Inlet valve system

An inlet valve system (10) for a cylinder chamber (20) of a compressor, comprising:

• a valve assembly (200) having a first axial end (212) opposite a second axial end (214),
• a plurality of first valve passages (220),
• a plurality of second valve passages (230),
• a first connective passage (240),
• a second connective passage (242),
• a plurality of inlet valves (250) disposed in a plurality of inlet valve ports (244) arranged in a first portion 245 of the cylindrical valve body (210);
• a central bore (248) extending between the first axial end (212) and the second axial end (214) of the cylindrical valve body and along a central axis of the inlet valve system, wherein:
• the plurality of first valve passages (220) extend between the first axial end (212) of the cylindrical valve body (210) and the first connective passage (240),
• the plurality of second valve passages (230) extend between the second axial end (214) of the cylindrical valve body (210) and the first connective passage (240), the second connective passage (242) extends between the plurality of inlet valve ports (244),
• each inlet valve port (244) at least partially contains a respective inlet valve of the plurality of inlet valves (250), and each inlet valve (250) is configured to move between a closed position and an opened position;
• a control chamber (252) fluidly coupled to the second connective passage (242), the control chamber independent from pressure control external to the cylinder chamber,
• a check valve (260) arranged between the second connective passage (242) and the cylinder chamber (20), the check valve disposed in a check valve port (262) arranged in a second portion (247) of the cylindrical valve body (210),
• a control valve (270, 270′) arranged between the cylinder chamber (20) and the control chamber (252);
• and
• a controller coupled to the control valve, wherein, when the control valve (270, 270′) is a first position, the check valve is fluidly coupled to the cylinder chamber (20) to set the inlet valve system in an unloaded condition, wherein each inlet valve of the plurality of inlet valves (250) is in the opened position, and when the control valve (270, 270′) is in a second position, the inlet valve system is set in a loaded condition, wherein each valve of the plurality of inlet valves (250) is in the closed position.