Patent ID: 7374406
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: F04B

Abstract:
1. A multi-capacity fluid compressor comprising: a compression chamber having a discharge end and an inner surface; a compression member having a disengageable eccentric structure allowing the compressor to provide a plurality of discrete compression capacities, the compression member being arranged and disposed to travel along a portion of the inner surface to vary the volume of the compression chamber; a valve portion disposed adjacent to the discharge end of the compression chamber, the valve portion being arranged and disposed to discharge a compressed fluid when the compression member has completed a compression cycle; a discharge arrangement being arranged and disposed to discharge at least a portion of fluid remaining in the compression chamber at the completion of the compression cycle by the compression member, wherein the discharge of at least a portion of fluid remaining in the compression chamber reduces or eliminates forces on the disengageable eccentric structure to limit rotational acceleration of the disengageable eccentric structure; and wherein the discharge arrangement includes an unobstructed passage disposed in one of the components selected from the group consisting of the compression member, the inner surface and combinations thereof, and is selectively in fluid communication with a lower fluid pressure area upon completion of the compression stroke.