Abstract: An improved unloader valve assembly for a high-speed reciprocating compressor includes improved poppets and valve seat designs. The improved poppets and valve seats are useful for reducing or eliminating poppet leakage and high impact stresses on the sealing surfaces of the poppets, and are especially intended for use with high-speed reciprocating compressors operating at 1000 rpm and higher. A control chamber spacer plate for creating a control pressure chamber within the unloader valve assembly, and a valve seat cushioning plate for reducing stress on the head ends of the poppets are also described.

Abstract: A pulsation attenuation network branching device or transition apparatus for controlling pulsation of a fluid in a piping system includes at least one large flow channel, at least two small flow channels, and at least one divider that transitions the large flow channel into the small flow channels internally. Fluid can flow through the device in either direction. One embodiment of the branching device can include a main inlet and a main outlet, an internal attenuating conduit, a branching outlet, and a branching inlet, a first divider for dividing the fluid flow from the main inlet into the internal attenuating conduit and the branching outlet, and a second divider for joining the fluid flowing from the branching inlet and the internal attenuating conduit into the main outlet. Another embodiment can include a main inlet, three branching outlets, and two dividers for transitioning the main inlet into the three branching outlets.

Abstract: A controllable variable volume clearance pocket for reciprocating compressor cylinders is disclosed. The invention includes a device for varying the clearance volume of a variable volume clearance pocket in a controlled manner. The device can be used repeatedly to change the compressor cylinder clearance volume as required to control compressor capacity and power required from the compressor driver. The device is typically mounted on the outer or head end of a reciprocating compressor cylinder, but can also be scaled and configured for use either in conjunction with a variable clearance volume unloader operating over a reciprocating compressor valve pocket or a special port in a reciprocating compressor body.

Abstract: A suction valve for a reciprocating compressor includes a hollow cylindrical valve seat having a plurality of suction ports formed therethrough. The suction ports are covered by flaps moveably mounted on the inner surface of the valve seat which open and close in response to pressure differentials in the compressor. The flaps are oriented in a consistent circumferential direction so as to induce a vortex effect in gas moving through the suction ports.

Abstract: An unloader system for a reciprocating gas compressor includes an unloader valve assembly which may be installed as the suction valve assembly or the discharge valve assembly of the compressor. The valve assembly includes a valve seat having one or more seat passages formed therethrough and a valve guard having a number of valve members movably mounted thereon equal to the number of seat passages. One of the valve guard and valve seat is rotatable relative to the other. The rotatable member is driven by a constant torque motor or other power source which stalls when a retarding force caused by pressure differentials across the valve members overcomes the torque supplied. Once pressures across the valve members equalize, the rotatable member can resume rotation. A method of unloading a compressor using the unloader system includes selecting a rotational speed for the rotating member to allow backflow.