Patent ID: 8794941

Claim:
A positive displacement compressor, comprising: a compression chamber, including a cylindrical-shaped casing having a first end, a second end, and an inner curved surface; a shaft located axially in the compression chamber; a non-circular rotor mounted for rotation with the shaft relative to the casing, the non-circular rotor having a sealing portion, the sealing portion having a curved surface that corresponds with the inner curved surface of the cylindrical-shaped casing, and a non-sealing portion; a gate, the gate having a first end and a second end; and a gate positioning system, the gate positioning system operable to locate the first end of the gate proximate to the non-circular rotor as the rotor turns, wherein the gate positioning system comprises at least one cam that drives the gate positioning system, wherein the gate positioning system comprises: at least one cam follower connected to the at least one cam; and a gate support arm connecting the gate to the earn follower such that movement of the at least one cam follower causes movement of the gate, and wherein the gate positioning system comprises at least one spring connected to the cam follower so as to urge the cam follower to maintain contact with the cam.