Patent ID: 8062003
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: A61M,F04B

Abstract:
1. A compressor for compressing a gas, comprising: first and second cylinders; first and second pistons received in said first and second cylinders; a drive mechanism coupled to the first and second pistons for reciprocating the first and second pistons in the first and second cylinders; a cylinder head that includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a component chamber that extends from the inlet portion to the outlet portion, the cylinder head further comprising a first charging port in fluid communication with the component chamber and the first cylinder and a second charging port in fluid communication with the component chamber and the second cylinder; a first check valve disposed in the component chamber between the inlet portion and the first charging port; a second check valve disposed in the component chamber between the first charging port and the second charging port; a third check valve disposed in the component chamber between the second charging port and the outlet end portion; wherein each of the first, second and third check valves include a valve body, a spring, and a valve element, wherein the valve body includes a cage that surrounds the spring and the valve element, wherein the valve body includes a central opening and the spring biases the valve element into engagement with the valve body to close the opening; a first spacer disposed between the first check valve and the second check valve, wherein the first spacer is a separate component than the cages of the first and second check valves, wherein a first end of the first spacer engages the valve body of the first check valve and a second end of the first spacer engages the valve body of the second check valve, said first spacer being configured to communicate fluid flow from the first check valve to the first charging port and from the first charging port to the second check valve; a second spacer disposed between the second check valve and the third check valve, wherein the second spacer is a separate component than the cages of the second and third check valves, wherein a first end of the second spacer engages the valve body of the second check valve and a second end of the second spacer engages the cage of the third check valve, said second spacer being configured to communicate fluid flow from the second check valve to the second charging port and from the second charging port to the third check valve, wherein the second spacer includes an external groove in fluid communication with the second charging port, a central spacer opening in fluid communication with the second check valve and the third check valve, and a radially extending passage that connects the external groove and the central spacer opening.