Reciprocating compressor and fluid injection system

Abstract

A compressor includes a housing, a first compression mechanism and a second compression mechanism disposed in the housing, and a housing cover fixed to the housing. Both the first compression mechanism and the second compression mechanism are configured to compress a working fluid from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure. The first compression mechanism includes a first cylinder housing having a first fluid storage plenum. The second compression mechanism includes a second cylinder housing having a second fluid storage plenum. The housing cover defines an intermediate-fluid port in fluid communication with the first fluid storage plenum via a first intermediate-fluid passage and the second fluid storage plenum via a second intermediate-fluid passage. Working fluid at an intermediate pressure enters the intermediate-fluid port. The intermediate pressure is greater than the suction pressure and less than the discharge pressure.

1 . A compressor comprising:
 a housing;   a first compression mechanism disposed in the housing and configured to compress a working fluid from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure, the first compression mechanism including a first cylinder housing having a first cylinder, a second cylinder, and a first fluid storage plenum;   a second compression mechanism disposed in the housing and configured to compress the working fluid from the suction pressure to the discharge pressure, the second compression mechanism including a second cylinder housing having a third cylinder, a fourth cylinder, and a second fluid storage plenum; and   a housing cover fixed to the housing and defining an intermediate-fluid port therein, the intermediate-fluid port being in fluid communication with the first fluid storage plenum via a first intermediate-fluid passage and the second fluid storage plenum via a second intermediate-fluid passage,   wherein:
 working fluid at an intermediate pressure enters the intermediate-fluid port, 
 the intermediate pressure is greater than the suction pressure and less than the discharge pressure, 
 the first fluid storage plenum and the second fluid storage plenum are configured to store the fluid at the intermediate pressure therein. 
   
     
     
         2 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the housing cover further includes:
 a body defining an outer diameter and an inner diameter spaced radially inward from the outer diameter,   a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface and the second surface defining a thickness therebetween, and   a third surface protruding axially from the second surface, wherein the second surface and the third surface cooperate to define a cavity therebetween.   
     
     
         3 . The compressor of  claim 2 , wherein the cavity is in fluid communication with the intermediate-fluid port. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor of  claim 3 , wherein the second surface of the housing cover defines a plurality of apertures positioned between the outer diameter and the inner diameter, each of the plurality of apertures extending partially through the body to a depth that is less than the thickness. 
     
     
         5 . The compressor of  claim 4 , wherein a channel extends radially inward from each of the plurality of apertures to the inner diameter, each of the channels being in fluid communication with the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The compressor of  claim 5 , wherein each of the channels includes an intermediate-fluid inlet proximate to the inner diameter and an intermediate-fluid outlet proximate to one of the plurality of apertures, wherein the fluid at the intermediate pressure flows through the channel from the intermediate-fluid inlet to the intermediate-fluid outlet. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The compressor of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of apertures are in fluid communication with the cavity via the channel. 
     
     
         9 . The compressor of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of apertures includes a first aperture in fluid communication with the first intermediate-fluid passage and a second aperture in fluid communication with the second intermediate-fluid passage. 
     
     
         10 . The compressor of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid at the intermediate pressure flows from the intermediate-fluid port, through the cavity, through the plurality of apertures, and through the first intermediate-fluid passage and the second intermediate-fluid passage to the respective first storage plenum and second storage plenum. 
     
     
         11 . The compressor of  claim 10 , wherein the first fluid storage plenum is in selective fluid communication with the first cylinder and the second cylinder, and the second fluid storage plenum is in selective fluid communication with the third cylinder and the fourth cylinder. 
     
     
         12 . The compressor of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first cylinder, second cylinder, third cylinder, and fourth cylinder include a sleeve assembly disposed therein, the sleeve assembly including a sleeve and a collar. 
     
     
         13 . The compressor of  claim 12 , wherein the sleeve includes:
 a hollow body including an annular wall extending between a first end and a second end, the hollow body including an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface,   a flange extending radially outward from the first end of the annular wall,   a step positioned between a first portion of the hollow body and a second portion of the hollow body, wherein a diameter of the outer surface of the first portion is greater than a diameter of the outer surface of the second portion,   a plurality of recesses defined in the first portion, and   a plurality of apertures defined in the second portion.   
     
     
         14 . The compressor of  claim 13 , wherein the collar includes:
 an annular member extending between a first end and a second end and including an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface,   a first plurality of protrusions extending axially from the second end,   a second plurality of protrusions extending axially from the first end, and   a plurality of depressions defined in the inner surface, each of the plurality of depressions positioned between each of the first plurality of protrusions.   
     
     
         15 . The compressor of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first end of the collar is in contact with the step of the sleeve,   the second plurality of protrusions of the collar are received in the plurality of recesses of the sleeve, and   the plurality of depressions of the collar are aligned with and spaced apart from the plurality of apertures of the sleeve.   
     
     
         16 . The compressor of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of depressions of the collar and the plurality of apertures of the sleeve cooperate to define a plurality of ports therebetween. 
     
     
         17 . The compressor of  claim 16 , wherein each of the first cylinder, the second cylinder, the third cylinder, and the fourth cylinder receive a piston therein, the piston movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the piston and the sleeve assembly cooperate to selectively permit the fluid at the intermediate pressure to enter the respective cylinder. 
     
     
         18 . The compressor of  claim 17 , wherein when the piston is in the first position, the fluid at the intermediate pressure enters the cylinder through the plurality of ports. 
     
     
         19 . The compressor of  claim 17 , wherein when the piston is in the second position, the fluid at the intermediate pressure is restricted from entering the cylinder. 
     
     
         20 . A compressor comprising:
 a housing;   a compression mechanism disposed in the housing and configured to compress a working fluid from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure; and   a housing cover attached to the housing, the housing cover comprising:
 a circular body defining an outer diameter and an inner diameter spaced radially inward from the outer diameter, the circular body including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 a third surface protruding axially from the second surface along at least a portion of the inner diameter, the second surface and the third surface cooperating to define a cavity therebetween; and 
 a fluid port extending between the first surface and the second surface, 
   wherein the fluid port is configured to receive working fluid at an intermediate pressure and to provide the fluid at the intermediate pressure to the compression mechanism,   wherein the intermediate pressure is greater than the suction pressure and less than the discharge pressure.   
     
     
         21 . The compressor of  claim 20 , wherein the second surface defines a plurality of apertures positioned between the outer diameter and the inner diameter, each of the plurality of apertures extending partially through the circular body. 
     
     
         22 . The compressor of  claim 21 , wherein a channel extends radially inward from each of the plurality of apertures to the inner diameter, the channel being in fluid communication with the cavity. 
     
     
         23 . The compressor of  claim 22 , wherein the channel includes an intermediate-fluid inlet proximate to the inner diameter and an intermediate-fluid outlet proximate to one of the plurality of apertures, wherein the fluid at the intermediate pressure flows through the channel from the intermediate-fluid inlet to the intermediate-fluid outlet. 
     
     
         24 . The compressor of  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the plurality of apertures is in fluid communication with the compression mechanism via an intermediate-fluid passage. 
     
     
         25 .- 50 . (canceled)