Abstract: An unloader assembly and method for unloading a compressor, with the unloader assembly including one or more fingers configured to engage one or more valve elements of a suction valve of the compressor. The unloader assembly also includes a biasing member coupled to the one or more fingers and configured to bias the one or more fingers downward such that the one or more fingers follow the one or more valve elements, and an actuating rod coupled to the one or more fingers and extending longitudinally therefrom. The unloader assembly further includes a first reservoir containing a smart fluid and adapted to receive the actuating rod, and a coil disposed at least one of proximal to and within the first reservoir, with the coil being configured to produce a field when an electrical current is supplied to the coil, to change one or more viscoelastic properties of the smart fluid.

Abstract: An unloader assembly and method for unloading a compressor, with the unloader assembly including one or more fingers configured to engage one or more valve elements of a suction valve of the compressor. The unloader assembly also includes a biasing member coupled to the one or more fingers and configured to bias the one or more fingers downward such that the one or more fingers follow the one or more valve elements, and an actuating rod coupled to the one or more fingers and extending longitudinally therefrom. The unloader assembly further includes a first reservoir containing a smart fluid and adapted to receive the actuating rod, and a coil disposed at least one of proximal to and within the first reservoir, with the coil being configured to produce a field when an electrical current is supplied to the coil, to change one or more viscoelastic properties of the smart fluid.