-self-actuated suction valve

Abstract

A reciprocating compressor having: a suction valve; a discharge valve; and a working chamber; wherein the suction valve is configured to provide fluid communication between a suction channel and the working chamber and the discharge valve is configured to provide fluid communication between the working chamber and a discharge channel; wherein the suction valve has at least one non-self-actuated valve and the discharge valve has at least one self-actuated check valve.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A reciprocating compressor comprising:
 a suction valve;   a discharge valve; and   a working chamber;   wherein the suction valve is configured to provide fluid communication between a suction channel and the working chamber and the discharge valve is configured to provide fluid communication between the working chamber and a discharge channel;   wherein the suction valve comprises at least one non-self-actuated valve and the discharge valve comprises at least one self-actuated check valve.   
     
     
         31 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 30 , wherein the self-actuated check valve comprises one or more of: a reed valve; a plate-valve; self-actuated poppet valve; self-actuated ball check valve. 
     
     
         32 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 30 , wherein the non-self-actuated valve is one or more of: a poppet valve; a rotary valve; a piston valve; a slide valve; a spool valve. 
     
     
         33 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 30 , wherein the non-self-actuated valve is one or more of: mechanically controlled; pneumatically controlled; electrically controlled; hydraulically controlled. 
     
     
         34 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a compressor block having at least one cylinder with a piston arranged to reciprocate therein; and   at least one cylinder head;   wherein the suction valve is arranged in the cylinder head.   
     
     
         35 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 30 , wherein the at least one discharge valve is a plurality of self-actuated check valves. 
     
     
         36 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 30 , wherein the discharge valve is arranged concentrically with the suction valve. 
     
     
         37 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 35 , wherein the plurality of self-actuated check valves are each concentric with the suction valve. 
     
     
         38 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 34 , wherein the suction valve and/or discharge valve are arranged such that their central axis is shared with the central axis of the at least one cylinder. 
     
     
         39 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 34 , wherein the piston is provided with at least one protrusion and the cylinder head is provided with at least one cylinder head recess, wherein the at least one protrusion and the at least one cylinder head recess are registered such that the protrusion will displace at least a portion of the volume of the cylinder head recess in use. 
     
     
         40 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 34 , wherein the piston is provided with at least one piston recess which is shaped and configured to receive a non-self-actuated valve in use. 
     
     
         41 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 34 , wherein the suction channel comprises:
 a first portion formed in the compressor block; and   a second portion formed in the at least one cylinder head;   wherein the first and second portions are configured to mate at a connection to form a fluid passage between the first portion and the second portion for delivering working fluid to the working chamber in use.   
     
     
         42 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 41 , wherein the first portion of the suction channel comprises a fluid entry path adjacent the connection when the first and second portions are mated in use, wherein the fluid entry path is configured to direct fluid at an angle of between 20 degrees and 80 degrees relative to a normal on a cylinder center axis. 
     
     
         43 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 42 , wherein the angle is around 45 degrees. 
     
     
         44 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 41 , wherein the first portion comprises a buffer reservoir. 
     
     
         45 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 30 , wherein:
 the working chamber is a first working chamber and   the suction channel is a first suction channel;   the compressor further comprises a second working chamber and a second suction channel;   the first and second suction channels join to form a combined suction channel comprising an inlet for the compressor receiving working fluid therethrough.   
     
     
         46 . A heat pump comprising the reciprocating compressor according to  claim 30 . 
     
     
         47 . The heat pump according to  claim 46 , wherein the heat pump is a high-temperature heat pump capable in use of supplying output temperatures above 55 degrees Celsius or above 80 degrees Celsius or above 90 degrees Celsius or above 100 degrees Celsius or above 110 degrees Celsius or above 120 degrees Celsius or above 130 degrees Celsius or above 140 degrees Celsius or above 150 degrees Celsius or above 160 degrees Celsius or above 170 degrees Celsius or above 180 degrees Celsius or above 190 degrees Celsius or above 200 degrees Celsius or above 210 degrees Celsius or above 220 degrees Celsius or above 230 degrees Celsius or above 240 degrees Celsius or above 250 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         48 . Use of a reciprocating compressor according to  claim 30  in a heat pump. 
     
     
         49 . A method of operating a reciprocating compressor according to  claim 30 , comprising the steps of:
 a. sucking working fluid into the working chamber via the at least one non-self-actuated valve; and   b. discharging working fluid from the working chamber via the at least one self-actuated check valve.