Patent ID: 6102680
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: F04B,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
In a reciprocating compressor having a cylinder with a piston therein, a valve plate having a valve port and defining a suction valve seat, a suction valve adapted to move in and out of seating engagement with said valve seat and lubricated by an oil which forms an oil film between said suction valve and said valve seat with at least a portion of said oil film being no more than a few molecular diameters thick, the improvement comprising:at least one shallow recess formed in said valve plate separate from said valve port and sealed by said suction valve when said suction valve is seated on said valve seat whereby pressurized fluid trapped in said at least one recess provides an opening bias to said suction valve at the start of a suction stroke of said compressor.