Swash plate type compressor with a central inlet passage

A swash plate type compressor comprising:

• a pair of cylinder blocks including a crank case and a plurality of cylinders connected to a suction port;
• housing sections for covering said cylinder blocks, said housing sections including a suction chamber leading to each of said cylinders, and a discharge chamber also leading to each of said cylinders;
• a drive shaft rotatably supported by said cylinder blocks, said drive shaft having a central axis, and a forward section for engagement to an external driving mechanism;
• shaft sealing means disposed substantially within said suction chamber, for sealing said forward section of said drive shaft;
• a swash plate mounted on said drive shaft and rotatably housed within said crank case;
• a plurality of pistons housed within said cylinders, for engaging said swash plate;
• a fluid passage provided along said central axis of said drive shaft, whereby fluid in said crank case is sucked into said cylinders via said suction chamber, and whereby the fluid is compressed in said cylinders and is discharged therefrom into said discharge chamber;
• and
• a plurality of outlet and inlet ports leading to said fluid passage, said inlet ports being fluidly opened to said crank case and said outlet ports being opened to said suction chamber, said fluid passage, outlet ports and inlet ports forming a fluid suction passage.