Patent ID: 6619926
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: F04B

Abstract:
A reversible reciprocating piston compressor comprising:a crankcase defining at least one cylinder therein; a crankshaft which rotates in opposite, forward and reverse directions, said crankshaft rotatably supported by said crankcase and including a crankpin eccentrically positioned relative to an axis of rotation of said crankshaft, said crankshaft including a drive portion attached thereto; a piston reciprocable within said cylinder; a connecting rod assembly disposed between said crankpin and said piston to reciprocally drive said piston in response to forward or reverse rotation of said crankshaft; and a cam assembly operably connected to said crankpin and being engageable with said drive member to effectuate a first stroke length in a first direction of rotation of said crankshaft and a second stroke in a second direction of rotation of said crankshaft, said cam assembly comprising: a cam interposed between said connecting rod assembly and said crankpin; a driven portion attached to said cam and in a contacting relationship with said drive portion through at least one contact interface, said contact interface being oriented at a non-zero angle to a radial reference originating from a centerline axis of said crankpin; and a counterweight attached to said cam and having a center of mass located radially adjacent to or through said contact interface, wherein said drive portion is engageable and disengageable with said driven portion through sliding movement of said drive portion relative to said driven portion along said contact interface.