Valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor

A reciprocating compressor defining an axial direction and a radial direction, the reciprocating compressor comprising:

• a cylindrical casing defining a compression chamber;
• a piston positioned within the compression chamber and being movable along the axial direction, the piston defining a suction port for receiving a flow of gas, wherein the piston comprises a compression face, a recessed portion that is defined within the compression face, and a valve seat that is raised relative to the recessed portion;
• and
• a valve positioned over the suction port for selectively permitting the flow of gas through the suction port and into the compression chamber, the valve comprising:
• a sealing portion that is positioned over the suction port and creating a fluid seal against the valve seat in a closed position, wherein the sealing portion of the valve overlaps the valve seat and hangs into the recessed portion that is defined within the compression face along the radial direction;
• an attachment portion mechanically coupled to the compression face of the piston;
• a support portion that extends away from the attachment portion along the radial direction such that the attachment portion is positioned between the sealing portion and the support portion, wherein the support portion defines a flattened end opposite the sealing portion along the radial direction such that the valve has a non-circular shape;
• and
• a connecting portion that mechanically couples the support portion to the sealing portion and permits the sealing portion to move between an open position and the closed position.