Radial valve with unloader assembly for gas compressor

In a valve apparatus for use in a gas compressor said valve having a first side and a second side;

• said valve apparatus further comprising;
• (a) a valve seat chair including at least one valve seat communicating between said first and second sides of said valve;
• (b) a valve guide cage including at least one valve guide, said valve guide being normally aligned with said valve seat;
• (c) at least one valve means positioned in said at least one valve guide, said valve means being movable between an open position and a closed position while said valve guide is aligned with said valve seat, said valve means being adapted to seat in a corresponding one of said valve seats in said valve seat chair in said closed position;
• and
• (d) actuator means for moving said guide cage and said valve seat chair relative to each other to an unloaded position for said valve apparatus in which said valve guide and said valve seat are misaligned.

In a suction valve for a gas compressor;

• said compressor having a compressor cylinder, a reciprocating piston slidably disposed therein, a suction chamber;
• said suction valve having an inlet side communicating with said suction chamber and an outlet side communicating with said compressor cylinder;
• said suction valve further comprising;
• (a) a cylindrical valve seat chair including a plurality of rows of valve seats arranged radially about said seat chair, with each said valve seat communicating with said suction chamber;
• (b) a cylindrical valve guide cage including a like plurality of rows of valve guides arranged radially about said guide cage, with each said valve guide communicating with said compressor cylinder, said guide cage being concentrically positioned inside of said valve seat chair and said guide cage including a plurality of openings extending therethrough, said openings being spaced between the rows of valve guides;
• (c) a poppet valve positioned in each said valve guide, each said poppet valve being adapted to seat in a corresponding valve seat in said valve seat chair;
• and
• (d) actuator means for moving said guide cage relative to said valve seat chair to unseat said poppet valves and unload said compressor.