Abstract: An inlet valve system (10), as may be used for a cylinder chamber (20) of a compressor, such as a reciprocating compressor, is disclosed. A plurality of inlet valves (250) is movable between an open position and a closed position. The plurality of inlet valves is arranged between an unloader chamber (120) and a cylinder chamber (20) of the compressor. A control valve (270, 270?) is coupled to a controller (300) and is movable between a first position and a second position to close the inlet valves. A check valve (260, 260?) is movable between a first position and a second position to open the inlet valves. The check valve and the control valve are respectively fluidly coupled to a control chamber (252), which is decoupled from any pressure control external to cylinder chamber (20).

Abstract: An inlet valve system (10), as may be used for a cylinder chamber (20) of a compressor, such as a reciprocating compressor, is disclosed. A plurality of inlet valves (250) is movable between an open position and a closed position. The plurality of inlet valves is arranged between an unloader chamber (120) and a cylinder chamber (20) of the compressor. A control valve (270, 270?) is coupled to a controller (300) and is movable between a first position and a second position to close the inlet valves. A check valve (260, 260?) is movable between a first position and a second position to open the inlet valves. The check valve and the control valve are respectively fluidly coupled to a control chamber (252), which is decoupled from any pressure control external to cylinder chamber (20).

Abstract: An improved inlet valve system for a cylinder chamber of a reciprocating compressor and a method for utilizing a high pressure gas source to control an inlet valve system for a cylinder chamber of a reciprocating compressor is disclosed. The inlet valve system may include an unloader, a valve assembly including a cylindrical valve body circumferentially disposed about a central axis of the inlet valve system, and a control valve actuator including a control valve body. The valve assembly may include a plurality of inlet valve elements disposed respectively in valve element ports fluidly connected to a control valve passage. A high pressure gas source is utilized to hold open and close the inlet valve elements via the control valve passage in order to control the capacity of the reciprocating compressor.

Abstract: A compressor valve assembly is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a guide having a cylindrical cup portion and a cylindrical stem portion that extends axially in a socket where the guide can be removably affixed to a stop plate. The disclosed valve assembly is conducive to user-friendly serviceability while realizing an increased flow area with operational capability at relatively higher pressures and practically no susceptibility to bending stresses.

Abstract: An unloader valve includes a seat including a plurality of inlet apertures spaced apart from one another and extending through the seat along one of a plurality of parallel inlet axes. A manifold plate is fixedly connected to the seat and includes a plurality of outlet apertures, each spaced apart from one another and extending through the manifold plate along one of a plurality of parallel outlet axes. The unloader valve also includes a plurality of plug holes, a control chamber formed in the manifold plate, and a control space fully defined by the manifold plate and arranged to fluidly connect the control chamber and each of the plug holes to one another.

Abstract: A compressor valve assembly is presented. The compressor valve assembly includes a seat and a guard attached to each other. The seat includes an inlet hole. The guard includes a spring. The guard includes a guide pin attached to the bottom of the guard and extends out the spring internally. The guard includes a seal element attached to the guide pin. The seal element includes a socket to receive the guide pin and a spring landing area residing on top of the spring. The guide pin internally guides a movement of the seal element to move toward the inlet hole when the spring extends and to move away from the inlet hole when the spring is compressed.

Abstract: An inlet valve system for a cylinder chamber of a reciprocating compressor and a method for unloading the inlet valve system are provided. The inlet valve system may include an unloader, a valve assembly including a cylindrical valve body circumferentially disposed about a central axis of the inlet valve system, and a control valve actuator including a control valve body circumferentially disposed about the central axis of the inlet valve system. A control valve passage of the control valve body may extend along the central axis of the inlet valve system, a control valve element may be disposed in the control valve passage, and a control pressure source may be fluidly coupled to the control valve passage.

Abstract: A compressor valve may include a guard and a seat affixed thereto. The seat may have an inlet surface and an outlet surface opposite the inlet surface. A reconditioning limit indicator may be defined by or adjacent the outlet surface. The reconditioning limit indicator may be indicative of a maximum amount of material of the seat removable from the outlet surface during reconditioning of the seat. The reconditioning limit indicator may be a groove defined by the outer cylindrical surface of the seat, a portion of the outer cylindrical surface of the seat adjacent the outlet surface and having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the seat, or a predetermined shape of a predetermined depth machined on the outlet surface of the seat.

Abstract: An inlet valve system for a cylinder chamber of a reciprocating compressor and a method for unloading the inlet valve system are provided. The inlet valve system may include an unloader, a valve assembly including a cylindrical valve body circumferentially disposed about a central axis of the inlet valve system, and a control valve actuator including a control valve body circumferentially disposed about the central axis of the inlet valve system. A control valve passage of the control valve body may extend along the central axis of the inlet valve system, a control valve element may be disposed in the control valve passage, and a control pressure source may be fluidly coupled to the control valve passage.

Abstract: A valve member for a poppet valve is provided. The valve member may include a valve stem, a valve head, a face formed on the valve head, a sealing surface disposed between the face and the perimeter of the valve head, a tapered socket, and a bevel. The valve stem may include an outside surface defining a stem diameter. The valve head may include a maximum diameter greater than the stem diameter. The face may be formed on the valve head opposite the valve stem. The sealing surface may include a transition ring disposed between the perimeter of the face and the maximum diameter of the valve head. The tapered socket may be disposed in an end of the valve stem, defining an opening with a socket perimeter sized to receive a spring therein.

Abstract: A valve member for a poppet valve is provided. The valve member may include a valve stem, a valve head, a face formed on the valve head, a sealing surface disposed between the face and the perimeter of the valve head, a tapered socket, and a bevel. The valve stem may include an outside surface defining a stem diameter. The valve head may include a maximum diameter greater than the stem diameter. The face may be formed on the valve head opposite the valve stem. The sealing surface may include a transition ring disposed between the perimeter of the face and the maximum diameter of the valve head. The tapered socket may be disposed in an end of the valve stem, defining an opening with a socket perimeter sized to receive a spring therein.

Abstract: A compressor valve may include a guard and a seat affixed thereto. The seat may have an inlet surface and an outlet surface opposite the inlet surface. A reconditioning limit indicator may be defined by or adjacent the outlet surface. The reconditioning limit indicator may be indicative of a maximum amount of material of the seat removable from the outlet surface during reconditioning of the seat. The reconditioning limit indicator may be a groove defined by the outer cylindrical surface of the seat, a portion of the outer cylindrical surface of the seat adjacent the outlet surface and having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the seat, or a predetermined shape of a predetermined depth machined on the outlet surface of the seat.

Abstract: A closing element is for a valve assembly of a compressor unloader, the compressor including a casing with a compression chamber, the unloader including a housing defining a chamber. The valve assembly has a base between the compression and unloader chambers, a passage connecting the two chambers, a seat about the passage, and a stem bore within the base having a control chamber. The closing element includes a main body movably disposed within the stem bore and having a sealing surface disposeable against the valve seating surface to obstruct the valve passage and a control end surface within the bore control chamber A sealing member disposed about the main body prevents flow between the control chamber and the valve passage. The main body and/or the sealing member is configured such that the main body is radially moveable to align the body sealing surface with the valve seat.

Abstract: A closing element is for a valve assembly of a compressor unloader, the compressor including a casing with a compression chamber, the unloader including a housing defining a chamber. The valve assembly has a base between the compression and unloader chambers, a passage connecting the two chambers, a seat about the passage, and a stem bore within the base having a control chamber. The closing element includes a main body movably disposed within the stem bore and having a sealing surface disposeable against the valve seating surface to obstruct the valve passage and a control end surface within the bore control chamber A sealing member disposed about the main body prevents flow between the control chamber and the valve passage. The main body and/or the sealing member is configured such that the main body is radially moveable to align the body sealing surface with the valve seat.