Valved suction mechanism of a refrigerant compressor

A compressor comprising:

• a housing;
• a valve plate at least partially disposed in said housing and dividing said housing into at least a first chamber and a second chamber, the second chamber including a discharge chamber and a suction chamber;
• linking means for linking the first chamber to the second chamber, the linking means including a plurality of discharge conduits communicating the first chamber with the discharge chamber, and a plurality of suction conduits communicating the first chamber with the suction chamber;
• a plurality of discharge valve members, each of which is responsive to a difference in pressure between the first chamber and the discharge chamber to bend to open and close the end opening of a corresponding discharge conduit;
• a plurality of suction valve members each of which is responsive to a difference in pressure between the first chamber and the suction chamber to bend to open and close the end opening of a corresponding suction conduit;
• and
• a suction valve control mechanism comprising a regulator for regulating the opening of the suction conduits in response to a change in a discharge chamber pressure,
• wherein the regulator causes the suction valve members to open toward a maximum opening position in response to an increase in discharge chamber pressure, and toward a minimum opening position in response to a decrease in discharge chamber pressure, and
• wherein the regulator comprises a stopper having a first end which limits movement of the suction valve members toward the maximum opening position, a control member engaging a second end of the stopper to move the stopper member toward the maximum opening position and limit the movement of the stopper toward the minimum opening position, and a piston mechanism comprising a piston rod for engaging the control member to move the control member, the piston mechanism being responsive to a change in the discharge chamber pressure.

A suction valve assembly for use in a compressor having a suction chamber and a discharge chamber on one side of a valve plate and a cylinder chamber on the other side of the valve plate, the assembly comprising:

• a stopper disposed within a passage communicating the suction chamber and the cylinder chamber, the passage including a conduit extending through the valve plate, the stopper being movable between a first position and a second position;
• a control mechanism for controlling movement of the stopper;
• and
• a valve member positioned at an end of the conduit opening toward the cylinder chamber, the valve member in contact with the stopper,
• wherein the control mechanism is responsive to a change in a discharge chamber pressure to cause the stopper to move between the first and second positions,
• wherein movement of the stopper toward the first position permits movement of the valve member toward a minimum opening position at which the conduit is opened a minimum amount,
• and wherein movement of the stopper toward the second position causes movement of the valve member toward a maximum opening position at which the conduit is opened a maximum amount.

A suction valve assembly for use in a compressor having a suction chamber and a discharge chamber on one side of a valve plate and a cylinder chamber on the other side of the valve plate, the assembly comprising:

• a stopper disposed within a passage communicating the suction chamber and the cylinder chamber, the passage including a conduit extending through the valve plate, the stopper being movable between a first position and a second position;
• a valve member positioned at an end of the conduit opening toward the cylinder chamber, the valve member in contact with a first end of the stopper, the first end of the stopper limiting movement of the valve member toward a maximum opening position;
• a control mechanism for controlling movement of the stopper, the control member engaging a second end of the stopper to move the stopper toward the second position and limit movement of the stopper toward the first position;
• and
• a piston mechanism comprising a piston rod for moving the control member, the piston mechanism being responsive to a change in a discharge chamber pressure to cause the control member to cause the cause the stopper to move between the first and second positions,
• wherein movement of the stopper toward the first position permits movement of the valve member toward a minimum opening position at which the conduit is opened a minimum amount,
• wherein movement of the stopper toward the second position causes movement of the valve member toward the maximum opening position at which the conduit is opened a maximum amount, and
• wherein the stopper is biased toward the first position by a spring.