Patent ID: 6241483
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: F04B

Abstract:
A variable displacement compressor for compressing gas supplied from an external circuit and returning the gas to the external circuit, the compressor comprising:a housing;a cylinder bore formed in the housing;a crank chamber formed in the housing;a suction chamber formed in the housing such that the suction chamber is connected with the external circuit, wherein gas is supplied from the external circuit to the suction chamber;a discharge chamber formed in the housing;a valve plate for separating the cylinder bore from the suction chamber and the discharge chamber;a piston accommodated in the cylinder bore, wherein the piston draws gas from the suction chamber to the cylinder bore via the valve plate, wherein the piston discharges gas, which has been compressed in the cylinder bore, to the discharge chamber via the valve plate;a drive shaft supported in the housing;a drive plate coupled to the piston for converting rotation of the drive shaft to reciprocation of the piston, the drive plate being supported on the drive shaft, wherein the drive plate moves between a maximum inclination position and a minimum inclination position in accordance with the pressure in the crank chamber, wherein the inclination of the drive plate determines the piston stroke and the displacement of the compressor;a pressure control mechanism for controlling the pressure in the crank chamber to change the inclination of the drive plate;a discharge passage passing through the housing and the valve plate to connect the discharge chamber to the external circuit, wherein gas is sent from the discharge chamber to the external circuit through the discharge passage; anda check valve located on the valve plate to selectively open and close the discharge passage, wherein the check valve is a reed valve, wherein the check valve checks gas flow from the external circuit to the discharge chamber.