Patent ID: 9377018
Filing Date: 2016-06-28
CPC Classification: F04B

Claim Text:
1. An unloader assembly for a compressor, comprising: one or more fingers configured to engage one or more valve elements of a suction valve of the compressor, the one or more valve elements being configured to move downward from a closed position to an open position and being biased toward the closed position; a biasing member coupled to the one or more fingers and configured to bias the one or more fingers downward such that the one or more fingers follow the one or more valve elements; an actuating rod coupled to the one or more fingers and extending longitudinally therefrom; a first reservoir containing a smart fluid and adapted to receive the actuating rod; a housing in which the one or more fingers and the actuating rod are at least partially disposed; a pressure balance line extending from within the housing to the first reservoir, such that a pressure in the first reservoir is referenced to a pressure in the housing; and a coil disposed at least one of proximal to and within the first reservoir, the coil being configured to produce a field when an electrical current is supplied to the coil to change one or more viscoelastic properties of the smart fluid.