Compressor valve

A compressor valve suitable for use in a compressor between a cylinder head including a suction passage in which a fluid flow is drawn into a cylinder under low pressure and a discharge passage to which compressed air is discharged, where in the cylinder, mechanical compression of the fluid flow is carried out to generate a high pressure fluid flow, the compressor valve comprising:

• a. a first body member;
• b. a second body member;
• c. the first body member and the second body member each defining a set of suction flow passages in fluid communication with each other between the suction passage and the cylinder, and a set of compression flow passages in fluid communication with each other between the cylinder and the discharge passage;
• d. an annular suction seal located at least partially between the first body member and the second body member, the suction seal being configured for at least partially restricting flow through the suction flow passages;
• e. an annular compression seal located at least partially between the first body member and second body member, the compression seal being configured for at least partially restricting flow through the compression flow passages;
• f. the suction seal being movable between a closed position in which the fluid flow through the suction passage is restricted, and an open position in which fluid flow through the suction passage is less restricted, the suction seal being biased to a closed position against the flow of fluid from the suction passage to the cylinder;
• g. the compression seal being movable between a closed position in which the fluid flow through the compression passage is restricted, and an open position in which fluid flow through the compression passage is less restricted, the compression seal being biased to a closed position against the flow of fluid from the cylinder to the discharge passage;
• and
• h. wherein the annular suction seal and the annular compression seal are concentric;
• i. wherein the suction seal and the compression seal are biased by helical coil springs;
• and
• j. wherein the helical coil springs each include a cylindrical engaging formation movable with the spring, the engaging formation being biased by the helical coil springs for engagement against the compression seal and the suction seal.